Author Archives: stjohn

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • 2 Samuel 11:1-15
  • Psalm 14
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • 2 Kings 4:42-44
  • Psalm 145:10-18
• Second reading
  • Ephesians 3:14-21
• Gospel
  • John 6:1-21

Gospel reading from John
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples.

Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.

Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?”

Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.

When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets.

When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.

When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

Sermon
Pastor Stevensen incorporates into his Sunday sermons not only proclamation of sin and death as would have Paul and forgiveness of sins as would have Luther, but also secondary thoughts which include understanding of the Bible. In our gospel reading from John this week ,two of Jesus’ miracles are followed by the words “It is I. Do not be afraid.” At other times in the gospels He uses the words, when translated from simple Greek, “I am”. In the Old Testament we read that God spoke through the burning bush to Moses saying “I am ……” as translated from the Greek. Pastor goes on by talking about these words as being like holy sacrament, being so rich in meaning, and being followed by who and what Jesus says he is.

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Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • 2 Samuel 7:1-14a
  • Psalm 89:20-37
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Jeremiah 23:1-6
  • Psalm 23
• Second reading
  • Ephesians 2:11-22
• Gospel
  • Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

The Gospel reading from Mark:
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.

Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.

And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
  • Psalm 24
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Amos 7:7-15
  • Psalm 85:8-13
• Second reading
  • Ephesians 1:3-14
• Gospel
  • Mark 6:14-29

The gospel reading from Mark
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”

But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.

6:21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.”

She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10
  • Psalm 48
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Ezekiel 2:1-5
  • Psalm 123
• Second reading
  • 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
• Gospel
  • Mark 6:1-13

The gospel reading from Mark:
Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching.

He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place.

If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

*Pilgrim with Staff. 
Waymarking sign comprising an image of a pilgrim with a Celtic tonsure, tunic and staff and a directional arrow in yellow inset with a cross of arcs in yellow, used in Ireland to denote a Pilgrim Path developed by the Heritage Council. The pilgrim image based on an image on a stone at pilgrimage site in County Cork. The cross of arcs is one of the main symbols of pilgimage in Ireland.

Sermon
Freedom is Pastor Stevensen’s sermon topic this Independence Day. He has read a book and taken a course that cover the concept of freedom, which was introduced by the Greeks. The New Testament, written originally in Greek, is full of examples of freedom. In Jerusalem was written the Old Testament and Jesus instructs his disciples from it. Pastor explains how Christianity has woven the two together and urges us to reflect on this fourth of July the freedom granted us by our God

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Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
  • Psalm 130
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15, 2:23-24 or Lamentations 3:22-33
  • Psalm 30
• Second reading
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
• Gospel
  • Mark 5:21-43

The gospel reading from Mark
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live. So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him.

Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.

Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?'”He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further? “But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him.

Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

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Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49
  • Psalm 9:9-20
  or
  • 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 18:10-16
  • Psalm 133
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Job 38:1-11
  • Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
• Second reading
  • 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
• Gospel
  • Mark 4:35-41

The gospel reading from Mark:

Mark 4:35-41
On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.

A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.

He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and the sea obey him?”

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Sermon
Pastor Stevensen told about a certain German writer, after mid-life introduction to Christianity and reading the New Testament, wrote that Mark is not a history or biography, but more like a classic tragedy, until Jesus is resurrected. Today we read that Jesus was asleep and when awakened he rebuked the wind. In the Old Testament Jonah is also asleep and in Job there are the forces of nature created by God. But in today’s gospel lesson it is Jesus who ceases the storm. The miracles of Jesus have opened eyes. Mark’s gospel may be short and unpolished but it must be taken seriously.

Third Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • 1 Samuel 15:34 – 16:13
  • Psalm 20
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Ezekiel 17:22-24
  • Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
• Second reading
  • 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17
• Gospel
  • Mark 4:26-34

Gospel reading from Mark:
Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come. “He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

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Second Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • 1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15)
  • Psalm 138
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 3:8-15
  • Psalm 130
• Second reading
  • 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
• Gospel
  • Mark 3:20-35

Mark 3:20-35
The crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.”

And Jesus called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.

“Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”– for they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!

Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

Trinity Sunday

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Isaiah 6:1-8
  • Psalm 29
• Second reading
  • Romans 8:12-17
• Gospel
  • John 3:1-17

Gospel reading from John
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

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Day of Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading
  • Acts 2:1-21 or Ezekiel 37:1-14
• Psalm
  • Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
• Second reading
  • Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21
• Gospel
  • John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

The Gospel from John:
Jesus said “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’

But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me, about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

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