Author: Rev. Bernie Seter

When I hear the phrase that the church has to take care of itself before it can take care of others I think of how the ways of the world have corrupted our life together.  Because of Jesus sacrifice I am free to think of myself...

Words are endlessly fascinating to me.  I always thought that a “garnish” was a condiment of some kind that enhanced the flavor in a dish of food.  For instance, mint jelly in my mind was a “garnish” for the lamb. Now I find out...

Luther talks about proper almsgiving in his commentary on the Sermon on the Mount.  Alms comes from a word that means mercy.  Mercy is under attack by those who think that our job as church is to pray and preach and individual...

I believe that it was Helmut Thielicke who told a story about visiting a parishioner in his mostly bombed out home after the war. The man was thankful for God’s mercy in having enough of his house bombed out that he didn’t have...

There are those who should no better who treat missions/mercy, congregational stewardship and District needs as a zero sum game.  What we give to mercy work overseas must reduce the pot of money that is available to the local...