The Renewing Power of Forgiveness
During the September 29 service Masayo Kagita gave an inspiring witness of her journey to Christianity. During her speech she said repeatly and with joy, “I am forgiven!” It is not surprising that Masyo mentions this, since forgiveness is central to Christian belief. And since Read More …
Bricks and Stones
To anyone walking by our church in the past few months it was obvious that there is construction going on. A plywood barrier was put up, a dumpster was parked on the curb and stacks of bricks appeared on the property. This has been preceded Read More …
The Beatitudes
– A Devotional From Pastor Ilagan (Matt. 5:1-12; Luke 6:20-23) I have a pastor-friend who tells me that whenever someone greets him with the usual “How are you?” his response is: “I am blessed! Thank you!” The response sounds “too religious” to me. I would not Read More …
The Denouement
(SERMON Easter 7C 2019) If you will forgive me, I’d like to use a $2 word to talk about our scripture lessons this morning; (this is what you get for calling a pastor with an expensive education). The word is denouement. Your ear will probably Read More …
Synod Assembly
SERMON Easter 5C 2019 Nobody hates church meetings more than I do, and in years past I have managed to find an excuse to skip our synod’s annual assembly. For one thing – an important thing to me – we always meet in a big Read More …
SERMON for Easter 3c 2019
John 21 This is the last scene in John’s gospel, and a very precious and poignant scene it is. John’s stories are always rich and revealing, full of feeling and ringing true in a way that most Bible stories don’t. If Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ Read More …
Sermon on April 28, 2019
SERMON Easter 2c 2019 I was surprised looking through my sermon files this week. After 30 years of preaching, I have as many as ten sermons for some Sundays, but almost nothing at all for this one. Well, silly me: of course not! I’m usually Read More …