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David Coffin

David Coffin is pastor of Elgin/Highland Lutheran Parish in Elgin, Iowa. David is a graduate of Ferris State University with a BS degree in printing. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary (Ohio) and his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Winebrenner Seminary. He enjoys bike riding and working with small group ministries. He also eats lots of pizza, so he needs to ride the bike.
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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Who Belongs Here? -- Matthew 2:1-12, Ephesians 3:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2025
An upper middle-aged man is politely led out of the factory where he works by both the union and man
Messenger's Message -- Luke 4:21-30, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2025
Imagine an aging church leader or preacher who has seen one technology tool after another change the
Wilderness Tool Kit -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- David Coffin -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Around 1987, an aspiring young musician left the confines of his Midwest rural Indiana home to try t
Servant Sovereign -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 23:1-49 -- David Coffin -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2025
Where is God now?
Redirected Life -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- David Coffin -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
A medical worker is working long, hard, stress filled hours in an urban hospital setting.
Life Giving Spirit -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- David Coffin -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2025
An older couple is given an eight-month eviction notice to leave their residence.
God Still Cares -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- David Coffin -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2025
Another mass shooting appears on the television “Breaking News!” Many people have lost count of the
Beyond Status Quo -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Luke 12:49-56 -- David Coffin -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2025
When does the status quo no longer seem to be working?
Persistent Grace -- Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 -- David Coffin -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2025
All three of today’s texts can be viewed as good news that God never gives up on God’s people.
A Season for Everything -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- David Coffin -- New Year's Day - B -- 2024
After ten years of employment at a certain company, a mid-level manager is called into a special mee
Community Priorities -- Mark 1:21-28, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2024
During this time of the Epiphany season, we might be seeking voices or signs as to what priorities G
Faith Stretching Exercises -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- David Coffin -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
It is the second week into the Lenten season.
Good Friday Gifts -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- David Coffin -- Good Friday - B -- 2024
All of today’s texts have a gift for our spiritual journey on this day.
Is it Good Enough? -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- David Coffin -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2024
Pastor Morgan was shocked!
Spirit Movement -- Acts 2:1-21, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Romans 8:22-27 -- David Coffin -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2024
Pentecost accents the belief that the Christian church is a Spirit movement, not another world insti
Getting the Job Done -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41, 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, Psalm 9:9-20 -- David Coffin -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2024
An older person walks across the stage of a smaller state university to receive a hard-earned advanc
Wilderness Provisions -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- David Coffin -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2024
Regardless of who we are and where we live, we will all one day face some form a wilderness.
Embodied Faith -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- David Coffin -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2024
In many church circles, the cry goes out for, “We need good leadership!” Growing pressure is placed
Creative Words that Matter -- Mark 10:17-31, Hebrews 4:12-16, Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- David Coffin -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2024
A younger clergy colleague once shared in our ministerial group that people in his generation do not
The New Chapter -- Mark 10:17-31, Hebrews 4:12-16, Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- David Coffin -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2024
The sizzling, fresh aroma of bratwursts and fresh beef burgers is carried downwind to the parsonage
Bearing Fruit of Advent Hope -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- David Coffin -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2024
How many frustrated preachers have wished in the back of their minds that they could begin a sermon

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Wilderness Tool Kit -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- David Coffin -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Around 1987, an aspiring young musician left the confines of his Midwest rural Indiana home to try t
Life Giving Spirit -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- David Coffin -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2025
An older couple is given an eight-month eviction notice to leave their residence.
God Still Cares -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- David Coffin -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2025
Another mass shooting appears on the television “Breaking News!” Many people have lost count of the
Community Priorities -- Mark 1:21-28, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2024
During this time of the Epiphany season, we might be seeking voices or signs as to what priorities G
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For September 14, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A sheep stuffy or toy.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started!

Did you know that Jesus traveled around and hunted for people who were doing something illegal and breaking the laws? (Let them respond.) He really did.And when he found someone who was doing something illegal, do you know what he did with them? (Let them respond.)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Our text tells us that we are skilled in doing evil (v.22). An anonymous late medieval treatise titled German Theology tells us why:

It is the nature and property of the creature to seek itself and its own things, and this and that, here and there, and in all that it does and leaves undone as desire is to its own advantage and benefit. (Varieties of Mystic Experience, p.162)

Martin Luther King, Jr. offers an alternative to this vision:
David Coffin
All three of today’s texts can be viewed as good news that God never gives up on God’s people. This is despite their resistance to repent or simple straying from the community of faith. We can observe family and loved ones at various points of their faith journey through the lens of each of these texts. Jeremiah 4 informs the people their neglect of honoring their covenant with God is about to result in disastrous consequences. Paul recalls in 1 Timothy 1 how he thought he was falling God’s will until he had his literal come to Jesus moment!

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (vv. 6-7)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus told stories to illustrate to the people God's gladness whenever anyone turned to him and chose life. There is still rejoicing in heaven whenever any one of us turns to God.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes I think I'm too insignificant for you to bother with me.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I don't bother with you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I don't bother with other people, but only with myself.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)

The psalm writer has an interesting perspective on the origin of injustice in our world. He begins this psalm with the assertion that those who do not believe in God are "fools." He goes on to accuse them of corruption and of being incapable of doing good. Later on he writes, "Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord?" (v. 4).

Elizabeth Achtemeier
"Now it is I who speak in judgment upon them" (v. 12). Ours is a society that does not accept that as the Word of God. Many people do not believe that God judges anyone. Rather, the Lord is a forgiving God, a kindly deity who overlooks all wrong. As in the Gospel lesson for the morning, the Lord searches for the one lost sheep and returns it gently to the fold, or he hunts for the one lost coin until he finds it. God accepts the lost as they are, we think, overlooking Jesus' teaching about repentance and transformation of life.
Scott Suskovic
We usually don't spend too much time thinking about our own sinfulness. On occasion, of course, our feelings of guilt overwhelm us. We can't stop thinking about our sinfulness. If we are in that situation, we may need to talk that out with someone. Apart from times like that, we don't think much about our own sinfulness. We have ways of getting around that.

R. Robert Cueni
Back before the ways of the Taliban became common knowledge, there was a fascinating little article about how they jailed barbers when they didn't do culturally correct haircuts.1 The newspaper reported that young men in Kabul, Afghanistan, have started wearing their hair the way the actor Leonardo DiCaprio wears his. Long, not only on the sides, but so long in the front that hair can drop over the eyes. They call the style, "the Titanic," named for the blockbuster movie starring DiCaprio about the 1912 sinking of the cruise ship by that name.

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