Sermons From Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN

"Where's the Cross?"

Pastor Olson
4/19/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�Where�s the Cross?�
Acts 7.55-60
John 14.1-14
1 Peter 2.2-10
Easter 5A
April 20, 2007

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the + Holy Spirit.

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�Road Trip�

Pastor Franko
4/5/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EASTER 3A

What makes this story of the resurrection so remarkable is how unremarkable it is.

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"There's No Going Back"

Pastor Olson
3/30/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Easter 2A
March 30, 2008
John 20.19-31
�There�s No Going Back�

I wonder what the conversation was like in the house where the disciples were holed up that first Easter day.

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"A Peculiar Faith"

Pastor Olson
3/23/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Resurrection of Our Lord A
March 23, 2008
John 20.1-18
�A Peculiar Faith�

Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
We are a peculiar people who call ourselves Christians, we who follow this man Jesus.

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The Lone Ranger and More

Pastor Franko
3/17/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PALM/PASSION SUNDAY A

Every episode of a TV western my brothers and I religiously watched growing up always started with the exact same opening.

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CAN DRY BONES LIVE AGAIN?

Pastor Franko
3/8/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
LENT 5A, 3/9/08

Deep in the Old Testament there is a book called Lamentations.

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"The Eyes of Our Hearts"

Pastor Olson
3/1/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Lent 4A
March 2, 2008
1 Samuel 16.1-13; John 9.1-41
�The Eyes of Our Hearts�

We have two wonderful stories before us today, both of them giving us insight to the heart of God.

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Living Water

Pastor Franko
2/24/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
LENT 3A, 2.23/24.2008

Recently my mom and dad moved from St.

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�Lifting up a Serpent in the Desert�

Pastor Franko
2/16/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
LENT 2A, 2.16/17.08
John 3:1-17

You know the story of Nicodemus and his late night visit with Jesus.

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"God Talk"

Pastor Olson
2/9/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Genesis 2.15-15; 3.1-7
Lent 1A
February 10, 2008
�God Talk�

As we read the Genesis text today it�s �tempting� (so to speak) to pinpoint the disobedience of Adam and Eve as the source of all our problems, both individually and collectively.

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"Getting a Glimpse of God"

Pastor Olson
2/3/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Transfiguration A
February 3, 2008
Exodus 24.12-28
�Getting a Glimpse of God�

As I read our first lesson from Exodus, I have to admit I�m not right there with Moses on that mountaintop.

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"Living in the Light"

Pastor Olson
1/27/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Epiphany 3A
January 27, 2008
Isaiah 9.1-4 and Matthew 4.12-3
�Living in the Light�

As I prepared for this sermon, Pr.

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A Gentle Nudge In the Small of your Back

Pastor Franko
1/20/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EPIPHANY 2A,
Jan 19/20, 2008

What would it take for you to be an Andrew? You remember Andrew in our gospel text for today? He�s one of the guys that followed John the Baptist and when John saw Jesus and announced him to be �the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world� he jumped off John�s bandwagon and started following Jesus.

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"Our Duty and Our Delight"

Pastor Olson
1/13/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Baptism of Our Lord A
January 13, 2008
Isaiah 42.1-9
�Our Duty and Our Delight�

The great German Reformed theologian Karl Barth once said we�re to live with Bible in one hand and newspaper in the other.

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God will not be stopped!

Pastor Franko
1/3/2008
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
CHRISTMAS 1A 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
12/29&30/07

Just a few nights ago we were singing, �O little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie!� Of course all of that changes in our gospel text for today.

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"Our Salvation when He didn't have to be"

Pastor Franko
12/23/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
ADVENT 4A, 12/22&23/07

For those of you who have grown weary of Advent and can�t wait anymore for Christmas, you are in luck.

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God's Peaceable Vision

Pastor Olson
12/8/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Advent 2A
December 9, 2007
Isaiah 11.1-10
�God's Peaceable Vision�

In today�s text from Isaiah we get the prophet�s vision, from God, of a new king and a new kingdom.

