Easter 4 2017  Being Lost & Being Found

The Holy Spirit unites and restores the human family.  The work of God is to increase understanding and break down the barriers that divide our world.  The final barrier is the human heart, whether we acknowledge the Spirit with joyful wonder, or scornful mocking.  The choice is still ours to make today.

"Breathing Peace, the Holy Spirit In A Violent World" Pentecost 2017

"You can't be good soil while you are indifferent to the needs and the suffering of others."   

Sermon preached Sunday, July 16, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 221 E Main Street, New Holland, PA.

Parable of the Sower   July 16, 2017

A Canaanite woman challenges Jesus and demonstrates the vastness of God's mercy and love.

The Children's Bread: a sermon on race and grace

The Pharisees and the Herodians fail to trap Jesus.  Jesus turns the tables on them, when they ask about paying taxes to Caesar.  "Give to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."

Render Unto Caesar:  How the Gospel is political without being about politics!

Many people will see the parable of the talents as a validation of the idea that the rich get richer.  Others will recoil at this patent unfairness of taking from the one who has little and giving it to the one who has an abundance.  But this is more than a parable about venture capitalism!  Especially when you realize that LOVE is the only thing you lose when you fail to risk it.

The Parable of the Talents : Venture Capitalism or Something Else?

For many, separating children from asylum seeking parents is simply "following the law."  But at every turn, Jesus ignores the law, even the Bible and tradition, when it runs contrary to God's will for healing and life.

How God Sees The World   (Mark 5:21-43)

Homily on the power of nostalgia to substitute resentment for gratitude, and the power of God to over come fear.  God empowers us to overcome the fears that surround us, in order for us to speak God's word of healing love for all of God's children.

Back To Nazareth

Sermon preached on February 9, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Holland PA.

Charles Oberkehr