In the Parish

For Advent services this year, our theme has been "Jesus is the Answer! But what are the questions?" I asked people to submit questions that they had.  The first question I received was involved enough to take up two evenings.  A person asked about the rapture.  This first session, I laid out what the rapture is since most Lutherans are unfamiliar with it.  The next session I will lay why Lutherans think this interpretation of scripture is mistaken.

Readings: Matthew 3:1-12 Isaiah 11:1-10 This week we hear John's call to repentance because the Kingdom of Heaven is drawing near.  God is at work redeeming the wildernesses of our lives and transforming us in the process.

Reading: Romans 13:11-14 Paul roots the Christian ethic in the return of Christ.  "The day is near!," he reminds the Roman congregation.  His message is still needed for us even though we live 2000 years after Paul wrote it.

Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Deuteronomy gives a ritual for offering the first fruits of the harvest to God.  This ritual connects each person to the promise of God for the Land by remembering the salvation history that has gone on before them.  Ritual builds, forms and connects a community across time and space.  We see this most clearly in the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Reading: Luke 23:33-43

Readings: Daniel 7:1-3. 15-18 Psalm 149 Ephesians 1:11-23 Luke 6:20-31 All Saints' Sunday remembers all saints, living and dead, who give us a vision of the Kingdom of God here and now in this world.

Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 46 Romans 3: John 8:31-36 Reformation Sunday is not a day to focus on or celebrate the brokenness of the church.  Rather it is about God's reforming love and the promise of the gospel.

Readings: Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22 Psalm 84:1-7 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14 The readings today focus on our repentance and God's mercy.

Readings: Genesis 32:22-31 Psalm 121 2 Timothy3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 Jacob wrestles at the ford of the river Jabbok and receives a name change for his encounter.  In this encounter, God proves his faithfulness by remaining close to us even when we are not the people he desires us to be.  Our wrestling with God tells us a great deal about both God and ourselves.

Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-15 Psalm 111 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19 The stories today connect with washing and cleansing.  The sermon focuses on the story of Naaman who would have been lost without servants who continue to point the way.  The challenge for us is see ourselves in continuity with those servants as we in love share the good news of God in Christ Jesus