What did you feel when you heard the words of Luke’s gospel this morning?
At first glance it appears that this sounds really familiar to something you’ve probably heard before, ‘the beatitudes.’
I like to remember them as having the right attitude.
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Many of you are familiar with long car trips.
Depending on where you are going, how far you have to travel, and who you are riding with, there are many things that can happen on the road.
I am blessed to be your pastor.
You have called me to bring the good news.
One of my daily blessings is waking up here in Finland.
Out of the parsonage’s back windows I get the first light of the day. Gently waking me from a peaceful night into a new day.
Today we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord.
A day to give thanks to our Almighty God who has given us this wonderful gift. The gift of Jesus and the sacrament of Baptism.
As a child I remember the joy of a warm bubble bath.
I pray that you are all having a beautiful Christmas.
Seeing family and friends has been a wonderful blessing.
Hopefully you were able to see or talk to them all.
Being part of a family is just one of the many gifts that we receive from God. As we all know families come in many different shapes and sizes. Graciously, in God’s family one person fits all, Jesus.
Praise the Lord for the diversity of families, and God who has given us the gift of love.
Grace and Peace to you from God the Father, Jesus Christ our LORD, and the Holy Spirit.
This morning begins the fourth Sunday of Advent.
On this Sunday we wait with anticipation for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.
An action of pure love from God, as John’s gospel is crystal clear in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.”
Grace and peace to you from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In two days I will celebrate the anniversary of my Ordination. A blessing upon blessings that you have prepared a place for me here. Thank you.
When I felt the pull of a call to learn and earn my Master’s of Divinity I wasn’t sure where this path with God was going to lead me.
The anxiety of not knowing and the waiting seemed to be too much at times.
In our gospel reading today, Mark takes us on an apocalyptic journey.
As the disciples marvel, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!”
Grace and peace to you from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In two days I will celebrate the anniversary of my Ordination. A blessing upon blessings that you have prepared a place for me here. Thank you.
When I felt the pull of a call to learn and earn my Master’s of Divinity I wasn’t sure where this path with God was going to lead me.
What would it be like to be a King, or even THE KING?
Today we observe and celebrate Christ the King.
Jesus is our King, we belong to Jesus.
What a week it has been.
From the visit of the Minnesota Adult Teen Challenge, a National Election, and this morning, is there a feeling of joy and praise?
Perhaps like me you may be experiencing some fatigue, with our time falling back and preparing for the change of seasons.
Today we celebrate the Reformation.
A brief history:: “The Protestant Reformation began in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther, a teacher and a monk, published a document he called Disputation on the Power of Indulgences, or 95 Theses. The document was a series of 95 ideas about Christianity that he invited people to debate with him.”
“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometime you’ll find you get what you need.”
Can you believe what James and John are asking for?
The Holy Trinity is a relationship of our Triune God; One in three- three-in one.
Throughout our lives we have many relationships; can you think of a few?
Grace and Peace to you from God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Today we celebrate the Day of Pentecost.
Pentecost is the Greek word for fiftieth, historically an important feast between Passover and Tabernacles, later celebrating the renewal of the covenant God made with Noah.
Grace and peace to you siblings in Christ.
Today we celebrate the Seventh Sunday of Easter and Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day to all.
Grace and peace to you from God, the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
One of my favorite things to see when I am at the Como park Conservatory is the bonsai trees.
Grace and Peace to you from God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit
Today we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday.
Grace and Peace to You from the Holy Trinity.
Have you heard the Good News?
Jesus is Risen, he is Risen indeed.
Hosanna in the highest, Alleluia.
Grace and Peace to you.
As a new Pastor I am experiencing a number of firsts this year.
Going first is often a little scary, yet the level of anxiety depends on preparation.
Grace and peace to you from God the Father, Jesus Christ his only son, and the Holy Spirit.
One of the first things my wife and I did when we bought our home was to prepare the backyard for a garden.
Grace and Peace to you from the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I wonder how many of you like thunderstorms?
The amazing power of thunder and the blinding flash of lighting cause many reactions.
Grace and Peace to you from the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit In our prayer for the day we ask for Jesus to be the means of life. By what means we choose to live guides us on a journey of faith.
Not only does Jesus take up the cross for us, we trust in his death and resurrection and boldly take up our own cross.
Grace and peace to you, from God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
If this morning's reading sounds familiar, a portion of it was read on Sunday, in January.
Grace and Peace to you from the Holy Trinity; Father, beloved Son and the Holy Spirit. Today we celebrate transfiguration Sunday.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit I am curious if any of you remember a favorite teacher?
