Pr. Cheryl Walenta Gorvie Sermon - blog

Downtown Minneapolis skyline It’s hard for me to imagine what it’s like to live in an occupied territory, where I hardly feel safe leaving my house, where neighbors occasionally go missing.  But I’ve been told this is what it’s like to live under an occupation in Minneapolis right now, with the occupying force known as ICE (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) roaming the streets.    One of our neighbors, Pastor Meagan McLaughlin from Christ Lutheran Church in W

John the Baptist promised fire—remember what he was preaching in the wilderness?  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” [1]   He tells people that the one coming after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  John is looking for a flamethrower, and what he gets is Jesus.    Is John surprised by Jesus?  Was Jesus not what he expected?  Jesus didn’t show up with any of the fire that John had promised!  Jesus simply shows up, demonstrating the humble si