Text: Colossians 1:15-28 (Genesis 18:1-10a; Luke 10:38-42) We can mistakenly believe that Christ’s work was done when the resurrection took place. In doing this, we can miss our participation in the fulfillment. Our works do make a difference. They do not change the ultimate outcome of God’s work, but they are a part of completing…
Main Text: Colossians 1:1-14 (Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Luke 10:25-37) To believe in the resurrection is to believe that death no longer separates us from the love of God in Jesus Christ. Jesus then is the living object of our faith who is not impacted, changed or defeated by what is happening in our lives and world.…
Main Text: Galatians 6:7-16 (Isaiah 66:10-14; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20) In order to live God’s love, it is imperative that we can identify God’s love. God is love, but not all love is from God. When our first love is not God, then our love can become in conflict with God’s love. God’s love is expansive…
Main Text: Galatians 5:1, 13-25 (1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21; Luke 9:51-62) There is a clever commercial about a mom following her son around and telling him “no” whenever he wanted to do something that was dangerous or destructive. Then he asks for a particular snack that the commercial is portraying as healthy for the child.…
Main Text: Galatians 3:23-29 (Isaiah 65:1-9; Luke 8:26-39) What was life like before faith? What is life like without faith? The truth is, there has always been faith in the world. It is not the lack of faith, but the object of that faith that defines its enduring nature or devastating failure. You can have…
Main Text: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 (Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15) On this Father’s Day, this reading from Proverbs is about the Father’s works in creation. God’s wisdom and will were imbued into the creation from the very beginning. In these passages’ wisdom is speaking for herself as following God’s direction and delighting in God’s creation as…
Overall Theme: What does it mean to “Live God’s Love?” This is the mission statement of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church but what does it mean? Living is an active verb that can be both observed and measured. In the Lutheran Church, we sometimes struggle with the relationship between faith and works. We believe we are…
Main Text: John 14:8-17 (Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-21) “I just hope that I am half the man/woman as …” This is a statement often heard when speaking of someone we admire and revere. We say this with the assumption that we could never live up to what they have done and who they are. This…
Here is the APLC 2019 Call Committee. We are excited and thankful that they have accepted the opportunity to prayerfully be on this team as they look for a new pastor for our congregation. You can click on the link below their picture to read their bio and their hopes and prayers during this process.
Main Text: John 17:20-26 (Acts 16:16-34; Revelation 22:12-14,16-17,20-21) Why does our witness and our lives matter? God is going to win anyway. What difference does it make if the victory is assured? The difference we make is not on the ultimate outcome which has been assured by Christ. The difference we make is in the…
Main Text: John 14:23-29 (Acts 16:9-15; Revelation 21:10, 22:1-5) When someone tells you not to fear, how does that make you feel? Fear is a natural human reaction. The way we often address fear is to control the environment around us. We convince ourselves that we are safe by surrounding us with people that we…
Main Text: Acts 11:1-18 (Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35) One of the things that often keeps us from witnessing is our fear of what to say. It can be an antagonistic world in which to share your experience of faith. It is hard enough sharing our witness with fellow believers. Peter is facing criticism from his…