Imagine that you are asleep in a nice warm bed and suddenly your smoke detector goes off.
You immediately jump out of bed and investigate.
Fortunately you discover that it was only a false alarm.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit
Have you ever spoken a word that the moment it left your mouth you wished you could take it back?
Grace and peace to you from the Holy Trinity; parent, child, and the holy Spirit. Tonight we celebrate New Years Eve.
The Good News
Advent 2 - December 10, 2023
Isaiah 40: 1-11; Mark 1: 1-8
BRCC - Pastor Deborah
The Day of the Lord
Nov, 12, 23 - Pentecost 24
Amos 5: 18-24; Matthew 25: 1-13
Pastor Deb - BRCC
“Your One Precious Life”
Matt. 25: 14-30 - Parable of the talents
Nov. 19, 23 - 25th Sunday after Pentecost
Pastor Deb - BRCC
See with the Eyes of your Heart
Christ the King Sunday - November 26, 23
(Confirmation Day for Kjersti Hanson)
Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24 & Ephesians 1: 15-23
Pastor Deb - BRCC
7o Years of Faithfulness - How We Remember
Reformation Sunday - Oct. 29, 23
Jeremiah 31: 31-34; John 8: 31-36; Psalm 46
Caught in a Trap
Matthew 22: 15-22
October 22, 2023 - Pentecost 21
Pastor Deb - BRCC
“Thank Goodness the Lord is Near”
Phillipians 4: 1-9 & Isaiah 25:1-9
October 15, 2023, Pentecost 20
“A Sad Vineyard Parable”
Pentecost 19 - Oct 8, 23
Isaiah 5: 1-7 & Matthew 21: 33-46
“We Have a Dream”
16th Sunday after Pentecost - Sept. 17, 23
Romans 14: 7
“Our Capacity to Complain”
17th Sunday after Pentecost - Sept 24, 2023
“Courageous Hope”
Holy Cross Sunday - Sept. 10, 2023
John 3: 13-17 - Numbers 21: 4b-9 - 1 Corinthians 1: 18-24
“Transformed to Follow”
August 27, 23 - 13th Sunday after Pentecost
Romans 12: 1-8 and Matthew 16: 13-20
BRCC - Pastor Deb Birkeland
“Oh, Those Weeds!”
8th Sunday after Pentecost - July 23, 23
Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43
Pastor Deb - BRCC
“Jesus’ Kind of Justice”
Matthew 15: 21-31 - 12th Sunday after Pentecost
August 20, 2023
Pastor Deborah - BRCC
“What would we do if we weren’t afraid?”
11th Sunday after Penecost, August 13, 23
Matthew 13: 22-33 and 1 Kings 19:9-13
Pastor Deb Birkeland - BRCC
Baptized we Love: “A Way of Seeing”
Sermon Series #1: June 11, 2023
Matthew 9: 18-26
Pastor Deb
“What are you Looking For?
John 1: 29-42 - 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
January 15, 2023 - BRCC - Pastor Deb Birkeland
“A Fish Story”
Third Sunday after Epiphany - January 22, 2023
Matthew 4: 12-23 - BRCC- Pastor Deb
“His Eye is on the Sparrow”
4th Sunday after Epiphany- Jan 29, 2023
Matthew 5: 1-12 - BRCC- Pastor Deb
“But I Say to You”
Matthew 5: 21-37 - 6th Sunday after Epiphany
February 12, 2023 - BRCC - Pastor Deb
The Transfiguration of our Lord
Matthew 17: 1-9
February 19, 2023 - BRCC - Pastor Deb
When Christians Get it Wrong
Feb, 26, 2023 - First Sunday in Lent
Matthew 4: 1-22 - Pastor Deb Birkeland
The Samaritan Woman
March 19, 2023
Fourth Sunday in Lent, John 4: 5-42
Pastor Deb
“What Love Sees when it Looks at You”
Easter - April 9, 2023 - Matthew 28: 1-10
Pastor Deb Birkeland
“Waiting for Power”
Seventh Sunday of Easter - May 21, 2023
Acts 1: 1-11 - John 17: 1-17
Pastor Deb - BRCC
“Faith is a Frightened Bird, waiting”
Sixth Sunday of Easter - May 14, 2023 (Mother’s Day)
John 14: 1-21 - Pastor Deb - BRCC
“Our Road to Emmaus”
Luke 24: 13-34, Third Sunday in Easter
April 23, 23, Pastor Deb
“I Shall Dwell in the House of the Lord”
Psalm 23 - Good Shepherd Sunday
April 30, 2023 - Pastor Deb