Today we’re jumping back into John’s gospel. While we hear this same text every year on Reformation Sunday, there are some deep facets to explore together as we celebrate 145 years of ministry at the corner of Hoyne Ave. & Le Moyne St. in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. We’re going to focus on those first two verses. Hear them again: Jesus…

Today’s gospel reading is uncomfortable. Jesus brings up a topic that most church-going folk do not want to talk about: money and possessions. And that is why so many pastors, theologians, and biblical scholars have spent time trying to explain away or manage the complexity of this text by softening or ignoring parts. Rev. Dr. Sarah Hinlicky Wilson…

“Do not worry about your life,” says Jesus in today’s reading from Matthew. Clearly Jesus did not know about Pandemic, or hurricane Helena, or other disappointment, tragedy or other unexpected event. “Don’t worry” – are you kidding? There is so very much to worry about – the economy, school, my children, the election, my parents, the President’s he…

Today’s reading from Mark continues where we left off last week. Jesus still has a child in his arms after he reminded the disciples that welcoming the powerless, the dependent, and the vulnerable is what makes someone the greatest. And then, without missing a beat, John pipes up with what, I imagine, was an attempt at a humble brag. He says, “Hey,…

They just don’t get it. How many times does Jesus need to talk about his betrayal, execution, and resurrection? How many times will he need to tell them to focus on the marginalized, the lowly, the poor, and the outcast? It’s as though the disciples will never understand... The post Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost appeared first on Wicker Park Lu…

Wicker Park Lutheran Church Vicar Kornelius Koppel September 8, 2024 Listen to Vicar Kornelius’ sermon here! The post Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.By WPLC

Listen to Rev. Chrisida's sermon here! The post Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost appeared first on Wicker Park Lutheran Church.By WPLC

Today’s gospel is known as the Magnificat. It’s a song of praise sung by Mary, Jesus’s mother, but it seems oddly out of place in the narrative. Up to this point, an angelos, that is Greek for “messenger” or an angel, came to Mary. This messenger told Mary that she would conceive a son. And, she’s shocked, because she’s a virgin at that point. Neve…

Today we continue our exploration of John’s gospel focused on bread. Last Sunday, Vicar Vicky was back with us, and she shared a powerful sermon about the word “belief” in John’s gospel. She reminded us that “belief” in John’s gospel is always a verb, which means its active. It’s not something you have but it’s something done. It could be translate…

When I was in seminary I took a course that was just “Preaching the Gospel of John” because while John is my favorite gospel writer, by a wide margin, he’s also the one that confuses me the most and the thought of needing to preach him intimidated me. Because like…John will say all of these words and…it’s not even like they’re words I don’t know! T…

Flora and Fauna SundayBy Wicker Park Lutheran Church