Category Archives: Lectionary and sermon

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Song of Solomon 2:8-13
  • Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
  • Psalm 15
• Second reading
  • James 1:17-27
• Gospel
  • Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

The gospel reading from Mark:
Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.)

So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”

Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly.

All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Sermon:
Pastor is reminded of a Christmas movie in which a boy, Ralphie involved in an incident, speaks a naughty word and is subjected to a ritual cleansing of his mouth with soap. Today in our gospel reading, the temple priests cleanse the temple and the congregation cleanse themselves before worship. It is important to them. However, there is a conflict between Jesus’ disciples and the establishment. Conflict is inevitable. In Isaiah, it is prophesized that the messiah will be named Emanuel, meaning God with us. Today too we see conflict. The punishment was not enough to stop Ralphie. Pietistic ritual cannot address all the conflicts of a broken world. Jesus tells his disciples to not discuss the miracles with the people. Miracles are an inevitable conflict. In the wilderness, Jesus is tempted to turn stone into bread, a quick solution but not God’s plan. In his sermon, Pastor Stevensen proceeds to explain that His Son died for you and me. It is happening now.

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Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THIS WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • 1 Kings 8:(1,6,10-11), 22-30, 41-43
  • Psalm 84
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
  • Psalm 34:15-22
• Second reading
  • Ephesians 6:10-20
• Gospel
  • John 6:56-69

The gospel reading from John:
Jesus said “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”

He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Sermon
Jesus’ disciples, other than the faithful twelve, turned back and no longer went with Him. They said that His teaching was too difficult to accept. Pastor Stevensen’s past confirmands have asked questions about this teaching. They do not readily accept that “No one can come to Jesus unless it is granted by the Father” as Jesus said. Pastor in his sermon today poses the question “Who is going to win?” Jesus asked the twelve who stayed “Do you also wish to go away?” Peter, in particular, grasped the truth. He replied that “We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” Peter went on to preach the gospel as far away as Rome. Thomas traveled to India. Pastor goes on to convince us to be not discouraged and to press on.

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Twelveth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14
  • Psalm 111
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Proverbs 9:1-6
  • Psalm 34:9-14
• Second reading
  • Ephesians 5:15-20
• Gospel
  • John 6:51-58

The gospel reading from John:
Jesus said “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.

Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.

This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”

Sermon
This is the last Sunday of four Sundays in a row that we read from John about the bread. Today we focus on understanding of the bread as a sacrament. John’s book has a spiral function. We are familiar with the linear function of much that we read, having a beginning that proceeds straight to an end. With the spiral function new ideas are added each time around. Some colleges offer a spiral program of subjects. Related subjects are added as a student progresses. In today’s reading from John what does “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood” mean? A meaning makes sense after what we have read before. Each time it comes around we have a better understanding. The Son who speaks these words is the Lamb of God. We place our hopes on that. In his sermon Pastor Stevensen leads to God’s unconditional promise and our responsibility to trust Him.

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Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE THIS WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33
  • Psalm 130
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • 1 Kings 19:4-8
  • Psalm 34:1-8
• Second reading
  • Ephesians 4:25-5:2
• Gospel
  • John 6:35, 41-51

The gospel reading from John:
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father.

Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Sermon
Pastor Stevensen finds the book of John to be remarkable. Our gospel readings from John this month of August include the word “bread” frequently. Today Jesus says “I am the living bread” and “the bread that I will give for the life of the world is.my flesh.” The word “bread” is about much more.than food. John opens with “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” God sent His Son as the bread. Bread is a symbol as we take bread at communion. Christian life is a narrow path. On the path is freedom. On one side is compulsion. One TV commercial has a man on a bed with a stomach ache saying “I ate the whole thing.” He had freedom, but in this world are freedom is necessarily limited. Pastor takes this further to conclude with the life of the world being a freedom given by God.

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Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • 2 Samuel 11:26 – 12:13a
  • Psalm 51:1-12
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15
  • Psalm 78:23-29
• Second reading
  • Ephesians 4:1-16
• Gospel
  • John 6:24-35

The gospel from John:
So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”

Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.”

Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'”

Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Sermon
In our gospel reading Jesus says “I am the bread of life”. In his sermon Pastor Stevensen asks what does this mean. We know that Jesus is God revealed. So what is significant about bread? 1. Panera bread is interesting but it is only to eat. 2. Jesus is not talking about bread that perishes. It is sacramental. As we take bread at communion, Jesus is present. We are forgiven and promised eternal life. God desires to be known and for us to believe in Him. The people ask what works must they do. God wants them to respond to his emissary. The same message is found in the other gospels. God wants us to believe in His Son. Pastor goes on to speak about where we can go to meet Him.

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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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