Truckee Lutheran Presbyterian Church

Sermon Text: Exodus 3:1-15
Sermon Title: “The Deliverer”
Sermon Notes: Moses was reared in pharaoh’s household, but fled to Midian after he murdered a Egyptian for beating a Hebrew slave. In the desert, Moses raises sheep, gets married, and starts a family. But, God still has a purpose for Moses - a purpose that includes his returning to the scene of his crime. While we blithely recite the creed, the world hungers for leaders who will tear away the foundations of poverty, racism, ignorance, war, sexual exploitation, slavery, and oppression. This is why God came down to Moses, calling him to lead, to deliver a people sitting in darkness, a people shackled in chains, a people harassed and oppressed. Make no mistake about it. Moses’ calling was not to labor out of the public eye, addressing only his parishioners’ spiritual needs as if their spiritual needs were something other than for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to observe, hear, and “know their sufferings” - and get them out! There was not available to Moses this convenient bifurcation of spiritual truths from political realities.

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Over one year ago in April of 2007 Pastor Ed, Jeff Rogers, Denny and Edie Lott met with Lutheran and Presbyterian officials to discuss chartering as a congregation of both denominations. Continue reading »

Sermon Text: Exodus 1:8 - 2:10
Sermon Title: “Abusing Neighbors, Destroying Kingdoms”
Sermon Notes: Genesis concludes with Israel having gone down to Egypt. Exodus narrates the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would multiply and possess the land God gave them. Without knowing Joseph or his leadership pharaoh sanctions Israel, setting the stage for Moses, the future leader of Israel’s return from exile. The scriptures say, “A new king arose over Egypt, [one] who did not know Joseph” (Exodus 1:8). Now, this is a simple enough thing to say. Yet, of that ignorance-of-my-neighbor-and-what-does-he-matter-to-me-anyway attitude is born suffering untold. Slavery, torture, oppression, shanty-towns, sexual exploitation, and genocide all grow in this soil. These are the bitter fruits of a human heart set on getting its own way, whatever the cost to her/his neighbors.

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Readings and Prayers

Sermon Text: Romans 11:t1-2a, 29-32
Sermon Title: “The Mystery of Mercy”
Sermon Notes: Struggling with issues about who is included in God’s family - specifically, whether the Jews have been rejected or not - Paul affirms that the call to be God’s people is irrevocable. Paul continues to struggle with the place of Jew and Gentile in God’s realm. Yet the Jews have not been rejected. Jesus struggles to extend his ministry to Gentiles, and Joseph struggles with reconciliation with his family. Through it all, we are reminded that God’s ways are not always comprehensible.

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Readings and Prayers

Sermon Text: Romans 10:5-15
Sermon Title: “Believe With Your Heart”

Sermon Notes: Through this reading shines Paul’s primary focus: it is not living by the law that makes us righteous with God, but faith in Jesus Christ. Through faith we are saved, and experience grace. But what does it mean to have faith, and what does it mean to experience salvation? Coming to a new understanding of these classic terms can enrich our lives and strengthen our relationship with God.

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Readings and Prayers

Sermon Text: Romans 9:1-5
Sermon Title: “Do You Get It?”
Sermon Notes: These verses begin a long “sermon” from Romans 9-11, wherein Paul struggles with the reality that his own people have not come to experience the new life that Christ offers. Paul struggles with issues of who is included in the family of God and offers to trade places with those who may be left out. Jacob struggles with his past and his future. Neither gets resolution, yet neither gives up.

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Readings and Prayers

Sunday August 17 Donner Lake Fun Day

After church, everybody should head for Donner Lake. The Persons are about half way down the south side of the lake at 14386 South Shore Drive. Continue reading »

Sermon Text: Romans 8:26-39
Sermon Title: “Persevere through Prayer”
Sermon Notes: Paul understood the age following Christ’s ascension to be an in-between time - a time when Christians enjoy a taste of redemption, yet await the completion of that redemption in Christ’s return. Authentic Christianity is not magical. It doesn’t require creative incantations or clever transactions. God is present to us, and God’s will is clearly revealed in scripture. Our prayer is subsidized by the Spirit. Set aside the worry; accept the connection and the promises that you have with God.

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Sermon Text: Romans 8:12-25
Sermon Title: “God’s Family System”
Sermon Notes: Paul writes with longing of the future glory that God will reveal to God’s children. The Spirit makes us children of God. As children, adopted by God, we are family - family with God, family with Christ, and family with one another. This birthright sets us free from fear and free to fulfill our callings as Paul fulfilled his.

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Prayers and Readings

Sermon Text: Romans 8:1-11
Sermon Title: “Flesh in the Presence of the Spirit”
Sermon Notes: Paul delves into a complex explanation of the work of the Spirit of God. Our lives are enhanced not by a rejection of our humanity, but rather by a spiritual presence that informs and shapes our humanity.

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Prayers and Readings