3rd Sunday of Advent Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126;1 Thess. 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28 There is a lot of identity searching when the Revised Common Lectionary moves to the gospel of John on this 3rd Sunday of Advent. Our favorite messianic herald, John the Baptist, has caught the attention of the authorities by “testifying to …
The Word This Sunday – 12.10.23
2nd Sunday of Advent The Nativity Scene at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine - December 2023 Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8 The voice of one crying in the wilderness comes to us on this 2nd Sunday of Advent both as a prophetic poem about the restoration of the exiled …
Sermon 12.03.23 – When Jesus Returns for a Visit
The Word This Sunday – 12.03.23
1st Sunday of Advent Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37 As we begin a new liturgical year this Sunday, we shift our focus in the gospels from Matthew to Mark. The major themes may seem repetitive as they echo those of November: turmoil, the gathering of the elect, uncertainty, and watchfulness …
Sermon 11.26.23 – Ours to Lose
The Word This Sunday – 11.26.23
Christ the King Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 95:1-7a; Eph. 1:15-23; Mat. 25:31-46 The time has come. In the third of the November parables about the coming of the Son of Man, he is finally here in the fullness of his glory. He gathers everyone and separates the sheep from the goats and the wheat from …
Sermon 11.19.23 – The Joy of Our Master
The Word This Sunday – 11.19.23
Sermon 11.12.23 – Bridezillas
The Word This Sunday – 11.12.23
24th Sunday after Pentecost Amos 5:18-24; Psalm 70; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13 For the remainder of November, the Revised Common Lectionary presents us with three parables in the Gospel of Matthew about the return of Jesus and the judgment it may bring to God’s people. All are significantly challenging, each in its own way. …
Bridging Faith 