Category: October 2022

WHO NEEDS TO BE FREED?

10/30/2022

GOSPEL — John 8:31-36
Reformation Sunday

Martin Luther disliked the idea that adherents to his ideas would call themselves “Lutherans,” preferring the term “Christians” instead. Luther wanted the focus to be on what Christ had done, not on what he had done. So perhaps Luther would be distressed to see so many faithful people not only calling themselves Lutherans five centuries later, but also celebrating Reformation Sunday as a church holiday! Lucky for Luther, the focus of Reformation Sunday is not on Luther’s writings or accomplishments but on the freedom in Christ that is at the heart of the gospel message.

FRACTURED HEARTS

10/23/2022

GOSPEL — Luke 18:9-14
Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost

At first glance, the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable seems to be doing everything right. He attends worship faithfully, he offers thankful prayers to God, he tithes 10 percent of his income, and he even fasts regularly. That’s an impressive list! However, it’s not the state of his spiritual habits that Jesus reproaches, but the state of his heart. The Pharisee is diligent and observant, but he is putting trust in himself and his own piety rather than in God.

PRAYING LIKE IT MATTERS

10/16/2022

GOSPEL — Luke 18:1-8
Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost

The unjust judge in Jesus’ parable admits that he eventually decides to grant the persistent widow justice because she has worn him out by continually “bothering” him (Luke 18:5). And this is the character to whom Jesus compares God? Is Jesus trying to tell us that God feels worn out and bothered by our prayers? That’s not a very comforting notion.

RETURNING WITH GRATITUDE

10/9/2022

GOSPEL — Luke 17:11-19
Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

What are you grateful for today? As you prepare for worship, take a moment to be present in this space. Breathe deep. Even if everything seems familiar to you, try to observe your surroundings in a fresh way. Who is gathered with you? What sounds do you hear? As you settle in, ask yourself: Why am I here? What brings me back to this place and this community?

LESS IS MORE

10/2/2022

GOSPEL — Luke 17:5-10
Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

“Increase our faith!” cry the disciples in today’s gospel (Luke 17:5). Maybe you have come to worship with the same hope. Our world and lives are full of challenges that constantly test our limits—the limits of our patience, our love, our hope, our capacity for justice and mercy. Wouldn’t it be nice to have as much of those things as possible? Wouldn’t that allow us to fix this broken world?

GOSPEL MESSAGES

WHO NEEDS TO BE FREED?

GOSPEL — John 8:31-36
Reformation Sunday

FRACTURED HEARTS

GOSPEL — Luke 18:9-14
Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost

PRAYING LIKE IT MATTERS

GOSPEL — Luke 18:1-8
Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost

RETURNING WITH GRATITUDE

GOSPEL — Luke 17:11-19
Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

LESS IS MORE

GOSPEL — Luke 17:5-10
Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

2022/2023 — YEAR A

ARCHIVE

Stay connected with us!

Telephone

Saint John's Lutheran Church

EMAIL

GOSPEL MESSAGES

WHO NEEDS TO BE FREED?

GOSPEL — John 8:31-36Reformation Sunday

FRACTURED HEARTS

GOSPEL — Luke 18:9-14Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost

PRAYING LIKE IT MATTERS

GOSPEL — Luke 18:1-8Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost

RETURNING WITH GRATITUDE

GOSPEL — Luke 17:11-19Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

LESS IS MORE

GOSPEL — Luke 17:5-10Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

2022/2023 — YEAR A

ARCHIVE​

Stay connected with us!

Telephone

Saint John's Lutheran Church

EMAIL

GOSPEL — John 8:31-36
Reformation Sunday

GOSPEL — Luke 18:9-14
Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost

GOSPEL — Luke 18:1-8
Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost

GOSPEL — Luke 17:11-19
Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

GOSPEL — Luke 17:5-10
Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

ARCHIVE