Luke 9:51-62 (Pastor Neuendorf) People have been requesting a "report" on my month in Sudan. Here I wrapped it into our conversation about the mission of Jesus' disciples. The photos are not posted with this, but we're working on getting a slide show posted to the internet somewhere else.

Luke 8:28 (Pastor Neuendorf) Jesus meets a man who is possessed by demons, and they plead with Jesus not to torture them. Jesus? Torture someone? The idea surprises us - and yet God is often accused of tormenting people. The real truth, though, is that it is Satan who is the torturer. And only Jesus can set us free!

Luke 7:36-50 (Pastor Wentzel) What does forgiveness look like? In this Gospel lesson it's easy to see forgiveness. It's not just in Jesus' words of absolution. It is in the profound response of a woman who is now so filled with joy and love that she cannot keep it inside.

 Hebrews 11:14 (Pastor Neuendorf) The great heroes of the faith that are listed in Hebrews were looking forward "to a country of their own." What's so great about having a country? God has certainly blessed us with a great country, and we are thankful for those who sacrificed so that we might still have that gift. But isn't there an even greater country for us to look forward to?

Sadly, the recording of this sermon to CD failed. If time permits this week we will transfer the sermon from tape to digital.

Revelation 21:9 (Pastor Neuendorf, on Mother's Day) Many women have said that they're uncomfortable with the language of the Bible which often uses masculine metaphors. But sometimes the shoe is on the other foot. Can any of us really see ourselves as "Sons of God" or as the "Bride of Christ"? We see our own faults too clearly. But what does Jesus see?

John 16:21-22 (Pastor Wentzel, on Confirmation Sunday) Jesus used the familiar experience of the birth of a child to illustrate the dilemma of our lives. We endure waiting and discomfort, even fear and great pain, but the reward is worth the waiting.

Luke 24:5-8 (Pastor Neuendorf) How could the disciples possibly be surprised when Jesus is raised from death? He told them more than once that this would happen, but they must not have been listening. Is it possible that we suffer unnecessary grief ourselves because we're not paying attention? Listen up! There's good news!

Luke 23:27 (Pastor Neuendorf - 5th Midweek Lenten service) In the traditional "Stations of the Cross" the 6th station is the story of Veronica. According to this legend, Veronica wiped Jesus' face with a cloth which from then on bore an imprint of Jesus. face. An interesting story, but we have something more powerful than "Veronica's Veil." We each carry the image of Jesus.

Luke 20:9-20 (Pastor Wentzel) Jesus' story of a property owner who send his son to some dishonest tenants sounds like the plot of a Chuck Norris movie. But here there's a twist. The hero doesn't come in and defeat all the enemies... at least not in the way we think.