‘God’s gonna trouble the water.’ This line in the African American spiritual ‘Wade in the Water’ refers to a passage in the gospel according to John, where we hear the story about Jesus healing a sick man at the pool of Bethzatha. Here we have a verse that is often omitted from contemporary Bible […]
‘Rip It Out?’ Sermon Mt 13:24-30, 36-43; 7th Sunday after Pentecost – July 19th, 2020
If this was a year like any other, my husband Fred would be following the baseball season right now – morning, noon, and night – and especially his favorite team, the SF Giants. But then, of course, this isn’t a year like any other, and big time sports in this country have been basically […]
Bi-Weekly Update, July 16
St. Matthew’s Bi-Weekly Newsletter, July 16
‘Your Impact May Be Greater than You Think’: Sermon Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23; 6th Sunday after Pentecost – July 12th, 2020
30 some years ago, while I was in the German equivalent of high school, I and my classmates were required to do a 3 week internship, you know, to get a taste of actual work. The good part: we could choose whatever internship site we wanted. Since I at that point was still debating […]
‘Interdependence Day’: Sermon Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30; 5th Sunday after Pentecost – July 5th, 2020
Have you ever heard the name Elizabeth Platz? I have to admit it: I had never heard about her until recently. But this woman made history: she was the first woman to be ordained a pastor in the Lutheran Church in America, short LCA, one of the predecessor bodies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in […]
Welcome! Sermon Matthew 10:40-42; 4th Sunday after Pentecost – June 28th, 2020
Willkommen! Welcome! For me, these are some of the most beautiful words in the English and the German language, respectively. To me, welcome, willkommen just sounds warm and inviting. And some of the beauty of this word lies in its meaning – when it is spoken, someone is invited in, drawn in, they are being […]
From the (Roof-) Top: Sermon Matthew 10:24-39; 3rd Sunday after Pentecost – June 21st, 2020
7O LORD, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. For the word of the LORD has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. 9If I say, “I will not mention him, or […]
‘To Cure Every Disease’: Sermon Matthew 9:35 – 10:8, 16; Second Sunday after Pentecost – June 14th, 2020
Almost exactly 9 years ago, I had to undergo surgery for a herniated disc in my lower back. I had the worst sciatica pain, which my doctors tried to treat in any way imaginable and manage with some hammer opioid pain killers, but in the end, a surgery seemed the only way to take care […]
‘Wait for It!’ Sermon Acts 2:1-21; Pentecost – May 31st, 2020
Today is Pentecost, which is often called the ‘birthday of the church’. On Pentecost, which literally means ‘50 days’, we remember how God’s Holy Spirit came among the disciples 50 days after Christ’s resurrection, and how said disciples then started their mission of sharing the good news of Christ’s life, death and resurrection with folks […]
‘Leaving a Mark’: Sermon Luke 24:44-53; Ascension Sunday – May 24th, 2020
Today, we observe and celebrate the Ascension of our Lord. It’s one of those days of our church year that ranks low on our list of holidays. It’s nothing like Easter or Christmas. It doesn’t help that Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday – 40 days after Easter, and if we didn’t choose to […]
‘You’ve got a friend’: Sermon John 14:15-21; 6th Easter – May 17th, 2020
‘You just call out my name And you know wherever I am I’ll come running, to see you again Winter, spring, summer or fall All you have to do is call And I’ll be there You’ve got a friend.’ Carole King, You’ve Got a Friend This song by Carole King, which was made famous by […]
‘The Way. Home.’ Sermon John 14:1-14; 5th Sunday of the Easter Season – May 10th, 2020 by the Rev. Dr. Fred Weidmann
‘The Way. Home.” First of all, let me add a greeting, on this mother’s day, to all the mothers who are worshipping with us—including your pastor and my wife, Kerstin—a special greeting and thank you to, and thanks to God for, all mothers and to ALL who have served such a role in the […]
‘In This Together’: Sermon John 10:1-10; 4th Sunday of Easter – May 3rd, 2020
‘Und ob ich schon wanderte im finstern Tal, so fürchte ich kein Unglück – denn du bist bei mir; dein Stecken und Stab trösten mich.’ ‘Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.’ I […]
‘On the Road Again’: Sermon Luke 24: 13-32; 3rd Easter – April 26th, 2020
Does is ever happen to you that hearing the name of a certain place triggers some good feelings? Maybe it is the name of a favorite vacation spot, maybe it is the name of your hometown. Memories of places where we experienced good things usually bring a smile to our faces. For me this happens […]
‘Show Me Your Wounds’: Sermon John 20: 19-31; 2nd Easter – April 19th, 2020
Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia! Gnade sei mit euch und FRIEDE von unserem Herrn Jesus Christus. Grace be with you and PEACE from our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. This past week, I have talked to some of you, to some friends, and also to some colleagues. One subject that came […]
“Is Easter Cancelled?” Sermon Matthew 28: 1-10; Easter Sunday – April 12th, 2020
Alleluia! – Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! I have say: this is not where I want to be right now (in my backyard). I want to be with you, in person, at St. Matthew’s, in our beautifully decorated church, singing my heart out with you, sharing the good news of […]
Dancing with Death: Sermon John 11:1-45; 5th Sunday in Lent – March 29th, 2020
You may think it’s creepy, but the lesson from the Book of Ezekiel which we heard as part of our lessons for today is one of my favorite passages of the Bible. What a visual! A whole valley filled with dry bones that rattle as they are restored to life! Of course I also […]
“2020 Vision”: Homily John 9:1-41; 4th Sunday in Lent – March 22nd, 2020
This has been a strange week – to me, it felt downright surreal. Since the order of the county of San Francisco and the other counties in the Bay Area to shelter in place went into effect at midnight last Tuesday, life has changed. Hardly anyone is outside anymore, streets and freeways are empty, […]
Worship Services and Classes CANCELLED until Further Notice
Due to an order of the City and County of San Francisco that stipulates that people shelter in place until at least April 7th, all events and worship services at St. Matthew’s will be cancelled until further notice. God bless you, and stay healthy!
Resounding Water: Sermon John 4: 1-42; 3rd Sunday in Lent – March 15th, 2020 by Seminarian Susanna Hassel
Resounding Water –––– Sermon John 4: 1-42 Move 1: Between the Lines Lonely – apart – anonymous. Today we meet a woman we don’t know, of whom we don’t even know a name. Overall, we don’t know much about her. The information that this story gives us is incomplete. At midday, when the […]