To Shepherd the Sheep

To Shepherd the Sheep


To Shepherd the Sheep

The physical, spiritual, and emotional rush of Holy Week is behind us now.  It remains for me the best week of the year, every year, and having the privilege of serving a congregational vacancy afforded me one more time the absolute delight of direct participation in the delivery of the story and the promises to ..


Proper 4 • Luke 7:1–10 • May 29, 2016


Proper 4 • Luke 7:1–10 • May 29, 2016

Joel Biermann At first blush, the central theme of this pericope seems to be faith and its remarkable residence in a Gentile centurion. That motif fits well with the preceding context. The centurion distinguishes himself not only as a capable builder of synagogues, but he is also a competent builder of houses, clearly founding his ..


Christmas 1 • Isaiah 63:7–14 • December 29, 2013


Christmas 1 • Isaiah 63:7–14 • December 29, 2013

By Joel Biermann Israel, God’s rebellious son, God’s adulterous bride, remains always the unexpected recipient of God’s greatest giving. He even intervenes for Israel as a Savior who chooses to suffer affliction for the sake of his chosen people. In response to such extraordinary loving kindness, Israel, of course, rebels… and then yet once more remembers her saving Lord. ..