Augustana Podcasts

From the Pulpit - Sabbath Ceasing (June 7)

Sermon Title: Sabbath Ceasing. Preacher: Pastor Jason Bryan-Wegner. Preaching Text: Philippians 4:4-9. We begin a new worship series today called Keeping the Sabbath Wholly. Sabbath is an underutilized spiritual practice in our culture. We are a people on the go. We fill schedules full to overflowing. We have a hard time saying no. We let our calendars run us, rather than us run our calendars. God has a solution to the endless rat race. From the very beginning, God set apart time for Sabbath: rest, renewal, reconnecting, and recreating. It’s not just about going to church on Sunday (though that certainly is an important element). It is establishing rhythms in our lives that help us see the necessity of sabbath as a vital part of following Jesus. This series will provide Scriptural insights, practical tools, and new ways of looking at how God provides time and limits on our doing so that we can continually “be made new” through this gift from God.

From the Pulpit - The Galilean Authority (May 31)

Sermon Title: The Galilean Authority. Preacher: Intern Pastor Nathan Adu-Gyamfi. Preaching Text: Matthew 28:16-20. Today’s Gospel takes us to a mountain in Galilee after the resurrection. The disciples gather before the risen Christ carrying both worship and doubt. And there Jesus declares: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Yet the authority of Christ does not look like the authority of empire or domination. The One who reigns is the same One who washed feet, carried the cross, and wore a crown of thorns. In Him, we see the authority of the Triune God revealed through self-giving love. We too come carrying many things —faith and questions, comfort and struggle. Yet the risen Christ still gathers us, still calls us, and still sends us into the world in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. So come and worship the enthroned Christ. Come and bow before the King whose crown rested upon the cross. Let us worship God.

From the Pulpit - The Sustaining Breath of the Spirit (May 24)

Sermon Title: The Sustaining Breath of the Spirit. Preacher: Pastor Jason Bryan-Wegner. Preaching Text: John 20:19-23. Today is Pentecost. This is the third high holy day of the Christian calendar. But it doesn’t get the fanfare of Christmas and Easter. However, it is just as important as its more celebrated holiday siblings. Pentecost marks the point at which God’s Holy Spirit is given to followers of Jesus. If Christmas shows us who God is in human flesh, and Easter shows us how God provides our eternal salvation, Pentecost shows us what we are to do with this one precious life we’ve been given. We are instruments of God’s Holy Spirit.

From the Pulpit - Sent with Great Joy (May 17)

Sermon Title: Sent with Great Joy. Preacher: Deacon Stephanie Anderson. Preaching Text: Luke 24:44-53. Today we celebrate two holy moments woven together: Ascension of Our Lord and Confirmation Sunday. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus blesses his disciples and sends them out with joy, trust, and purpose. As we celebrate our confirmands affirming their baptismal promises, we remember that this is not the end of a journey, but the beginning of a lifelong walk with Christ. Just as the disciples were sent into the world with blessing and promise, so too are these young people (and all of us!) sent to live, grow, serve, and trust in God’s abiding presence.

From the Pulpit - Getting Ready to Take on the World (May 10)

Sermon Title: Getting Ready to Take on the World. Preacher: Pastor Jason Bryan-Wegner. Preaching Text: John 14:15-21. Spring is a season of transition. Today in worship at 9:45 am, we honor and bless those in our church who are preparing for the transition beyond high school. This milestone brings with it significant changes for families and for our congregation, as we prepare to send them into a new chapter of life, we send them with God’s Spirit, who is calling them into a life filled with promise and purpose.