Have you ever wondered how the pastor chooses a text or topic for the coming week? Learn about the Common Lectionary.
August 1 (Communion observed at both services:)
Psalter: Psalm 107
Scripture: Hosea 11:1-11
Sermon: "Still in Egypt"
Hosea lament's Israel's failure to embrace her liberty in the LORD.Psalter: Psalm 50
Scripture: Isaiah 1:1-20
Sermon: "Come Let Us Reason Together"
Isaiah reports that God is displeased with empty acts of worship.Psalter: Psalm 80
Scripture: Luke 12:49-56
Sermon: "Signs of the Times"
Jesus scolds his disciples for not recognizing the conflicts inherent in spreading the gospel to an unbelieving world.Psalter: Psalm 71
Scripture: Luke 13:10-17
Sermon: "Standing Tall"
Jesus is challenged as to the meaning of the Sabbath and gives a surprising reply.Psalter: Psalm 81
Scripture: Jeremiah 2:4-13
Sermon: "Cracked Cisterns"
Jeremiah compares Israel's idolatry to someone who turns their back on clean water to drink from a contaminated cistrern.Psalter: Psalm 139
Scripture: Philemon
Sermon: "The Gamble"
This deeply personal letter challenges a friend to do the right thing even in the absence of promises rewards or punishments.Scripture: Exodus 32:7-14
Sermon: "Changing God's Mind"
This theologically challenging passage invites us to examine our responsibility in prayer.Psalter: Psalm 79
Scripture: 1Luke 16:1-13
Sermon: "Dishonest Wealth"
Jesus parable reveals the wisdom of a conniving embezzler and lifts him up as an example for Jesus' own disciples.Psalter: Psalm 91
Scripture: Luke 16:19-31
Sermon: "With Sight of Heaven"
Jesus parable of Lazarus and the rich man reminds us how narrow is the margin between Heaven and Hell.Psalter: Psalm 137
Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-14
Sermon: "Fanning the Flame"
Paul gives Timothy advice on how to maintain a strong spirit during times of difficulty.Psalter: Psalm 66
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-7
Sermon: "Living in Exile"
Jeremiah gives advice on what to do while we're waiting for God's next big miracle.Psalter: Psalm 121
Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31
Sermon: "Wrestling"
Jacob, and by extension God's own people, are renamed after this nigh time encounter with God.Psalter: Psalm 84
Scripture: Luke 18:9-14
Sermon: "The Publican's Prayer"
We often examine this parable in terms of "what's right" with the humble prayer of the sinner, but seldom examine "what's wrong" with the prayer of the Pharisee.Psalter: Psalm 32
Scripture: Luke 19:1-10
Sermon: "A Wee Little Man"
On reflection, we realize that the Bible seldom gives physical descriptions of its characters. Why does the gospel of Luke comment on Zacheus' size?Psalter: Psalm 145
Scripture: Luke 20:27-38
Sermon: "Not of the Dead"
Jesus speaks of the nature of resurrection and the nature of the resurrecting God.Psalter: Psalm 98
Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25
Sermon: "The Peacable Kingdom"
Isaiah delivers a utopian vision of life in a world where God reigns supreme.Psalter: Psalm 46
Scripture: Colossians 1-11-20
Sermon: "Before All Things"
Several different passages written by several different New Testament authors insist on Jesus' co-eternal nature with God the creator. Why is this doctrine so important in the life of the early church, and what might it mean to us today?