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06/02/2026

Rev. Gabriella Conklin, M.Div., 2021
Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Edinburg, TX
Psalm 50:7-15

In Psalm 50 the psalmist becomes a spokesperson for God about how and why we worship. Speaking for God the psalmist reminds us that God does not need or require offerings that are just going through the motions, like performances of checking the boxes of our “faith checklist.” God desires something much deeper than that.

What God requires has to do with the expression of a relationship of trust and dependence. That relationship is evidenced in thanksgiving and the confidence that God will deliver us in the time of trouble. With such confidence we are invited to let go of our need to prove ourselves, let go of our striving, and instead turn toward our Creator God with gratitude and trust.

Creator God, free us from the need to prove ourselves, and turn our hearts from striving to trust. Teach us to come before you with gratitude and to call on you in every need, knowing you are near. Amen.

06/01/2026

Rev. Gabriella Conklin, M.Div., 2021
Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Edinburg, TX
Hosea 5:15-6:6

It’s easy to drift and become less consistent in our faith in God. But when we are reminded of where our strength comes from, in times of renewal, we return to God. As imperfect people, there is this sort of ebb and flow to our faithfulness.

In Hosea 6:1-3, God longs for the people of Israel to return, imagining them saying words like this: “Come, let us return to the Lord.” God calls them out for their fleeting love that vanishes so quickly like the clouds and the dew. God desires a steadfast kind of love and devotion that goes deep.

The prophet Hosea invites us to notice how, even in moments when our faith seems to slip away, God does not turn away from us. God waits patiently, not for perfection, but for presence. We are being invited to not just return but remain faithful with God.

Merciful God, help us to remain continually present and faithful to you. Let our love for you not be as fleeting as the morning dew but as deep and steadfast as the living water that never runs dry. Amen.

05/29/2026

Angela K. Renecker, M.Div., 1995
Pastor, Galilean Lutheran Church, Ocean Shores, WA

Matthew 28:16-20

It seems the readings for this week have brought us full circle from the beginning of God’s creating to Jesus’ commissioning of his disciples. Christ Jesus has been given “all authority in heaven and on earth”—supreme power over all of creation—and he in turn empowers us to be agents of his grace to all people.

We are now delegated, diplomats who bear the seal of authority granted by a higher power. Indeed, the highest power! As we are called by our Creator to be stewards of creation, we are sent by our Lord to mentor others in the faith. To quote the Blues Brothers, “We are on a mission from God”! And though this mission is often challenging and not without peril, Christ Jesus promises to be with us always. Let us get up in faith and go out in love. Thanks be to God!

Almighty, ever-living Lord, grant us your courage and wisdom today to be witnesses of your glory and agents of your grace. Amen.

05/28/2026

Angela K. Renecker, M.Div., 1995
Pastor, Galilean Lutheran Church, Ocean Shores, WA

Matthew 28:16-20

Imagine the scene: on the mountaintop, the risen Jesus encounters his disciples. They worship him. Of course! But at the same time, they doubt. What? Is it possible to have the gift of faith, and still worry? Can we worship God but still have questions? I hear an answer in Matthew’s Gospel, and it is a resounding “Yes!”

Faith is not blind; it can include doubt. And our doubts are not strong enough to separate us from divine love. We may not receive all the answers to our questions, but—in the words of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel—God answers us with God’s presence. We doubt, and Jesus comes to us, saying that all authority has been given to him. He has the power to lift us to our feet, to give us the faith we need to follow him.

Risen Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! Continue to stir up faith, that we may trust you each and every hour. Amen.

05/27/2026

Angela K. Renecker, M.Div., 1995
Pastor, Galilean Lutheran Church, Ocean Shores, WA

2 Corinthians 13:11-13

When Gloria walks through the church door on a Sunday morning, she brings a smile and a hug. I can’t help but feel encouraged by her joyful greeting. Rain or shine, she reflects the radiant love of Jesus.

Maybe some of you are old enough to have written or received letters that were marked with x’s for kisses and o’s for hugs. Paul’s closing words of blessing to the Corinthians seem to be all x’s and o’s to me. Kissing may not be appropriate in a modern setting, but the sentiment is clear: love one another. Treat each other with honor and respect. You are not alone. Others are holding you up as well.

We are made for community. When we come to worship, we experience the presence of the risen Jesus reflected in other faces. When we seek peace, the God of peace is with us. The Holy Spirit gathers us into one body and we are restored. Brave with the breath of God, we stand together.

O God, you have created us to live in relationship with you and with others. Fill us with your joy and courage so that we may uplift one another. Amen.

