December 31, 2017. As Mary and Joseph entered the temple for the presentation of baby Jesus, they met a man named Simeon. Being led by the Holy Spirit, he believed he had seen the Messiah and that his life was complete. Pastor Penny preaches today on this story and how we believe God's words for the same reason that Simeon did, because of God's beautiful promise and the difference he makes in our lives. *** [Keywords: 10th 2017 8 day old baby Bethlehem Christ Lutheran Church Christmas Egyptian families God gives God is busy delivering us God is fighting for us God is part of everyday life God is with us God keeps his promises God loves the child God makes a difference in our lives God would save the world God's help Holy Spirit of God Jerusalem Jewish families Nazareth Pastor Penny Holste Simeon Witness of Simeon able to see sun again after school activities after woman had baby already won the victory armies as much as we are able ask for strength baptism baptized barriers believed God's promise believed words of God birthday bread and wine of communion bring animal to be sacrificed caregiver challenges chief defender child owned by God children we've been given chosen people cloud of despair lifts comes from loving God community of believers countries of the world devotions died don't think we can pray too much end of the day entered the temple family and friends father said aren't you glad you prayed felt his life was complete five year old boy food and people sitting around table for us and for the whole world forgive someone freed by God's grace freeing us from selfishness from Abraham to Isaiah gathering of people giving this child to God got tired of praying greet the day with prayer of thanks guarantee you'll get one had been slaves in Egypt had that experience hard to find time has to be true he saw the Messiah heard a voice heard voice of God hearts are soft how could he believe if I die right now I'll die a happy person illness inclusive indicated keep these rituals led him to the temple life is sacred little baby looked at him loss maybe in dream missiles mother went to hospital my eyes have now seen your salvation mystery of the presence of God need to fight to keep religious rites and rituals as part of our life now my life is complete observed oldest child born only a God of love opening ourselves up opposition in our lives own people pigeons or turtle doves pray every day for two months pray for courage pray for hope pray too little prayers before bedtime presentation of firstborn son presented firstborn problem is on the other side protecting themselves quickly quit praying religious practices remind the Jews reminded reminder to us rite of purification same reason we do save the Jews saw a vision say prayer before you eat self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ sermon she had twins sing sit down and eat together slowly some event is over son said aren't you glad I quit when I did? spared succeed in something sword piercing our hearts tariffs temple in Jerusalem tenth plague theme throughout the Bible this is the one to what is not known told Simeon too beautiful a thing to be thought up by people too poor two little boys two rites or religious rituals using them to save the whole world very old ritual very poor but pious couple walked 60 miles walked up to Jesus water of baptism we are made children of God we are not alone we are receiving salvation we can face these things wedding weekends what had he seen when it was over wide open eyes without fear worked so hard to achieve would bring light even to the gentiles would like a little brother would not die before he saw the Messiah yes God is saving them]

December 6, 2017. Instead of spending all our time buying presents, Pastor Penny urges us in this Advent mid-week service to set aside space to be present for one another, as Christ is coming to be present with us. *** [Keywords: 2017 Adam and Eve heard the sound Advent mid-week service Christ Lutheran church Christmas Christmas Eve Emmanuel Genesis 3 God being with us God is with us God's desire to be with us Gospel of Matthew I don't want to buy presents I want to be present Jesus' birth story Lo I am with you to the end of the age Old Testament Pastor Penny Holste adultery amazing beginning to Jesus' life angels another man another religion ascended to Heaven be bothered be present for one another became with us believe God is present with us betrothal and marriage beyond ethnic divisions boy's family brought shame business man always on the go buy those presents children in teens coats considered husband and wife consummate marriage countercultural courage customs demonstrate for children don't live together each smile escorts her back to his family family of our own family tree feel God's presence finely wrapped gifts fit the pattern foreshadows ministry of Jesus fourteen full of challenge girl's family give money gives us comfort going online got together great hunter grew week by week heart of our faith hints how amazing it is in our lives inclusive family insider info kid who couldn't wait killed love of God is experienced make space men and women message for adults most beautiful passage next to no thought not born of a human pajamas patriarchal physical way piles under our tree pillar of smoke by day and fire by night popular script practical promise prophets publicly shame her pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable quietly sign bill of divorce rainbow raised again realizing something important redefines family runs to mall separated sermon shameful shook each present shopping shrinking moments together sign certificate squeal of joy stalk the aisles stereotype stoned by her family suffered sweaters they are married thirteen time is not slowing down time of the evening breeze too busy toys truly with us in a human way twelve unique promise venture guesses video clip visions walking in the Garden wasn't until Jesus what a gift it is to be present for each other what each child wanted what it means to be present for one another wife young man]

