Worship
February 26 – First Sunday in Lent
Genesis 9:8–17 This is the ending of the flood story with Noah. Here God makes promises about the future, about a coming new relationship with the human family.
1 Peter 3:18–22 Jesus’ suffering provides our assurance before God. All Jesus won is given to us in baptism, an act that shapes our lives around faith and trust in God.
Mark 1:9–15 We cannot know God’s power and presence without struggle. Jesus willingly enters into a period of testing in the wilderness both to discern God’s will as well as to strengthen his commitment to God’s path of service rather than power as a way of redemption.
February 19 – The Transfiguration of Our Lord
2 Kings 2:1–12 Elijah’s ministry ends and Elisha’s ministry begins.
2 Corinthians 4:3–6 Paul reminds his readers that the center of ministry in the church is not the people who do the ministry but the one in whose name the ministry is done, Jesus.
Mark 9:2–9 As at his baptism, Jesus is once again declared to be the beloved of God. This time in a vision of Jesus’ heavenly glory and splendor shared with three of the disciples Jesus has called. Mark connects this vision to the death and resurrection of Jesus as a reminder to us that the cross was an essential part of Jesus being God’s beloved.
February 12 – Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
2 Kings 5:1-14 Leprosy is a common theme in the readings this Sunday. Naaman the leader of the Syrian army is cured of this disease through the directions of Elisha. In practical terms this means that Naaman is able to live among others once again.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Living as if something other than our own wishes or prejudices is an essential identification of the followers of Jesus.
Mark 1:40-45 Jesus cleanses a leper restoring him to the community from which he came. This is what Jesus does: he builds community by healing and forgiving.
February 5 – Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 40:21-32 God’s perspective and ours is not the same. Being God’s people means seeking to be conformed to God’s way of seeing the world.
1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Paul reminds the Church in Corinth that the gospel is the most important thing in the life of the church. All things must be shaped by the gospel among God’s people.
Mark 1:29-39 Jesus does something that we might think not very wise. After winning popularity for his healing of people who were sick, he announces that he will move on to other towns. Walking away from success is not in the play books of business and corporations, but that is exactly what Jesus does. Like him, the church is called not to focus on “successes” but rather to continue faithful ministry for the sake of the world.
December 25 – The Nativity of our Lord/Christmas Day
Isaiah 52:7-10
Christmas is more than gifts and food. We gather together to hear the great news of God’s deep love for us in sending one who will teach us and show us that God’s purpose for this world is life and wholeness. Isaiah sees this and rejoices that God’s purposes will become reality.
Hebrews 1:1-12
The Letter to the Hebrews traces how God has been at work through the people of Israel, and how God has continued the promises through Jesus. But the writer also proclaims the radical good news of Christmas: God did not send an emissary; God’s very being came to earth in Jesus.
John 1:1-14
The beginning of the gospel of John sings of the incarnation: God takes on our human life and comes among us in lowliness, in vulnerability, and in love, all for our salvation. John uses the contrasts of light and darkness to describe this truth: without God we walk in darkness, with God’s presence with us in Jesus, we get a clear picture of who God is and who we are.
December 18 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Here we read God’s covenant (promise) to David: one of his household will be the ruler over God’s people forever. Christians see this promise fulfilled in Jesus.
Romans 16:25-27
In this song of praise of God, Paul celebrates the compassion of God in Jesus which brings salvation to all people.
Luke 1:26-38
As we prepare to welcome Jesus, we read the story of the annunciation to Mary. Jesus is from God, but born of a human mother. This great mystery is a foundation of our faith: God comes to us as a genuine human.
December 11 – Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
This Sunday we hear God’s purpose for the creation: it is one of healing and peace.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
God’s purpose is for us to know joy.
John 1:6-8, 19-28
John never points to himself in God’s plan. His life and ministry always points to Jesus. In this he sets an example for all followers of Jesus. Our life, like John’s, is about Jesus and what is important to him.
December 4 – The Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 40:1-11
The prophet’s message is one of comfort, but ironically it is also one of judgment. God’s comfort cannot come to us without knowing ourselves as those whose lives need to be remodeled along God’s lines.
2 Peter 3:8-15a
God’s time and our time are two different things. This is what the apostle reminds the readers of this letter. The writer also reminds us that history points to an end, a conclusion. This fact shapes how we live in the present time.
Mark 1:1-8
The very first words of Mark’s Gospel tell us that the story of Jesus is the good news (gospel). John calls for preparation through repentance, examining life and making changes which bring peace. His call to do this is because a greater one is coming.
October 30 – Reformation Sunday
Jeremiah 31:31–34
Jeremiah looks forward to God law being written in the hearts of the people. This is the law which is unbreakable and eternal.
Romans 3:19–28
No law will make people right with God, it is only by the gift which God provides for the human family in Jesus.
John 8:31–36
Jesus speaks of truth and freedom as spiritual realities known through his word. He reveals the truth that sets people free from sin.
October 23 – Pentecost 19
Leviticus 19:1–2, 15–18
The legal code of Leviticus calls God people to be holy as God is holy. God’s people are always called to be like God. Here that similarity is lived out in caring for the poor and seeking justice for all people.
1 Thessalonians 2:1–8
Paul writes about coming among the Thessalonians because of his call to preach the Gospel. He also expressed thanks for their care for him in this relationship.
Matthew 22:34–46
Again Jesus is put on the spot by his adversaries. Here he summarizes the law of God to two commands: love God, love neighbors. In Jesus’ teaching, it is that simple.