Community Archives - St. Peter's Lutheran Church

The Body of Christ

Our thanks to Brendan Armitage, our guest devotioneer this week. “One bread, one body, one Lord of all / One cup of blessing which we bless, And we, though many, throughout the earth / We are one body in this one Lord. Gentile or Jew / Servant or free / Woman or man / No…

Different But the Same

Our thanks go out to Adam Lefever Hughes for offering this weeks’ devotion. Justin the Martyr, a 2nd-century convert to Christianity wrote some of the earliest accounts we have of how early Christians conducted their worship. He writes: “And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together…

Words from the Cyber-Wilderness

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the…

Fear and Loathing and Hope and Love in Lancaster

New Day Sermon lent 3 This week has been a crazy week in Lancaster, our state, and our world. In what (new) ways is Jesus calling us together?

A Solitary Life … or Not

We live in a world that thrives on individuality. “One of a kind” is preferred over “one of the herd.” Being “unique” is a higher calling than being “uniform.” “Standing out” is far better than “blending in.” I get it. Being unique makes us feel special, it invites others to notice us. It helps us…

Angels Unawares

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. ~~Hebrews 13:2 (NRSV) I’m not much for the Book of Hebrews. I’ve never been enamored by the lofty language, the implied superiority of New Testament teaching over the Old Testament foundations for Jesus’ ministry, and the…

No Longer Alone

New Day Sermon Pentecost 8 As we hear the familiar “Parable of the Rich Fool” we are reminded of both the curse of placing too much trust in material possessions, and also the problem of isolating ourselves from others around us.

Everything in the forest is the forest

I just returned from a week of rest and renewal at the conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians held this year in Portland, OR. These conferences are always a wonderful time of fellowship, worship, and learning for me and this year was no different. Worship services are structured in much the same ways…

Jesus’ Work And Telling Tormentors To Take A Hike

Traditional Sermon Pentecost 2 Our Gospel reading this Sunday is one, that at first glance, sounds like the beginning of a scary story. It was a dark and stormy night, as 12 students and their teacher sailed across to a land unknown. Usually this is where my imagination cues the fog and the creepy music.…

Regard for Suffering

“We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do, and move in light of what they suffer.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
This quote reminds me everyday of Christ’s compassion and consideration for all parties, which is why it hangs where I must see it.