Encounters with the Word: Recent Episodes
Silverdale Lutheran Church
On this day of Epiphany, Pastor Bill reflects on the reason for the season and our need for Epiphany.
Here we look at another word regarding the effect of the Gospel: Peace! What is peace? How do we receive peace?
Pastor Bill reflects on how we need "Gospel words" to have faith and reads from Luther's letter to Luther's father Hans on the occasion of Hans nearing death.
Pastor Bill brings us another "Gospel word" i.e. word used to communicate the significance of the Christ Event - Transformation!
PB unpacks the beautiful Gospel phrase "Eternal Life" as he continues to look at the words in the New Testament used to articulate the significance of the Gospel.
Pastor Bill places the Gospel word "sanctification" in the midst of our current challenges and offers a prayer for us.
PB opens up another word used by the NT to proclaim the significance of the Gospel: Redemption. What does this word mean? Tune in and deepen your appreciation of the gifts of God.
We move to another key word that names the significance of the Christ event: Salvation. What are we saved from? How are we saved?
Bruce's devotional - he shares one of his favorite spiritual songs and relates it to scripture.
PB hones in on the word "reconciliation" used by the Apostle Paul to name the result of the event of Christ Jesus.
Pastor Bill explores the how the Gospel sets us free. Freedom from what though? How does justification equal freedom?
After talking in his last session about what the Law (God's standard) IS NOT good for, PB talks about what the Law IS good for.
PB starts to work on the purpose of the law and what the law has to do with righteousness. He applies this to a pervasive and errant reason people "go to church."
We continue our focus on "Justify" as the significance of the Gospel and show how not only the Apostle Paul but Jesus too had this word in his sights.
Pastor Bill continues to unpack the monumental work "Dikaios" (righteousness) as we examine the primary words the NT uses to communicate the significance of the Christ event.
Pastor Bill begins unpacking the crucial word "dikaioo" - justify - as we continue looking at the NT's Gospel words.
Pastor Bill unpacks the crucial concept of "atonement" or "expiation" when it comes to the Gospel word - "forgiveness."
Pastor Bill begins a series where each week he will unpack one of the "Gospel words" - i.e. words the NT uses to tell the significance of the Christ event. Today we get started with "Forgiveness."
Pastor Bill reads some excerpts from Luther's Large Catechism on the 3rd Article of the Creed "I believe in the Holy Spirit." He shares these important words in light of the coming festival of Pentecost this Sunday!
Pastor Bill reflects on the meaning of the Ascension of Jesus - 40 days after the resurrection.
Pastor Bill overviews the Biblical narrative to see if it makes optimists or pessimists out of us ... or both!
Pastor Bill reflects on a very sunny weak in the NW on Malachi 4:2 "The sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings."
Pastor Bill reflects on the final portrait of our Lenten season in light of Easter. We see Moses parting the Red Sea but could there be more? Listen in and see what you think!
Pastor Bill ponders Jesus' actions and teachings in-between Palm Sunday and Good Friday.
Pastoral Care Assistant Kim Grasmick offers some words for when we feel like we never do enough.
Pastor Bill reflects on the recent new discoveries from a cave in the Dead Sea - specifically Greek fragments from the Biblical books of Zechariah and Nahum. PB talks about scripture as a dependable preacher!
Pastor Bill reflects on the need and importance of good conversations and offers some tips to help us in the art of a good conversation.
Pastor Bill reflects on being "behind" the cross vs. out "in front." What does discipleship, following Jesus, look like today? When Jesus said to Peter, "Get behind me satan!" What did he mean?
Devotional by Retired Pastor Don Jukam, "remembering our baptism with visit to River Jordan."
Pastor Bill thinks about the shifting and sinking sand that we find ourselves in and looks to Christ as the solid rock.
Pastor Bill reflects on the phrase we hear when the Ashes are placed on our forehead, "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return."
Here is a devotional from our pastoral care assistant, Kim Grasmick, about the power of connection and what it's powered by.
Pastor Bill gets us thinking about what we will give up or take up this Lent and makes some strong recommendations.
Pastor Bill reflects on the art of dealing with loss and how important it is in our journey.
Retired Pastor Don Jukam talks about favorite Bible verses - and an invitation for you.
Pastor Bill wrestles with what just might be the key to our often bemoaned divided state as a nation and church: humility. What will hold us together as a church? A nation? Families and neighborhoods?
Today's devotional by Retired Pastor Don Jukam. Don talks about the Epiphany verse from the Luke 2.
