Category Archives: Lectionary and sermon

Baptism of the Lord

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading
  • Isaiah 42:1-9
• Psalm
  • Psalm 29
• Second reading
  • Acts 10:34-43
• Gospel
  • Matthew 3:13-17

The gospel from Matthew:
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by John. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.

And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Sermon:
“the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” HIstorically, the event has been celebrated by Christians worldwide, in spite of an obstacle, that being to explain how? Another question is whether John was worthy of the baptism. Did Jesus, being without sin, need to be baptized? There are four characters in the story: John the Baptist, Jesus, the Voice from Heaven, and the Holy Spirit symbolized by the dove. So, suddenly in the Scriptures, the Trinity appears: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. The word Trinity was first used by an early writer. The Trinity is somewhat like an actor who changes masks to play the role of three persons. ………..

Holy Name of Jesus

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading
  • Numbers 6:22-27
• Psalm
  • Psalm 8
• Second reading
  • Galatians 4:4-7 or Philippians 2:5-11
• Gospel
  • Luke 2:15-21

The gospel from Luke:
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Notes:
Trinity Church, Boston, was completed in 1877. Its architect was H. H. Richardson, and numerous artists and craftspeople contributed to the interior design. In 1971, Trinity was designated a National Historic Landmark for “possessing “exceptional value in commemorating or illustrating the history of the United States.” This scene on the base of the pulpit shows the birth of Christ and the adoration of the shepherds.

Sermon:
Today is the first day of a new calendar year. Liturgical year C has already begun and many of our gospel readings will be from Luke. In the reading this week shepherds visit the manger in which lay the baby who after eight days is circumsized and named Jesus. A lot of history is given in a few verses. The book of Acts is believed to be have been written by Luke, making 25% of the New Testament written by him. His writing is profoundly important, and Pastor Stevenson will be pointing out and interpreting this history. It was important that Luke write it all down. In Jesus, God reveals Himself………

Christmas Eve

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

First Reading
Isaiah 9:2-7  
•  Psalm
Psalm 96 
•  Second Reading
Titus 2:11-14  
•  Gospel Reading
Luke 2:1-14, (15-2

The gospel from Luke:
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered.

Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see–I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

*Notes: This traditional, yet strikingly realistic representation of the visitation of the shepherds puts us in the stable with the shepherds. We can sense the wonder and delight that these astonished rural folk feel in the presence of the newly born, the incarnate Messiah. The incorporation of the baby’s shining, bright light speaks to the Johannine theme of Christ as The Light.

# # #

Fourth Sunday of Advent

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading
  • Isaiah 7:10-16
• Psalm
  • Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
• Second reading
  • Romans 1:1-7
• Gospel
  • Matthew 1:18-25

The gospel from Matthew:
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.

But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Sermon:
Among Pastor Stevenson’s memories is one of being instructed that church congregations must not sing Christmas carols on the first three Sundays of Advent. These Sundays tell us why we do sing carols on the Fourth Sunday. It is on this Fourth Sunday that we read how God satisfies our needs. Billy Graham’s son does not get that far with his evangelism. How would his listener know that he, the listener, needs God? The birth of Jesus is not a cosmic event. The events leading up to the birth were ordinary. Our Advent readings follow the prophecies of Isaiah. Plato wrote about people chained against a wall, from which one goes out and comes back. On the fourth Sunday of Advent, Jesus goes out, fulfilling God’s promises, and comes back to lead us ………..

Third Sunday of Advent

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading
  • Isaiah 35:1-10
• Psalm
  • Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:46b-55
• Second reading
  • James 5:7-10
• Gospel
  • Matthew 11:2-11

The gospel from Matthew:
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet?

Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Second Sunday in Advent

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading
  • Isaiah 11:1-10
• Psalm
  • Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
• Second reading
  • Romans 15:4-13
• Gospel
  • Matthew 3:1-12

The gospel from Matthew:
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming,”Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'”

Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Sermon:
Every year on a Sunday during Advent our gospel reading is the story about John the Baptist. On each pass we can gain new insights on its meaning. John had harsh things to say about the Pharisees and the Sadducees. One is that God will act soon. John is the first public witness. In Matthew he says “….one who is more powerful than I is coming after me ……..the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” He also says “…..do not (just) say to yourselves ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’ ” This makes Pastor Stevenson think about Paul’s letters as killers and the Law representing the wrath of God…………..

# # #

First Sunday in Advent

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading
  • Isaiah 2:1-5
• Psalm
  • Psalm 122
• Second reading
  • Romans 13:11-14
• Gospel
  • Matthew 24:36-44

The first reading from Isaiah:
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!

The gospel from Matthew:
“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Sermon:
The first reading applies well this Sunday: “He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” It raises the question when will God bring the Ukraine fight to a close, or when will war be vanquished. This month the gospel readings are harsh. Pastor Stevenson suggests what we are to make of them. They are uncomfortable to read in that they tell about the future return of Christ. How long is the question? A well known German wrote that there are two worlds, one that is now and one that is to come. God will determine when and He will make the change for the better………..

Reign of Christ

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Jeremiah 23:1-6
  • Luke 1:68-79
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Jeremiah 23:1-6
  • Psalm 46
• Second reading
  • Colossians 1:11-20
• Gospel
  • Luke 23:33-43

The gospel from Luke:

• First reading and Psalm
  • Jeremiah 23:1-6
  • Luke 1:68-79
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Jeremiah 23:1-6
  • Psalm 46
• Second reading
  • Colossians 1:11-20
• Gospel
  • Luke 23:33-4

The gospel from Luke:
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!”

The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

*Notes:
The earliest crucifixion in an illuminated manuscript, from the Rabbula Gospels. It was thought to have been created between Antioch and Apamea in modern Syria and signed by its scribe, Rabbula.

Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Isaiah 65:17-25
  • Isaiah 12
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Malachi 4:1-2a
  • Psalm 98
• Second reading
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
• Gospel
  • Luke 21:5-19

The gospel from Luke:
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?”

And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.”

Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.

All Saints Sunday

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
• Psalm 149  • 
• Ephesians 1:11-23  • 
• Luke 6:20-31

The gospel from Luke:
Then Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.

“Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.

“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.

Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

*Notes:
The Classic Banners were created for a revision of the Revised Common Lectionary website in 1997-1998. They have remained popular with users for congregational publications online.

Sermon:
Pastor Stevenson has taken a special interest in our festival days and has looked for answers to the questions why All Saints Sunday and what should we take away from it. It is an ancient festival. Originally in the fourth century it was a festival for Christian martyrs in the British Isles. In the ninth century it had become a festival for the whole Church in Europe. In the last fifty years it has been observed in all Protestant churches. History has shown that the festival can offer help. Pastor told us about looking up an old friend and learning that he had died at age 52 leaving a wife and two children. It had been a strong friendship that was like between two brothers. All Saints Sunday was a time to heal, a time to think about the Resurrection. The Bible says nothing about communication with the deceased. We look at not ourselves, but instead Jesus Christ…………..