"You Don't Work, You Don't Eat" - Things Jesus Didn't Say

Learning to love Jesus without checking your brain at the door. Week 5 is going to continue our discussion of being an active, critical thinker in tandem with having a deep relationship with one's faith. This week will start a little sub-series of "Being an Un-Fundamentalist Christian" with "Things Jesus Didn't Say", looking at some popular beliefs about Jesus that are not actually in the Bible. This week it's about the belief that Jesus would condone making people starve to death if they aren't able to find work. The quote "Anyone unwilling to work should not eat" is actually not from Jesus, but is taken from 2 Thessalonians 3:10, and is not even written by the Apostle Paul, but by an unknown writer under Paul's name. We'll explore the context of that particular verse, and contrast it with what we know of Jesus' own actions and teachings around food and hunger.

Livestreamed February 10, 2002 by Pastor Lars Hammar of Lord of Grace Lutheran Church in Marana, Arizona.

"You are going to hell" - Things Jesus Didn't Say

Learning to love Jesus without checking your brain at the door. Week 4 is going to continue our discussion of being an active, critical thinker in tandem with having a deep relationship with one's faith. This week will start a little sub-series of "Being an Un-Fundamentalist Christian" with "Things Jesus Didn't Say", looking at some popular beliefs about Jesus that are not actually in the Bible. This week it's about condemning people to hell, threatening people with hell, or, really, just being concerned much about hell at all, which Jesus didn't do much of.

Livestreamed February 3, 2022 By Pastor Lars Hammar of Lord of Grace Lutheran Church in Marana, Arizona.

Jesus the Prophet: Unfundamentalist Series 3

Learning to love Jesus without checking your brain at the door. Week 3 is going to continue our discussion of being an active, critical thinker in tandem with having a deep relationship with one's faith. We'll look some more at the relationship between priests and prophets, laws and criticism of laws, and how Jesus fits much more the tradition of the prophets than of the law givers.

Livestreamed on January 20, 2022 Pastor Lars Hammar of Lord of Grace Lutheran Church in Marana, Arizona.

Prophets and Priests: Unfundamentalist Series 2

Learning to love Jesus without checking your brain at the door. Week 2 is going to continue our discussion of being an active, critical thinker in tandem with having a deep relationship with one's faith.

This week’s episode deals with the difference in worldview between prophets and priests, how they both have valuable functions, but how the prophetic side gets sidelined in the desire for order, rules, and hard truth.

Livestreamed January 13 by Pastor Lars Hammar

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Inclusion - from the "Things We Value" series

What does it mean to say "all are welcome"? Do we really mean it? Or do we put conditions and qualifications on it. Sometimes, in fact, it's necessary to accept that welcoming all will mean that some have to be told to leave because their behavior is hateful or intolerant of others. Jesus provides an example of this in his repeated attendance at parties with "sinners and tax collectors" where he draws the ire of religious conservatives for mingling with an unclean crowd. But in order to show grace to one group, he had to accept rejection from his fellow religious leaders.

The second in the sermon series on "Things We Value" that explores ideas and beliefs the ELCA and Lord of Grace take seriously and want the world to know.

By Pastor Lars Hammar.

Thinking - from the "Things We Value" series

First in the sermon series for Epiphany titled, "Things We Value," Pastor Lars Hammar explores what it means to be a Christian who thinks critically and asks questions that may take you to places the may initial unnerve you and create uncertainty, but that ultimately allow you to know God and scriptures better and deeper than before. January 16, 2022 at Lord of Grace Lutheran Church in Marana, Arizona.

Letting God Through the Buffer - November 24th, 2021 (Sermon)

In the Book of Revelation, The Apostle John receives a vision of God's throne room. It is rich with imagery, symbolism and nuance. Reading a passage like this in our present day can almost feel a bit alien. It is not often that an individual will experience something so vividly imagistic in their daily walk with God. Even as we try to draw others closer to us and share our walk, it can be difficult to escape the "buffered self." Today we are going to discuss the times in our lives that we feel particularly close to God, and how we can look at these moments of openness as opportunites to share and grow together in our relationship with the spirit. Thank you for joining us!!

