The Rev. Dr. Debra Samuelson

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

The Rev. Dr. Debra Samuelson is the senior pastor of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Minneapolis, MN.

Before coming to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in 2010, she served as pastor for Evangelism and Outreach at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, GA. She served on the clergy staff at Redeemer from 1995 to 2010.

Debra is a graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, and received a master of divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul. In 2008 she earned a doctor of ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA.

For four years Debra was a frequent panelist on the Day1 TV segments produced for the Hallmark Channel. Debra and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Peter Samuelson, are the parents of two children.

Day1 Weekly Programs by The Rev. Dr. Debra Samuelson

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Debra Samuelson: Tattooed for Life

Tuesday January 03, 2017
The story of baptism is not only a story that we belong to God and are beloved by God, says Debra Samuelson, it is a story that we belong to each other--we're part of a larger story of God's presence in the world.

Was Peter Looking for a Bailout?

Tuesday March 03, 2009
The Rev. Debra Samuelson explores Jesus great question to his disciples: "Who do you say that I am?" (Mark 8). Discover the real meaning of the cross Jesus commands us to take up, leading to the power of the resurrection, in her sermon for the 2nd Sunday of Lent.

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.

Munching-from the Inside Out

Sunday October 23, 2005
The Rev. Debra Samuelson, pastor for Evangelism at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, Georgia, brings us a sermon based on Mathew 22:34-36.

The Problem of Box Elder Trees

Sunday October 16, 2005
The Rev. Debra Samuelson, pastor for Evangelism at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, Georgia, preaches a wonderful sermon on Isaiah 25:1-9.

Articles by The Rev. Dr. Debra Samuelson

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Wordless Prayer

Wednesday December 22, 2010
God comes to us with the promise of new life!

Seasons of Mixed Emotions

Tuesday December 14, 2010
In times of mixed emotions we discover that joy and sorrow are not opposite ends of the spectrum, but go hand in hand.

Is Our Hope Lost?

Tuesday January 19, 2010
Where does our hope come from in the face of shattering grief and pain?

Got a Grip

Friday December 11, 2009
This "Holiday Season" can heighten a sense of loneliness. What we discover when we lose our grip is that Christ's grip on us is never tighter than when we are free-floating through the dark.

Count it all Joy!

Monday October 12, 2009
It seems the recession has made people miserly. We think hoarding things will make us feel better, but that only makes us feel more desperate. It is giving that creates joy and freedom - even in a recession.

“All of us will live on in the future we make.” (Senator Edward Kennedy)

Tuesday September 01, 2009
Senator Edward Kennedy had an abiding Catholic faith whose life was informed by the Roman Catholic social teachings.

What Is It?

Saturday August 01, 2009
The Israelites were quick to complain when things didn't go the way they thought they should in the wilderness. We, too, are quick to complain when things don't go as we wish they would, and yet God is faithful. God continues to come to us with grace and mercy.

In the Name of Jesus

Tuesday June 16, 2009
I do not understand killing in the name of Jesus. I do, however, understand the importance of community, praying for one another and comforting one another in the name of Jesus. I do understand praying for the courage to reject “violence as a means of resolving differences” in the name of Jesus.

The Rush of a Mighty Wind

Friday May 29, 2009
Sometimes the Spirit of God comes in unmistakable ways - like the rush of a mighty wind. More often, the breath of God comes in quiet, almost imperceptable ways, that are no less powerful and life-giving.

Old Friends

Thursday April 30, 2009
I’m talking today about friends – old friends. You know the kind – those old friends whom you haven’t seen or spoken to for some time, but when you do see each other, or talk again, you pick up right where you left off – without skipping a beat.

The Church

Thursday April 23, 2009
The Rev. Dr. Debra Samuelson talks about Dr. Laura Mendenhall’s recent sermon and what it says about how we should be church today.

An Introduction

Tuesday April 21, 2009
Welcome to my Day1 blog! I am Debra von Fischer Samuelson.

Video by The Rev. Dr. Debra Samuelson

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30 Good Minutes - Conversation with Debra Samuelson

Tuesday July 28, 2009
Hosts Daniel Pawlus and Lydia Talbot in conversation with Debra Samuelson, who says the power of the cross is that Jesus meets us where we are and walks with us, but not only that ”” God also meets us in Christ in the cross with a promise of new life, and that promise comes in surprising ways.

30 Good Minutes - "Hope: The 'Why' and the 'Who' of it"

Friday July 24, 2009
Debra Samuelson, Pastor for Evangelism and Outreach at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, Georgia, uses the story of Job to help us understand how, when bad things happen, our questions shouldn't be "why" but "who" ”” because the God of all creation always walks with us.