08/25/2024 Praise Service

St. Paul's Lutheran Church

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08/25/2024 Praise Service

Sermon: “The Right Place for Tradition”

August 25, 2024 • Mark 7:1–13

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AS WE GATHER

Tradition is a profound gift, but it can also be a problem. When the works of our hands are at odds with the faith of our hearts or when the faith of our hearts no longer shapes our lives, we are in trouble. Jesus calls out the empty tradition that begs for faith and the timid faith that fears bold confession. In so doing, our Lord rightly places the gift and blessing of tradition, not the dead faith of the living but the living faith of the dead, to encourage us in our own believing.

09/22/24 Praise Service

September 22, 2024

AS WE GATHER Jeremiah didn’t have it easy, confronting enemies of himself and of God. Even his friends have betrayed him! So the prophet relies on God’s faithful promises, just as David had to do as he wrote today’s Psalm, which announces, “God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.” We need not quarrel and become angry with the world around us, James writes in the Epistle. God responds better to those who have “the meekness of wisdom.” Our Lord was faithful in His earthly ministry despite betrayal from one of the His followers. In today’s Gospel He teaches the Twelve about true greatness even when they cannot understand His coming execution and resurrection. It is His faithfulness for us that buoys us up in the face of the conflicts around us. And that’s what we celebrate today.

09/22/24 Traditional Service

September 22, 2024

09/15/2024 Praise Service

September 15, 2024

AS WE GATHER In today’s Readings, James draws our attention to the tongue. Our tongues might be small but, like the rudder of a ship, the tongue is vitally important to us for staying on the right course. If the rudder is broken, the ship is adrift. If the tongue is filled with evil, so will the rest of our lives. But the tongue also boasts of great things, speaking God’s good word of forgiveness and life. Remember that Jesus has restored all things, including our tongues to no longer speak evil, but to speak His Word.