December 24, 2017. Where is Jesus now? How can we trust in him if we can't see him? In her sermon this Christmas Eve, Pastor Penny tells us that indeed we can see Jesus. He shows us a little bit of Heaven very quietly, sometimes only one or two people at a time. In this season of gift giving, we stop to celebrate the real gift we've been given: the joy, forgiveness, and life we have through Christ. *** [Keywords: 20 years 2017 Christ Lutheran Church Christ is in this world Father Greg Boyle God is in this world Heaven Heaven on earth Homeboy Industries I would trust in Jesus Japanese Americans Jesus came to earth Jesus is in this world LA area Los Angeles Mary Minneapolis Pastor Penny Holste Roman government Simon the shepherd Sunday dinner WWII West coast World War II broke out act of love all these divisions almost everyone does always wondered as Jesus grew back on drugs back to prison bakery be healthy be successful beautiful wrapping on a gift because Jesus came being born into a certain segment of society birth brought Heaven to earth built barriers burden of responsibilities cared for carry on with our lives celebrate Christmas class divisions college come and see Jesus come back when you're ready come to dinner confidence controls in our lives controls on them controls were gone in Heaven created pathway of forgiveness death desire for power and fame didn't work with everyone the first time difficult life every Christmas ex gang members ex offenders expectations fail to show up fancy box of dried fruit forgiveness free of barriers freedom friends friends in California funeral gift given to us as a gift great aunt and best friend greed guilt he is still here heavy taxes herded into camps hit wall home if I could just see him impossible rules insisted that all people are valuable into this world invitation irresistible culture of tenderness joy knows their backgrounds life life after this life like to throw those burdens off little bit of Heaven little control over politics little look into what Heaven is like lived in great poverty lives before their death long ago long time ago look good lot of controversy love of God loves these men made enemies motto need to experience needed healing needed more than a job never could earn never married nice story not ready yet nothing stops a bullet like a job number of years later on our shoulders others ourselves pathway to God places of employment protected put him to gruesome death quietly quietly waiting for war to end real gift real present regret religious leaders restaurant rose from the dead sanctuary selfishness sense of joy separated them from God's love sermon shared sharing some things never change sometimes one or two people at a time son of God stay young surprising change sympathize take shelter in their home their health these many years later time to be with family to Bethlehem turn on the news two young women unravelling upstairs very abusive backgrounds vulnerable baby wake up in morning way they looked we have seen we love you weight of trauma weren't resilient what we learn from Jesus where is Jesus now? who were these people whole world controlled willing to do this women working not with force world's demands]

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 12, 2017. Would Jesus recognize us if we walked away from him? Today is Confirmation Sunday, and in her sermon Pastor Penny shares excerpts from the confirmands' essays on how we can exercise our relationship with God, how we can use every means given us to make sure God knows us. *** [Keywords: 15 years 2000 years later 2017 APA Alex Cramer Alex Hill Bible Calvin Ciorba Christ Lutheran Church Confirmation David Feed My Starving Children Florida God knows us God loves us in spite of our sin God will be with them God's idea to have relationship with us His loving arms Holy Communion I don't do a lot with my money I don't know you Jesus' return Juno Matthew 25:10-13 Paige Lauer Pastor Penny Holste Psalms Puerto Rico QT Room at the Inn Sunday morning Texas active adopted stray cat age out of foster care system angry prayers animal protection back on the path backpack baptized as infants baseball be a light to the world beautiful coat of Angora and calico fur becoming a teacher been disappointed biked past drug store body and blood of Christ body is a gift book of Matthew bridegroom bridesmaids build closeness bullied bullying camping chocolates or candle climbing come into Kingdom of Heaven come to church concern confirmands' essays courage to move forward cramped detour to QuikTrip didn't bring extra oil didn't recognize them direction disappointed by ourselves doesn't recognize us don't understand us door was shut drawing us down early Christians end of the world every means we can excerpts exercise our relationship with God exercising faith affects family connections family of Christ far away fishing forgotten to get present found nice home friends playing basketball fun times with family gave kitten to each of their friends get better get stronger gift he wanted girls in story gives us strength and courage good thing to remember grow up had saved her life healthy help bring them back up help next generation hiking homeless honest with my family hopped on his bike house was dark how important it was how to use these gifts hurricanes impacted my decisions and thoughts included a light judge keep it stronger kept the mother kittens knew he was late knocked on door know God and be known by God leave us without guilt let us come in like-minded individuals long checkout line love of God is light in our lives many church events together maybe got distracted