Pastor Bill makes the case for giving God's word and preaching plenty of "Airtime." Many voices today are shaping us and ramping up our anxiety. We need to give God's promises time to create and sustain our faith.
Today's devotional by Retired Pastor Don Jukam. Don talks about the significance of the "numbers in the Bible."
Ross Franklin, an SLC Member, shares his thoughts on the parable in Matthew 20 about the workers in the vineyard.
On this day of Epiphany, Pastor Bill explores the ending of the Epiphany story where the Magi "go home by another way." How do we get home?
Pastoral Care Assistant Kim Grasmick offers the epiphany she experienced this week. She references Luther's sermon on the Epiphany--if you would like a copy of the text, email her at: grasmick@silverdalelutheran.org
Our pastoral care assistant, Kim Grasmick, offers words of hope and healing after a difficult 2020.
Pastor Bill once again shares some words from Martin Luther on Christmas. The focus as we are almost to Christmas Eve is the Shepherds.
Pastor Bill shares some words from one of Luther's Christmas sermons compiled in Roland H. Bainton's The Marin Luther Christmas Book. Beautiful reflections on Mary and the Nativity to help us prepare for Christmas.
In her devotional, Pastoral Care Assistant Kim Grasmick speaks about how Jesus elevated women of His time, a message that we can use today as we see more and more women breaking the "glass ceiling."
Retired Pastor Don Jukam's devotional based on favorite verses in the Bible, Romans 8:38-39
Pastor Bill explores the important Advent theme of "waiting" and shows how pervasive the theme of "waiting" is in the scriptures. The blessing of waiting in our faith lives is celebrated and encouragement given in our times of waiting.
Ross' (an SLC Member) devotional based on the Book of Job.., "it can always get worse."
Pastor Bill reflects on what we believe about the 2nd coming of Christ as we enter Advent.
Pastor Bill gets some help from Frederick Buechner and CS Lewis to reflect on the importance and power of thanksgiving and remembering. Make this part of your Thanksgiving this year.
Pastor Bill uses a classic Jackson Browne song "Running on Empty" as a springboard to find some help from II Corinthians 4 in this time when we are struggling to keep going.
PB offers a tribute to our Veterans on this day. "Our Country is on a journey and without your sacrifice, we would not be able to continue to strive for 'liberty and justice' for all.
John Thayer, child and long time member of SLC, reflects on the mystery and beauty of both the incarnation and the Eucharist.
Pastor Bill reflects on Romans 12:16-19 and ponders how we will move forward after this election, regardless of the results, and how we treat others in the Body of Christ with whom we disagree.
Ross Franklin talks about a couple of his favorite Bible stories in Luke 18:25 and Mark 12:42.
Pastor Bill celebrates the power of being connected to each other in the body of Christ in this time when many of us are "on edge." Some powerful visits with SLC members are shared.
Retired pastor and member of SLC, Pastor Don Jukam talks about the Gospel of Matthew and "walking on water."
Pastor Bill explores the indicative & imperative moods as a great way to improve our mood!
Pastor Bill wrestles with the powerful and challenging passage of Revelation 20:12 in light of our belief that we are made righteous (innocent) by faith in Christ.
Pastor Paula's devotion for today is based on Ezekiel 37. God's word comes to each of us and always creates us anew. No matter how dried up we might feel...
PB reflects on the importance of vulnerability and limitations as the place where we experience God's grace.
Pastor Paula marvels today at the many and various ways we have gathered as a church throughout our history and into our present time. We can gather because we have the promise of Matthew 18:20: where 2 or 3 are gathered in Jesus' name, he will be there.
Pastor Bill brings us some words on the 8th Commandment from the classic handbook to Luther's Small Catechism by Jim Nestingen and Gerhard Forde - FREE TO BE. He asks us to reflect on how these words on protecting our neighbor's name apply today in our social media-saturated world.
Pastor Paula's devotion for the first day of fall, is from the Book of Ecclesiastes. She finds comfort that there is a season for everything and that God gives us the faith to trust in him.
Pastor Bill reflects on how we feel so overwhelmed in these days with the magnitude of brokenness before us. Our work seems like a "drop in the bucket." Yet, there is power in a little drop - the "little things."
Ever feel like your faith is kind of lukewarm? Pastor Paula shares some of her favorite lines from the book of Revelation today and a letter to a church that has just this lukewarm problem.
Pastor Bill tackles the crucial question of how we define our fundamental "core" problem as human beings and makes the point that Biblically, our turned inward self, our human nature, is the ultimate problem and the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins in Jesus name, the ultimate solution.
