I want to share a personal story with you that happened when I was in the second grade. I always loved to read, I started reading even before I entered elementary school, and I was the best reader in the classroom – together with Stefan Lohwasser, he loved to read as much as I […]
I don’t know about you, but for me, one day blurs into another as we continue to deal with the pandemic. And I often have to remind myself: what day is it now? But this past week, one date stood out, and I’m sure not only for me: 9/11. 9/11. This date has become […]
As you may know, I recently got back from a three week stay in Germany. And though the primary reason for my trip was to visit with my ailing mom, and I still worked while in Germany, and Germany is dealing with a surge of Corona cases (though I have to say that Germany’s […]
‘I’m just a soul whose intentions are good – o Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.’ You may know this song – it was made famous by the group ‘The Animals’ in 1965, although soul singer Nina Simone first recorded it in 1964. This song, this line came to my mind when I […]
Have faith! Has anyone ever said this to you, just have faith, it will turn out alright? I usually hear these words when I call Philomena, Dorothy, or Lore. Pastor, we just need to have faith. And I am grateful to hear these words, for even a pastor needs reassurance once in a […]
Here in California, we know something about waves. We have this amazing coastline, our entire Western border is the mighty Pacific. I love the ocean. I love the sound of waves crashing. I love that there is always movement in the ocean, even on calm days. Wave after wave after wave breaks on the […]
‘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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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!’ 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 […]
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 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 […]
‘Gottes (Im-) Mobilien’ 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 lives […]
‘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 […]
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 […]
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 up […]