members' parties mission trips with the church most Sundays mother's surprise birthday party my brother's birthday my family bonds through the church new cat no longer recognizes us as children of God not God's plan not thinking of Jesus coming this moment nurtured her for years older kids one and holy purpose our most precious possession out to eat parable party started pedaled fast people we love person represents Jesus pets don't recognize us physical problem promises of God raking leaves read and hear words of Scripture receive touch of Jesus recognize them as children of God reflected relationship as a gift relationship with God through Jesus Christ return sacrifice scrawny alley cat sermon service service to others sin skinny cat soccer someone we feel should know us somewhat repay Jesus sorry you missed the party spent all money saved up spills over into our lives sports story as a warning swimming take them into his kingdom tender care thanksgiving they meant well they were hurt things are hard those who do the will of my Father time we're able to hang out times when we need him together at same place doing same thing took them to vet traditional treat others trust me waiting for Jesus to show up walked farther away from Jesus wanted a pet way I pray we know God we love we pray went to store what if Jesus doesn't recognize us here when I start making money words to deal with it work overwhelming writes]

October 29, 2017. This is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Martin Luther became disillusioned by some of the practices of the Catholic church of his day when he visited Rome, and came to understand that instead of needing to try to earn God's favor, we have already received that gift and it's by faith alone that we are saved. Pastor Keith talks about Luther's revelation, and about the changes that he made in the church afterward that we still keep today. *** [Keywords: 1510 1517 2017 500th anniversary Bible Christ Lutheran Church Christ emptied himself of his righteousness Christian is lord of all Christianity in Italy Christmas carol God came down God cares for us daily God first loved us God is indeed a loving God God provides me with food clothing family work God's gifts to be received Holy Communion Holy Spirit It's All About Grace Jesus John 8:31-36 Lake St. Louis Living Lord Lutheran Luther exhibit in Minneapolis Luther lived with demons Martin Luther Mead Center Pastor Keith Holste Paul Reformation Reformation Sunday Rome Scripture St. Louis Post Dispatch St. Peter's Cathedral age all around him always over our shoulder angry anxiety anxious assurance backward barely stand to look at bathed in the grace of God be reminded blatant disregard borne out in Jesus boss both at the same time briefly cannot assume our faith car care carry on our life's mission catching up to me catechism changed emphasis changed some wording climbing up ladder climbing up steps on knees clothe us with it collection of money coming to approach us from rear commend that to God community chest competition at work completely attentive to needs of all completely free of everything confident contributions created us with life daily and weekly danger debt depend on our performance devil didn't throw out order disillusioned doesn't pretend we're better than we are doing different things for God down to us in Jesus earn God's favor earn God's will earn my way out of purgatory enduring exchanging both piety and money figurative rearview mirror fill us with it for life for those who were needy freely and fully covered us over full of spirit gift for writing gift from cross gift to us going down road hands of poor headquarters of church's power structure health help the poor here to Denver here to Philadelphia his own discovery historically how this relationship starts how we think about God ideas about changing direction indulgence receptacles infant baptism just shall live by faith keeps us as one keeps us nervous kept kept ancient order kept many practices large volumes learn scripture let go of the fear light live in fear long arduous walk looking back love came down at Christmas time love of others love one near to us love the neighbor mantra met him head on mocked money where it counted much more Christ-like mystery new and changing thoughts one together one's own sin or relative or friend order for today order of worship our sins are no longer ours but Christ's overnight retreat people in group pious please God pouring out that love upon us praise and thanksgiving prayed every day promise promise of Jesus readily understood by the people realistic about state of us as human beings rearview mirror receive forgiveness receivers not doers redemption of Jesus Christ reformers reinforces relationship with God rich in divine grace to sinners righteousness of Christ is not Christ's but ours sanctity school see them in front of him sermon servant size of shipping or clothes trunk slot for coins still struggled with his faith stuff we do for God teacher thanksgiving theology that points upward there for us to receive with arms wide open things turned upside down think we're making progress threat through rearview mirror time in purgatory would be reduced tormented trip to Rome trust uncertainty up to God van in parking lot walked from Germany to Rome we are justified by God's grace as gift we are loved child of God we are the church Catholic we live by faith we use it today what to do for careers what we've been promised what's approaching us what's going to overtake get me with a superior wonderful exchange world today worried worry about written on front of van wrote hymns youth]