Pastor Paula continues her reading from last week with First Corinthians 13 - the love chapter - one of the most beloved in all of the Bible.
Today Pastor Paula looks at 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul writes that we are ALL part of the body of Christ, no part more important than the other. It is a good reminder, especially in the times in which we live!
Pastor Bill holds up Philippians 3:12-14 as the shot in the arm we need in this challenging time. We strive ahead like a runner lunging for the tape.
Pastor Paula shares her favorite lines in the Bible from Matthew 13 about what a treasure and joy it is to follows Jesus!
Bruce talks and reflects on anxiety and panic attacks and helpful scripture in Philippians and Matthew.
Pastor Bill wrestles with the difficult question of who and what we trust and what has ultimate importance in our lives.
Pastor Paula shares more favorite Bible lines today from Psalm 51, along with the story of one of the great sinners in the Bible, King David. Create in me a clean heart, O God!
Pastor Bill reflects on Paul's statement "Knowledge puffs up, love builds up" when it comes to how our convictions are shared in our relationships.
Pastor Paula continues her series on some of the great lines in the Bible with the story of Jonah, the slacker prophet who goes reluctantly to Nineveh and learns he doesn't get to to choose who God will have mercy on - and thank goodness for that!
Pastor Bill Crabtree preaches on exciting chapter of Romans 10 and the power of the "word of Christ" to create and nurture faith and then we look at Jesus coming to the Disciples walking on the water in light of Romans 10. Peter goes out to meet Jesus on the water and falters. Why? Check this message out!
Pastor Bill addresses our struggle with inefficiency and disorientation during this pandemic and seeks to bring grace and understanding to why we are struggling in this way, in this time.
Pastor Paula continues her series on the best lines in the Bible with Jesus’ reaction to the grief of Martha and Mary after their brother Lazarus dies. Lord, if you would have been here my brother would not have died, they cry!
Today Pastor Paula looks at the story of Joseph and his brothers in the book of Genesis and the line about how God takes what we meant for evil and uses it for good.
Pastor Bill gets some help from his wife Sandy who offers 4 steps to help with disappointment. Sandy is the Superintendant of the Port Townsend School District.
Scripture speaks into our lives time after time - this time from the Old Testament prophet Habbakuk. No, really! Listen as Intern Marietta shares today's devotional.
P2 Devotional 07212020 - "Best Lines in the Bible - Esther" by Silverdale Lutheran Church
In Romans 8, we are promised that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Intern Marietta thinks about how that promise creates generosity in us?
Pastor Bill reflects on the lack of certainty in our times and the source of certainty in our lives.
Today Pastor Paula talks about approaching those with whom we disagree with curiosity and she shares a challenging story from Mark 15.
The Apostle Paul tells us that one of the fruits of the spirit is joy. How do we find joy today? Where do we find joy? Can there be joy in the midst of pain and discomfort?
To mask or not to mask. Did you think this would be one of the great debates of 2020? Neither did Intern Marietta. In biblical stories and the gift and example of Christ we find some ways to think about this.
Pastor Bill ponders the power of the spotlight and talks about how the media is a kind of powerful spotlight. A few helps are offered in keeping the power of the spotlight in its place and remembering the ultimate spotlight.
intern Marietta shares how God created humans - all humans - in God’s image. Even the humans with whom she disagrees, the humans that she finds difficult and confusing. How does that change her? Us?
PB ruminates on a key phrase in the scriptures and how it applies to us today. The Kingdom of God is first and foremost in the NT something "proclaimed."
In a world of chaos, we are invited to make Jesus our song as we journey. (With huge thanks to Maeve Bittle for singing on this track.)
PB reflects on his dad as we draw near to Father's Day. "My Dad was a great dancer," Some thoughts are offered on life and faith being a dance. The reality that men are less prevalent in church than women is also briefly addressed.
Pastor Paula June 16 Devotion - based on Mark 9 "I believe, help my unbelief." by Silverdale Lutheran Church
Intern Marietta offers a devotional on the long faith tradition of questions and how they can help us in our division dilemma today.
PB reads from Luther's small and large catechism on the 2nd and 3rd petitions of the Lord's Prayer. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done."
These past days have prompted a range emotions, pushing me to find words about humility in scripture.
Pastor Bill wrestles with the difficult images of our day and their effect on our lives. He then looks to the cross as the most powerful image.
