September 24, 2017. Pastor Penny preaches today on the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, from Matthew 20. Sometimes life doesn't feel fair. We might try to be the best Christians, the best family members, the best citizens. So shouldn't we be rewarded more than people who don't? If the reward is the same no matter what we do, where is the fairness? But if we step back and look at our lives through God's eyes, we realize that we've already received the reward. We have a calling, a purpose. God sought us out to bless us and empower us to be a blessing to others. *** [Keywords: 2017 African American Christ Lutheran Church God does things that are not fair God doesn't remove them God finds us God is like the landowner God sends the rain on the just and the unjust alike Google Maps I own two guns Jesus earned reward Jesus won Kingdom of God Matthew 20:1-16 Parable helps us Parable of the Generous Employer Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard Pastor Penny Holste Peter the disciple Protestant work ethic Stockley trial aerial view of home all the responsibilities in life already received it angry approach this story arrogant be a blessing to others best Christians we can be best citizens best family members better off bless us and empower us bothered by story called them friends cars caucasian change of heart character in story child we hold closeup view compared themselves comparing never brings us joy completely at the mercy confidence constantly notice couldn't see it criminal all his life dangerous day laborers death bed decision of the landowner deserve die painful death difficult unfair world dish we wash dismiss this story doesn't feel fair don't know how to stop don't want to suggest down to earth drastically cut drudgery drug dealer early risers email we send equal pay for equal work everyone is cared for everything he does everything looks different fair salary feed their families feel it isn't fair feel pretty satisfied felt so much better finds them fisherman food stamps forget about unfairness friend excels gathered his friends get what we really need gives us a gift gives us what we need go home going to get gun good Christians grace of Christ greed heavy lifting honest how fair is it iPhone X if the reward is the same no matter what you do injustice invite you over for dinner jobs joyfully latecomers level playing field life full of love lifted up to new life like your house little dot makes them an offer makes us bitter making messes means minorities neighbor's house no different no economic usefulness no job no land not what we deserve office one who loves it our homes own home paper we write pay someone perfectly happy pleasure of God preferential hiring prevalence of guns in city privilege purpose racism reason for being remodeled resentful respond to armed robbery reward of eternal life reward was already given to them roof over their heads salvation same problem with God same wage satellite view saved school seeing the whole city seeking us out selfishness sermon shouldn't there be something more for us side by side with Christ slaves something extra start with same opportunities sufferings take on new meaning tax collectors than for people who don't the big picture there at the break of dawn thief on the cross through the eyes to be saved today you will be with me in paradise trapped trees tricky story try to be unavoidable unfairness verdict very poor wage way we look at the story we have a calling we talk we've given up everything to follow you were no different what is our reward where is the fairness where is the justice whole new light why don't I succeed wish I had the money with us in this challenging life women word we speak work hard worked all day worked for only one hour working within it works all day in the heat you should only be paid if you work zoom out]

September 3, 2017. We don't want to hear bad news, especially if it involves sacrifice. In today's Gospel, Jesus had bad news for his disciples. Peter did not understand and became a stumbling block to Jesus' mission. But Peter's true identity had yet to be revealed. What should our identity be? Pastor Penny challenges us to reexamine deeply held values and swallow our pride. As our self-made identity becomes whittled away by tragedy and our experiences, we discover our true identity, given to us by God. *** [Keywords: 1 in 1000 year storm 2017 Christ Lutheran Church Christian Ferguson Foster Friess GOP mega donor God created us God has given us God is not happy God is with us God would put in place Gospel Gospel reminds us Greek Hurricane Ida Jesus Jesus asked a question Jesus did Jesus makes promise Jesus recreated us Jesus' right hand man Kingdom of God Pastor Penny Holste Peter believed that Return to Civility campaign Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal TV Three Passion Predictions ability to care for people advertisement approval of God arranged to meet avoid be raised belief in forgiveness black Democrat build in flood plain built there anyway call each other friend called Peter Satan can't buy our lives cars child children of God claimed to be the Messiah comfortable being single confused about what we should strive for in life conqueror controversial counselor create real Kingdom of God created and molded ourselves deeply held opinions destiny didn't understand Jesus' mission disciples discover something don't want to hear bad news don't want to lose our lives drive out Romans from Israel every fifteen years everything is moving experience tragedies experiences flew into St. Louis flood flood gates forces molding it found common bond friends gave his life getting ill getting older gives us power to work with