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Our God of History

Pastor Franko
12/2/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
ADVENT 1A / Dec 1&2, 2007

Doesn�t it sound like this spooky gospel reading works better for Halloween than the first Sunday in Advent? All of this talk about the days of Noah, and about two working and suddenly one of them is taken away, and about thieves breaking into your house at night; those scenes aren�t very consoling, are they? So, how does this sense of doom and gloom fit into our season of Advent and what is the good news of the gospel for us to hear in all of the bad news that is running through this text?

It�s interesting to me that this passage comes toward the end of Jesus� ministry.

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"Your Kingdom Come!"

Pastor Olson
11/24/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Christ the King C
November 25, 2007
Luke 23.33-43
�Your Kingdom Come!�

Shortly after Cindy and I were married we moved to Louisville and joined Resurrection Lutheran Church.

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Saints and Sinners All

Pastor Olson
11/3/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
All Saints C
Luke 6.20-31
November 4, 2007
�Saints and Sinners All�

Unless you�ve been asleep, you are no doubt aware day we celebrate All Saints Day.

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Seeking Freedom and Truth

Pastor Franko
10/27/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
REFORMATION SUNDAY C
Oct.

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The Hound of Heaven

Pastor Franko
10/21/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST 21C
OCT.

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"From Outie to Innie"

Pastor Olson
10/13/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�From Outie to Innie�
Luke 17.11-19
Pentecost 20C (Proper 23, Ordinary 28)
October 14, 2007

Do remember as children, comparing yourselves to others asking, �Can you do this?� You�d roll your tongue and laugh at those who tried but couldn�t do it.

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Playing Offense

Pastor Franko
9/25/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENT 17C
Sept 23, 2007

This has to be one of the toughest parables Jesus ever told.

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"How Far Will God Go?"

Pastor Olson
9/15/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�Our Relentless, Passionate and Reckless God�
September 16, 2007
Pentecost 16C (Proper 19)
Luke 15.1-10; Exodus 32:7-14; 1 Timothy 1:12-17

�Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the 99 in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it� Jesus asks? And then for emphasis adds, �Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?� They are slightly rhetorical questions, aren�t they, designed to draw us into the stories.

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�We Are Beggars�

Pastor Franko
8/31/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST 14 C
Sept.

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"Getting Lit"

Pastor Olson
8/19/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
August 19, 2007
Pentecost 12C (Proper 15)
Luke 12.49-56
�Getting Lit�

Do you know Christ as your personal savior? Have you been born again? Are you saved? Do you know where would you go if you died today? Are you sure of that? While we�re at it, have you experienced the fullness of God�s salvation as evidenced by speaking in tongues? If you�ve had the kinds of experiences I�ve had, my guess is that you�ve heard some or all of these questions at one time in your life.

As Lutheran Christians we get a bit uncomfortable with this approach to evangelizing.

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"Faith is a gamble"

Pastor Franko
8/17/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST 11C
LUKE 12:29-34 & Hebrews 11:1-3
August 11/12, 2007

What I�m trying to do here is get you to relax.

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Lord, Teach Us to Pray

Pastor Olson
7/28/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Pentecost 9C (Proper 12)
July 29, 2007
Luke 11.1-13
�Lord, Teach Us to Pray�

�Lord, teach us to pray,� Jesus� disciples say to him.

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Mary!

Pastor Olson
7/21/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Mary Magdalene, Apostle
July 22, 2007
John 20.1-2, 11-18
�Mary!�

Mary! Jesus calls to Mary Magdalene, piercing her overwhelming grief, not to mention perplexity.

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Half Dead and Going To Heaven

Pastor Franko
7/13/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST 7C
July 14/15, 2007

Very early this week I figured I had my sermon all ready for you.

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�Making a Difference�

Pastor Franko
7/6/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
5TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, 2007
July 7/8, 2007

This isn�t the first time Jesus has sent out his followers to proclaim the kingdom of God in word and deed.

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"Where is God?"

Pastor Olson
6/23/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�Where is God?�
The Nativity of John the Baptist
Luke 1.57-80
June 24, 2007

Barb, a single mother was at her wit�s end.

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�Don�t Cry. Get Up�

Pastor Franko
6/10/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST 2C
9 & 10 June, 2007

This is an impressive story.

