The Rev. Dr. Peter Samuelson

Denomination: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Organization: The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Minneapolis, MN

The Rev. Dr. Peter Samuelson is a pastor at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Minneapolis, MN.

For several years before he was pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Atlanta, GA.

Peter earned a master of divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from Georgia State University in Atlanta, where he teaches part time. He is married to Lutheran pastor the Rev. Dr. Debra Samuelson.

Day1 Weekly Programs by The Rev. Dr. Peter Samuelson

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Reflections from the Woodshed

Tuesday March 10, 2009
The Rev. Dr. Peter Samuelson preaches on John 2, the account of Jesus angrily clearing out the moneychangers at the Temple, and draws lessons for Lent on understanding and experiencing God's discipline, guilt, and reconciliation.

Food for the Family Trip

Sunday August 13, 2006
The Rev. Debra Samuelson is the pastor for evangelism at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, Georgia. And her husband, the Rev. Peter Samuelson, is the pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Atlanta, GA. In this dialog sermon they take a look at how God provides

Keeping the Children Fed and Happy

Sunday August 06, 2006
The Rev. Debra Samuelson is the pastor for evangelism at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, Georgia engages in dialogue with  her husband, the Rev. Peter Samuelson, is the pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Atlanta, GA.

As Good As New

Sunday March 28, 2004
The Rev. Peter Samuelson,interim pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Atlanta, Georgia, explores the words of hope from the prophet Isaiah.

Fiery Preaching

Sunday December 07, 2003
The Rev. Peter Samuelson is Interim Pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Atlanta, Georgia.

Articles by The Rev. Dr. Peter Samuelson

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We want our victims to be pure

Thursday April 05, 2012
Does the news about the "sins" of Trayvon Martin make the situation of his death any less unjust?

Keep in Touch: Thinking Theologically about Technology

Wednesday November 09, 2011
Can we virtually gather around Word and Sacrament or is face to face meeting essential to Christian community? In other words, how can you take communion virtually?

Do this in remembrance

Friday July 01, 2011
My mother's Alzheimer's disease has caused me to reflect on the nature of memory. Without memory we would not even know the love of God in Christ.

Was Justice Served?

Wednesday May 04, 2011
If there is a sense of justice served at the death of Osama bin Laden, it is only partial and incomplete. Only God can bring about complete justice.

America’s Moral Identity

Tuesday March 29, 2011
In his speech on March 28 at the National Defense University, President Obama appeals to our national moral identity to defend his decisions to use American military force to intervene in Libya. Moral identity is a powerful motivator for moral action in our personal lives. Does it work the same on a national level?

Religious Profiling

Tuesday March 08, 2011
The hearings on the threat of homegrown terrorism from the Muslim community in America being held in the Homeland Security Committee of Congress this Thursday are not only a grave injustice, but are a threat to our true homeland security: our desire to live in peace with our neighbors.

Who is to blame?

Monday January 10, 2011
We are having an ongoing conversation in the wake of the horrific events in Tucson, Arizona this past week At times like this, when senseless things happen, we go searching for a cause. Who is to blame?

In the Deep Midwinter

Sunday December 19, 2010
What hope is there for those who those have lived in winter so long that they can no more remember spring? They have none, except perhaps for those who have memory who can remind them that spring is coming.

Mary's Pondering Heart

Thursday December 09, 2010
In an overwhelming encounter with the will of God, Mary's response is to wonder, ponder and question. Only then does she assent.

You da man!

Saturday June 19, 2010
I used to be annoyed when an inebriated fan would yell “You da man!” at Tiger Woods. Now on this weekend of the U.S. Open Championship, I will smile and wonder if he hears an echo of the voice of the prophet Nathan who delivered the same message to King David.

The Dance of the Trinity: the ultimate "Dancing with the Stars."

Monday May 31, 2010
In his sermon posted on the Day1 website for Holy Trinity Sunday, the Rev. Canon Chuck Robertson invites us to view the idea of God as Three-in-one as a dance. I am taking up this invitation by further suggesting that the dance of the Trinity is not just any dance, but a ballroom dance.

