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Postures of Prayer

2/22/2023

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 6:1-6,16-21
Ash Wednesday

The Ash Wednesday gospel reading is a mixture of the spiritual and the physical. As Jesus cautions his hearers about displays of piety, the spiritual practice of generosity is described in terms of what one’s hands do in the act of giving. Prayer is seen through the physical spaces in which it happens: the street or synagogue versus one’s own room. Fasting is framed through facial expressions, putting oil on one’s head, and washing one’s face.

A NEW, OLD COVENANT

2/19/2023

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 17:1-9
The Transfiguration of our Lord

To his disciples and followers, Jesus must have seemed like someone wholly new and unique. His wisdom and power amazed them and left them wondering about his new teachings and extraordinary authority. As Peter, James, and John join Jesus on the mountain, they see yet another new thing as Jesus is transfigured before them. This experience, however, is not disconnected from God’s past works: Jesus is accompanied by Moses and Elijah, and the disciples hear the voice of God. Jesus’ transfiguration is a new part of the old story of God creating life in the world. As they descend, Jesus points ahead to another unprecedented experience that is to come: his death and resurrection. Change is wrapped up in God’s continuity.

A NEW COMMUNITY

2/12/2023

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 5:21-37
The Sixth Sunday After Epiphany

Anyone who has ever lived or worked with other humans likely knows that community is messy. We hurt each other, sometimes intentionally but often by accident. We say things we regret. We stay silent when we should speak up, or we impose our own beliefs on others when we should start by listening instead. We act rashly out of fear or ignorance or exhaustion. We trample over one another in an attempt to achieve, to win, to earn, or to protect what we assume is rightfully ours.

SALT AND LIGHT

2/5/2023

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 5:13-20
The Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

What we believe about ourselves has the power to shape our behavior in profound ways. If we believe we aren’t good enough or are unwanted, that will likely show up in the way we carry ourselves, in the way we interact with others, and in the opportunities we seek out or don’t. On the other hand, if we know that we are loved or if we feel like we belong, we will probably bring more assurance to our interactions with others, and will be more likely to take risks and to reach out and engage with our communities.

UPSIDE-DOWN BLESSING

1/29/2023

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 5:1-12
The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

How do you know that you are blessed? Our consumer-driven culture primes us to believe blessedness is based on our bank accounts. Or perhaps we learn that we are blessed if we are in good health, or if our work is meaningful, or if our social or family lives are fulfilling. Social media hashtags depict blessing as the result of good fortune. And health, work, family, and social connection can all be good things! But the beatitudes turn our assumptions about blessedness on their head.

WORTH THE RISK

1/22/2023

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 4:12-23
The Third Sunday After Epiphany

Perhaps Peter, Andrew, James, and John had heard rumors of this wandering preacher Jesus. Maybe they had been growing restless for some time in their lives as fishermen. It’s possible they sensed that something was shifting in the world around them. They could have been fed up with the brutality of the Roman Empire and were looking for a leader to bring about change. Maybe they longed for something more, for a better way of living and loving and being. Maybe they were just so taken aback by this invitation to drop everything and follow that they couldn’t help but say yes. We don’t know their reasons for joining the Jesus movement that day, but there was clearly something so compelling about this kingdom of heaven (Matthew 4:17) that they were willing to drop their nets, risk everything, and not look back.

SEE FOR YOURSELF

1/15/2023

GOSPEL — JOHN 1:29-42
The Second Sunday After Epiphany

Sometimes you just have to experience something for yourself in order to understand its true impact. It’s just not the same to listen to someone else describe the rich flavors of an extravagant meal or list reasons a choral piece was so moving to its listeners. Few words are adequate to describe a magnificent sunset. A sticky summer’s day, the bitter chill of winter, the palpable excitement that builds inside a sports stadium—sometimes you just have to be there to really understand what it’s like.

BAPTIZED AND BELOVED

1/8/2023

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 3:13-17
Baptism of Our Lord

It was a relatively common scene: a first-century Palestinian man waiting on the banks of the Jordan River for his turn to be baptized. And yet there was something different about this time, this place, this man. This time God would enter into the waters of God’s own creation.

IN A DREAM

1/6/2023

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 2:1-12
The Epiphany of Our Lord

When God speaks to you in a dream, you listen. Talk to Jacob, Joseph, or Daniel about this. Just a quick chapter ago in Matthew’s gospel, Joseph was told in a dream to stick by Mary and to name their child “Jesus,” meaning “savior.” Shortly after today’s account of the magi, Joseph will be guided in a dream to take refuge in Egypt, and again will be directed to a safe and secure place to call home at Nazareth in Galilee.

NECESSARY TRUTHS

1/1/2023

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 2:13-23
The First Sunday of Christmas

This tragic account in Matthew’s gospel today comes as a bleak and jarring interruption in this season of joy. It is a hard text to hear and a hard text to preach. And yet this text speaks truths that we would do well to hear, in this and all seasons.

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GOSPEL MESSAGES

Postures of Prayer

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 6:1-6,16-21
Ash Wednesday

A NEW, OLD COVENANT

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 17:1-9
The Transfiguration of our Lord

A NEW COMMUNITY

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 5:21-37
The Sixth Sunday After Epiphany

SALT AND LIGHT

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 5:13-20
The Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

UPSIDE-DOWN BLESSING

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 5:1-12
The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

WORTH THE RISK

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 4:12-23
The Third Sunday After Epiphany

SEE FOR YOURSELF

GOSPEL — JOHN 1:29-42
The Second Sunday After Epiphany

BAPTIZED AND BELOVED

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 3:13-17
Baptism of Our Lord

IN A DREAM

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 2:1-12
The Epiphany of Our Lord

NECESSARY TRUTHS

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 2:13-23
The First Sunday of Christmas

2022/2023 — YEAR A

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GOSPEL MESSAGES

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 6:1-6,16-21Ash Wednesday

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 17:1-9The Transfiguration of our Lord

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 5:21-37The Sixth Sunday After Epiphany

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 5:13-20The Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 5:1-12The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 4:12-23The Third Sunday After Epiphany

GOSPEL — JOHN 1:29-42The Second Sunday After Epiphany

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 3:13-17Baptism of Our Lord

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 2:1-12The Epiphany of Our Lord

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 2:13-23The First Sunday of Christmas

2022/2023 — YEAR A

ARCHIVE​

Stay connected with us!

Telephone

Saint John's Lutheran Church

EMAIL

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 6:1-6,16-21
Ash Wednesday

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 17:1-9
The Transfiguration of our Lord

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 5:21-37
The Sixth Sunday After Epiphany

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 5:13-20
The Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 5:1-12
The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 4:12-23
The Third Sunday After Epiphany

GOSPEL — JOHN 1:29-42
The Second Sunday After Epiphany

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 3:13-17
Baptism of Our Lord

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 2:1-12
The Epiphany of Our Lord

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 2:13-23
The First Sunday of Christmas

ARCHIVE