Because You Say So, Lord!
The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany February 10, 2019 Luke 5:1-11 Because You Say So, Lord! One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. …
Don’t Be Afraid– Stay on Message!
The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany February 3, 2019 Luke 4:120-32 Don’t Be Afraid— Stay on Message! Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they…
Make Worship Your “Custom”!
The Third Sunday after Epiphany January 27, 2019 Luke 4:14-21 Make Worship Your “Custom”! Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was…
Commit It and Forget It!
The Second Sunday after Epiphany January 20, 2019 John 2:1-11 Commit It and Forget It! On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants,…
The Philanthropy of our Savior God!
The First Sunday after Epiphany The Baptism of Our Lord January 13, 2019 Titus 3:4-7 The Philanthropy of Our Savior God! But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified…
Copy the Worship of the Wise Men!
Epiphany Sunday January 6, 2019 Matthew 2:1-12 Copy the Worship of the Wise Men! After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called…
What’s In a Name?
The First Sunday after Christmas December 30, 2018 Luke 2:21 What’s In a Name? Dear fellow worshipers of the Christ-Child, What’s in a name? In our modern-day American culture there usually isn’t a great deal of significance attached to a person’s name. Take for example the name Steve. By itself that name doesn’t carry a great deal of significance. In the right context, however, that ordinary name can take on a great deal of significance. For example, up…
Oh, Come, O Key of David!
The Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2018 Isaiah 22:20-22 Oh, Come, O Key of David! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, One of the things that I have learned to both admire and appreciate is the fact that the Bible is filled with wonderful little details. Many times, however, we simply read these little details and just keep on going with hardly even giving them a second thought. The result is that all too often we miss…
Oh, Come, O Dayspring!
The Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018 Isaiah 9:1, 2 Oh, Come, O Dayspring! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I have a confession to make. Whenever I go up to the lakehouse by myself or if it is just Isaac and I, I sleep with a light on. Now normally I would never be able to do this. If someone forgets to turn the hallway light off at home I have to get up and turn…
Oh, Come, O Root of Jesse!
The Second Sunday in Advent December 9, 2018 Isaiah 11:1, 10 Oh, Come, O Root of Jesse! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, This is the time of the year when certain traditions just need to be followed. One of those traditions centers on setting up a Christmas tree. Can you imagine never setting up a Christmas tree in your home? Can you imagine never setting up a Christmas tree here in God’s house? Setting up a Christmas…