FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST ~ Proper 20

September 18, 2022

AS WE GATHER
We find ourselves caught between competing loyalties all the time. It is a gut-wrenching position, torn between two people, two causes, two goals. Yet we also deceive ourselves into thinking that we can bridge the gap, reconcile the divergent paths, and give our heart to the world while reserving a part of it for the Lord. When the conflict is between mammon (money) and the Kingdom of God, there is more than painful choice at stake. If we choose the kingdom of the moment with its fleeting pleasures and momentary glories, we forsake what is God’s eternal gift. Today, the Lord calls us to take seriously the choices. He beckons us to live in the world but not be of the world, to choose the eternal over the moment, and the true treasure of grace over earthly treasure.

BIBLE READINGS:

FIRST READING: Amos 8:4-7
(The Lord will remember the sins of those who do not repent.)

EPISTLE READING: 1Timothy 2:1-15
(For there is one God and one mediator, Jesus Christ the Lord.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 16:1-15 (Jesus tells us that you cannot serve God and money.)

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
(Proper 19)

September 11, 2022

AS WE GATHER
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). Because all people are sinners, His salvation is for all regardless of any differences or circumstances in life. This proclamation is still Christ’s main mission through His Church—our mission as His Church. The Pharisees limited the invitation to only “certain types” of people. In doing so they not only betrayed the grace and love of God but they also missed His joy. In today’s worship the emphasis is on the joy of God’s mission. “There is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame “for the joy that was set before him” (Hebrews 12:2b). We pray today that we may follow Christ and join in His mission, “rejoicing in the way that leads to eternal life” (Collect).

Bible Readings:

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Ezekiel 34:11-24
(The Lord searches and seeks the lost.)

EPISTLE READING: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
(The mercy of God’s perfect patience)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 15:1-10
(The joy of restoring the lost)

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—
PROPER 18

September 4, 2022

AS WE GATHER
Jesus was born to walk the lonely path of the cross. Many people walked with Jesus as He journeyed to that cross but many of them did not stay with Him. Today, we are called to see how our Lord walked in our path to the cross so that we might walk with Him in faith—not some meandering stroll but the walk of disciples who follow the Lord Jesus, where He has forged the way. We also pray that we may not wander away but endure to eternal life.

Bible Readings

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 30:15–20
(The Lord calls upon His people to walk in His ways and keep His Word.)

EPISTLE READING: Philemon 1–21
(Paul’s letter commending the slave Onesimus back to his master not only as a slave but as a brother in the Lord.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 14:25-35 (Jesus speaks of the cost of discipleship and calls on those who would follow Him to deny themselves and take up the cross.)

TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—PROPER 17

August 28, 2022

AS WE GATHER
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). We are urged to a path of humility, not thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought and thinking of others before us. With this very purpose, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and reveals the character of God’s patient and powerful love. We are invited to follow Christ’s own example and to be people of such love and humility that God is glorified and the mercy of God is exalted.

Bible Readings

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Proverbs 25:2–10
(In pride you will be put to shame.)

EPISTLE READING: Hebrews 13:1–17
(Let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 14:1–14
(Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.)

ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—
PROPER 16

August 21, 2022

AS WE GATHER
Jesus is full of surprises. He says and does things differently than we might expect from God. Many will seek to enter the narrow door of the kingdom but will not be able. God’s discipline of His children is an expression of His deep love for us. Some who are last will become first, and some who are first will find themselves last. How strange. The way of Jesus is the way of the cross, of suffering, discipline, and of being last. Divine strength is made perfect in human weakness. Grace unexpected is delivered in Word and Sacrament and through Jesus’ own presence with us in our sufferings. Thank You, God, for grace unexpected and overflowing.

Bible Readings

FIRST READING: Isaiah 66:18–23 (The sign set among the nations.)

EPISTLE READING: Hebrews 12:4–24
(God disciplines those He loves by His Word that we may enter and dwell in the eternal joys of Mount Zion.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 13:22–30 (Strive to enter the narrow door.)

TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—PROPER 15

August 14, 2022

AS WE GATHER
“By faith . . .” With these words the writer to the Hebrews describes the manner of life of the saints of old. The writer records that “by faith” God’s people did things. They did not just believe stuff—they acted! This echoes James who challenges us, “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Life is changing all around us. Entrusting our life and will to the care of the founder and perfecter of our faith, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, God’s people act . . . by faith.

