Category Archives: Lectionary and sermon

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…………..

Reformation Sunday

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Jer 31:31-34
• Psalm
  • Psalm 46
• Second reading
  • Rom 3:19-28
• Gospel
  • John 8:31-36

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Joel 2:23-32
  • Psalm 65
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Sirach 35:12-17 or Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22
  • Psalm 84:1-7
• Second reading
  • 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
• Gospel
  • Luke 18:9-14

The gospel from Luke 18:9-14
Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Sermon:
Pastor Stevenson this week told us about a cousin who has for a long time tried in her letters to convince him to change his religious beliefs. He finally drew a line in the sand and wrote back. She was like the Pharisee in our gospel reading this week. If we read it carefully, Luke states at the beginning that the parable is directed at the Pharisee. But both characters, the Pharisee and the tax collector, are ambiguous. Initially the Pharisee is a positive figure and the tax collector is like today’s drug dealer who is banned due to being convicted of drug possession. But there is hope for the tax collector. In the end the tax collector is justified. God will make sinners righteous. As in verse 1 of our Hymn of the Day, “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy, like the wideness of the sea ,,,,,,,there is no place where earth’s failings have such kindly judgement given.”……..

# # #

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Jeremiah 31:27-34
  • Psalm 119:97-104
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 32:22-31
  • Psalm 121
• Second reading
  • 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
• Gospel
  • Luke 18:1-8

First reading from Genesis}

Genesis 32:22-31
The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had.

Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.”

So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

Psalm 121
121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills– from where will my help come?

121:2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

121:3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

121:4 He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

121:5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.

121:6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

121:7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

121:8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.

The second reading from 2 Timothy:
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you:to proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.

For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

The gospel from Luke:
Jesus told a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’

For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'”

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Sermon:
Pastor Stevenson’s sermon ths week is on persistence, faith and prayer. In the first reading Jacob wrestles with a representative of God.. As we read in our bible class, Jacob had stolen his brother Esau’s birthright.and leaves. He sees angels from heaven climbing on a ladder, which is a sign to Jacob that God is faithful. When he returns from exile he wrestles the angel. In the psalm we read that help can come from God Himself. In the second reading, Paul assumes an unquestionable trust in God. In Luke Jesus’ parable is about an unjust judge, bribery and a widow who kept asking for judgement until the judge gave in. We can be like the widow and pray again and again. But there is another meaning having to do with God’s faithfulness………….

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
  • Psalm 66:1-12
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c
  • Psalm 111
• Second reading
  • 2 Timothy 2:8-15
• Gospel
  • Luke 17:11-19

The gospel from Luke:
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan.

Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

Sermon:
This week’s gospel reading has been used on Thanksgiving. God favors people who do what we think he would want them to do. It is like Jesus following the Jewish law. But in other ways, Jesus accepts people, like those overlooked or pushed aside, as the lepers in our reading. God favors all. But there is more. The reading emphasizes discipleship. Discipleship is doing things that churches do. This includes members caring for each other. In his twelve years with us, Pastor Stevensen has tried, like a football coach, to give a “will to win” lecture. When he worked at LIncoln Labs, he tells us that he was successful in getting approval for a particular expenditure by giving, he told his coworkers, their supervisor a “will to win” speech. In the sixteenth century, during church reformation, emphasized was fear and trust in God. Fear and trust are contradictory. Pastor advised us to keep between these two “ditches.” There is danger in thinking good works is all that God wants. It is a case of social despair versus social pride…………

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Lamentations 1:1-6
  • Lamentations 3:19-26 or Psalm 137
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
  • Psalm 37:1-9
• Second reading
  • 2 Timothy 1:1-14
• Gospel
  • Luke 17:5-10

First reading from Habakkuk:
The oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw. O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see wrong-doing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous– therefore judgment comes forth perverted.

I will stand at my watch post, and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint. Then the LORD answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.

The second reading from Timothy:
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful to God–whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did–when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. eHold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

The gospel from Luke:
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

“Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded?

So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'”

Sermon:
Verse 1:4 of Habakkkuk “So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails: the wicked surround the righteous– therefore judgment comes forth perverted.” is important even though Habakkuk is called a minor prophet, the book having only three chapters. It is a deeply personal testimonial from a time when things were a mess. It is still a pertinent question. He sees evil and demands an answer. And the Lord answers “…..wait for it. It will surely come……..the righteous live by their faith.” Pastor Stevenson asks “What is faith?” In the gospel reading we read how Jesus answered the request “Increase our faith” with “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Faith is the ability to see truth, is the work of God, is given to us at baptism. We have the cross and the resurrection. In the second reading Paul writes to Timothy “Do not be ashamed then of the testimony about our Lord….but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God……..