Author: Aaron

Days of Old and Former Years

3 Feb 2020 / Aaron

Sermon for the Presentation of Our Lord — Malachi 3:1–4, Luke 2:22–40

Proclaimed at Faith Lutheran Church, Mount Penn, PA

As I’ve been waiting for my time here to begin, I’ve been substitute teaching in the public schools nearby. I was eager, at first, to work in Hamburg. It’s where I grew up, and at the very least, I wanted to see the new high school, which was rebuilt shortly after I graduated. So a few weeks ago, I finally grabbed a half day in the chemistry lab. I’m not sure I’ll do it again. Continue reading

Identity

12 Jan 2020 / Aaron

The Baptism of Our Lord (A)—Acts 10:34–43

Proclaimed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley, PA.

It’s nice to have a chance to be back here at Trinity, after more than a year away. Spending October before last with you was a lot of fun, though I have to admit that I enjoyed 2019 even more. Some of you may remember that I was going to Malaysia, to teach for a year at Malaysia Theological Seminary. It was a wonderful place to be, and leaving there was very difficult. The land is beautiful, with thick jungle and expansive seacoasts and fantastic architecture. The culture is interesting, and the shape of faith is often a joy. But the true asset of Malaysia, its true gift to the world, is the people. Continue reading

Too Big a Promise

5 Jan 2020 / Aaron

Sermon for Epiphany (A): Isaiah 60:1–6 and Matthew 2:1–12

Proclaimed at St John’s Lutheran Church in Sinking Spring, PA

It was a dark time in Israel when the prophet of the third part of Isaiah spoke. His words acknowledge that there will come a day when “Darkness shall cover the whole earth, and thick darkness the peoples.” This worldwide darkness was a larger reflection of the darkness that already hovered over God’s people. Certainly, things were a little better than they had been. A hundred years earlier, Israel was captured by the Babylonians, who took the wealthy, powerful people away into exile, and left the poor and destitute in the land to become more poor and destitute. By the time the prophet speaks, the people have returned home and begun to rebuild. But they are still under the oppression of the Persians. The community is constantly in conflict—the elites who returned opposed the farmers who stayed. And the ruins of the old civilization are a constant source of despair. Remember the great nation that God once built here? How can we ever be like that again? Continue reading

Today we thank you, O God, as this year draws to a close, for the season that is also ending at my home congregation. Pastor Bruce Osterhout has faithfully cared for the people God has placed in his charge for five and a half years. He has often done so bearing the pain of the systemic challenges that, like many congregations, have been part of our story for decades. And he has always done so with a focus on the gospel as articulated in Matthew 25: Feeding the hungry, quenching thirst, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting the imprisoned. Pastors are human, and none is perfect; but Bruce’s passion for the needs of the world has brought much to this community of faith and helped us to grow incredibly. He will be deeply missed at Zion’s. And I am glad that, as a colleague, I don’t have to miss him too much. Grant him discernment for the future, God, and confidence in work well-done. Amen.

Today we thank you, O God, for Jeanette Rankin, whom I just learned about. Rankin was the first woman ever elected to the US Congress, in 1917, three years before women’s suffrage! Though remembered controversially for her pacifist faith convictions during the World Wars, she said “If I am remembered for no other act, I want to be remembered as the only woman who ever voted to give women the right to vote.” Pretty cool. Amen.

Today we thank you, O God, for all the photos of Malaysian students leading worship that keep popping up on my Facebook feed today. It is awesome to see such talented people faithfully drawing others deeper into the Love that has no bounds. Amen.

Sungai Way: Biblical Hebrew

27 Sep 2019 / Aaron

Okay, if I’m really honest, I didn’t think it would work. Hebrew in six hours? You can’t learn anything that fast. And really, who is all that interested? But I said yes.

And so two weeks ago, we had about fifteen people. And the organizers said, “Let’s repeat it for people who couldn’t come! I thought, come on. Surely everyone in the country who could possibly want to came last time. But I said yes.

35 people in a one-day beginning Hebrew workshop. And they loved it.

I do not understand. But please, God, let me do this forever. Amen.

Today we thank you, O God, for the toilet handle that just broke off in my hand. It was great while it lasted. Well done, good and faithful toilet handle. Amen.

Today we thank you, O God, for the Southeast Asian idea of “Western Food.” I mean, someday, when I need desperately to have a burger, I’m not going to be able to get one. But in the meantime, getting waffle fries with chili sauce and a burger with Chinese black pepper sauce is hilarious. Amen.