TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—PROPER 23

October 15, 2023

AS WE GATHER
Whenever we come together for the Lord’s Supper, we anticipate the eternal worship of heaven, which the Bible compares to a wedding feast. The Sacrament is a foretaste of the feast to come. God invited His people through the prophets. The description of that Meal includes seeing God face-to-face. In today’s Gospel, Jesus again extends the invitation through His parable, but He notes the varying responses it receives. Paul leads us to respond with rejoicing. Knowing that the eternal feast is ready, we may be content in all circumstances.

BIBLE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 25:6–9
(There is only rejoicing at the heavenly banquet.)

EPISTLE READING: Philippians 4:4–13
(Knowing the Lord produces contentment in all circumstances.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 22:1–14
(The parable of the wedding feast)

DAY OF THANKSGIVING

October 8, 2023

AS WE GATHER
It is difficult to give thanks when you are not content. To be content is to be satisfied with what you have. Sadly, even in this season of thanksgiving, we might be more familiar with the opposite of contentment—greed or covetousness. Perhaps the apostle Paul’s words from today’s Epistle can help. Even while under arrest in Rome for the sake of the Gospel, Paul still writes, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Paul’s “secret” when it comes to contentment is that in Christ, and in His strength, Paul has all he needs. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and presence in our lives gives us reason to be content and to give thanks today and every day!
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You may have all the rest,
Give me Jesus.

Bible Readings

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Deuteronomy 8:1–10  (“Man does not live on bread alone.”)

EPISTLE READING: Philippians 4:6–20 (Paul’s contentment in every situation)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 17:11–19: (Jesus heals the ten lepers.)

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST- Proper 21

October 1, 2023

AS WE GATHER

The way of the Lord is righteous and just: “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezek. 18:4). However, because the Lord has “no pleasure in the death of anyone” (Ezek. 18:32), He calls sinners to repentance and faith in His gracious forgiveness of sins. The man who is thus turned away from his wickedness, who henceforth lives by the grace of God, “shall surely live; he shall not die” (Ezek. 18:28). This way of repentance has been opened for us by the cross of Christ. In the righteousness of faith and love, “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (Phil. 2:8), and He was vindicated in His resurrection from the dead. Indeed, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Phil. 2:9). He has given us this name in our Baptism into Christ, in whom we now “shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15). He uses the authority that He has received from His Father (Matt. 21:23–27) to preach a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, by which even “the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God” (Matt. 21:31–32).

Bible Readings

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 (Repent and turn.)

EPISTLE READING: Philippians 2:1-4, 14-18
(Reflect the mind of Christ.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 21:23-27 (The path of the contrite heart and faith.)

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST  (Proper 20)

September 24, 2023

AS WE GATHER
How’s your prayer life? Many think of prayer as a big red button on the wall with the instruction, “when all else fails, press!” When are you most likely to pray? For most of us our most fervent prayer happens in times of crisis or suffering. For Christians, says St. Paul, rather than seeing suffering as God’s judgment for sin or as God abandoning us, we need to learn of suffering’s being as much of a gift of God as is the gift of faith. Suffering for the sake of Christ, because we are disciples and believers is more obvious. But even our suffering of the ills and misfortunes, heartbreaks and catastrophes that are but common to all who live in a sinful world are moments of God’s grace for us as we look to the Cross of Christ where He suffered for all. In Christ we can rejoice even when we face trials in this life.

Bible Readings

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 55:6-9
(The message of restoration, a matter of life and death.)

EPISTLE READING: Philippians 1:12-14, 19-30
(Faith tested and purified through suffering.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 20:1-16
(To question God’s grace for others is to lose it for yourself.)

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (Proper 19)

September 17, 2023

AS WE GATHER
The most essential, important, and difficult aspect of living the Christian life is learning how to live in the forgiveness of sins. There is a direct connection between my receiving God’s forgiveness and my forgiving another person. However, it is not that God’s forgiveness is caused by my forgiving someone else, but rather it is the extent to which I do not forgive or am reluctant or find it difficult to forgive someone else that should make one wonder if you have really appreciated God’s forgiveness for yourself. There are no limits to God’s forgiveness; neither is there to be for us forgiving others. Joseph, and his forgiveness of his brothers, points us to Jesus. In Jesus God took our debts into Himself, paid the price Himself so that forgiveness might be the free gift of His pure grace.