him go against popular opionon go away hair hard and long has been there all the time identity image in flux independence innate value job knowledge lawns leaders learned listened looked up losing someone you love lost her husband loving other people meeting in church military leader mold our lives to meet those expectations multi millionaire narrowly missed Houston never find out who we really are new temporal kingdom not brought on by God not easy to follow Jesus not ever taken away from us not if it requires sacrifice not someone who died other was friend others before ourselves our identity outer appearance outside of the world part of God's kingdom peel away outer image of ourselves people around us personal interest in Messiahship pick up on signals political figure political views professed protect our identity raise money reexamine deeply held values reflected understanding of society rock rocks in our lives same person you were same words to Peter as with Satan scolded Jesus sea walls seawalls second look self giving Savior self made identity selfies sense of freedom sermon shaped and worked so hard on social media something to hang onto spiritual leader spouse stores story strength to carry it out strive to make it happen stumbling block success suffer and kill him suffer the consequences swallow our pride talked tempting those who lose their life for my sake will find it took Peter aside tragedies true identity true identity is safe values warning went out to lunch what we look like what will you give in return for your life? white Republican whittled away wilderness wrong kind of Messiah you're not ready]

July 30, 2017. We can often be overwhelmed by challenges right in front of us. But God has a way of taking something that looks hopeless and making it great. In her sermon today, Pastor Penny preaches on the Parable of the Pearl from Matthew 13. She says sometimes being obsessed with taking great risks is good, when it's in service to the Kingdom of God. *** [Keywords: 100 loaves of bread 1400 20 2017 50 pounds of flour American socialite Denver God can use our obsessions God could still use them God did it God gave them a new mission God uses all of us God-given Jesus is that merchant Jesus was obsessed with his mission Jesus' life and death and resurrection Kingdom of God Margaret Brown Muny New York City Pastor Penny Holste Pat Keifert Saturday night Titanic Unsinkable Molly Brown actions had a risk all survivors all the fish angels another ship area bank loan basement beautiful building beautiful valley big enough for birds to be sheltered in it books bread brought their children build hospital buy a field buying house carpet was stained ceiling child care session child literacy congregation future congregation that was dying crayon drawings on walls crossroads crumbling dark damp place dealing one on one describe destitute different tendency difficult situation disbanded do good things do the judging docked drive end is life-giving end of age ever right to have obsession family members farmers feed 100 people few weeks fields fix it forced into boat fragile fulfill it gain access to things they needed gave up everything give them credit for good or bad good purposes grew mold half hour service hard to imagine have hope help other people help out high proportion of young children and single parents hit iceberg human rights ideas that are very good ideas we just can't stand in their wills including his life insulation hanging in strips judgement juvenile court systems kind heart last group of parables leaven leavening lifeboats little pack of yeast little uncomfortable long marriage lot of trouble make it good make it great make it into something great merchant of pearls moral or immoral more dependable reason mostly elderly mountain of work much more complicated mustard plant mustard seed becomes shrub never done before new debt not at all obnoxious weed on that location one big net one pearl optimist overwhelmed by challenges right in front of us own repairs parents parents came passion patience pay off people who are tainted philanthropist play politically bigoted politician promoting race or gender really about Jesus realtor remained good friends rescue boats resuced right in front of you risky sell that building sells everything he owns sensed hunger for the Word separated sermon set up a fund sizing it up small and tainted small seed of possibility soup kitchens still had a mission strained studies church life and growth symbol for corruption take care of them take great risks take some risks take something hopeless take them in take what is small take what is tainted tendency to label people we don't know personally third parable this country and elsewhere this is fun timely message times that we take great risks tragedy transform this place treasure hunter true character trustworthy or not use her wealth ushering everyone else very active person volunteer child care service we are tainted at times we are the pearl of great value we're all saved what is that pearl whole new congregation born women and children women getting the vote youth]

