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Paul A. Laughlin

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The apparent absence of God -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 11:33-36, Psalm 95, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: At first it appears that the thirsty (and by now weary) Israelites are expressing m
Our futile present vs. God's future presence -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Psalm 24, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: In its original setting, this famous prophecy was directed at a reluctant recipient
The qualities and consequences of the One who comes -- Psalm 72, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: This description of the ideal Davidic king (i.e., the hoped-for Messiah) contains t
The requirements of God -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 37, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Prophesying at the end of the eighth century B.C.
The Church's mission in time and space -- Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:46-53 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: With this beginning to what is, in effect, his Volume Two, Luke epitomizes his Gosp
Being borne on eagle's Wings -- Exodus 19:19, Psalm 114, Matthew 16:21-28 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: One of the most striking images of God in the Pentateuch appears in this passage: G
A Servant with Spirit -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Matthew 3:13-17 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The identity of the Suffering Servant named in this so-called "First Servant Song"
Other gods -- Exodus 20:1-20, Psalm 19, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The commandments of the so-called "First Table," i.e., those dealing directly with
God's coming salvation -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Psalm 97, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:8-20 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: These verses are drawn from a larger passage that announces the imminent restoratio
God's unbearable majesty -- Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:28-32 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Face imagery permeates this selection.
God's return to reign -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98, John 1:1-14 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Deutero-Isaiah's enthronement announcement - "Your God reigns!" - and vision of Yah
Divine commission and human ordination -- Numbers 27:12-23, Psalm 81, Philippians 3:12-21, Matthew 21:33-43 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: In anticipation of his death, Moses asks God to select a successor for him, lest th
The saints' ultimate reward -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Psalm 34, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- All Saints Day - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The powerful scene here is best appreciated against the backdrop of the reign of Em
The greatness of godliness -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Psalm 135, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The testimonial that concludes the poignantly moving account of Moses' death and se
Felt repentance versus formal regrets -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2 (3-10), Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Psalm 51 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The context for Joel's prophesies is a plague of locusts, which he interprets as a
A God for all -- Ruth 1:1-19a, Psalm 146, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The fact that the heroine of this story is not a Hebrew but a Moabite woman, and th
The power of God's presence -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: This joyous coronation anthem probably celebrated the enthronement rather than the
Grace begets grace -- Ruth 2:1-13, Psalm 128, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: It is not entirely clear whether Ruth set out for or happened onto Boaz' field, sin
Easter as God's "Yes" -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118, Matthew 28:1-10 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Easter Day - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The heart of the kerygmatic recapitulation contained in Peter's speech to Gentiles
Small human events in God's great plan -- Ruth 4:7-17, Psalm 127, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The key idea in this selection is that people behaving righteously in small events
Public holiness -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Psalm 119, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 5:38-48 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The first two verses of this chapter set the theme: holiness.
End-time expectations -- Amos 5:18-24, Psalm 50, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The warning of Amos is against the presumption of those among his own people who we
Ritual versus righteousness -- Isaiah 58:3-9a, Psalm 112, Matthew 5:13-16 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Trito-Isaiah, writing in the context of the early days of the return of the exiles
The jealousy of God -- Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18, Psalm 76, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Writing in the days of the reformer King Josiah and the prophet Jeremiah, Zephaniah
God's eternal plan: a Gospel for the world -- Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The axis around which this (probably pseudoPau line) passage turns is the idea of G
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John Jamison
Object: I had the youngest children in the group participate. When I came to the part of the story where Jesus asked the little children to come to him, I had the youngest come and sit closest to me. If you think it is possible with your group, when you ask how little children act when they receive a gift, actually ask your youngest children what they think the answer is. Do the same with the older children when you ask about how older people act.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For October 6, 2024:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
I heard a sad story today about a pastor whose church essentially had to close as a result of a scandal surrounding his associate. The pastor himself knew nothing about his associate’s behavior, he was as blindsided by it as the rest of the church family was. But it led to such disruption and division in the church, that they shuttered their doors. And now, a friend told me, that innocent pastor is looking for a new ministry, but he carries with him this black mark that he doesn’t deserve.
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Mark Ellingsen
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Job 1:1; 2:1-10

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John E. Sumwalt
Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels.  But someone has testified somewhere, ‘What are humans that you are mindful of them or mortals that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor’ (vv. 5-7)

Angels are popular in American culture.

SermonStudio

Christopher Keating
Copied on the front of the bulletin were verses from Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem, “Charged with Grandeur.” A globe was placed on a table near the front, emphasizing human’s place in the world. Video footage from NASA accompanied the sermon in order to reinforce how we are called to claim our vocation as stewards of creation. Images of an old car and glimpses of the Earth from space were also used as visuals.
Robert G. Beckstrand
Vindicate me, O LORD,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
Prove me, O LORD, and try me,
test my heart and mind.
For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in faithfulness to you.
-- Psalm 26:1-3

Theme: A pledge of, and a plea for, loyalty

Outline
1-3 -- He pleads for God to give recognition to his integrity and single-hearted devotion.
4-8 -- Evidence of this is in his past conduct and his present joy in worship.
Wesley T. Runk
Object: a clock

Mark Ellingsen
Theme of the Day
Reflections on the love of God.

Collect of the Day
Addressing the sovereign God who created us to live in loving community, petitions are raised by the faithful to be formed in faith to trust like children and so reflect Christ's image. Justification and Sanctification are again emphasized.

Psalm of the Day
Psalm 26
* A prayer for deliverance from personal enemies; a lament traditionally attributed to David.
Donna E. Schaper
We find Job on the edge of town, his money gone, his children dead, picking at his innumerable sores and scabs. In the Joni Mitchell version of his sorrow, Job speaks of how the children of the wicked frisk like deer while his are dead and gone. In her version, we are also told that Job sees the diggers waiting, leaning on their spades, at the site of his grave. Job's three friends, Eliphas, Bildad, and Zophar show up to comfort him but they do so in a way that only pours iodine on his wounds. God is just, they say, therefore, Job must have done something wrong.
John R. Brokhoff
Robert W. Stackel
When William Jennings Bryan went to the father of the young woman whom he loved to ask her hand in marriage, he remembered that the father was a strong religious believer, so he quoted a proverb of Solomon from the Bible: "He who finds a wife finds a good thing." But the father surprised him by responding with a quote from St.
William G. Carter
We have a problem today. Here we are, gathered at worship as the household of God. Through baptism we belong to a worldwide community of faith. Each time we gather, we have an opportunity to pray together and recommit ourselves to peace. Now that we are here, we have to deal with a troublesome and potentially divisive text from the Gospel of Mark. Some Pharisees put Jesus to the test by asking him what he thought about divorce. His response, in turn, has always put a peace-loving church to the test.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, "What God has joined together, let no one separate." In our service today, let us consider our responsibilities to the whole of creation.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, we have not always cared about our environment.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, we have not always taken our responsibilities to animals seriously.
Christ, have mercy.

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