Lydia Ruenzel

Lydia’s last sermon as the Student Minister at Crossroads focussed on Luke 24:13-35, the story of the walk on the road to Emmaus. Lydia uses the story to identify how in the presence of Jesus (whether or not we recognize him right away) strangers become friends. She invites the congregation to celebrate their role in…

Drawing from Luke 13:1-9, specifically the parable of the fig tree, Lydia explores what repentance is — a process of changing our minds and being transformed by God so that we may walk in the world in a way that gives life rather than taking it (from both ourselves and others). But, this act of…

Luke 13:31-35 consists of a warning and a lament. In the first part of the passage, Jesus is warned that Herod is after him, but he does not allow this threat to waiver his call to preach and heal people. Jesus will continue to follow God’s will for his life, doing what “is necessary” and…

“Deep Presence” is the third sermon in our 4-week sermon series “Go Deep.” This week, we explore Luke 9:18-27, which includes the famous phrase “you must deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” What does it mean to deny ourselves? What does it mean to take up our crosses? What does it…

Zephaniah 3:14-20 is known as “A Song of Joy,” a drastic difference from the earlier chapters of Zephaniah that are full of violence, disaster, and destruction. The Song of Joy is an unexpected promise by the Holy that God’s people will be “gathered and brought home.” What does it mean for us to be “gathered…

In Mark 10:35-45, James and John command Jesus, ““See to it that we sit next to you, one at your right and one at your left, when you come into your glory.” Jesus responds in a curious way. Can James and John drink the same cup as him? Can they be baptized in the same…

This week, Lydia explores Ephesians 6:10-20, where Paul famously writes about how we need to “put on the armour of God:” the belt of truth, the breastplate of justice, and carry the shield of faith. This passage can often come across as violent, but is it actually? What armour do we normally wear to face…

After the death of King David, Solomon takes the throne. In 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-15, God meets Solomon in a dream, asking, “What would you like me to give you?” “A discerning heart,” Solomon replies. This week, Lydia explores the story of God’s heart-to-heart with Solomon, and how this intimate conversation transforms Solomon’s own heart.

The passage this week is the story of the death of David’s son, Absalom, found in 2 Samuel 18. David, usually depicted as a strong King and warrior, is a parent in this passage, vulnerable and in grief over the death of his son. Lydia explores through this story what grief is, and how important…

This week Lydia focuses on the question: “What must we do to perform the works of God?” This is a question that the crowd asks Jesus in John 6:24-35. Jesus gives a surprising response, “This is the work of God: to believe in the whom God has sent.” So, how do we “believe”? How do we have…