July 9, 2017. We all carry burdens. Life can seem wearisome, especially in this time when we all seem so polarized, sorting ourselves into like-minded groups and listening only to those with whom we agree. In her sermon today, Pastor Penny preaches on Matthew 11:25-30. Jesus offers rest for our souls, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light. *** [Keywords: 2017 Cascade Mountains God created perfect world God gives the truth to infants God in the flesh God working Gospel Grunewald Guild I do dance I do laugh I know that you are weary I wanted to die I will give you rest Jesus of Nazareth John the Baptist Keith Lutheran Mark Matthew 11:25-30 Pastor Penny Holste Roman Catholic brother The Big Sort book Washington State across the country admit we need God all Democrats support abortion all Republicans are against gun control all birds have wings all cats purr all winter long another child art and faith come together art teacher in Philadelphia as good as our lives are back at home beautiful picture believed they knew the truth bore the cross for us bowl of potatoes and onions burdensome came back with broken heart catch a plane challenges change the burdens checklist close to his mother come to grips come to me community of Christians artists community surrounded supported him condemned could not heal his grief on his own deal with grief devastated did not see did not want to leave her didn't listen to each other director drove hours do dishes doctors appointments don't have to be in contol finally the tears came found real rest four grown children freed us to be loved and to love his world get up in the morning go to work got a message got on bus grandparents handed over to God harmony with God and one another has taken vows have the answers he cried for his own loss he let God in heard her words heart remained broken hopefully we are those people hurts husband and wife in that moment injustices and pain of the world inviting us just started to talk just stood justice and peace know they are dependent learn to talk like children like-minded groups listen to radio little boy loved ones make lunches meadow might seem doesn't fit us minds were shut missed mistakes moa more conservative more liberal more open lifestyle mostly listening mother close to death mother contracted leukemia my burden is light my yoke is easy never dance again never laugh again never seen you so tight not a day goes by not at ease not doing nothing not married not ordained offering open newspaper open to the voice of God opponents more extreme other losses besides his mother paced back and forth painted painter people like children really rest recreated the world refugees religious leaders remembered care rote rustic same field screens sermon seventh day of creation shared story sharing she insisted shut them out six months old he died so polarized in our country sorted ourselves sources of news spend hours in car starvation stayed strict lifestyle summer survey take children to classes teaches us then God rested theory think about him every day third summer thought about his words threw himself true false question turn TV on turned to infants use the word all war wary we agree with what he would look like now wise and intelligent people with daughter and her family with mother when she died work at home work in the yard you are carrying heavy burdens young parents]

June 11, 2017. When did you first hear about Jesus? If you're like most Christians, it was from someone you know, someone you trust. Jesus told his disciples to go and make disciples of everyone, and they did. We are Christians today because of their success. Pastor Penny talks about the first disciples, and how like them we can make new disciples too, simply by being who we are, in the right place and at the right time. *** [Keywords: 2000 years later 2017 Easter morning God had worked through him God will do that Hi this is Jennifer how can I help you I am with you I got it fixed I have all authority above Heaven and earth I want what you have I will be with you always I'm sure you can help me Jerusalem Jesus loves us to enough to come back from the dead for us Jesus recruited us Pastor Penny Holste Synod assembly afraid agent to agent agonizing picture of Jesus dying all by ourselves all your other friends and so we went angel around a boulder as he said he would baseball believe something so amazing believe that Jesus loved us buried Jesus can I call you back on my private line can't do it on our own care charge of 600 dollars church was born confused cut off three times did heal people doing things you never thought you would do down from the mountain dropped to knees earthquake embrace love of Jesus emotionally sick empty tomb enthusiasm experience explain the whole thing eyes seemed to be smiling faith was faltering fan of your favorite sport first disciples football go and make disciples go make disciples of everyone go with them golf good picture of us grandparent hadn't been to church in 20 years happened to be women helps us hiding hockey hopeful how in the world do you make a disciple imagine with me imagined scene in awe it won't happen again keeps us here knock on the door large hill called mountain lead life that Christ would like let me try something let's do it lightness little taste live and die live it out looked like Jesus love that sport loves Jesus too meet me in Galilee nervous next month open and willing our mistake overcharge parent patience peace people yell at me all day long people yelling at me phone bill pick up the phone power and love of Jesus Christ promise promised herself proof of their success recruit relative remove our sins right place right time rise again road to becoming a disciple runaround running saw Jesus scared sense of peace sermon set an example she and her two girls show them the sport sit around the TV someone else's word sports bar starting doubting strength of God strength of a word strength of one word strength to know how take them to a baseball game teacher tell you about my job tennis that first Easter third month those first women trail turned trust walked five days wavering between fear and doubt we need each other we went we weren't really strong where did you first hear about Jesus? woman word of someone else you didn't you're a pastor]