My Pastoral Ponderings

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Category: Sermons

Posted on January 16, 2021January 16, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 2 Comments

Jesus, Our Ladder

Jesus makes a remarkable promise in John 1, to Nathanael and to all of us, that Jesus would fulfill the promise first made to Jacob in Genesis 28. Here is my sermon on John 1:43-51.

Posted on January 9, 2021January 7, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 8 Comments

Our Greatest Comfort

Martin Luther once said that "there is on earth no greater comfort than Baptism." What did he mean by that? Here is my answer to that question, using the baptism of Jesus as my guide.

Posted on January 2, 2021January 2, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 5 Comments

Sermon for a New Year

Do you like to make new year's resolutions? Rather than begin this year focused on resolutions, I suggest that we begin by focusing on our blessings. In this post, I ponder five such blessings, lifted up by Paul in Ephesians 1:3-14.

Posted on December 26, 2020December 28, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 4 Comments

Martin Luther on the Meaning of Christmas

"Do not make Mary of stone," Martin Luther said to his congregation in a famous Christmas sermon. Here is a portion of that inspiring sermon.

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 3 Comments

Christmas Eve Sermon for Those at Church

What does Christmas mean for those worshiping at church, but in ways limited by this pandemic? The same as it has always meant, and more. Here is my sermon for those able to worship in person with us this Christmas Eve.

Posted on December 22, 2020December 21, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 6 Comments

Christmas Eve Sermon for Those at Home

What does Christmas mean for those worshiping at home this year? The same as it has always meant, and more. Here is my sermon for our online Christmas Eve Service.

Posted on December 19, 2020December 17, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 4 Comments

Learning from Mary When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

When life doesn't go as planned, we can learn from Mary how to respond faithfully. Here is my sermon on the Annunciation, Luke 1:26-38.

Posted on December 15, 2020December 16, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 4 Comments

A Bleak Midwinter No Longer

In this bleak midwinter in which we find ourselves, I thought I would share a few reflections inspired by this beautiful poem and beloved Christmas carol, "In the Bleak Midwinter."

Posted on December 12, 2020December 9, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 2 Comments

Unquenchable Joy: My Sermon on Gaudete Sunday

Finding joy in a challenging year can be difficult, but we can always find joy in the Lord. Here is my sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday.

Posted on December 5, 2020December 3, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 5 Comments

Raising Our Hearts and Making Straight the Path

Prepare the way of the Lord, John the baptizer declares to us at the beginning of Mark's Gospel, by making his paths straight. How? Here is my sermon on Mark 1:1-8 reflecting on that question.

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