Fr. Lenny’s Sermon – Life of Christ – Ascension

September 19, 2017September 19, 2017 zoomdaddyActs, Ascension, Christ's intercession, gift of the Spirit, Good News, Gospel, Life of Christ, Luke's Gospel, Psalm 47, reign of Christ, sermon, work of ChristLeave a comment

The final surrounding vignette in the Life of Christ icon depicts when our Lord ascended back on high. The readings – Psalm 47, Acts 1:1-11, and Luke 24:44-53 – give us the anticipated messianic enthronement hoped for, the event of the Ascension itself, and the promise of the Holy Spirit after the ascension respectively. In reflecting on this amazing event, we bask in the knowledge that Jesus is indeed in control, and shares the fruits of reign by interceding for us and granting his very Spirit to all who trust him. Let us rejoice, our Ascended Savior reigns! Good News this is indeed!

ascension

Fr. Lenny’s Sermon – Life of Christ – Jesus the Healer

July 23, 2017July 23, 2017 zoomdaddyActs, God's will, healing, kingdom of God, Life of Christ, Luke's Gospel, Psalm 103, sermonLeave a comment

As we see the various people Jesus heals in the icon vignette for today, and as we consider our readings (Psalm 103:1-5, Acts 10:34-43, and Luke 3:15-17, 21-22), we are reminded of how healing is part of God’s plan for his people, as a foretaste of eternity, how Jesus heals the whole person, plus how we are instrumental in God’s plan to bring healing to others as Christ’s kingdom advances.

healing the sick

Fr. Lenny’s Sermon – Life of Christ – Blessing of the Children

July 18, 2017July 18, 2017 zoomdaddyblessing, children, Deuteronomy, faith, Luke's Gospel, Psalm 147, salvation, sermonLeave a comment

The vignette of Jesus blessing the children reminds us of those Scriptures (Psalm 147, Deuteronomy, St Luke) that emphasize the importance children have in God’s plan of salvation, as well as how their guileless trust is a model for how we should approach God in faith.

blessing the children

Fr. Lenny’s Sermon – Life of Jesus – Baptism of Our Lord

July 2, 2017July 2, 2017 zoomdaddybaptism, faith, faithfulness of God, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Life of Christ, Luke's Gospel, new creation, Psalm 29, sermonLeave a comment

Continuing through our Lord’s life depicted in the Life of Christ icon, we arrive at his baptism in the Jordan by the John the Baptist. The Psalmist, Prophet Isaiah, and St Luke each reinforce this remarkable moment in Jesus’ life in their own way. And Christ’s very own faithfulness on our behalf opens the way for all baptized persons to take hold resurrection life and our Father’s love by faith.

baptism of christ

Fr. Lenny’s Sermon – Life of Christ – Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

June 25, 2017June 25, 2017 zoomdaddyAnna, Christ's Presentation, creation care, family of God, Galatians, icon, Life of Christ, Luke's Gospel, Messiah, Nunc Dimittis, Psalm 8, salvation, sermon, SimeonLeave a comment

As we continue our study of the biblical background informing the Life of Christ icon, we come to the story of Christ’s being presented in the temple. Psalm 8, Galatians 4, and St Luke’s Gospel all reinforce how Jesus fulfills the our mission to care for creation, as well as God’s mission to bring us into his family and rescue us Jew and Gentile alike from sin and death. As part of Christ’s body may we all grow in our stewardship, gratitude, and trust in our Lord’s great salvation.

Fr. Lenny’s Sermon – Life of Jesus – Nativity

June 18, 2017 zoomdaddyhumility, icon, Isaiah, Jesus, Life of Christ, Luke's Gospel, Nativity, Psalms 96, sermonLeave a comment

This Summer, we are taking a look at the life of Jesus as inspired by the Life of Christ Icon. It has a central pantokrator (Ruler of All) surrounded by vignettes from our Savior’s redemptive life. Today we see consider how Jesus models humility in his incarnation, as we read Psalm 96, Isaiah 9:2-7, and the famous Christmas story from Luke 2:1-14.

Fr. Lenny’s Sermon – Ascension & Seventh Sunday in Easter – 2017

May 28, 2017May 28, 2017 zoomdaddy1 Peter, Ascension, Christ in others, Easter, John's Gospel, Luke's Gospel, promises of God, sermon, serving othersLeave a comment

One theme that pops up in our readings today is how Christ is glorified in his people. Of course, that ties in with the larger summons to seek and serve Christ is all people – as we promised in our baptismal covenant. So we need to do our part to look for Jesus in everyone, plus show that same same Jesus to everyone.

Also, take a moment to reflect on how Jesus fulfills God’s promises in his Ascension back to heaven, both in what he does for us and what he does in us.

Fr. Lenny’s Sermon – Third Sunday of Easter – 2017

April 30, 2017April 30, 2017 zoomdaddyEaster, Emmaus, God's revelation, holy communion, Luke's Gospel, presence of Christ, Scripture, sermon, table fellowshipLeave a comment

Progressing through Eastertide, our Gospel lesson brings us face to face with Jesus with a couple disciples heading to Emmaus, who then discover our Risen Lord in Scripture and the Breaking of Bread. May we find Jesus in the Bible, his table, and our own tables as well.

Bp. Dorsey’s Sermon – Renewal of Ordination Vows – 2017

April 11, 2017April 11, 2017 zoomdaddyevangelism, Holy Week, Isaiah, Luke's Gospel, ministry of the baptized, ordination, Revelation, vocation, vow renewalLeave a comment

first english lutheran pittsburgh Every Holy Week, Episcopal clergy typical renew their vows from when they were ordained. In the Diocese of Pittsburgh, we share that service with our fellow clergy in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This year, the Lutherans hosted and their bishop presided, while Bp. Dorsey McConnell preached. He preached on the texts from Isaiah 61, Revelation 1, and Luke 4. May we each come to appreciate the weighty call places upon all his baptized family to spread the Good News in word, deed, and sacrament.

Fr. Lenny’s Sermon – First Sunday in Lent – 2017

March 5, 2017March 5, 2017 zoomdaddyAdam, following Jesus, forgiveness, Genesis, Jesus, Lent, Luke's Gospel, redemption, Romans, salvation, sermon, sinLeave a comment

As we walk the penitential path with Jesus this Lent, our lectionary readings help us compare and contrast Adam and Jesus so we might better appreciate the great salvation our Lord has worked out for all who believe.

Country Parson at Large

Sermons, Reflections, Music, & Thoughts of Fr. Lenny Anderson

Luke’s Gospel