Reflections
Shame, Grace, and Abundance
Pastor Daniel’s sermon on January 14, 2018 on John 2:1-11 In seminary, I learned a lot about food. I mean I learned about God and church and maybe preaching (we’ll see), but I also learned about food. And a bit about shame. I had a part-time job in the seminary dining hall. I was usually […]
Posted on January 15, 2018 | Posted by Pastor Daniel
Sermon Come and See Anika Hagen
Jesus called disciples to “come and see.” We are all wanting to find our way forward and are blessed to have our Jesus invite us in and guide us on our way. On our Youth Sunday, Anika spoke to how Jesus’ invitation works for her and invites you to ponder how it might impact you. […]
Posted on January 7, 2018 | Posted by Pastor Dan Holt
Saludos Desde Chile!
Ryana Holt offers “un abrazo” to her Ascension family from Punta Arenas, Chile. Below is an excerpt from her newsletter reflecting on all she’s experienced this past year. If you want to learn more about what good Ryana is doing and the adventures she’s having, please visit her blog at ryanaholt.wordpress.com In the back quincho, […]
Posted on January 2, 2018 | Posted by Annie Saunders
Sermon: Word from Beyond John 1
Is there some power or force in the spiritual realm that impacts us here? John’s gospel began proclaiming that the spiritual power or force comes as a Word, a person who was with God and, in fact, was God. This person (Jesus) breaks into our darkness with light for us. He is full of […]
Posted on January 1, 2018 | Posted by Pastor Dan Holt
From Those Days to These
Pastor Daniel’s Sermon for Christmas Eve, 2017 on Luke 2. We sing tonight because the good news of great joy is for all people. We sing because in those days the angels broke out of heaven filled with light and sang of God’s glory – Gloria in excelsis Deo. And as this night turns dark […]
Posted on December 24, 2017 | Posted by Pastor Daniel
Reflection: Take another look and see
I found myself pondering this painting of the Nativity by Tabata Hiroshi. I like how the people are roughly sketched and not the milky white serene faces so often depicted. Mary and Joseph’s eyes are closed and their faces are long and drawn. Joseph faces up like he is wondering what he has got […]
Posted on December 21, 2017 | Posted by Pastor Dan Holt
From the Far, Far South
I attended worship in Punta Arenas Chile where my daughter Ryana is serving the ELCA through teaching English. Punta Arenas is the southern most city in the world. We were there when the members of their companion synod from Iowa were meeting with them. Ryana is on the far end playing trumpet with the […]
Posted on December 4, 2017 | Posted by Pastor Dan Holt
Everything is not OK
Pastor Daniel’s Sermon on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3). Folks, this faith isn’t going to make you rich. In fact, it might make you poorer. This faith isn’t going to make you popular. In fact, it might call on you to befriend the unpopular. This faith isn’t easy. It’s hard. But […]
Posted on December 4, 2017 | Posted by Pastor Daniel
Shalom
Pastor Daniel’s sermon on 11/26/17 on Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14 “For the God who accompanied a bunch of exiles to Babylon, the God who proved that even the cross and the grave were not beyond the bounds of grace, the God who came in Christ to set up a new kingdom over all times and all […]
Posted on November 27, 2017 | Posted by Pastor Daniel
Giving Thanks is Relational
Giving thanks is a way for us to live out our relationship with the Giver. Too often we get caught up in the gifts and forget the Giver. I hope you can take time to give thanks to God, the Giver behind all things. If you can, join us in giving thanks at our Thanksgiving […]
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