The Basin and Towel
Pastors and other church workers need support from a number of sources. From practical tips to spiritual insights, we hope you’ll find something on The Basin and Towel podcast to encourage you to think a little deeper about a variety of ministry-related topics. Your host is Pastor Chris Cahill of Lodi, Ohio, who brings to the table more than 40 years of ministry experience and 20 years of caring for pastors and church workers. Episodes are archived after 90 days. For a list of archived episodes, visit our website at www.basinandtowel.org.
The Basin and Towel
Sermon for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost - "Penitence, Persecution, and Promise"
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Welcome back to the Basin and Towel podcast! I’m your host, Pastor Chris Cahill. I live in Lodi, Ohio, where last year I retired from 45 years of pastoral ministry. In my retirement I’ve been doing some substitute preaching in several congregations of our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod - this episode is the sermon I preached on June 21, 2026, the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Amherst, Ohio
If you’ve recently been to a graduation party, you’ve probably heard or seen this verse from the book of Jeremiah the prophet: “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, New International Version). Many Christians expand the ideas in this verse to a life that is marked by performance (doing the right things) that leads to prosperity, which leads to power (also known as influence).
But much of Jeremiah’s life and ministry wasn’t like that at all; for that matter, neither are the lives of lots of Christians. And even Jesus himself said that the lives of His followers would be marked by their penitence (or repentance), persecution by others, and ultimately the promise of the Father’s eternal love.
The Basin and Towel podcast is written and recorded by Rev Chris Cahill, a retired pastor and the Second Vice President of the SELC District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. You can find out more at the Basin and Towel website -bit.ly/bnt2025
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Unless otherwise indicated, any Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Accessed through www.biblegateway.com
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