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Where Are We Going?

Pastor Olson
6/3/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
June 3, 2007
Trinity Sunday C
John 16.12-15
�Where Are We Going?�

Generally speaking, when I travel and I�m driving, which I normally do, I want to know where I�m going.

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Oneness for the Faith in Crisis

Pastor Franko
5/19/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EASTER 7 C, 5/19-20/07
JOHN 17:20-26

Jesus has a plateful of problems staring him in the face.

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"No Fear"

Pastor Olson
5/12/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�No Fear�
John 14.23-29
Easter 6B
May 13, 2007

�Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

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A "Meet Jesus" Moment

Pastor Olson
4/21/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Easter 3C
April 22, 2007
John 21.1-19
�A �Meet Jesus� Moment�

Most creative and artistic works, done well, have a compelling main theme that is recognizable and memorable.

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�Daring To Believe�

Pastor Franko
4/14/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EASTER 2C
April 14 & 15, 2007

Those who know me well know that I�m a big fat liar.

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RESURRECTION AND LIFE FOR YOU

Pastor Franko
4/10/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EASTER C � 4/8/07

They say a preacher has less than a minute to grab the attention of the person sitting in the pew.

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No Idle Tale

Pastor Olson
4/8/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
The Resurrection of Our Lord
April 8, 2007
Luke 24.1-12
�No Idle Tale�

�But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.� That�s how the 11 disciples respond upon hearing the first Easter sermon about Jesus.

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A New Commandment

Pastor Olson
4/5/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Maundy Thursday C
April 5, 2007
John 13.1-17; 31b-35 & 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
�The New Commandment�

What would you do, if you knew that you were going to die tomorrow? What would you do? How would you spend your time? Would there be loose ends to tie up before you go? Would there be things you�d like to say to those closest to you, your family and friends? Some people might want to be alone but others would want to be surrounded by friends; which kind are you? What about a last meal.

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THE SURPASSING VALUE OF KNOWING CHRIST AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION

Pastor Franko
3/27/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
LENT 5C
3/24-25/2007
Philippians 3:4-14

Lent, as you know, is a season that focuses on the disciplines of the spiritual life; things like prayer and fasting, worship and acts of charity, devotions and reading the scriptures.

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THE UNFAIR TRADE

Pastor Rem
3/18/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
The Fourth Sunday in Lent

My sister Lisa is two years older than I and has always been considerably smarter.

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�Letting God be God�

Pastor Franko
3/10/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
LENT 3C
3/10&11/07

What is the relationship between our behavior, the good and the bad things we do, and the good and bad things that happen to us? And what about God�s will? And how does it all fit together? Why, at times, does is seem like God is punishing us? And why, at times, does it seem like God is blessing us? It seems like our gospel lesson for today is set up to answer such questions as these.

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"Thy Holy Wings"

Pastor Olson
3/3/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
March 4, 2007
Lent 2C
Luke 13.31-35
�Thy Holy Wings�

We read again in Luke�s gospel a masterful piece of writing, full of images and allusions.

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"This is a Test"

Pastor Olson
2/24/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
February 25, 2007
Lent 1C
Luke 4.1-13
�This is a Test�

�Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Holy Spirit in the wilderness where for forty days he was tempted by the devil�When he devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time,� Luke�s gospel says.

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LISTEN TO HIM

Pastor Rem
2/18/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Those of you who know a little about me, know that spending time in the kitchen is not one of my favorite pastimes.

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THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY

Pastor Franko
2/13/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EPIPHANY 6C
Feb.

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WITNESSES IN A LONG LINE OF WITNESSES

Pastor Rem
2/4/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Epiphany 5C

In a play about the crucifixion, playwright John Masefield creates a conversation between Pilate's wife and one of the soldiers at Golgotha.

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"Never-Ending Love"

Pastor Olson
1/27/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Epiphany 4C
January 28, 2007
1 Corinthians 13.1-13
�Never-Ending Love�

Before reading our text for the day, the �Love Chapter� as it�s known, we�re going to back up a bit and get a running start at it.