05/26/2026

Angela K. Renecker, M.Div., 1995
Pastor, Galilean Lutheran Church, Ocean Shores, WA

Psalm 8

I stand under the canopy of the starlit heavens, and I am struck by its awesome beauty. Faced with the vastness of space and eternity, I feel so small. Did the composer of Psalm 8 feel the same way? Don’t we all, from time to time?

And yet our frail mortal lives here on earth have meaning. We are made by God, named, claimed, and created for a purpose. Babbling mouths of infants utter powerful praise! They remind us that our sovereign Lord blesses not only the great and mighty, but—perhaps most of all—the weak, the small, the seemingly “insignificant.” We may be mortal, but we are surrounded and upheld by everlasting love. Underneath the swirling stars of night, we have nothing to fear. Our Creator is still Savior and Lord. God reigns! Christ is risen! The Holy Spirit hovers over a new creation!

God of wonder, continue to astound us! Open our hearts and minds to the beauty of creation, so that our babbling lips sing your praise. Amen.

05/25/2026

Angela K. Renecker, M.Div., 1995
Pastor, Galilean Lutheran Church, Ocean Shores, WA

Genesis 1:1-2:4a

I am struck by the opening phrase of Genesis 1: “When God began to create.” I am reminded of the old saying: “Please be patient: God is not through with me yet.” Jesus’ words in John 5:17, “My Father is still working, and I also am working,” gives me hope.

God never tires of caring for all creation. Not only that, but we humans are named partners in this mission. Made in God’s image, created to live in relationship, companionship, and connection with all of creation, we are entrusted with the noble task of stewardship. And we are not alone: “My Father is still working.”

In the midst of chaos, the Spirit of God moves. We can hold to this promise: “The one who began a good work among you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) I am thankful that God is still providing and sustaining all things!

Loving God, you are always creating new possibilities. Help us to lean into your future even as we enjoy the life you have given us now. Amen.

05/22/2026

Elizabeth Hermeier, M.Div., 2017
Retired, Golden Valley, MN

John 20:19-23

On that first Easter evening, Jesus came through a locked door to be with his disciples. They’ve seen him calm a storm, and now he calms their stormy hearts. But Jesus doesn’t stop there. This ministry is not over. In fact, it’s just beginning for the disciples. Now Jesus gives them some instructions: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Jesus leaves his disciples with peace, he breathes on them the Holy Spirit, and he instills in them the ability to forgive. Every Sunday morning, we too hear a word of good news. In worship we pass the peace. We recite the Lord’s Prayer asking to be forgiven and to forgive. We receive God’s blessing and are sent—with instructions! “Go in peace to serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!” Jesus arms us just like he armed the disciples 2,000 years ago.

Jesus, we worry that we can’t live up to the instructions you give. Remind us that the peace and forgiveness you’ve given us is all we need. Amen.

05/21/2026

Elizabeth Hermeier, M.Div., 2017
Retired, Golden Valley, MN

John 20:19-23

It’s Easter Sunday evening and the disciples have retreated to a locked room. Just hours earlier, Mary Magdalene had rushed to tell them “I have seen the Lord!” Just hours earlier, Peter and the disciple Jesus loved had visited the tomb themselves and seen it empty. John’s story tells us they then returned home. But at some point they must have decided to regroup, to talk over all they’d heard and seen. So now we find them in the locked room, huddled in fear. Were they wondering if it could possibly be true? Could Jesus really be alive? As they think back to all the things they’d seen him do in their three years together, could they hope he’d conquered his own death as well? Jesus didn’t let them wonder for long. He showed up. He showed them his wounds. He showed them a way forward.

Precious Jesus, we give thanks that you show up for us in so many ways. Give us good courage to show up for those you love. Amen.

05/20/2026

Elizabeth Hermeier, M.Div., 2017
Retired, Golden Valley, MN

1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

I have received many gifts over the years, but the one I remember best came from my parents during my junior year of college. I was heading to an overseas summer program, and they gifted me with a new sleeping bag, knowing I would be sleeping in youth hostels—and some even more primitive places—during those months. I used that bag all summer and for many years after. In fact, I wore it out! We tend to think of “gifts” as physical things, and specifically things we may have asked for or thought we needed. Paul tells us, though, that gifts from God may not be what we asked for, and are instead given to us for the “common good.” These gifts, activated by God in individuals, can be powerful. But when combined in all of us Christians, they are life-altering. And the good news is: They never wear out!

Holy Spirit, activate in us the good gifts uniquely ours so that together we may bring wisdom, knowledge, healing, discernment, and more to the world. Amen.

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