Bible Readings

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Genesis 50:15-21
(No revenge, only forgiveness)

EPISTLE READING: Romans 14:1-12
(Both weak and strong have one Lord.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 18:21-35
(A life-style of compassion.)

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (Proper 18)

September 10, 2023

AS WE GATHER
Instead of a children’s sermon, today Jesus makes a child the sermon, saying, “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). We like to think of ourselves as mature adults, independent and able to take charge of our lives, acting as if we are God. No children’s stuff for us! A child, though, is one who is totally dependent on father and mother for all of life, just as we are dependent on God the Father for all of life. Becoming like a child in humble faith, however, is impossible apart from the grace of God in Christ, Mary’s Child, whose blood has reconciled us to the Father and enables us to be reconciled with one another in the forgiveness of sins.

Bible Reading

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Ezekiel 33:7-9
(The message of restoration, a matter of life and death.)

EPISTLE READING: Romans 13:1-10
(The life of faith lived in the world.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 18:1-20
(The fellowship of the forgiven.)

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (Proper 17)

September 3, 2023

AS WE GATHER
How often have you lost your patience? Some Christians say they either “aren’t” or even “can’t” be patient even though patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Patience is a gift of God rooted in His mercy. In His mercy God not only gives us forgiveness of our sins but also transforms our lives. In today’s Epistle St. Paul urges patience in tribulation by reminding us of hope and prayer (Romans 12:12). Rather than giving up in frustration we draw ever closer to God’s mercy in prayer. And we can rejoice in hope even in circumstances beyond our control. These three things belong together: patience, hope, and prayer.

Bible Readings

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Jeremiah 15:15-21
(Hanging on to God’s promises by prayer.)

EPISTLE READING: Romans 12:9-21
(Hope is faith looking forward in the mercies of God.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 16:21-28
(The cruciform pattern of the disciple’s life)

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (Proper 16)

August 27, 2023

AS WE GATHER
In Isaiah the people are bid to look to their spiritual ancestors as the Rock from which they were hewn. Jesus declares that the church will be built on the rock of Peter’s bold confession of faith. God’s word of reconciliation and mercy are keys to the church’s mission. Paul urges us to not be conformed to this world, but to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, using our individual gifts to build up the body of Christ. From the table we go forth to offer our spiritual worship through word and deed.

Bible Readings

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 51:1-6
(God offers comfort in the knowledge that His deliverance will come soon and will never end.)

EPISTLE READING: Romans 11:33-12:8
(God calls us to service and reminds us that all forms of ministry function to build up the body of Christ.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 16:13-20
(Peter gives his inspired confession of faith, and Jesus responds with the promise of a church that will overcome the very gates of hell.)

TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (Proper 15)

August 20, 2023

AS WE GATHER
Many of us came to church today from somewhere close by. As we humbly approach our Lord and celebrate God’s work in our own communities, we also celebrate God’s work around the globe. We join with believers around the world in hearing God’s Word, singing His praises, joining our hearts in prayer, and receiving healing, mercy, and forgiveness. We come to our Lord’s table and celebrate the victory of our Lord over all demonic forces. We humbly pray for God’s guidance as we reach out and touch others with the mercy we have received from Him.

Bible Readings

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
(Salvation for Foreigners)

EPISTLE READING: Romans 11:1-2, 13-15, 28-32
(The Remnant of Israel)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 15:21-28
(The Faith of a Canaanite Woman)

ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (Proper 14)

August 13, 2023

AS WE GATHER
“This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles” (Psalm 34:6). This is the story of humanity throughout time: We realize we can’t do it on our own, so we cry out and God saves us. Peter cries out as he is sinking and Jesus reaches out and saves him. Paul reminds us of this eternal truth in Romans 10:13, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” God hears our cries and saves us through Jesus Christ, giving us the gift of heaven. God’s love in Jesus Christ draws us here as we experience God’s free gift of grace in baptism, communion, and the precious words of absolution which begin our time together.

Bible Reading

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Job 38:4-18
(The Lord answers Job in the storm.)

EPISTLE READING: Romans 10:5-17
(How can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard?)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 14:22-33
(Peter walks on the water.)