Does Jesus grade on a curve?

Monday May 24, 2010
One of the enduring metaphors for our relationship with Jesus is that of student/teacher. In this graduation season, we can be reminded that our relationship with God through Christ is based on grace, not grades.

Grandma's Hands

Tuesday March 09, 2010
Jesus warns us to repent or we will perish. Bill Withers has written a song that illustrates what Jesus means by repentance. It's called "Grandma's Hands."

In Memoriam: Ben Larson

Monday January 18, 2010
Ben Larson, a dear friend of our family, died in the earthquake in Haiti. He lived the joy of Christ.

Human Development

Tuesday January 12, 2010
I teach a course in human development at a local university. Can the interactive nature of development teach us something about our relationship with God?

We have The WORD

Saturday January 02, 2010
The trailers from “Leap Year,” a recently released romantic comedy have gotten me thinking about the power of words to create new realities.

Can Peace be born in Bethlehem?

Tuesday December 22, 2009
Government intrusion into the lives of Mary and Joseph brought the Prince of Peace to Bethlehem. With the modern day intrusion of a wall near Bethlehem is there hope for peace there today?

Advent of Climate Change?

Thursday December 10, 2009
I am struck by how the rhetoric of climate change mirrors the texts of Advent. I explore some of these similarities and differences in this blog entry.

Norwegian Grace

Monday October 12, 2009
President Obama's award of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize has gotten me thinking about God's grace.

Conflicts and Disputes: where do they come from?

Saturday September 19, 2009
The writer of James asks in Chapter 4, verse 1: "Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from?" Lately we have been asking, do they come from racism? James has found a deeper source.

We need each other more than we need to agree.

Saturday August 22, 2009
The words of my blog title describe the principle behind the decision of the ELCA to allow clergy in publicly accountable, same-sex, committed relationships to serve as pastors in the church. It is also a plea to those who disagree with the decision, for remaining in our church.

You are what you eat!

Wednesday August 12, 2009
The debate on health care reform, especially as covered by the new media, has begun to resemble a food fight - each side throwing their undigested sound bites at each other. Can the words and teachings of Jesus be a tonic to settle this down?

Food for Thought

Friday August 07, 2009
A woman in my parish had a medical condition that prevented her from eating and enjoying food. It reminded me of the importance of food for our well being, especially the food Jesus offers, the "bread of life."

A Rabbi, an Ayatollah and a Pundit

Monday June 22, 2009
While the title of my blog sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, I actually have something quite serious in mind. the use of speech in the exercise of authority.

Why are we here? Love

Sunday May 31, 2009
At a recent family reunion, my sister asked my 87 year old father: "What is the purpose of life?" His answer: Love.

On Mothers, Palestine and Home

Sunday May 17, 2009
A recent confluence of stories and events has gotten me thinking about the connection between mother and home, and the homeland that Palestinians long to obtain.

Lord, I don't believe, help my unbelief!

Friday May 08, 2009
In an essay on "This American Life" on NPR, writer Dan Savage speaks of a new return to an old struggle with faith after the death of his mother. He finds an unexpected comfort in the church, even as he cannot quite embrace the faith again.

Who would Jesus torture?

Saturday May 02, 2009
The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life published a survey that says a majority of church going Christians believe torture of suspected terrorists to get information can be justified. While there may be some reason to suspect those numbers, it is hard for me to reconciling a belief in torture with following Christ.

Why 11:00 am is the most segregated hour in America

Sunday April 26, 2009
In this blog, I wonder if our separation on Sunday morning by ethnicity and culture has less to do with racism and more to do with the nature of worship.

Conversing at the Coffee Hour

Wednesday April 15, 2009
In this blog I introduce myself and invite you to respond. I liken the Day1 website to a typical church coffee hour where we can engage in a meaningful conversation on timely issues.