Bible Readings

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Jeremiah 23:16–29
(Ignoring false prophets, we listen to God’s Word.)

EPISTLE READING: Hebrews 11:17–31; 12:1–3
(The people of God living by faith)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 12:49–53 (Division and perfect peace)

NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—PROPER 14

August 7, 2022

AS WE GATHER
How easy it is to become anxious when things go differently than we had hoped. We worry about ourselves and our loved ones. We experience everyday anxieties and big cosmic ones too. Sometimes anxiety can become so serious that professional help is needed. Paul writes in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Easier said than done, Paul! Jesus invites us to let anxiety be. Concerning the things most of us worry about—like food, clothing, provisions—Jesus observes that just as the birds, the lilies, and the grass are well-provided for, we will be taken care of as well. The adventure of life is one of faith: entrusting ourselves to the care of God, seeking first God’s reign, and experiencing the rich provision enjoyed by all of creation as a gift.

Bible Readings

FIRST READING: Genesis 15:1–6
(God’s promises to Abraham)

EPISTLE READING: Hebrews 11:1–16
(The people of God living by faith)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 12:22–34
(Let anxiety be.)

EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—PROPER 13

July 31, 2022

AS WE GATHER
Our world enjoys labeling people. Whether by skin color, gender, economic status, ethnic background, political affiliation, age, or whatever else it may be, labels are popular. This sort of labeling divides people into categories and causes much strife and argument. There was labeling going on in Colossae as well: Greek, Jew, circumcised, uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free. But in Colossians, Paul gives us a label that we share and a label that leads not to divisive evil but to amazing generosity and love. Paul writes, “You have been raised with Christ.” Imagine that. He doesn’t say that you will one day in the future be raised with Christ (although that is also true), he says, “You have been raised with Christ.” That is the label we are marked with in Holy Baptism. This comes to us by grace and calls forth from us a life abundant with generosity.

Bible Readings

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–26
(All is vanity.)

EPISTLE READING: Colossians 3:1–11
(You have been raised with Christ.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 12:13-21 (Be on guard against covetousness.)

SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—PROPER 12

July 24, 2022

AS WE GATHER
In the long, difficult path of persevering in faith, sometimes it can seem as if God is distant from our everyday problems, not responding to our prayers. This is a common experience faced by the people of God. Today’s Readings work together to encourage us as we travel the arduous path of following Jesus. Abraham pleads with God on behalf of mercy for the righteous people in the city of Sodom. Will God spare the city for 50 righteous people? 45? 30? 20? 10? The Lord God hears Moses’ pleas and agrees that He will spare the city if even 10 righteous people dwell there. Lot and his family were delivered from Sodom. Moses asked, he sought, he knocked. And God answered. Jesus encourages us to ask, to seek, to knock. Jesus promises that those who ask, receive; those who seek, find; and to those who knock a door will be opened. This doesn’t mean that the answers will always be what we want or that bad things will not happen to us. It does mean that no matter the circumstance, God is there with mercy. Rooted and built up in Jesus, and established in this faith, we are led by God to abound in thanksgiving and to continue to walk in Jesus no matter the circumstances of life.

Bible Readings

FIRST READING: Genesis 18: 20–33
(Abraham pleads to God, and He relents.)

EPISTLE READING: Colossians 2:6–15
(Paul encourages the Colossian Christians to persevere in Christ.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 11:1–13
(Jesus teaches about prayer.)

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—PROPER 11

July 17, 2022

AS WE GATHER
Our only hope is Jesus! He is the eternal Word of God who in love entered our world to bring life and salvation to all people. Jesus proclaimed Himself Lord and Christ and then commissioned His apostles and disciples to proclaim repentance and forgiveness in His name to all nations. In churches, in homes, in crowded marketplaces, and along road and pathways, the Gospel has been proclaimed, and still is proclaimed, to save sinners. We’ve gathered to hear Jesus speak. The Spirit of God is working to draw us to our Savior. Lord, give us grace always to choose “the good portion.”

Bible Readings

OLD TESTAMENT READING Genesis 18:1–10a
(Abraham offers hospitality to his visitors.)

EPISTLE READING: Colossians 1:21–29 (To Jew and Gentile, Paul holds out only one hope for salvation: “We proclaim Christ!”)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 10:38–42 (Jesus at the home of Martha and Mary)