Practicing Belief
Steph Wieand
This week we will hear the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This is Jesus’ final and most significant sign, the one that ultimately leads the authorities to plot to kill him. But in the story, much less time is spent on Jesus’ interactions with Lazarus than those with his disciples, Martha, and […]
Grace and Truth
Steph Wieand
I remember vividly the first time I got into trouble in kindergarten. Kindergarten at that time included full sections of the room that were devoted to play, so we had a corner for building things, and another for doing arts and crafts, and one for playing house and dress up, as well as whole blocks […]
The Weight of the World
Steph Wieand
Sometimes in our lives we all feel like this (picture of people bent over with snow on their backs). And I don’t just mean adjusting to the snow and cold we had last week. Or the literal darkness that seems to be enveloping us well before the day is done. No, this image reminds me […]
Toward God’s Ways
Steph Wieand
Now in today’s story, the Israelites have just been freed from slavery in Egypt. They watched as the Red Sea divided, miraculously opening a way for them, and after all they had been through, they “believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.” (Exodus 14:31) They had been saved and they were grateful. But soon they […]
Where’s the Ram?
Steph Wieand
This is a challenging story. A God who tests? An instruction for Abraham to sacrifice his son? Seemingly blind obedience? This story makes me uncomfortable. And in my early moments of sermon preparation, I decided I don’t even like this story. Now I hope that doesn’t sound too irreverent to you, but I think it’s […]
Growing up in Faith
Steph Wieand
Our passage for today from Galatians 3 follows on Mark’s from last week and dives right into Paul’s response to the troubles in Galatia. Remember that the churches in Galatia were getting caught up again with what outward symbols were necessary to be a Christian, specifically questions around circumcision. Mark Baker, in the Anabaptist Community […]
We Had Hoped
Steph Wieand
Lauren Winner entered what she calls the middle of her spiritual life when a couple of things happened: her mother died and she got married, but it was not a happy marriage. (Quote). Where Lauren used to have faith, she now found herself staring at what she calls a blank wall. Some of us know […]
Homecoming
Steph Wieand
Last week we read from Luke 15, in which the Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling about Jesus welcoming and eating with sinners. And in response Jesus told three parables – the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Today we are going to engage more deeply with the third […]
Healer, Healer, Healer, Healer, Healer
Steph Wieand
I’ve been thinking a lot about the heart of God lately. Wanting to draw close. To dwell there. To touch the living water. And also wanting to be moved to love like God loves. To see the world as God sees it. I think God’s heart is filled with compassion and love and mercy. I […]
Will the real Messiah please stand up!
Steph Wieand
I have been resisting this passage. I’ve been resisting this passage because we’ve done repentance and I didn’t want to do it again. In fact, last weekend I was together with some friends and they asked about my next sermon, and I told them I had drawn John the Baptist again and then I actually […]
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