The Salt Shaker
flavoring the world with justice and love.
Jesus told his followers, “You are the salt of the earth”. Salt, in the right amounts and in the right situations, preserves, flavors, and enables life. When love is shared and justice prevails for all people, the world is preserved, flavored and enabled with the Divine Life of God. So pass the salt and let’s do a little shaking. Pastor Tim Koester
The Cross, the Gallows, and the Capitol. Part 1.
I sat once in the visitors gallery of the United States Senate. While visiting relatives in DC, my father and I thought, “Here’s a chance to listen to the Farm Bill debate in person!” Ignoring my uncle’s advice to not take the Metro downtown after dark, we emerged on...
March 13 Update on COVID-19
Attention members of Saint Michael, Much has changed since last week when I sent a message about the COVID-19 outbreak. Much has changed since last night when the church council met. It seems all at once, we have awoken to the seriousness of the issue before us....
S1E1: CAUTION! Spiritual Speedbumps Ahead!
Lenten Devotional: Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole...
If I don’t believe in the “supernatural”, why is coming to church important?
If I don’t believe in the “supernatural”, why is coming to church important? As a part of the learning in the confirmation program, we ask students to fill out “worship notes”. They don’t have to outline the “three points of the sermon” but they are encouraged to be...
VBS is coming!
Vacation Bible School is coming! Join us June 23-27 from 6-8:15 p.m. at Saint Michael Lutheran Church for To Mars and Beyond! Saint Michael’s little angels will blast off with the first VBS to land on the moon! To Mars and Beyond will help kids discover the wonders of...
Submit your favorite hymn!
All summer long, we'll be singing your favorite hymns! Simply fill out the form below, and we will fill summer worship services with your favorites. Can't remember the name? Describe it as best you can and test Jodie's hymn identification skills!
Where is God in an Ash Wednesday Massacre?
In January, I wrote about the uniqueness of Ash Wednesday coinciding with Valentine’s Day and suggested both crosses and hearts are appropriate shapes for ashes on foreheads because: “at the center of the cross beats the very heart of God, entering into our suffering...
Service opportunities during Lent
Service opportunities during Lent We have several service opportunities during Lent, from bringing treats to helping between services to service projects. Please check out the links below and help how you are able! We need folks to help our Hospitality Team with setup...
By Heart: Conversations with Martin Luther’s Small Catechism
We will dust off Luther’s Small Catechism and wrestle with his ever-relevant question “What does this mean?” What does it mean that God is for us? What do the ten commandments mean, or the sacraments, the creed, or the Lord’s Prayer? Join Pastor Tim on Tuesday...
Sign up for Saint Michael’s Talent Show!
Reformation 500 Traveling Bookstore coming to Saint Michael!
Reformation 500 Traveling Bookstore coming to Saint Michael! During the weekends of September 17 and 24, Saint Michael will be hosting a Reformation 500 Bookstore sponsored by Augsburg/Fortress Press on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. During this time, there...
Adult Faith Formation at Carol Joy Holling
Should we say “forgive us for our sins” or “forgive us for our trespasses”? What are we really asking when we say “thy will be done”? How does this central prayer help us put words to our faith? Join Pastor Paula Lawhead in exploring these questions and learning more...
Tasting Theology
Ready to dig deeper into the "science of God"? So are we. Introducing: Tasting Theology Join us on the third Friday of each month at 7 p.m. for Tasting Theology, where we get together at a local pub and discuss religious faith, experience, and practice. Our next night...
Habitat for Humanity 2017 Volunteers Needed!
Habitat for Humanity 2017 Volunteers Needed! We'd love for you to sign up to volunteer for this year's Habitat for Humanity through the Faithful Builders Coalition. Please follow these signup instructions; our faith partner code is fb. Our food day is August 26,...
Prayers Around the Cross is coming!
We will be holding Prayers Around the Cross on three Saturdays this summer: June 17 July 15 August 19 These intimate services will be very much like the Holden Evening Prayer services during Lent. Prayers Around the Cross will only be held during these Saturday...
VBS is coming July 16-20!
Vacation Bible School is coming! Join us July 16-20 from 6-8:30 p.m. at Saint Michael Lutheran Church for Hero Central! Saint Michael's little angels will embark upon awesome adventures with some amazing Bible heroes and discover the qualities that make them truly...
Dear Pastor, “Have you ever rode a horse?” – and other questions
About ten months ago, when I had only been at Saint Michael for a few weeks, the subject of "questions" came up during worship. Thomas, that "doubting" disciple, had some questions for his friends who claimed to have seen Jesus raised from the dead. Interestingly...