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�The Body of Christ�

Pastor Franko
1/20/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EPIPHANY 3C

Bill Self, an old, retired Georgia preacher, tells about the joys of being a grandpa and getting to take his two grandsons to swimming lessons.

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�Spiritual Gifts�

Pastor Franko
1/16/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EPIPHANY 2C
1.15.07
We assume, don�t we, that it was so much easier in the early days of Christianity for people to believe and for believers to get along? And yet, the book of First Corinthians is a vivid reminder that things haven�t changed all that much over the centuries.

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The Big Influence of Small Things

Pastor Rem
1/7/2007
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Once upon a time there was a piece of iron, which was very strong and very hard.

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�Spirit Quest�

Pastor Franko
12/30/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
CHRISTMAS 1C
12.31.06

In life we make four spiritual quests.

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"God Made Flesh"

Pastor Olson
12/25/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Christmas Day C
December 25, 2006
John 1.1-14
�God Made Flesh�

I remember once hearing my younger brother�s version of an event that had occurred many years earlier.

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Love Remembers

Pastor Olson
12/23/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Advent 4C
December 24, 2006
Luke 1.39-55
�Love Remembers�

(Pastor Olson delivered this sermon as Joseph, Mary�s betrothed)

Why me, I keep asking myself? Me, Joseph, an ordinary carpenter in an ordinary Jewish town.

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�JOY�

Pastor Franko
12/17/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
ADVENT 3C
12/16/06
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7

If you run straight down my family tree you will find only one other pastor � Rev.

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The Return of the Eldest Son

Pastor Olson
12/13/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Mid-week Lent � The Elder Son
December 13, 2006
Luke 15:[11-24]; 25-32
�I�ll Be Home for Christmas: The Return of the Prodigal Son�

�I�ll be home for Christmas,� our Advent theme for this year, suggests we should have wistful if not romantic feelings about this time of year and the homes that spawned us.

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Peace beyond understanding

Pastor Rem
12/10/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
When I was in fourth grade, living in Montana, our church had the tradition of gathering the children in the sanctuary just before the start of Sunday School.

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'The Advent of Hope' or 'The Hope of Advent'?

Pastor Olson
12/2/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
��The Advent of Hope� or �The Hope of Advent�?�
Luke 21.25-36
Advent 1C
December 3, 2006

Well, here we are on the First Sunday of Advent, the season of preparation for Jesus� coming.

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�So, You�re a King?�

Pastor Franko
11/24/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
CHRIST THE KING.

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Worry robs us of life while being thankful increases the quality of our lives.

Pastor Rem
11/22/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
There is a story about two mountain boys who spotted a bobcat in a tree and decided they wanted to capture him.

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Trust Me

Pastor Olson
11/11/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Hebrews 9.23-28
Pentecost 23B (Proper 27)
November 12, 2006
�Trust Me�
Sacrifice is a common theme running through today�s texts.

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No death, Just Life

Pastor Franko
11/5/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
ALL SAINTS B
NOV 5, 2006
John 11:32-44
"No death, Just Life"

What do you think it would be like if you had absolutely no fear of dieing? What if that dark shadowy valley that haunts us at the end isn�t real and, instead, there�s just the beginning of a brand new adventure?
I remember reading about a little-known play by Eugene O�Neill that lasted only a week on Broadway.

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Reality Check

Pastor Olson
10/21/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Pentecost 20B (Proper 24)
October 22, 2006
Isaiah 53:4-12; Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 10:35-45

�The readings for this day all give expression to a central affirmation of the Christian faith, namely, that the suffering and death of Christ Jesus are the means by which we are brought back into a relationship with God.� (New Proclamation) Using images that make us almost believe we are in the season of Lent, they also serve to provide a �reality check� on the Christian life.

�Reality Check�

Political reporter, Pat Kessler of WCCO TV in the Twin Cities, often does a segment on the 10 pm news called �Reality Check.� Lately, because of the upcoming elections, the subject of Reality Check has been political campaign ads.

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The Hard Look in the Eye and the Soft Heart of Love

Pastor Franko
10/18/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Let me admit right now that if you were to grade my preaching today you�d probably have to flunk me for missing the main point of the text.

