St. John’s Lutheran Church2 July 2023 + Lectionary 13a (5 Pentecost)Matthew 10.40-42Rev. Josh Evans “Welcome.” It’s a word we throw around a lot. As a part of social etiquette: “Thank you … you’re welcome!” On the airplane’s final descent: “Welcome to Albany International Airport!” Even in churches, as I began this and every service: “Welcome …
St. John’s Lutheran Church18 June 2023 + Lectionary 11a (3 Pentecost)Matthew 9.35–10.23Rev. Josh Evans Another Sunday, another call story. Actually, make that stories (plural). In the span of a few verses, one disciple becomes twelve – and probably more than that. They’re just the ones (the men) who get named. Their task: Proclaim the good …
St. John’s Lutheran Church11 June 2023 + Lectionary 10a (2 Pentecost)Matthew 9.9-13, 18-26Rev. Josh Evans (Video unavailable this week.) There’s admittedly a lot going on in this Sunday’s gospel reading: a call story, a resuscitation story, and a healing story. Where do we even start? It can feel a little suffocating – perhaps as claustrophobic …
St. Philip Lutheran Church23 October 2022 + Lect. 30c (Pentecost 20)Luke 18.9-14Rev. Josh Evans Every Sunday, the service began with a medley of songs led by the band. As the final song concluded, the worship leader would welcome the congregation, often following the formula of “whether you are ____ or ____.” Gay or straight. Lifelong …
St. Philip Lutheran Church19 September 2021 + Lectionary 25b (Pent. 17)Mark 9.30-37Rev. Josh Evans If ever there was an early affirmation of my calling to pastoral ministry, it happened in the pews at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Shelby Township, MI. Growing up bi-denominational as I did, that particular weekend I was attending mass …
St. Philip Lutheran Church5 September 2021 + Lectionary 23b (Pent. 15)Mark 7.24-37Rev. Josh Evans, preaching Think back for a moment to a childhood role model - maybe it’s a parent, a grandparent, a teacher, or even a pastor or religious leader. When was the first time you realized that your role model wasn’t perfect? There …
St. Philip Lutheran Church29 August 2021 + Lectionary 22b (Pent. 14)Mark 7.1-8, 14-15, 21-23Rev. Josh Evans, preaching Most mornings, when I first open Facebook, at the top of my newsfeed is a section called “Memories.” On this day, 1 year ago… 3 years ago… 7 years ago… and it shows me what I posted or …
Unity Lutheran Church + Christ the King Campus28 June 2020 + Lectionary 13AMatthew 10.40-42Rev. Josh Evans, preaching There’s always a catch. Or at least that’s the message I had come to expect growing up in the church as someone who happens to be gay. I didn’t come out until my senior year of college, but …
Continue reading A Sermon about What It Means to Be Welcoming
Unity Lutheran Church + Cross of Life Campus1 September 2019 + Lectionary 22CLuke 14.1, 7-14Rev. Josh Evans, preaching “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” It’s so simple, so proverb-like, so beautiful of a sentiment. Words to live by. It’s no secret that I like things in order. In my office, books are …
Pastor Josh Evans 