November 27, 2016. During this holiday shopping season, it can be difficult for us to wait for the hot sale. Waiting is hard. Christians have been waiting for the return of Jesus for a long time, even though we've always thought it would be any day now. In the gospel we are commanded to keep watch, for we do not know the hour of Jesus' return. If we do not keep watch, if we allow ourselves to become distracted, we might miss the voice of Jesus even if he calls us by name. In Pastor Keith's sermon today, he asks how can we do this? How can we live in the mean time, and still be ready for the end time? *** [Keywords: Abraham Abram Barabbas Black Friday Egyptians God sightings Hagar King Saul Martin Luther Matthew 24:37-44 Noah Romans Second Coming Side x Side Creative Syrians Thanksgiving asleep community distracted distraction end time impatient instant gratification keep watch mean time one taken one not pairs of people patience remarriage return sale shopping side by side unexpected hour waiting watchful watching]

October 16, 2016. Pastor Keith preaches on the Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge, from Luke 18:3-8. Throughout his ministry, Jesus lifted up those not worthy in the eyes of society: lepers, tax collectors, children, widows. For us, working for advocacy and a more just world is difficult. It can take daily prayer, and persistence like that of the widow in the story. Like Jesus, we know we won't escape all pain, but we also know that our earnestness can get God's attention and make all the difference. *** [Keywords: Argentina Buenos Aires Kingdom of God Luke 18:3-8 Pharisee Plaza de Mayo Roman culture advocacy authorities children dictator disappearance discipline earnestness economic support elected fairness husband impossible for mortals just world justice leper persistence possible for God prayer partner praying protests rallies regular prayer sit-ins tax collector two way street unjust judge where is my child widow women worthy]

September 4, 2016. Following Jesus is not a joyride, but rather a new kind of lifestyle. It's a commitment that comes with a cost: potentially being at odds with your family, your community, and the world. But Pastor Keith says that maybe we should stop thinking of it as a "cost" and instead think of it as a "choice." When Jesus suffered and died, he paid the cost. We choose to be in relationship with him and accept the opportunity to receive this gift and follow him. We want to reflect his love and goodness, and the abundant care of God in all our relationships with others. *** [Keywords: Carolyn Lewis Jacob Labor Day Leah Martin Luther New Orleans Onesimus Paul Philemon Rachel abundant care choice commitment cost crowds discipleship fair wages goodness hate identity Jesus joyride king love marriage new kind of lifestyle perpetual polygamy sacrifices second place slave tower unconditional war wedding ring of faith workers]

July 10, 2016. We can talk about love. We can believe in love. We can do lots of loving. But if the systems are unchanged, the problems that cause hurt won't go away. Today, Pastor Keith preaches on the parable of the good Samaritan. How often do we avoid those in need because we don't see them as our neighbors? Jesus embodied mercy to us. But how can we live out this mercy? Working one-on-one, working within organizations, or working to change the system, God gives us the eyes and ears to recognize need. We only need to be willing to do something about it. *** [Keywords: Babylon Black and Blue play Dorothy Day Epworth Gateway 180 Gerizim Hammond, IN Humanitri Jefferson City Jesus Jewish Levite Lord have mercy Luther Seminary Lutheran Family and Children's Services Metro St. Louis Muslim Pastor Keith Holste Philando Castile St. Paul, MN Syrians agency avoid those in need awful people believe bind mercy together burdens change the system cheering community compassion cross democratic process died discern do something about it drawing close dying a very death like ours ears to hear earth education embodied mercy employment ethnicity expectation eyes to see full human beings good Samaritan hate by the Jews healers healing power of God health care heart high school student inn intermarried jeering justice least of these left at the side of the road live out love love our neighbors as ourselves loving mercy mind misery need neighborhoods oil one-on-one open their eyes parable person of mercy persuasion potential threats prayer priest real estate recognize need redemption revolt rich and successful Jew salvation scripture skills for living social workers soul statistics strength suffered sympathy put into action systems are unchanged tends to his wounds the way of mercy those in need unclean underserved uprising upside down vigil vulnerability what must I do to be saved who is my neighbor willingness within organizations]

May 29, 2016. Pastor Keith preaches on the story of the Roman centurion in whom Jesus found faith even when the Jews had been rejecting him because he forgave sins in the name of God, and healed people even on the Sabbath. But we know Jesus is for all. He brings the kind of world where nations can be seen as one, where all are equal in the eyes of God, and where the spirit can work in all kinds of ways to bring healing to the whole world. *** [Keywords: Acts Americans Capernaum Christ Christians are not to be feared Cyrus Elisha God Sightings God through and in all people God uses all people God's agent Gospel writer Luke Israelites captivity in Bablylon Japanese man at Hiroshima Jesus Jesus is for all Jew nor Greek Jewish slave girl Jews Jews against him Jews can be okay Judaism Matthew Memorial Day weekend Messian in midst already North Israel Not even with the Jews have I found such faith as with this man Original Sin Partnership for a Missional Church Pastor Keith Holste Paul President Obama Roman center Roman centurion Sabbath Sea of Galilee Sermon on the Mount Syrian general Naaman able to be whole able to recognize grace accepting belief accepting of others act out of kindness affection all are equal and one in eyes of God another centurion army ascended to Heaven bomb city book knowledge both Jews and Romans called by God caravans ceremony city with regional center coming to fruition compassion on slave connections with other people crippled devout Jews distance divisions are melting don't come to my house dying on cross economic benefit endears people to him equal on same level examine faith believe properly faith of Roman soldier faith of the Roman centurion fishing village foot of cross foreign leaders foreigner had faith forgive enemy forgiveness gender color ethnic language backgrounds gentler approach great faith heal from wherever you are healed many people healing to world held dear by God help those who have been hurt helping his slave get well hierarchy historian how much God has done for us in charge of peace instead of rejoicing instruments of God keep the rules kindness rather than force law was broken lay on hands live law perfectly love your enemies lowered man through roof magnanimous main characters male nor female messages sent between messed up the law ministry miracle nationality new leader Jesus no account for Jesus no doubt not worthy of ourselves notified families occupation force only God can forgive sins orders of difference gone outlying area paralyzed hand people furious phone it in places in society police in charge postpone coming Messiah prisoners of war killed prohpets prompting collective religious memory of community raised from dead reach out to others reaches out to all ready to forgive receive health bring healing reception in nearby cities recite creed remote healing restored in relationship with God and one another selfish on our own sin was erased sins are forgiven slave is ill slave nor free soldier someone who appreciates healing spirit works in all kinds of ways swords and spears synagogue tax collector theology tough guy approach trade route to Far East truly this was a good man wants slave to be healed wash in river we can be closed to way God is working in world]