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Speaking the Truth

Pastor Olson
9/30/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Pentecost 17B (Proper 21)
James 5.13-20
October 1, 2006
�Speaking the Truth�

Well, it�s that time of year; the signs are unmistakable and I�m not talking about cooler temperatures and the leaves changing.

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Life is not for the Timid

Pastor Franko
9/20/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Garrison Keillor tells the story of a young farmer discing some manure into a field one early spring day.

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A Living Faith

Pastor Olson
9/9/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
A Living Faith
James 2.1-17
Pentecost 14B (Proper 18)
September 10, 2006

It shouldn��t take very long being around a Lutheran church to hear what we believe is the central message of the Bible.

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Relationship, Yes � Religion, No

Pastor Franko
9/5/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST 13B
September 2/3, 2006

A famous preacher once opened his sermon with the observation that �most people have just enough religion to make themselves miserable.� And he�s probably right; most of us have just enough religion to keep us ridden with guilt, or just enough religion to make us insufferably self-righteous, or just enough religion to keep us spooked by our superstitions.

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Touch Questions

Pastor Franko
8/29/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST 12 B
August 26 & 27, 2006

Of all the questions asked in scripture, one of most poignant may very well be the one recorded in our gospel text for today.

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A Life of Yes and No

Pastor Olson
8/19/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�A Life of Yes and No�
John 6.51-58
August 20, 2006
Pentecost 11B (Proper 15)

As I�ve stated on a number of occasions, I enjoy the rhythm of the church year with its various seasons.

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The Challenge of Being Human

Pastor Olson
8/12/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�The Challenge of Being Human�
Ephesians 4.32-5.2
Pentecost 10B (Proper 14)
August 13, 2006

What�s God doing in the world these days? What�s God doing in your life? What do you think God wants to do? �Imagine,� Dan Clendenin says, �a politician who �put off� predictable rhetoric and �put on� truth telling, a corporate criminal who made restitution and shared generously with others, a musician who realized how badly raunchy lyrics degrade our communities.� We could add some more: constructive rather than destructive opinion page letters in the local newspapers.

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A Little Made Great

Pastor Franko
8/2/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST 8B
JULY 29/30, 2006
JOHN 6.1-21

The Gospel of John is one of the most incredible books of the Bible.

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Like Sheep Without A Shepherd

Pastor Franko
7/25/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST 6B
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
July 22/23, 2006

Peggy Godfrey ranches in south-central Colorado.

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The Strength of Humility

Pastor Olson
7/8/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Pentecost 5B (Proper 9)
July 9, 2006
2 Corinthians 12:2-10

�Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon �em.� That�s been going through my mind a lot the past week, though I didn�t know the source until I looked it up.

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It's Not Stewardship Sunday?

Pastor Olson
7/2/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
July 2, 2006
Pentecost 4B (Proper 8)
2 Corinthians 8.7-15
�It�s Not Stewardship Sunday?�
(This sermon was delivered by Pastor Olson in the first person as a �guest speaker.�)

Good morning; I appreciate the invitation from your pastor to speak on Stewardship Sunday.

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He who keeps you will not slumber

Pastor Franko
6/27/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST 3B
JUNE 24/25, 2006
MARK 4:35-41

Beside the hospital beds of the sick and dieing, before the grief stricken gathered at a funeral, and in counsel with those who have met with disappointment and anxious frustration I have found myself turning to Psalm 121 many times in my attempts to comfort and console.

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More Than Just Going Through the Motions

Pastor Franko
6/13/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Holy Trinity B
John 3:1-17
June 11, 2006
More Than Just Going Through the Motions

When I think of Nicodemus I see in my mind a guy about my age; mid fifties, maybe early sixties, graying hair, and kind of distinguished looking.

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Made For Sailing

Pastor Olson
6/3/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Pentecost Sunday B
June 3, 2006
John 20.19-23
�Made for Sailing�

�The doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews.

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In the world but not of the world

Pastor Franko
5/30/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�IN BUT NOT OF THE WORLD�
EASTER 7B
JOHN 17:6-9
MAY 29, 2006

I�m sure most of you know how these beautiful things are made.