November 26, 2017. In the story of the Sheep and the Goats from Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus divides people into "sheep" who will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, and "goats" who are sent to eternal damnation, according to how they treated one another. But who are we in the story? Pastor Penny preaches on this text, what we can learn from it, and how important it is to Jesus that we live lives of love. *** [Keywords: 2017 4 year old Norah 81 year old Dan Christ Lutheran Church Christians Episcopal church God is Greek word ethnos I know him Jesus devoted his life Jesus is the judge Jesus suffered with them Jews Judgment of the Nations Kansas City Community Kitchen Matthew 25:31-46 Matthew's community Pastor Penny Holste Room at the Inn Ten Commandments The Sheep and the Goats Toastmasters club arrogant at table award prizes bags of groceries barely got out become part of family befriend stranger behind face believability certain challenge of beginning dating scene as senior citizen change had happened changed its format chefs closely Jesus identifies with us clothing come and visit comfort conversation ensued could we be the goats courage criteria culinary training program decision depressed disagree politically disciples would be hated dissolving divides them don't need to worry dramatic flair drivers license earn eternal life end of our lives end of the world even nonbelievers family car feeding felt lost find out phone number of Dan flock food friend had won first place gathering the nations gathers people together gave his life gentiles give money to the poor go and sell everything you have go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations good news proclaimed to whole world grocery shopping had been homeless in past hair cut happy to be alive healing healthy trees hello older person help people help people less fortunate how old are you how people treated one another how serious Jesus is hugging Dan humorous speech identify with them important to Jesus impress her mother in his glory invite people to come sit down it's my birthday today judges knew nothing about skiing learned two things least of these let him down like restaurant list little girl named Norah Wood live lives of love look into hearts of people lost wife of many years man named Dan Peterson members of my family mom Tara mother Tara neither sheep nor goats neither were believers new model no uncertain terms non-Christians not smile since wife died not so different not that different not trying to earn not very downtrodden in this community often poor options on menu parable parts of story people on fringes people who were not us people with low incomes perform persecuted photograph posted picture on facebook praises predictable predicted preserves dignity produce department produce healthy fruit protective instincts punishments and rewards quiet room reason for suffering relieve suffering responsible rich young ruler savior who loves us scene of end of the world selfish sensed magical time moment sent them to eternal damnation sermon serve the homeless servers severity shaved sheep and goats sheep were naturally helpful shepherd should be left to God speech contest started pouring story story in news stubborn surprising surprising thought take risk teenager tensely waiting for verdict this man was really lonely timing to you I give the kingdom took some courage treated one another trying to impress man verdict volunteer waiters waiting walked off sadly wanted to date wasn't her car way we treat one another we are not the judges we are the least of these we didn't see you we would be with him forever well hello little girl went to store weren't counting costs what must I do to inherit when I needed it when Jesus comes back when they suffered when we suffer he suffers when you turned your back whenever you did it to the least of these who are we who are we in this story woman responded word nations would be punished written for them you can talk with these people you did it to me you failed you have won eternal life]

November 5, 2017. Pastor Penny preaches this All Saints' Day on the Beatitudes, what it means to be blessed, and what makes a saint. We think of saints as famous Christians who have gone before us. But we too are saints. And not by ourselves. We are a community of saints, part of the body of Christ. *** [Keywords: 2017 All Saints' Day Beatitudes Christ Lutheran Church Holy Communion I have died and risen to make you my own Kahlie McCarty Matthew 5:1-12 New York City Pastor Penny Holste absent members of defeated team all our blessings angry another body apology after speech approved of by God as we are changed auditorium ball team baseball batter up be a blessing to the world be peacemakers been given another body beggar on the bus being asked to look at things entirely differently blessed are the meek blessed are the poor in spirit blessed are those who are in mourning blessed are those who are so hungry to be treated justly body of Christ born