Happy Pentecost! Today we celebrate the birthday of the Christian Church. It’s a day that gets us thinking about the church growing with all those amazing events in our reading from Acts.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2026-05-24 10:39:272026-05-27 10:43:14“The Only Requirement is Thirst”
Today we are celebrating that Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after rising from the dead. It sounds pretty important! We’d probably all agree this is a significant event.... But WHY? Sure, Jesus is in heaven, that’s great! What DIFFERENCE does his ASCENSION really make for our lives here on this earth?
The next time you are in Berlin, Germany, take a trip to the Pergamon Museum and marvel at the Ishtar Gate. What is the Ishtar Gate? It was one of eight gates that surrounded the ancient city of Babylon.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2026-04-26 08:02:072026-05-01 08:07:15The Gateway to God
I don’t know if you pay attention to religious trends. I do, it kind of comes with the territory as a pastor, and one I’ve heard lately is to essentially treat doubt as a good thing.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2026-04-12 11:38:452026-04-13 13:31:26“Doubt Your Doubts” (John 20:19-31)
Have you ever been in a situation where you wondered, “Where is God?” If so, you’re not alone. Even us pastors feel like that at times.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2026-04-05 14:17:232026-04-07 14:21:53The One Place God Isn’t
The Israelites’ heads must have hung toward their feet much of the time. They must have felt defeated. Sure, they had returned from exile in the East.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2026-03-29 14:49:252026-03-30 15:01:45Look Up to See Your King
ONLY THE BEST. It’s kind of a motto for our lives. As Americans, we expect our country to have the best standard of living, the best military, and the best medical care.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2026-03-01 10:34:352026-03-05 10:37:32“Only the Best”
Are you familiar with Edward Martin Grylls, better known as Bear Grylls? Born in northern Ireland he served in the British Special Forces and has made a name for himself as a tv reality show host and outdoor adventure enthusiast.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2026-02-22 10:00:242026-02-27 10:26:16Hope Held in Holy Hands
As Peter looked back on his life now at the end, it had been tough. Growing up with his brother Andrew on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, those were good memories.
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2026-02-15 08:00:002026-02-13 14:50:14“Trust Your Eyes” (2 Peter 1:16-21)
Have you ever looked around in the lost and found, and happened to find something that belongs to you?
https://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cross-on-bible-green.jpg11551732Amanda Petersenhttps://www.eastsidelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eastside_lutheran_logo-300x117.jpgAmanda Petersen2026-02-12 14:44:222026-02-12 14:45:15Identity: Lost & Found