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Tending God's Garden of Grace: Waiting on God

Pastor Olson
5/14/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�Tending God�s Garden of Grace: Waiting on God�
Mark 4.26-29
Easter 5B
May 14, 2006

There are two theories about preaching: preach what you know; or what you need to know so that in preaching you come to know it.

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Tending God's Garden of Grace: Nourishing the Ground

Pastor Franko
5/7/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
You�ve seen the ads on TV.

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�TENDING GOD�S GARDEN OF GRACE:PREPARING THE SOIL�

Pastor Franko
4/22/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EASTER 2B, April 23, 2006
�TENDING GOD�S GARDEN OF GRACE:
PREPARING THE SOIL�
Mark 4: 3-8, 14-20

Even before the last pile of snow was gone from our back yard, Pam was ready to start working in our garden.

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�Who Will Roll The Stone Away?�

Pastor Franko
4/16/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EASTER B � 4.16.06
Mark 16:1-8

Although Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome belong to another time and place, they represent all of us, both male and female, as we deal with the overwhelming and uncontrollable events that collide with our lives; events we don�t always understand and that often seem so unjust.

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Betwixt and Between

Pastor Olson
4/8/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Sunday of the Passion-Palm Sunday B
Mark 11.1-11; 15.1-39
April 9, 2006
�Betwixt and Between�

I used to be highly suspicious of this first day of what we call Holy Week, when we begin the last leg of our journey with Jesus to the cross.

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Keep the One thing the One thing!

Pastor Franko
3/21/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
LENT 3b, March 26, 2006
�The One Thing�

In our gospel lesson for today we see Jesus like we have never seen him before.

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"For Our Sake"

Pastor Olson
3/11/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�For Our Sake�
Lent 2B
March 12, 2006
Romans 4.13-25

�Abraham believed, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

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�Surrounded by Wild Beasts�

Pastor Franko
3/7/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
1 LENT.B
March 4/5, 2006
Mark 1:9-15
�Surrounded by Wild Beasts�

With almost shocking brevity Mark relates three major events in Jesus� life.

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Why Ashes?

Pastor Olson
3/1/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�Why Ashes?�
1 Corinthians 5.20b-6.10; Psalm 51
Ash Wednesday B
March 1, 2006

�Be reconciled to God�, Paul says to his congregation 2,000 years ago, �We urge you not to accept the grace of God in vain�.

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"He's everywhere, he's everywhere!"

Pastor Franko
2/27/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Transfiguration B.
Mark 9.2-8
2.26.06

Once upon a time there was a bunny, named Tarkington, who had the misfortune of being born in Minnesota during wintertime.

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Run For Your Life

Pastor Olson
2/12/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�Run For Your Life�
February 12, 2006
Epiphany 6B
1 Corinthians 9.24-27

Why are you a Christian? Have you ever thought about this? Take a moment to think about it; what comes to you? Some of you might say, �That�s how I was raised�, and for a lot of us, that would be true.

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�ENERGY CRISIS�

Pastor Franko
2/3/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
5TH SUN AFTER EPIPHANY b
FEB 5, 2006

One of the pressing issues of our time is the issue of energy.

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"Jesus wants and loves and calls and uses 'baby step' people just like you and me."

Pastor Franko
1/20/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
3RD SUN.

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What's a body to do?

Pastor Olson
1/15/2006
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�What�s a Body to Do?� or �Matter Matters�
Epiphany 2B
January 15, 2006
1 Corinthians 6.12-20

If I were to title to Paul�s sermon it would be �What�s a body to do?� or �Matter Matters�.

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Christmas for Grown Ups

Pastor Franko
12/27/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
CHRISTMAS DAY.B
12.25.05 / JOHN 1:1-14
�Christmas for Grown Ups�

One of the things I like best about being here at church on Christmas Day is that, following all of the attention children get on Christmas Eve, today is more for grown ups.

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The Obedience of Faith

Pastor Olson
12/18/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�The Obedience of Faith�
Advent 4B
December 18, 2005
Romans 16.25-27 and Luke 1.26-38, 47-55

I�ve just recently come to realize that Advent is my favorite time of the church year.

