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St. James Lutheran Church

A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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RevMerle: Musings and Mutterings on what I see God up to in this world.: RevMerle

“The More Things Change.” Matthew 4:1-11

“The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Isn’t that how the old saying goes? I cannot help but be reminded of that as we begin the Lenten journey and hear this story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. The more you pull apart the story, and the more deeply you look at […]

“Touched and No Longer Afraid.” Matthew 17:1-9

We have to start by acknowledging that we really have no idea what this story is about. Jesus picks three of his disciples and invites them to accompany him to a mount top. There he is transfigured before them into a “glow in the dark” Jesus who is able to confer with Elijah and Moses. […]

“When God Shows You Who You Are….” Matthew 5:13-20

It was Maya Angelou, the African American Poet who is quoted as originating the phrase, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Certainly within the context of Angelou’s own personal history and experience of racism and of being abused, we tend to hear in those words a tenor of […]

“Drop What You Have in Your Hands…” Matthew 4:12-23

I have puzzled over this story. What makes those disciples drop their nets and follow Jesus? What would prompt you to walk away from your boat and your father? As I’ve looked over how I have preached this story in the past, it is run the gamut of thoughts. I’ve looked at […]

“What? So What?” Matthew 3:13-17

One of my favorite professors at Seminary, David Tiede, used to tell us that anyone can do good biblical scholarship of any bible passage if they will apply just three little words to a passage. Those three little words are, “What?” and “So What?” “What?” What is happening in this passage? What’s the […]

Sarah’s Sermons

“Poised, Anxious Sorrow”

“This is a stillness, not of rest, but of poised, anxious sorrow.” N.T. Wright, an Anglican priest and New Testament theologian, wrote these words for an op-ed in Time Magazine this week, in which he thinks about many of the things we have been talking about these past few weeks:the way events in our world […]

Watch and Pray

I deleted the Facebook app on my phone this week. My account is still active; I just don’t have easy access at my fingertips to pull up Facebook any time I want. I’m trying to eliminate the mindless scrolling that just takes up time, occupies the top part of my brain, raises my stress level, […]

Sight and Faith

We are living in a strange time right now, aren’t we? A time when we are surrounded by suspicion and fear…and also a time when we are pulling together to care for and protect each other. A time when we doubt what our eyes and ears tell us…and also a time when we put our […]

Identity Matters

Who are you? What defines you? What pieces of your identity are so crucial to your sense of who you are that, if these pieces were changed or taken away, you would be a fundamentally different person? We all have ways in which we define ourselves that, if we lost them, that would be alright […]

Decompartmentalizing John 3:16

Our gospel reading for today contains one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. How often have you watched a game on TV and seen someone holding a sign that says, “John 3:16”? And how many of us, on seeing that sign, know immediately that that verse is, “For God so loved the world […]

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Recent Posts: St. James Lutheran Church

Stewardship Notes from the Pastor

Strategic Giving for Retirees Dana J. Holt People have been tithing for millennia. In Christian tradition, the aim of many is to give 10% of their household income to the church as offering to God. But how much should we give after we retire and don’t have a regular income from work anymore? And where … Continue reading Stewardship Notes from the Pastor

Study Opportunities

St. James offers a variety of options for adult learning and interaction, so take advantage of these that fit your schedule or interest. “Coffee with Jesus” Wednesdays at 7 a.m. at Perkins on North Oak, or Saturdays at 9 a.m. at Green Acres Market in Briarcliff. It’s a little comic, a little scripture, and a … Continue reading Study Opportunities

Church in the World Notes

The Clay County Clothes Closet is the charity chosen by Church in the World Committee for the month of April April 7th and 14th have been designated “Undie Sundays”. Besides gifts of gently used clothing we’re asking for donations of NEW underwear and NEW Socks, all sizes from children’s to adult. Or, you can make … Continue reading Church in the World Notes

From the Intern

Our daffodils are about a day away from blooming. My favorite part about daffodils blooming is that it means that our tulips are next, and the magnolia trees are not far behind. I love the early spring flowers: the first real green of the year, the riot of color, the signs of new life and … Continue reading From the Intern

From the Pastor

“Enough” Problems. We have “enough” problems as a society right now, but I don’t mean that in the way that you probably think I do. I’m not talking about the number of problems, as in “enough, can’t take any more.” Oh we might have that too, but my mind is wandering elsewhere today. We have … Continue reading From the Pastor

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