Liturgical Freedom — To What End?
The rallying cry of the Enlightenment is one of personal autonomy; freedom. In the air we breathe, the template of freedom is the…
Author: Pastor Karl Weber
Karl has been serving St. Paul’s Richville LC and St. John’s, Ottertail, MN since Labor Day, 2004. He was raised in the Roman Church receiving his BA from Fordham University. Before going to seminary he was a computer programmer in Minneapolis. He served as a short term missionary in Guatemala and Kenya, East Africa. He spent time as a member of the ELCA and studied two years at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN pursing his M. Div. before transferring to the LCMS for theological reasons and continuing his studies at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. He was ordained in 1991 and earned his D. Min. in May 2002 from the same institution. He has contributed study notes to The Lutheran Study Bible. He enjoys deer hunting, going to the gym, swimming, and reading. He is married to Mary and has five wonderful children.
Indiana and RFRA
Indiana is ground zero in our nation as people struggle to live under law protecting the rights…
Sermon on the Agnus Dei
Title: Preaching the Ordinaries – The Agnus Dei Text: John 1:29-37 Fourth Mid-Week Lenten Service, Wednesday, March 18, 2015 This evening we come…
Does Your Pastor Dress as a Shepherd or a Sheep?
Work clothes and uniforms are signs or markers which speak of the vocation wherein we serve our neighbor. In a most delightful way…
The Goal of Judging is the Joy of Repentance
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use…
True Love is Built on Doctrine!
Here is another re-post .. this one from October, 2014: “We have a relationship with Jesus. We are not interested in doctrine.”…
Contending for Creches and Crucifixes
Nativity crèches (mangers) are popular and acceptable at Christmas time among Christians yet resistance or misunderstanding accompanies…
Did Jesus Claim to be God?
Soon we will be celebrating the season of Christmas where the Second Person of the Trinity by the working of the Holy Spirit…
Open Communion and Same-Sex Union Advocates United in Faulty Understanding of “Love”
“Pastor, my friends are visiting over the weekend. May they take Communion?” Implicit in the request is the assumption that love does not…
Your Testimonies before Kings — Reformation Day sermon
Title: Your Testimonies Before Kings Text: Ps 119:46 Reformation Day (Observed), October 26, 2014 Prior to the Lutheran Church there was no denominational…
True Love is Built on Doctrine!
“We have a relationship with Jesus. We are not interested in doctrine.” This talk is heard so frequently it has taken on an…
By Whose Authority? A Sermon on Matthew 21:23-27
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 28, 2014 Some people ask questions because they do not want to learn. Let me repeat that: Some…
WON ME FROM ALL SINS, FROM DEATH, AND FROM WHO…?
Perhaps you have heard the latest from Religious News Services reporting the recent decision of the Anglican…
Our Vocation is Stewardship
As a parish pastor these last twenty-three years I have neglected preaching on stewardship. Don’t let this surprise you for the more…
E-Harmony, Virtual Learning and SMP Pastoral Formation
On-line dating sites are proliferating. And, to head this one off at the pass, I am not employing their…
About Our Lord’s Work — Sermon for Confirmation Sunday on Lk 24:13-35
Title: About Our Lord’s Work Text: Lk 24:13-35 Third Sunday of Easter, Confirmation Sunday, May 4, 2014 It is on the Emmaus Road…
Reaffirming the Resurrection
Easter is when Christians rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus. In addition to Scripture additional circumstantial evidence…
The Energy Drink — Sermon on John 4:5-26
Title: The Energy Drink Text: Jn 4:5-26 Third Sunday in Lent, March 23, 2014 In lake country we are unaware of what…
On Making the Sign of the Cross
Through the millennium physical gestures have accompanied those who have prayed to their “higher power”. Such physical gestures whatever they may be are…
Neutrality is not Christian, compassion and forgiveness are
Note: The following was written in reaction to a community event in Perham, MN where abortion was discussed. The following certainly does not…
Looking at Giving Records
Recently I came across John Kieschnick’s article found in LCEF encouraging the pastor to familiarize himself with the giving amounts of his parishioners….
The Blessings of Every Sunday Communion
By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ both my dual parishes receive the blessed Sacrament every Sunday. This is joy for me…
Truth and Repentance – Sermon on Matthew 11:2-15
Title: Truth and Repentance Text: Mt 11:2-15 Third Sunday in Advent, December 15, 2013 Throughout his ministry John was faithful doing what God…
Love Will Judge
Wait … Nooooo! Did I read that correctly? Is the author saying we are to judge and that, even worse, judging is a…
Silly Songs and the Second Commandment
There is a fascination among our youth and those who engage in youth ministry to wed meal time prayers—grace—with tunes from society’s pop…