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"We want Jesus and we get John. What's with that?"

Pastor Franko
12/14/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
ADVENT 3B
12.11.05 / JN.

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"From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere!"

Pastor Franko
11/27/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
ADVENT 1B
11.27.05, MARK 13:24-37
�FUNNY THINGS ARE EVERYWHERE�

There is an interesting quote, from a rather unusual source, that applies to this first day of Advent.

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The River of Righteousness is where true life is to be found.

Pastor Olson
11/20/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Matthew 25.31-46; Psalm 1.1-3
Christ the King A
November 20, 2005
�The River of Righteousness: Easter on the Brink of Advent�

Today we finish up our sermon series on rivers in the Bible tied in with our beautiful altar cushions.

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Floating down the river of abundance should carry us on waves of thankful humility, joyful generosity, and faithful obedience to God's "Yes!" for us.

Pastor Franko
11/12/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST 23A / STEWARDSHIP CELEBRATION SUN.
NOV 5 & 6, 2005 � PSALM 65:9-13
�THE RIVER OF ABUNDANCE�

The needlepoint cushion we are highlighting today is entitled �Fall and Harvest� and, as you can tell, it crafts a scene of the Upper Mississippi River at harvest time.

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"The river whose streams make glad the city of God."

Pastor Franko
10/30/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
REFORMATION A.
10.30.05 � PSALM 46
�THE RIVER OF JOY�

I think most of you realize that Roman Catholics don�t celebrate Reformation Sunday.

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Turning Duty into Delight

Pastor Olson
10/23/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�Turning Duty into Delight�
Pentecost 23A (Proper 25)
Matthew 22.33-46

So, how did it go this past week? I�ve read recently that every week at the end of each worship service we say �Go in peace, serve the Lord� but we never ask the following week, �How did it go?� So, as you left here to go back into work, family, school, and friends, how did it go? My guess is that for some of you it went okay, for others it didn�t go so well, and for most of us it was a mixed bag.

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�Giving to the Emperor and Giving to God�

Pastor Franko
10/16/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST 22A

10.16.2005

MATTHEW 22:15-22

I wish I were more quick-witted.

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Learning Multiplication

Pastor Franko
10/2/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST 20A � MTT.

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It's Never Too Late

Pastor Olson
9/25/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�It�s Never Too Late�
Pentecost 19A (Proper 21)
Matthew 21.23-32
September 25, 2005

It probably comes as no surprise to you that we religious leaders don�t always get it right.

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"It's About Community"

Pastor Olson
9/4/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Pentecost 16A (Proper 18) Matthew 18.15-20 September 4, 2005

�It�s About Community�

It�s all about community; it�s not about me; it�s not about you; it�s about me and you.

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�A PIECE OF THE ROCK�

Pastor Franko
8/21/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
In our gospel text for today Jesus� most colorful disciple is given a new name.

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Hearty Speech

Pastor Olson
8/14/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�Hearty Speech� Pentecost 13A (Proper 15) Matthew 15.10-28

The writer of the biblical book of James talks about this in many ways.

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Tax Time.....

Pastor Franko
7/31/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
JESUS AND THE TEMPLE TAX.

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Out of the mouths of lions...

Pastor Olson
7/24/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Pentecost 10A Daniel 6 July 24, 2005 �Daniel in the Lions� Den�

Today we look at the fourth text in our sermon series titled, �The Best of the Rest�.

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A whale of a story....

Pastor Franko
7/17/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Jonah and the Whale � 7.17.05 � P10A

Who doesn�t know the story of Jonah and the whale � or �Jonah and the big fish�, if you want to be technical about it? With the help of Veggie Tales and their movie rendition of the story, it is a classic that virtually every child has learned.

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David and Goliath

Pastor Olson
7/3/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
July 2005 �Best of the Rest� Sermon Series: �David and Goliath�
1Samuel 17.1-49
July 3, 2005

David and Goliath is probably one of the best known Vacation Bible School and Sunday School stories of all time.

