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I Am the Light of the World | Last Internship Sermon at Augustana

Preaching Text: John 8:12-20. | Today Jesus makes another remarkable claim: “I Am the Light of the World.” In a world filled with uncertainty, fear, and competing voices, Jesus does not simply offer us more information or better advice. He offers himself. He is the Light who reveals God’s presence, exposes what keeps us from God, and leads us into the fullness of life.

Sabbath Embracing! | Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon at Augustana

Preaching Text: Isaiah 56:1-8. | What flourishes requires intentionality. Farmers know it. Healthy relationships prove it. Today, we hear how God built that same intentionality into creation through the gift of Sabbath. As we worship, may we embrace God’s rhythm of remembrance, trust, and renewal.

Children Sermon | Sabbath Feasting at Augustana

Preaching Text: Deuteronomy 14:22-29. | We are concluding the Keeping the Sabbath Wholly series today. Throughout the last few weeks, we’ve taken a deeper look at both the command and the freedom of centering Sabbath in our lives as a way to connect with the rhythm of God’s time. This final week, we look at the ways God weaves celebration, relationships, and feasting into Sabbath.

The Galilean Authority | Holy Trinity Sunday Sermon at Augustana

Today’s Gospel takes us to a mountain in Galilee after the resurrection. The disciples gather where Jesus had instructed them to go, returning to the very region where their journey with him first began. There, the risen Christ meets them carrying both worship and doubt, grace and uncertainty. Galilee was the place of their first calling, first discipleship, and first encounter. And before Christ sends them into the world, he brings them back to this place of remembered grace, where he declares his authority and commissions them to make disciples of all nations. Let us listen for the Word of God.

The promise is for you and your children...” — Acts 2:39

It was both an exciting and deeply moving moment as our little Cleopas and Cephas were baptized and formally ushered into the promises of God. We are sincerely grateful to our Augustana family for the overwhelming love, prayers, and support shown to us throughout the day. As someone who leans more toward a theology of “renewal” rather than “erasure” in the sacrament of baptism, I was especially grateful that we were allowed to incorporate a contextualized mini Ghanaian-Akan naming ceremony together with our contextualized prayer of libation pouring — giving thanks to God for the journey thus far and honoring the memories of my parents, sister, and grandparents who have gone ahead of me, and through whom our family exists today.

Not Every Road Leads Home! | Fifth Sunday of Easter Sermon at Augustana

The Gospel Text: John 14:1-6: The Gospel today comes right after Jesus has washed the disciples’ feet—after the meal, in His final moments with them. He begins to prepare their hearts for what is coming. And in that moment, He reveals something deeper about Himself: that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life… and He assures them that He is going ahead to prepare a place for them. Let us listen—not just with our ears, but with our hearts—to the Word of God.

He Laid Aside His Garment! | 2026 Maundy Thursday Sermon

Preaching text: John 13:1-17, 31b-35 | Welcome to Maundy Thursday worship. The word Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum”, or commandment. Tonight, we hear Jesus give a new commandment to his followers to, “Love one another as I have loved you.” The command to love is set in the night in which Jesus is betrayed, a reminder that love is often a costly choice.

Jesus at the Well | Third Sunday of Lent Sermon at Augustana

Our Gospel reading for today comes from the fourth chapter of Gospel of John. Jesus is traveling from Judea to Galilee when He stops at Jacob’s well near the Samaritan town of Sychar. There He encounters a woman drawing water in the heat of the day. What begins as a simple request for a drink becomes a powerful revelation of who Jesus is and the gift He offers to all who believe. In this encounter, barriers of ethnicity, gender, and social status fall away as Jesus reveals Himself as the source of living water—the One who satisfies the deepest thirst of the human soul. Listen now for the Word of the Lord.

