It’s Not That Easy 7 July 2021 Dear Friends, We tried to book Kermit, but summer is his busiest time of year. Sorry, he was not available to record our new “progress” song, but here it is: It’s not that easy being green:* We celebrate not being red or yellow. CDC once scared us painting some of those colors, But …
Get Back to Where You Once Belonged 30 June 2021 What fun LuAnne and I had on Saturday attending the beautiful wedding and joyful reception of our own COS Martha Kahley to Dr. Chris Martin. I REJOICED we could celebrate IN PERSON! As the stunning Martha walked down the aisle with father Kevin, I could see all the faces of …
A Father’s Advice 23 June 2021 What are your key three? If you worshiped with us at COS this past Sunday, you experienced an “out of the box” sermon. Not a deep dive into one gospel lesson, but a conversation with my own dad, Fred Wiese, about fatherhood and faith. In the Fourth Commandment, God instructs us to honor our …
Not My Holiday? 16 June 2021 Do you ever feel like an imposter at certain holidays? You’ve heard me recall that my neighborhood growing up was racially and ethnically diverse. If you walked west from my house, the proportion of Irish Catholics surged. So St. Patrick’s Day was a big deal. Chicago actually dyes the Chicago River green in honor …
Sharpening the Saw 10 June 2021 As you read this, I’ll be hiking in Utah with my son, Luke. The experience is called “vacation.” Are you surprised to learn that 55% of Americans do NOT use all their vacation days? I guess I’m one of them. However, I’m committed to USING more days of vacation than I’m LOSING! Studies share …
A Season for Every Purpose 03 June 2021 Does life feel fast or slow to you? This time of year, life feels like it shifts into fifth gear, for me. Today I said a few words at the COS Preschool “Graduation.” These little ones who we’ve enjoyed at chapel each Wednesday are ready to take on kindergarten. Wow. During the …
What Goes Around Comes Around 26 May 2021 How does the Holy Spirit connect places like Chicago, Dubai, Peachtree City, and Denver? The staff wanted me to share this answer: Ten days ago, I indicated in my sermon how growing up at Good Samaritan Lutheran Church on the south side of Chicago, Ascension Sunday was my third favorite festival right …
Mask Off, Mask On 19 May 2021 Graduation festivities abound these days. In fact, we celebrate “Senior Sunday” at COS this weekend as part of our Pentecost Festival. While everyone rejoices at the ceremony, the graduates’ timelines vary. At the collegiate level, some used four years to finish course work while others maybe five or six. If your last name …
Going Up! 5 May 2021 Life is full of ups and downs. But some amid our COS ranks are specialists. Karl Dietmeyer, Scott Bosecker, Brad Harris, Eric Jakubowski, and both Kim and Rob Hoellrich serve as Delta pilots. Several times a day, these pilots help people ascend and descend with astonishing comfort. When flying as passengers, we typically hear an …
The ARC of Gracism 28 April 2021 What a joy it was on Sunday for Minister Mardy Ringer to serve as our guest preacher for Week #2 in our Easter season sermon series, Gracism: An Easter Lifestyle for a Good Friday World. Not only did Mardy share a vivacious and memorable sermon, but at the 11 AM service, we loved …