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The Christian Life

Pastor Olson
6/26/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Pentecost 6A (Proper 8) Matthew 10.40-42 June 26, 2005

�The Christian Life�

What do you think is the hardest thing about being a Christian? My guess is that the typical answers would have to do with following the commandments, doing what�s right, or being better at practicing the marks of discipleship: worship, Bible reading, giving, praying, and sharing your faith.

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�Haven�t you figured it out?� Timothy responded. �Paul is in love � he is in love with Jesus

Pastor Franko
6/19/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENT 5A � MTT.10:24-31 � 6.19.05 � �HAVE NO FEAR, LITTLE FLOCK�

At the very beginning of the gospel of Matthew, an angel tells Joseph not to be afraid to take a pregnant Mary as his wife.

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What Would Jesus See?

Pastor Olson
6/12/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
Pentecost 4A (Proper 6)Matthew 9.35-10.8 June 12, 2005

�What Would Jesus See?�

Jesus went about the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the kingdom of God has come near, and healing them of every sickness and disease.

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"The Gift and the Call"

Pastor Olson
5/22/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�The Gift and the Call�
Holy Trinity Sunday
May 22, 2005
Matthew 28.16-20

Jesus met them suddenly, as he often did, though this time not wholly unexpectedly.

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�POWER FROM ON HIGH�

Pastor Franko
5/15/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PENTECOST A � ACTS 2:1-21 � MAY 15, 2005 �

I think all of you would agree that we live in an age that is obsessed with energy.

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�Making it through the storm�

Pastor Franko
5/8/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EASTER 7A � MAY 8, 2005 � JOHN 17:1-11 � �Making it through the storm�

It wasn�t planned, almost serendipitous.

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�PLAYING RIGHT FIELD: COACHING FOR TEAMWORK�

Pastor Franko
5/1/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EASTER 6 A � JOHN 14:15-21 - MAY 1, 2005

I hope you have enjoyed this sermon series we�ve been doing as much as I have.

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Hearing God's Voice

Pastor Olson
4/24/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�Real Faith for Real Life: Strike Three? Coaching for Rejection�
John 14.1-14 - Easter 5A
April 24, 2005

Pastor Olson enters, wearing a Central Lutheran Church softball jersey and cap, and carrying a bat.

�Another game and another lousy performance; I�m beginning to wonder if I can play this game at all! Two strike outs and hit into a double play, with bases loaded no less.

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The reason for giving

Pastor Franko
4/17/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EASTER 4 B � APR 17, 2005 � JN 10:1-10
�Hitting a Grand Slam: Coaching for Abundance�

Throughout my years of playing baseball as a kid and softball as an adult, I can�t ever remember hitting a home run, much less a grand slam.

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Getting Called Off the Bench

Pastor Olson
4/3/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
John 20.19-31
April 3, 2005
Easter 2A
�Getting Called Off the Bench: Coaching for Personal Power�

Today we begin a five-week combination sermon series and book study called, �Spring Training for Christians�.

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Coaching a Real Faith for Real Life

Pastor Franko
3/27/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
EASTER A.

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Not just another Palm Sunday...

Pastor Franko
3/20/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
PALM SUNDAY A
3.20.05
Matthew 21:1-11
�Getting Through Lent�

One of the things the struck me about our text for today is how different it is from all of the other stories we�ve been reading during Lent.

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A fictitious story

Pastor Franko
3/6/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
LENT 4A � JN.

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Are You Thirsty?

Pastor Olson
2/27/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�The Jesus Dialogues: Part 3� - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well
Lent 3A -John 4.5-42
February 27, 2005

Isn�t this an amazing conversation? It�s one of several Jesus has with characters this Lent: two weeks ago it was Satan; last week it was Nicodemus who comes under the cover of darkness; next week it will be the man born blind; then it will be Mary and Martha regarding the death of their brother Lazarus; and it will finish on Passion Sunday with Pontius Pilate.

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From Revelation to Transformation

Pastor Olson
2/6/2005
Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN
�From Revelation to Transformation�
The Transfiguration of Our Lord Sunday
February 5, 2005
Matthew 17.1-9

Today�s gospel presents one of the most remarkable stories in the Bible, the Transfiguration of Jesus.

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