to be loving bus called to be saints in a community catcher celebrating center fielder didn't show up at all certainly have bodies children's message come together communion of saints community of saints decision to get a new pitcher describe the life of a saint describing what a saint looks like do what is right don't give honor to the poor don't you have any respect for your faith leaders empty seat experience honor of God failed to come to game family famous famous Christians famous lecturer feel afraid feel misunderstood feel sad fielders first group of people food on our plates friends front row fulfill game announced get up give us strength given a body glove glowered gone before us hard to be a saint hard to understand hear the word of God here to remember highly respected Rabbi holy how honorable how honored are loved ones modern day parable money to spend on fun things mortified need help need strength from each other nobody none of this is easy not meant to be saints by ourselves old Jewish story older oldest of us one person doesn't make a saint one player doesn't make the team overloaded with work part of the body of Christ people in his day would have thought people without a body we can touch and feel pitch the ball hope for best pitcher went to mound places were empty podium poor person powerful pretty hard to understand probably smelled proof of God's approval reason for hope receive Christ recognize him rich rich person saint second body second set of Beatitudes sermon shortstop show mercy sit by this person society someone who is set apart strange people such bad shape take insults team had lost teammates there in spirit third baseman torn clothes try on our own umpire understood unjustly uses word differently visitors in stands we are saints we become the blessing we blame the wrong person we have so many blessings we will be different where Jesus promises to meet us who won the skeleton beauty contest willingly witness of saints you didn't insult me you don't have to apologize to me you insulted the poor]

October 15, 2017. Pastor Penny preaches on the Parable of the Marriage of the King's Son. The text can be interpreted as a warning. We enjoy the rich food and beverage of forgiveness. We hear comforting words at church. We know the joy of God who loves us. But is it possible we are missing the party? *** [Keywords: Christ Lutheran Church God does God has given us God will Good Shepherd Holy Spirit is speaking to us I can stop now I can't take it any longer Jake Jesus Jesus has invited us Matthew 22:1-14 Parable of the Great Banquet Parable of the Marriage of the King's Son Parable of the Wedding Feast Pastor Penny Holste Scripture University of North Carolina accused advanced placement courses affront another activity another class appeared without a robe arrive at wedding article at the party back aches bathe completely beverage of forgiveness bound to cross bride's father brought to table came down from place of honor at head table can never say I've done enough celebrate with our whole lives his party center of our lives child of God you are sealed with the Holy Spirit and blessed with the cross of Christ forever clink of glasses come to God daily come to his party comes to wedding contempt for king convince us counselors in high schools create a strong positive response cross country dealing with fears deep insult deep insult destroys them don't have strength to fight against them don't realize drink too much driven by these fears eat too much embarrass the host enjoy rich food enjoying the party enjoying the party afterwards eyes of couple failed to honor the king fear of failure feel like world is changing first dance frosting goal getting into college of choice going back to the bar guests had robe haunt us he gave his robe to us head of our tables headaches hear in baptism heard comforting words honor God by giving him space in our lives host provide ignore abuse and kill the messengers ignore our health ignore our spiritual life ignore very people we love ignoring ignoring honored couple in the room jeans jeans-clad loner jewelry glittering joy of God who loves us junior in high school king invites important people laughter life was impossible listen to God daily long white robe expected love lower grade man by himself name each of his fears nearly one third not wearing robe nothing more he could do on the floor other Christian readings our hopes our regrets our thanks patched tunic piling his plate with food pride refusing to go to school reissues invitation reputation and honor robe of righteousness same fears savory meat second part see beautiful candles sermon sighs and applause sights and sounds skipped the wedding smell burning smug lazy man someone who also was silent sound of music speech stomach aches stomachaches stronger than our fears students suffering from anxiety talks with other Christians tee shirt teens and adults tell God our fears these feelings they don't come this friend this new identity traveling club trick is to believe those words two parts valley of the shadow of death violence in these parables warning to us was he really at the party we all at times have anxiety we are in the room literally we have to do better we have to do more we might be missing the party wedding wedding cake wedding couple weeping and gnashing of teeth wine is served without robe words of absolution words of the Bible words we need to tell ourselves work in our lives worth more than money you are forgiven in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit 2017]