Kim Holmes Grasmick shares some insights and learnings from our Numbers Bible study. Specifically, from chapter 19 we see how God graciously does what is necessary and needed to allow an unholy & "unclean" people to dwell with our Holy God. We truly appreciate now 2 Corinthians 5.21 - "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Reflecting on the work of the Holy Spirit as we draw near to Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the church and its mission. The event of the outpouring of the Spirit just as Jesus said would happen.
Kim Holmes Grasmick celebrates the importance and power of Bible Study and offers a heartfelt invitation to delve into God's word. Kim is a Council Member and enrolled in our Synod's PALM program (Program for Strengthening Active Lay Ministry).
PB brings us some help from two prominent Christian apologists in the light of Ravi Zacharias' death. Here is the link to the blog to which PB refers: https://blog.logos.com/2020/05/in-memoriam-ravi-zacharias-on-life-death-love-and-more/
Childhood memories, lilacs and Jesus words of assurance from Intern Marietta today. Enjoy!
Pastor Bill explores our need to vent and "let it out," especially in our prayers to God. Martin Luther's time of exile is compared to our time and the end of Psalm 44 is celebrated - that God hears and responds to our cries for redemption and help.
Do you like to be in control? Pastoral Intern Marietta shares a few thoughts about her own tendencies, a sweet story about some neighborhood kids and how God inscribes us on God's hands.
Pastor Bill helps us see that Jesus makes space for our needs and concerns. He ponders the amazing promise that our Lord and Savior wants to know how he can help us.
Pastor Paula 5 May Devotion - Abide with Me (Philippians 4) by Silverdale Lutheran Church
Intern Marietta ponders the biblical response, Here I am, to the call of God and how that might speak into our lives today. With special music from her daughter, Maeve.
Pastor Bill reflects on how we look at Christ during this time of exile. He reads from Luther's writing on How to Read the Gospels and lifts up an essential life-giving distinction: Christ as Gift and Example.
Pastoral Intern Marietta offers a devotion on one of our most beloved hymns, Precious Lord. Thanks to Ellie Kopp for sharing this with us on her trumpet.
SLC's daily devotional during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Pastor Bill shares our need to be in prayer for our leaders in this precarious time. Ethical Dilemmas are defined. The connection between our prayers and moving from fear to courage is also discussed.
Using Philippians 4:7 find encouragement to have peace in this worldwide pause we are living in
Kim Grasmick shares how powerful Lutheran Theology is in her life and how it can help all of us in our daily walk and in dealing with the current challenges of this pandemic. Kim is currently serving on the Church Council as Evangelism and Outreach chair and also serves on our Care Ministry team.
Pastor Bill shares thoughts on what we need right now in this crisis and struggle: Endurance. Romans 5 is explored.
A look back in history to Martin Luther's entry into the city of Worms as he faced certain death for his stand for the Gospel. Pastor Bill makes a connection to that time, and our time.
Intern Pastor Marietta shares some words about something we are experiencing: grief. With beautiful trumpet by faraway friend Ellie Kopp.
Reflections on Psalm 46 in light of the COVID-19 threat by Pastor Bill Crabtree of Silverdale Lutheran Church in Washington.
Pastoral Intern Marietta talks about Isaiah 43:1-3 and courage. She reimagines the Prayer of Good Courage for these times. Thanks to Ian Bittle for playing the guitar on this track!
Pastoral Intern Marietta offers a word about this uncharted territory we are in, with a reference to Luke 10:1-5.
Being still is not in our nature, but in this time of distancing and stillness, we have the chance to reflect on a God who holds us in love.
Gospel & Sermon Dec 01 2019 830AM Pastoral Intern Marietta Nelson-Bittle by Silverdale Lutheran Church
Gospel and Sermon 10 27 2019 830am Reformation Pastor John by Silverdale Lutheran Church
A Service in Celebration of the Resurrection for Christine Chiasson by Silverdale Lutheran Church
Gospel & Sermon 08 25 2019 11th Sunday after Pentecost PB by Silverdale Lutheran Church
Gospel & Sermon 08 18 2019 10th Sunday after Pentecost Intern Marietta by Silverdale Lutheran Church
Gospel & Sermon 06 30 2019 3rd Sunday after Pentecost Intern Marietta by Silverdale Lutheran Church
Gospel and Sermon 06 23 2019 2nd Sunday after Pentecost PB by Silverdale Lutheran Church
Transfiguration of Our Lord
8 Am Worship
Pastor Paula Burchill Preaching Pastor Jonathan Sansgaard Presiding
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany 8 am worship Pastor Bill Crabtree presiding Pastor Jonathan Sansgaard preaching