Remember the Sabbath! | 2026 Transfiguration Sunday Sermon

Today’s Gospel takes us up a mountain—but not away from the world. It begins quietly, after six days, reminding us that God works in time, and that preparation often comes before revelation. On the mountain, Jesus is transfigured. The Law and the Prophets bear witness. And a voice from heaven declares who Jesus truly is. As we listen, may we hear not only a story of shining light, but an invitation to trust Christ, to listen to Him, and to enter the rest God promises—even as we walk back into the valley. Let us listen for the Word of the Lord.

Back to Jordan! | 2026 Baptism Sunday Sermon at Augustana Lutheran Church

Today’s Gospel takes us back to the Jordan River—not to the Temple, not to a throne, but to the water. Here, Jesus joins the people He came to save. Though sinless, He is baptized. Though fully Son, He submits in obedience. And before He begins His ministry, heaven opens. In this moment, we hear God’s voice declaring love and approval—not because of what Jesus has done, but because of who He is. This is the foundation of the Gospel and the promise sealed in our own baptism. Let us listen for the Word of God.

Another Way | 2025 Christmas Sunday Sermon at Augustana Lutheran Church

Today’s Gospel reading continues the Christmas story, but not with shepherds and songs. It tells of danger, fear, and flight—of a child threatened, a family forced to flee, and God guiding them by dreams and warnings. In this passage, we see that the birth of Jesus immediately collides with the powers of this world, and yet God remains faithful, leading and protecting the promise of salvation. Let us listen for how God works in the midst of fear—and how God sometimes calls us to go another way.

At The Far Shore of Galilee | 2025 Thanksgiving Eve Sermon - Augustana Lutheran Church

L: Gracious and faithful God,C: We lift our hearts before You in gratitude and praise. You have carried us through joys and sorrows, through moments of abundance and seasons of need. You have sustained us with daily bread and surrounded us with the gift of community. Turn our hearts once again toward Your goodness. Teach us to give thanks not only for the blessings we see, but for Your presence that never leaves us—Amen

Have what is Needed! | Fourth Internship Sermon at Augustana Lutheran Church

Today’s Gospel reading is the parable of the ten virgins - Matthew 25:1-13 | Jesus tells a story comparing the Kingdom of heaven to a wedding celebration, where ten bridesmaids go out to meet the bridegroom. Five are wise and bring extra oil for their lamps; the other five are foolish and unprepared. When the bridegroom finally arrives, only those who are ready — whose lamps are still burning — are welcomed into the feast. This parable reminds us that faith is not a one-time act of belief, but a lifelong posture of readiness — keeping the flame of faith alive even when the wait feels long. Jesus calls us to live alert, faithful, and responsive to God’s presence, because the Kingdom of God isn’t just something we wait for someday. The time is now.

Sent To Serve | Third Internship Sermon at Augustana Lutheran Church

Today’s Gospel is a sending story — a reminder that God doesn’t just gather us for worship, but sends us out in witness. Luke tells us that Jesus appointed seventy others and sent them two by two into every town and place where He Himself intended to go. These weren’t super-disciples; they were ordinary people called to carry peace, bring healing, and proclaim that the Kingdom of God has come near. As we hear these words, may we see ourselves in their sandals — called, equipped, and sent by grace.

Worship is the Heart of our Life Together | Second Internship Sermon at Augustana

Our scripture today comes from Psalm 96, a psalm with deep roots in Israel’s worship life. A version of it was first sung when David brought the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem, celebrating God’s presence among the people. Later, after the exile, the psalm was prayed again as a vision for the nations and all creation to worship the Lord, who reigns with justice and love. As we hear it today, we step into that same stream of praise, remembering that God’s love makes us new and calls us to witness to God’s reign in the world.

Is This the End of the World? | First Internship Sermon at Augustana

Preaching Text: Revelation 21:1-7. | We continue our series called “Unafraid” this week with a message of hope from the Book of Revelation. It’s a part of Scripture we may be unfamiliar, and even hesitant to go. Yet, the entire message, and particularly the final chapters provide an abundance of hope in troubling times. Today, we also welcome our new seminary intern, Nathan Adu-Gyamfi to the pulpit.