A Christian meditation plus prayers for Election Day 2024 as well as for while we await Inauguration Day in the United States. #MartinLuther #Lutheran #election2024 #prayer #faith #spirituality #loveoneanother #citizenship #Christianity #Christian
This is a Christmas sermon inspired by the popular pickle ornament. This sermon on Luke 2:1-20 was preached at Christ Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, VA on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023. Find the written text at 2-penny-blog.com. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue) translation. #sermon #nativity ##christmas #trust #faith #christian #spirituality #godwithus #lutheran #jesus
Through faith, we are invited to look at a larger vision for the world. Having a bad day, does not mean you have a bad life. You are part of God's eternal story, and God has the final word. This sermon on Isaiah 5:1-7; 11:1-5 and Mark 12:1-3 was preached at Christ Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, VA on the Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost, November 19, 2023. Find the written version at 2-penny-blog.com. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation. #sermon #isaiah #worry #faith #christian #spirituality #godwithus #lutheran #jesus
A short reflection on what I learned about love from the Native Communities in South Dakota and the buffalo. Adapted from an article published in Christ Lutheran's October 2023 Newsletter, Fredericksburg, VA. Find the written version at 2pennyblog.wordpress.com. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue) translation. Content produced for this blog does not necessarily represent the viewpoints of any other person, organization or entity other than the host.
My congregation has been working its way through the Narrative Lectionary, and this past Sunday, the focus was on the story of Ruth and Naomi juxtaposed with Jesus’ discussion in Mark 3 about who is our brother and sister. Informed by the horrific Hamas attacks in Israel and growing war clouds (as well as discord in families at times), I asked myself the question, “How are we supposed to love people from other ‘tribes’ when they don't love us?” I think Ruth and Naomi’s story speaks to this question. This sermon on Ruth 1:1-17 and Mark 3:33-35 was preached at Christ Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, VA on the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 15, 2023. Find the written version at 2pennyblog.wordpress.com. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation. #sermon #bookofruth #tribalism #loveyourenemy #christian #spirituality #faith #lutheran #jesus
Where do we look when everything seems dark? This episode is an Easter reflection offered to my congregation in 2023. (Previously published in Christ Lutheran's April 2023 Newsletter, Fredericksburg, VA. Find the written version at 2pennyblog.wordpress.com. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.) #prayer #christian #spirituality #faith #lutheran #jesus #lightoftheworld
What did St. Patrick know that we should too? Jesus is always around us, in us, and for us. (Previously published in Christ Lutheran's March 2023 Newsletter, Fredericksburg, VA. Find the written version at 2pennyblog.wordpress.com.) #stpatrick #stpatricksday #breastplate #prayer #christian #spirituality #faith #lutheran
Among the most complicated of topics that Jesus addresses remains the gift of forgiveness. And indeed, forgiveness is a gift at its heart. Preaching: Pastor Lou Florio To see a list of my sermon's references and footnotes, please find the sermon text at https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com/. You can learn more about Christ Lutheran where Pastor Lou serves as Associate Pastor at: https://www.christ-lutheran-church.org/ Or, follow us for updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLCFred. We are @clcfred on Instragram. Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Sermon Copyright © 2023 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com #forgiveness #lent #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran #sermon #matthew
What significance does Jesus' transfiguration have for us today? It helps us see ourselves and our situation in a new way. Preaching: Pastor Lou Florio You can learn more about Christ Lutheran where Pastor Lou serves as Associate Pastor at: https://www.christ-lutheran-church.org/ Or, follow us for updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLCFred. We are @clcfred on Instragram. Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Sermon Copyright © 2023 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com #transfiguration #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran #sermon #matthew
A short but personal reflection about Pastor Lou's journey home during a Lent thirty years ago. Previously published in the February 2023 Newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, VA. Find the written version of this post and other writings at 2pennyblog.wordpress.com. #lent #christian #spirituality #faith #repent #redemption #hope © 2023 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.
