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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

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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.
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
Hopeful Voices -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- David Coffin -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Amidst this season of Advent, where can mainline church leaders find hope amidst headlines in many c
Fulfillment in Darkness -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2023
“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
Relationships Tested -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19 -- David Coffin -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Imagine a young couple about to be married who have just processed up the aisle of a traditional Chr

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Faith in God's Word -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28, Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- David Coffin -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2023
A person is a sincere Christian who prays for God’s will in their life at a young age.
Belonging Grace -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- David Coffin -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2023
At first glance, one common thread that ties all three of these texts together is that of God’s grac
Community Memories -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- David Coffin -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2023
At first glance all three of today’s texts can seem intimidating for preachers who seek to be cultur
Hopeful Voices -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- David Coffin -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Amidst this season of Advent, where can mainline church leaders find hope amidst headlines in many c
Epiphany Attraction -- Matthew 2:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2023
“Epiphany” describes the manifestation or self-revelation of God as an ordinary invisible power.
Fulfillment in Darkness -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2023
“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
Relationships Tested -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19 -- David Coffin -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Imagine a young couple about to be married who have just processed up the aisle of a traditional Chr
Sacrificial Service -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 27:11-54 -- David Coffin -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2023
In most churches I have served this is the week of Palm Sunday.
Connecting the Dots -- Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- David Coffin -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
On this third Sunday of Easter, where does one find the new life of the Easter season?
Still in the World -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14 -- David Coffin -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
It is early morning as a pastor opens up one of the small churches served in a multi congregational
Community Faith Questions -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- David Coffin -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
The 2018 movieThe Command narrated the disaster of the flagship Russian nuclear Submarine “
Glorifying God -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- David Coffin -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2022
According to a recent Religion News Service article, a growing number of people say they be
Focused Faith -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38 -- David Coffin -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2022
In the 1982 movie entitled Gandhi, the story begins in the year 1893, when Mohandas K.
Priestly People -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Joshua 5:9-12 -- David Coffin -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
In my junior high confirmation classes, I remind the students that there will be a day when they wil
Life Goes On -- Acts 5:27-32, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- David Coffin -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
It is springtime when the flowers start to bloom.
Being One Differently -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 -- David Coffin -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
The enthusiastic exclamation of Easter Sunday, “He is risen” is a distant echo during the week of th
Which God is Served? -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37, Psalm 82 -- David Coffin -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2022
“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgement” Psalm 8
Rugged Faith Journey Tools -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17, Psalm 71:1-6 -- David Coffin -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2022
Today’s texts address various life situations where the Christian faith journey is rugged in differe
Mature Faith -- Lamentations 1:1-6, Lamentations 3:19-26, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- David Coffin -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2022
All of today’s texts address times along the faith journey where a mature faith is helpful.
Response to Distractions -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- David Coffin -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2022
All four of today’s texts address distractions which may lead us astray of becoming the people of fa
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 16
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 17
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...

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In the spring as farmers and gardeners prepare to plant we are looking at a summer of possibilities. Hard work, to be sure, but also potential. What will happen? What will this season be like? At summer’s end there will be no more questions. We’ll know. Maybe it was a great season, and we have canned or frozen many vegetables. Maybe the farmers have brought in a bumper crop and they got a good price besides.

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Object: This message will be based on a game you will play. See the note below.

NOTE: Ask three or more adults to come up and play the role of Simon for your group. Tell them to all speak at once, asking the children to do different things. The goal is to create a nice bit of confusion for the children to experience.

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

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Call to Worship:

Jesus said, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.” In our worship today let us remember the little things in our lives and ask God to help us to be utterly faithful in them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we pretend that little sins don't matter.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we imagine that you don't notice little sins.

Christ, have mercy.

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This poignant prayer of lament and community grief gives expression to what it feels like to suffer as a person of faith. If we believe we are truly part of God's community, then the destruction of that community -- as was the case with Israel in 587 B.C. -- becomes a time for doubt, anger, and confusion. Furthermore, if we believe we are individual members of that community, our personal suffering also creates an opportunity for a crisis of faith: "Why didn't God protect me?" Of course, it does not take a national catastrophe to raise those sorts of questions.
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In the scripture lesson for today Jesus tells a perplexing parable about a thoroughly dishonest employee who was praised for his dishonesty. In this story Jesus not only seems comfortable suggesting that it is acceptable to compromise with moral failings, but our Lord appears to commend his disciples to "go and do likewise." For centuries, preachers, commentators, and scholars have struggled to make sense of this outrageous tale.

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