St. Philip Lutheran Church15 May 2022 + Fifth Sunday of EasterRevelation 21.1-6Rev. Josh Evans What if I told you that one of my favorite books in the entire Bible was the book of Revelation? You might look at me like I had two heads, which, frankly, sounds like something you might read about in the …
St. Philip Lutheran Church8 May 2022 + Fourth Sunday of Easter /Julian of Norwich, renewer of the churchJohn 10.22-30; Psalm 23Rev. Josh Evans In case you still need a Mother’s Day card, might I suggest Cards by Julian? On the front: “The mother’s service is the closest, the most helpful and the most sure, for …
St. Philip Lutheran Church17 April 2022 + Resurrection of Our LordLuke 24.1-12Rev. Josh Evans The women stood by Jesus until the very end. They saw everything – the trial, the crucifixion, the death. They watched as his body was laid in the tomb, paying careful attention, so that they could come back with their spices …
St. Philip Lutheran Church14 April 2022 + Maundy ThursdayJohn 13.1-17, 31b-35Rev. Josh Evans “Jesus went out with his disciples to a place where there was a garden… Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place… So he brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they …
St. Philip Lutheran Church3 April 2022 + Lent 5cJohn 12.1-8Rev. Josh Evans All throughout this season of Lent, our cups have been filled to the brim. At the start of our journey, we walked with Jesus in the desert, tempted to our very limits, and in that desert-place, we remembered and claimed the belovedness that …
St. Philip Lutheran Church27 March 2022 + Lent 4cLuke 15.1-3, 11b-32Rev. Josh Evans You’ve probably heard me speak about my appreciation of the enneagram – as a personality assessment tool helpful for self-realization and growth. You’ve also likely heard me speak at length about my love of the animated musical movie Encanto – which I …
St. Philip Lutheran Church20 March 2022 + Lent 3cLuke 13.1-9Rev. Josh Evans “Bloom where you are planted” … or so the saying goes. It’s well-meaning enough, similar to the equally popular: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” The apparent wisdom behind these sentiments is to make the best of a less-than-ideal situation. Don’t get …
St. Philip Lutheran Church13 March 2022 + Lent 2cLuke 13.31-35; Genesis 15.1-12, 17-18Rev. Josh Evans The images are staggering and heartbreaking. Amid the blaring of air raid sirens and the persistent sound of gunfire and missile strikes, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has found residents of Kyiv and neighboring cities taking cover… … in bomb …
St. Philip Lutheran Church6 March 2022 + Lent 1cLuke 4.1-13Rev. Josh Evans Don’t tempt me. Written on a page, those words can hold a plethora of meanings. The key, of course, is in the tone. The server comes to your table: “Here’s our dessert menu!” “Don’t tempt me,” you chime back, knowing full well once …
St. Philip Lutheran Church2 March 2022 + Ash WednesdayJoel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; Matt. 6:1-6, 16-21Rev. Josh Evans I had become the very thing I usually crossed the street to avoid. I had become … a street preacher. Well, kind of. It was my first Lent with a new church plant in Chicago, and on …
Pastor Josh Evans 