2nd Sunday of Advent Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6 In this second Sunday of Advent, Luke brings us the voice of John, son of Zechariah, crying out from the wilderness in a time when the people struggled under abusive, neglecting, and self-serving rulers and leaders, proclaimed life anew brought about by the …
The Word this Sunday – 11.17.24
26th Sunday after Pentecost Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16; Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-8 The passing of the seasons can become a powerful metaphor for the apocalyptic texts we receive on the 26th Sunday after Pentecost. It is mid-November, and the days are surely about to end. The sun will disappear, and light will be extinguished from …
The Word this Sunday – 11.10.24
25th Sunday after Pentecost 1 Kings 17:8-16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 Whatever the scribes were doing with the properties of widows was criminal. They likely ran the temple beurocracy for the High Priest and would handle the legalities associated with Jewish religious costumes, such as inheritance and property transfer upon an individual's death. …
The Word this Sunday – 11.03.24
All Saints Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44 This first Sunday of November, Christians of the Lutheran perspective take another break from the Revised Common Lectionary to observe the All Saints Festival. During worship, we commemorate all who are made saints by God’s gracious gift of forgiveness and faith in Jesus Christ. Traditionally, …
The Word this Sunday – 10.27.24
Reformation Sunday Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 46; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36 This Sunday, Christians of the Lutheran Tradition take a break from the Revised Common Lectionary to celebrate the beginning of the Protestant Reformation when the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses against indulgences at the door of the Wittenberg University Church as an …
The Word this Sunday – 010.20.24
22nd Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 53:4-12; Psalm 91:9-16; Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 10:35-45 Mark reminds us what Jesus came to accomplish for humanity and what his hope is for Christians regarding the use of power in faithful relationships. The sons of Zebedee may have been acostumed to make use of their influence. We know from the …
The Word this Sunday – 010.13.24
21st Sunday after Pentecost Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Psalm 90:12-17; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31 In our Mark gospel narrative for this Sunday, a pious and polite rich man approaches Jesus respectfully and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life (verse 17). By kneeling, he treats Jesus with deference and extends the additional courtesy of …
The Word this Sunday – 09.29.24
19th Sunday after Pentecost Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; Psalm 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50 An M.D. friend once shared with me that Jesus' short speech on the 19th Sunday after Pentecost (Mark 9:43-49) reminded him of ancient battlefield injuries and some techniques used to treat them. Salt and fire would stop the bleeding and prevent …
The Word this Sunday – 09.22.24
18th Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 54; James 3:13—4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37 The eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost continues the difference of understanding between Jesus and the disciples regarding what it means to follow him. This is the second time in the gospel of Mark that Jesus reveals his true destiny. He is going to …
The Word this Sunday – 09.15.24
17th Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 116:1-9; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38 The 17th Sunday after Pentecost brings us Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Messiah (Mark 8:29). Such a loaded statement immediately - typical of Mark’s quick tempo - triggers a strong emotional interchange between Jesus and the disciples. Words have the power to …
Bridging Faith 