Christmas Eve Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20 Christmas Day Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:1-20 Not many of us are feeling favored these days, are we? And peace? Well, that is hard to find. It begs the question of what does come first, elusive peace or the feeling of not …
The Word this Sunday – 12.11.22
3rd Sunday of Advent Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 The gospel lesson for the third Sunday of Advent gives the impression that Jesus' audience may be experiencing many unexpected things. From prison, the Baptizer seems somewhat intrigued about how Jesus is carrying out his mission. "Are you the one who is to come, or are …
The Word this Sunday – 12.04.22
2nd Sunday of Advent Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 Oh no! Here he comes, John the Baptizer. The unruly herald who eats bugs with honey, dresses in camel hair, and calls us the spawn of vipers! The crazy second cousin of the Savior of the World comes demanding repentance in the …
The Word this Sunday – 11.20.22
Christ the King Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43 The gospel reading for this Christ the King Sunday Festival feels like a second holy week before the Holidays. The King of Kings literally has no clothes. He is betrayed, shamed, accused, beaten, mocked, and about to be killed. Through the crucifixion, he receives the punishment of …
The Word this Sunday – 11.13.22
23rd Sunday after Pentecost Malachi 4:1-2a; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19 Unsettling may well describe the gospel reading for this coming Sunday. There will be no shelter provided by strong and tall buildings. They all can be burned down to the ground. Once that happens, watch! False prophets and teachers will come. They will be followed …
The Word this Sunday – 11.6.22
All Saints Sunday Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18; Psalm 149; Ephesians 1:11-23; Luke 6:20-31 This week I have been drawn to the verse that opens the gospel lesson (Luke 6:20). The biblical Greek idiom "ἐπάρας τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς" - meaning to look closely and intently - is repeated only 4 times in the 4 gospels. The only other …
The Word this Sunday – 10.30.22
Reformation Sunday Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 46; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36 This Sunday, Christians of the Lutheran perspective celebrate the Protestant Reformation. In 1517, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther, the Reformer, nailed 95 academic theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Saxony, Germany, for debate among fellow professors and students at the University of the same name, …
The Word this Sunday – 10.02.22
17th Sunday after Pentecost Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; Psalm 37:1-9, 2; Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:1-10 The readings this week are all about faith. However, they are not about a faith that causes us to brag or lead us to self-righteousness. They are also not about the measure of how much we should believe to be able …
The Word this Sunday – 09.25.22
16th Sunday after Pentecost Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31. Perhaps the gospel text for this Sunday should start with verses 14 and 15 of the 16th Chapter of Luke. It reveals to us who Jesus is talking to when he tells the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. Here …
The Word this Sunday – 09.11.22
14th Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 51:1-10; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10 The scriptures for this Sunday bring our attention to a God that changes God's mind (Exodus). Well, that opens a lot of possibilities, doesn't it? I think it is very good to have a God who listens to our arguments. Wrestling with …
Bridging Faith 