For the last couple years I’ve had the opportunity to share some ideas with the congregation I’m currently serving. One idea that I am particular fond of is taking Sunday worship to a local park. This is a little outside the comfort zone of most Lutherans, so I put together the following proposal for consideration of the church council whom pretty quickly decided we should try it. Worship in the Park Proposal WHAT: The worship service Read More …
Today World Vision announced that it would allow same-sex married couples to work in their organization. In typical fashion people are throwing the baby out with the bath water and calling for people to withdraw funding from World Vision and giving them the “farewell” to the Christian Faith. Rachel Held Evans had some interesting interactions on Twitter today: she acted as a prophet in today’s Evangelical Twitter Wilderness. Here’s part of one her Read More …
O Holy God, yet again you call me to proclaim the Good News of your Son yet I am unworthy of such a task. Distrust dances with faith in my soul and sometimes I can’t tell who’s leading. I am filled with every kind of sin, “I have not loved you with my whole heart, I have not loved my neighbor a myself” which is the polite way of saying I screw up sooooo much; Read More …
…a group of women from our home congregation, all cancer survivors, who take a photo to support my wife in her fight with cancer. This is truly the Kingdom here and now. This is one of the most beautiful photos I’ve seen. These women are the salt of the earth. -jpserrano
I have been a big fan of Late Nate with Jimmy Fallon for some time. I try to stay up as much as possible with my night owl wife, but often I fall asleep just before the opening monologue. However, I almost always end up catching highlights of Jimmy’s show on Hulu the next day. When Jimmy has guests who are willing to play water gun games, race tricycles, crack eggs on their heads, and Read More …
Source: Staples eReader Department The above is a reading test developed by Staples. Click it to take the test. I have always known that I was a slow reader. I got 189 words a minute with all 3 question correct, but I read 22% slower than the national average. How did you do? -jpserrano
During Advent 2013 I coordinated an Art Project at Faith Lutheran Church of Castro Valley. The idea behind the project was to create a Nativity scene using the broad range of talents we have in the church. I passed out 14 canvases with limited instructions on what should go on each canvas: Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus, Manger Animal, Wise Man. The instructions were very broad, I didn’t want to influence the creativity of the artist. Read More …
Many people outside of San Diego probably don’t know about Jeff & Jer’s “Breaking and Entering Christmas.” The concept of the event is this. People will send in letters on the behalf of needy families. The Jeff & Jer Radio Show chooses a family and the show’s producer, Little Tommy, takes some of his friends from Chula Vista break into their house and leave presents for the whole family. They get locksmiths, police, and Read More …
Advent 2 (Year A)Matthew 3:1-12 Context: This scripture passage is set just after the birth narrative of Jesus. The Holy Family flees Bethlehem and then returns to Nazareth. A completely new section begins in today’s Gospel with John the Baptists in (3:1) and the Baptism of Jesus (3:13). Location: The Wilderness / Jordan River Characters: John The Baptist, People of Jerusalem, Pharisees, Sadducees, Jesus Notes: 3:1- The importance John the Baptist’s appearing is made explicitly known in Read More …
Advent 1 (Year A) Matthew 24:36-44 Context: Jesus is in Jerusalem after the triumphal entry, cleansing of the temple, cursing of the fig tree, and encountering religious leaders. Jesus is asked a question by the disciples in verse 24:3. This reading picks up mid-answer which began in verse 24:4. Location: Mount of Olives (Matt 24:3) Characters: Jesus is speaking. Disciples are listening. Notes: 24:36- “That day and hour” no one knows about is the second coming of Jesus (earlier Read More …