Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
  • Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • 1 Kings 19:9-18
  • Psalm 85:8-13
• Second reading
  • Romans 10:5-15
• Gospel
  • Matthew 14:22-33

The gospel from Matthew:
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.

And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Sermon:
Losses can come in waves, as they did this week for Pastor Stevenson. One loss was the death of a former professor, whom he fondly remembers as the kind professor who stood by him as he was doing thesis work at the time of conflict with a church synod. Our first reading this Sunday is the Joseph saga, which lacks kindness. It is an important story in that it explains Egypt’s involvement with the Israelites. Without Joseph there would be no Israel. We see the hand of God at work. No blood was shed as Joseph was sold into slavery. In our gospel reading in Matthew, the disciples become afraid. Peter was terrified as he began to sink in the water. Then Jesus kindly says “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid.” Peter is being tested, Pastor continues……………

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 32:22-31
  • Psalm 17:1-7, 15
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Isaiah 55:1-5
  • Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21
• Second reading
  • Romans 9:1-5
• Gospel
  • Matthew 14:13-21

The gospel from Matthew:
Now when Jesus withdrew from a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.

When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”And he said, “Bring them here to me.”

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 29:15-28
  • Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • 1 Kings 3:5-12
  • Psalm 119:129-136
• Second reading
  • Romans 8:26-39
• Gospel
  • Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

The gospel from Matthew:
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.””The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad.

So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.”

And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Sermon:
This week two of our readings are from Matthew’s gospel and Paul’s letters. Pastor Stevenson thinks Paul and Matthew are like two brothers who argue with each other. In his sermon Pastor refers to both: In Matthew is the parable of the mustard seed. Jesus is like the seed which becomes a bush in which birds eventually build nests. God sows just one seed, Jesus Christ, who becomes the bush. At the time of writing, God’s Israel would be restored. Different tribes would come back. All peoples would come. Jesus is the mustard seed. In his letter to the Romans Paul writes that nothing can separate us from Christ. Today’s hymn #29, Comfort, Comfort Now My People, an Advent hymn, (Lutheran Book of Worship, 1979) Pastor finds fitting this week’s parable perfectly……..

# # #

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 28:10-19a
  • Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19 or Isaiah 44:6-8
  • Psalm 86:11-17
• Second reading
  • Romans 8:12-25
• Gospel
  • Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

The gospel from Matthew:
Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; When everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away, So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them, Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'”

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.

Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!

Sermon
Today’s gospel is often referred to as the Parable of Weeds among Weeds. It is a troublesome parable. The Greek translation in place of weed is a plant like wheat, but toxic. and cannot be used to make bread. In verse 29 the owner is telling his slaves to leave the weed and do not gather it, as you risk losing the harvest. The parables are often followed by an explanation, Pastor Stevenson points out, and he thinks the parable counsels patience. Christians live among others. The parable counsels against purification. It is hard to know who are Jesus’ followers, to know who is in and who is out. Matthew concludes that it is God’s business. We know that God is present. He is like the grower who cares for the wheat by leaving the weeds. Society is a complex mixture. Be patient………..

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
  • Psalm 45:10-17 or Song of Solomon 2:8-13
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Zechariah 9:9-12
  • Psalm 145:8-14
• Second reading
  • Romans 7:15-25a
• Gospel
  • Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

The gospel from Matthew:
Jesus said “But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 22:1-14
  • Psalm 13
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Jeremiah 28:5-9
  • Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18
• Second reading
  • Romans 6:12-23
• Gospel
  • Matthew 10:40-42

The first reading from Genesis:
After (other) things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.”

So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away.

Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.

When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son.

But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”

And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”

The gospel from Matthew:
(Jesus said) “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.

Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

*Tarvaspää or the Gallen-Kallela Museum, located in Espoo, Finland and built between 1911 and 1913 was a home and studio for Finnish painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela. Tarvaspää has been a museum since 1961. [from Wikimedia].

Sermon:
This week Pastor Stevensen chose to speak on our first reading, from Genesis, about Abraham and Isaac, his reason being that it has for a long time been of interest and importance. There has been much artwork done of this intense biblical event. Abraham was ready, to do God’s will. Traditional was the practice of child sacrifice in those times. Abraham was tested. It is a hidden question, why was Abraham tested? God did not need to test. He wanted Abraham to learn about himself. What might we learn? God is sometimes absent. We perceive this in various ways. Is it a foretaste of Christ? Pastor Stevensen continued with how at Calvary God sacrificed His own Son without halting it and how it leads to our own beliefs as Christians……

# # #

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 21:8-21
  • Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Jeremiah 20:7-13
  • Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18
• Second reading
  • Romans 6:1b-11
• Gospel
  • Matthew 10:24-39

The second reading from Romans:
Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. or whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

*Note:
Although the figure carrying the cross represents Simon of Cyrene, the power of the image reminds us of Christ’s admonition to take up the cross and follow him. Photo by Lawrence OP.

The gospel from Matthew:
Jesus said “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known.

What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted.

So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

Sermon:
The gospel reading this week is difficult to understand. Pastor Stevenson had a friend who tried to conduct a bible study on this scripture, but none of his congregation came. Paul wrote in Romans “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Life of faith can be tough. We come to church to be uplifted and encouraged. But not all our problems are washed away. In his sermon Pastor continues with the help that we receive from God. ……….

# # #

Third Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7)
  • Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Exodus 19:2-8a
  • Psalm 100
• Second reading
  • Romans 5:1-8
• Gospel
  • Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

The gospel from Matthew:
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food.

Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town.

Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles.

When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

Second Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 12:1-9
  • Psalm 33:1-12
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Hosea 5:15-6:6
  • Psalm 50:7-15
• Second reading
  • Romans 4:13-25
• Gospel
  • Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

The gospel from Matthew:
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples.

When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples.

Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” and instantly the woman was made well.

When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up.

And the report of this spread throughout that district.

Trinity Sunday

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 1:1-2:4a
  • Psalm 8
• Second reading
  • 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
• Gospel
  • Matthew 28:16-20

The gospel from Matthew:
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw hiim, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”