Meet. Encourage. Provoke - November 14th, 2021 (Sermon)

The self-help industry relies heavily on an individual's drive to push toward being an ideal version of oneself. The "self" in "self-help" typically becomes a central focus, and while garnering a strong inner sense of will is important, we forget that we are all here together, working towards the future. "Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps," while admirable often yields less desirable than creating a sense of community, encouraging each other, and keeping accountability mutual accountability toward our goals. Other people can often see things that we can't, and a different perspective can be invaluable when we are trying to transform ourselves and the world around us. Join us while we explore the book of Hebrews, and look at the a Biblical perspective about how are to gather and encourage one another. "Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25

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Legacies of Faith - November 7th, 2021 (Sermon)

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Join us today while we discuss some background on "All Saints Day," a liturgical holiday in which we recognise all of those good and faithful servants that have come before us, paving a way for us to continue in the ways of faith and a deep spiritual life. Often, when we talk about end times, we think of chaos, cinematic scenes filled with drama and billowing smoke. Advertisers love to play on these images and talk about the end times of relationships, states of the economy and social eras as being harkened by horsemen of various sorts. However, when we look at the end times, it can be exceedingly powerful to look toward those who have come before us, and laid the groundwork for us to live lives of faith and stewardship. We can be inspired by the legacies of faith created by the lives of those that came before us.

Reformation Day - October 31st, 2021 (Sermon)

Reformation Day, as it pertains to the Luthern Church, is the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis (a series of criticisms and commentary on 'indulgences'), to the doors of the 'All Saints Church'. Today, Pastor Lars Hammar will attend to some the historical significance of this act by Martin Luther, as well as detailing his own perspective of the beauty and significance of the Luthern Church as it is now. Please join us for this excellent discussion on perspective, gratitude, growth and tradition.

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When We are Called - October 24th, 2021 (Sermon)

In this sermon, we will discuss three different paths that we can take as we move through our lives. It is easy to fall into a default mode, maintaining a sense of familiarity and comfort in our day-to-day lives; life can often feel like this and there is nothing wrong with routines. Sometimes, we are drawn towards personal interests, diving into one hobby after another, seeking a deeper sense of personal fulfillment and self actualisation. This is often an extremely useful and rewarding way of being, but it can at times feel self indulgent and detached from the rest of our community. Occasionally, we are stirred into action, seeing unrest in the world, seeing a place where we can make a difference and give of ourselves even if it makes us a little bit uncomfortable. This third path is often what we refer to when we feel "called" to something. It can be inexplicable, but taking on responsibility and giving much of oursevles can lead us into deeper spirituality and relationship with God. Please join us while we discuss Eli, Samuel and the way that the Bible uses their story to illustrate how we should respond to being called.

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Evangelism and Discipleship - October 17th, 2021 (Sermon)

All of us are drawn to success. We want to see our lives, families, and fortunes multiply. Churches today will often use this desire as a means of attracting people to their congregation, but what does the Bible have to say about discipleship and evangelism? When Jesus is confronted by two of his disciples, and asked to give them the two highest positions that they could occupy, Jesus responds by saying that the outcome is not his to give, but they surely can endure the trial that he will soon endure. Jesus tells us that there may not be any glory in it, but we are given the opportunity to offer hardwork, give, care, stand up for those in need and give our lives in service. This may not be a new car or a beautiful mansion, but it is a way of being that lifts others up and makes the world a better place for everyone.


Thank you for joining us.

Justice at the Gate - October 10th, 2021 (Sermon)

The Bible is full of stories that depict the world in all of its complex colors. We are told to love our neighbor; give of ourselves beyond what we might think is possible; live in truth, honesty and humility; but what does the Bible say of justice? Today we will look at an example from the modern day: The story of Tarmar Biggins.The God illustrated in the Bible is a protector of the poor and oppressed. Mistreating those who are downtrodden, taking advantage of an individual's misfortune, and further oppressing those who are in pain is not only discouraged, but condemned. We are supposed to share in the struggles of our brothers and sisters. We are supposed to always extend a hand to those in need. Part of love is solidarity and share our burdens with God and with each other. We hope you enjoy this beautiful sermon. Thank you for joining us.

Divorce and the Law of Moses - October 3, 2021 (Sermon)

Marriage and the responsibility that accompanies the commitments we make to each other are complex and deeply fulfilling. The Bible comments on the nature of these commitments in such a way as to highlight their sacred nature and how important it is that we are true not only to ourselves, but to those that put their trust in us. Today we are going to look at why it is that in both the Old Testament and New, we are encouraged to hold these vows with the highest degree of care, and how compassion for each other in our modern era allows us to live more fully in Christ's injunction to love each other. Thank you for joining us!!