Andrea Steinkamp: "Powerful Kindness" (Sermon for September 7, 2025)

Friends,Over the past several Sundays, I’ve been intrigued and inspired by the challenging Jesus we’ve encountered in Luke’s gospel. The Jesus who says he didn’t come to bring peace, but division (Luke 12:51). The rule-breaking Jesus (Luke 13:14-16). The order flipping, imagination-stirring Jesus (Luke 14:13-14).This week, we’ll spend more time with the Jesus who refuses to be tamed - the Jesus who believes the power of love, the power of kindness, the power of drawing the circle wider and treating people’s needs as holy - can overcome even the most entrenched systems of exclusion.We’ll also take time to celebrate the start of the new school year and honor all the students, teachers, and school staff among us with our annual Blessing of the Backpacks during the Message for All Ages. Bring your backpacks to church and let your community recognize you, encourage you, and pray for you.See you Sunday at 11am!Pastor Andrea