“Missio Dei” June 21, 2020 Genesis 12:1-3; Matthew 28:16-20 I have heard countless people say that they have never heard of Juneteenth. I must admit, I never knew about it until I took a class in Black Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary in the ’90s. Otherwise, I may have never known about happenings all over our […]
“On Becoming Antiracist” Acts 10:34-46; Theme reading: Ibram X. Kendi By Rev. Don Ludwig, June 14, 2020 Introduction: One-hundred fifty years ago there was an uncivil civil war. Upon this country rests a scar. No matter how much rhetorical make-up we apply, the scar still shows. No matter how much we attempt to convince ourselves […]
*Content Warning: Racism, Racist Slurs “The Struggle Itself” Genesis 32:22-30; Acts 2:1-4 By Rev. Don Ludwig, May 31, 2020 Wrestling with Zachariah Taylor in 1990 Many years ago, when I was substitute teaching in Sandpoint, Idaho, I was called in to teach Physical Education classes for sophomores and juniors. The teacher gave me strict instructions […]
“If You Have Any Encouragement…” Joshua 1:5-6, Philippians 2:1-5 By Rev. Don Ludwig, May 17, 2020 Asking the Right Questions My brother and I grew up in a working-class family in the ’70-’80s. He is one year older than me. One of my favorite memories was when our family decided to move to California — […]
“A Touch of Transformation” Mark 5: 24-34; Romans 12:1-2 Rev. Don Ludwig, May 3, 2020 Change and Story of Transformation “Change alone is unchanging.” That is wisdom from the ancient Greek philosopher, Heraclitus. We know that change is inevitable — in our personal lives and in the world. And whether we like the change […]
“Inequities of Disaster” Luke 4:18-21; Theme Reading from C.S. Lewis, “Learning in War-Time” By Rev. Don Ludwig, April 26, 2020 Introduction: Donald Trump goes on a fact-finding visit to Israel. While on a tour of Jerusalem he suffers a heart attack and dies. The undertaker tells the American diplomats accompanying him, “You can have him […]
“The Resiliency of Grace” Psalms 118:1-2, 22-24; 16; John 20:24-29; and Another Voice: Lewis Smedes Introduction In a wonderful book titled Running on Empty, Fil Anderson tells the story that had circulated around his home in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. A New York investment banker was vacationing and walked down to the pier one afternoon. […]
“Ta Da!” Easter Sunrise Meditation, Mark 16:1-8 A Sunday School teacher had just finished telling her third graders about how Jesus was crucified and placed in a tomb with a great stone sealing off the only way in or out. Then, wanting to share the excitement of the resurrection, and the surprise of Easter […]
“An Upside-Down World: Hallelujah!” Isaiah 56:7-8, Mark 11:15, Luke 4: 18-19; Theme Song: Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen, Cover) Introduction Has your world been turned upside-down? If so, Hallelujah! Today we celebrate the calendar day of Palm Sunday. The day that Jesus enters into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The disciples believe that this was going to […]
“Rebirth of the Soul” By Rev. Don Ludwig, March 29, 2020 “Lockdown” A Poem by Brother Richard Hendricks; Excerpt from Parker J. Palmer, American Author and Founder of Center for Courage and Renewal; and Gospel of Thomas 32: 18b – 33 Gospel of Thomas 32: 18b – 33 Jesus says: “If those who lead you […]