Blessed Virgin Mary

St Mary, Mother of God

August 15, 2010

Gospel: St. Luke 1.39-55 It’s great having Pastor McClean and Vicar Kieselowsky here, but sharing in the ministry with them also means they discover my weaknesses and inadequacies. Recently the Vicar and I were driving somewhere and he discovered a scandalous secret about me. Sometimes, I listen to R.C. Sproul. {He’s a Calvinist. Not Lutheran.} [...]

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I don’t think I’m going too far

August 14, 2010

when I say that Mary was a means of grace. What are the means of grace, but earthly things joined with divine, given for our salvation? The Word comes to water and it is a Baptism, a life-giving water, rich in grace and a washing of the Holy Spirit. The Word comes to bread and [...]

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All glorious is the princess in her chamber

August 12, 2010

I’m working through the Psalter at our Wednesday Evening services; last night we arrived at Psalm 45, which I preached as a wedding hymn for Christ and His bride the church. I just noticed that the Gradual for the Feast of St. Mary (which falls this coming Sunday, August 15) is taken from that same [...]

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First Sunday after the Epiphany

January 11, 2010

Traditional Gospel: Luke 2:41-52 “What did he know and when did he know it?” When scandal breaks in Washington, that is the question journalists and investigators ask as they try to determine guilt. It’s also an important question for Christology, i.e., for what we can say about Christ. Who is Jesus, really? What did He [...]

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The Annunciation to Mary – Luke 1.26-38

March 25, 2009

Some of the phrases and most all of the thoughts in this sermon are cribbed from Luther (The Festival Sermons [Mark V Publications] and the House Postils [Baker]). Rejoice, highly favored ones, the LORD is with you! Blessed are you among the children of Adam, for in your baptism, you received grace, and in the [...]

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Grow your own guardian angel

August 25, 2008

My mom was visiting this past weekend, and we went to visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. I’ve been several times, but we’ve managed to live here seven years without Kassie or my mom seeing it. The immensity of the building is striking, and I find it to be quite [...]

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