For this year's Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, I came to remember and reflect upon my baptism - but not just the historic details. I came to ask myself, "Why would the Son of God, born without sin, need to be baptized? Why should we be baptized?" Preaching: Pastor Lou Florio You can learn more about Christ Lutheran where Pastor Lou serves as Associate Pastor at: https://www.christ-lutheran-church.org/ Or, follow us for updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLCFred. We are @clcfred on Instragram. Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Sermon Copyright © 2023 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com #baptismofjesus #baptismofourlord #baptism #matthew3 #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran #sermon
Looking into a new year can be like looking into a chasm of darkness. What does the furture hold? We can never fully know, but we know this. God holds us. God's love has us covered. Previously published in Christ Lutheran's January 2023 Newsletter in Fredericksburg, VA. Find the written version of this podcast and more at 2pennyblog.wordpress.com. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSVue) translation unless otherwise noted. © 2023 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author. #newyear #christian #spirituality #faith #godislove #lutheran
This is my sermon from the Narrative Lectionary for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost (2022). My sermon reflects upon the ancient miracles related to the parting of the Red Sea. How did it happen? How does God work in similar ways today in our own lives when we are trapped by troubles? Please read the Narrative Lectionary texts for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (2022) prior to listening to my sermon: Exodus 14:5-7, 10-14, 21-29; Matthew 2:13-15. Preaching: Pastor Lou Florio You can learn more about Christ Lutheran where Pastor Lou serves as Associate Pastor at: https://www.christ-lutheran-church.org/ Or, follow us for updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLCFred. We are @clcfred on Instragram. Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Sermon Copyright © 2022 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com #redsea #redseaparting #exodus #matthew2 #exodus14 #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran #sermon
This is my sermon from the Narrative lectionary for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost (2022). It is about Joseph and Potiphar's wife, but it is about us too. In this sermon, I touch upon our own involvement with false accusation and gossip - sometimes as perpetrators, sometimes as victims. Please read the Narrative Lectionary texts for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (2022) prior to listening to my sermon: Genesis 39:1-23; Psalm 146; Matthew 5:11-12. Preaching: Pastor Lou Florio You can learn more about Christ Lutheran where Pastor Lou serves as Associate Pastor at: https://www.christ-lutheran-church.org/ Or, follow us for updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLCFred Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Sermon Copyright © 2022 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com #Joseph #potiphar #genesis39 #matthew5 #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran #sermon
Many children love the story of Noah's ark, but is it really a children's story? Take a deeper look with Pastor Lou as he explores how our interactions with "the floods" of our modern lives can be changed by reflecting upon the promise found in this ancient tale. Please read the Narrative Lectionary texts for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (2022) prior to listening to my sermon: Genesis 6:5-22; 8:6-12; 9:8-17; Psalm 51:1-10; Matthew 8:24-27. Preaching: Pastor Lou Florio You can learn more about Christ Lutheran where Pastor Lou serves as Associate Pastor at: https://www.christ-lutheran-church.org/ Or, follow us for updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLCFred Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Sermon Copyright © 2022 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com/ #noah #jesusandthetorm #jesuscalmsthesotrm #noahsark #genesis6 #matthew8 #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran
Please read the lectionary Texts for Trinity Sunday (2022) prior to listening to my sermon: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 Preaching: Pastor Lou Florio You can learn more about Christ Lutheran where Pastor Lou serves as Associate Pastor at: https://www.christ-lutheran-church.org/ Or, follow us for updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLCFred Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Sermon Copyright © 2022 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com/ #trinitysunday #godthefather #godtheson #jesus #holyspirit #godhead #triunegod #trinity #holytrinity #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran
How can Jesus be revealed to some and not others? That question uttered by the Apostle Judas (not to be confused with Judas Iscariot, thus sometimes called Jude) is a great one. Despite our anxiety or shortcomings, we need not doubt. We don't even need to understand. The Spirit is on the move; connecting us to the saints of old, even as it is leading us toward that final eternity with God in peace. The Spirit invites each of us to play a part in God's sacred story. Please read the lectionary Texts for the the Sixth Sunday in Easter (2022) prior to listening to my sermon: Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10 and 21:22-22:5, and John 14:23-29. Preaching: Pastor Lou Florio You can learn more about Christ Lutheran where Pastor Lou serves as Associate Pastor at: https://www.christ-lutheran-church.org/ Or, follow us for updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLCFred Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Sermon Copyright © 2022 by Pr. Louis Florio. For the written text of this sermon and any relevant citation information, please visit https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com/ #easter #easter6 #acts16 #john 14 #holyspirit #faith #grace #spirituality #christian #lutheran
In the earliest stories of the Church, we encounter people much like us. And even today, like them, we can meet the Risen Christ through our ordinary, daily lives. (Previously published in Christ Lutheran's May 2022 Newsletter, Fredericksburg, VA. Find the written version at 2pennyblog.wordpress.com.) #easter #christian #spirituality #faith
Life is filled with strange occurences and joyful events deemed as miracles. Yet, what if the greatest miracles come from the legacy of love shared as part of Christ's Church. Exploring the story of Tabitha's resurrection in Acts 9, we discover that among the greatest of God's miracles is love shared. Please read the lectionary Texts for the the Fourth Sunday in Easter prior to listening to my sermon: Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 Preaching: Pastor Lou Florio You can learn more about Christ Lutheran where Pastor Lou serves as Associate Pastor at: https://www.christ-lutheran-church.org/ Or, follow us for updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLCFred Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Sermon Copyright © 2022 by Pr. Louis Florio #easter #easter4 #acts9 #john10 #death #resurrection #faith #spirituality #christian
It can be hard to talk about death. We might even try to deny it or fight it. Yet, it comes for us all. Yes, death is in the air, but Jesus is with us. We need not anxiously hold onto our life in a stranglehold. We can offer it in love to God and neighbor, for death will not have the final world. Lectionary Text for the the Fifth Sunday in Lent: John 12:1-8 Preaching: Pastor Lou Florio Music: Rebecca Case You can learn more about Christ Lutheran where Pastor Lou serves as Associate Pastor at: https://www.christ-lutheran-church.org/ Or, follow us for updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLCFred Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies. Annual License #SAS006522. #401132-M- One License #lent #john12 #death #faith #spirituality #christian