Author: Bethlehem Lutheran
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Seventh Sunday of Easter + Ascension Commemoration + Readings: Acts 1:12-26 | 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11 | John 17:1-11 Text: John 17:1-11 Jesus prays in today’s Gospel, “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” The Glory of God has been seen before this, most memorably…
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Sixth Sunday of Easter Readings: Acts 17:16-31 | 1 Peter 3:13-22 | John 14:15-21 Text: 1 Peter 3:13-22 St. Peter’s first epistle to the Church is beautifully appropriate and informative for the Church today. It was first written to the Christians who were scattered after persecution grew more severe, and it was clear just how at-odds the Christian Gospel…
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Fifth Sunday of Easter Readings: Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60 | 1 Peter 2:2-10 | John 14:1-14 Text: John 14:1-14 When Stephen found himself compelled to preach to the stiff-necked Jews and became the object of their wrath. Stephen’s ministry was short and sweet. What does it look like when the Christian is compelled to confess the truth of God’s…
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Fourth Sunday of Easter Readings: Acts 2:42-47 | 1 Peter 2:19-25 | John 10:1-10 Text: Acts 2:42-47 “42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44And all who believed were together…
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Third Sunday of Easter Readings: Acts 2:14a, 36-41 | 1 Peter 1:17-25 | Luke 24:13-35 Text: Luke 24:13-35 On the road to Emmaus is another scene after the Resurrection. It’s another way that Jesus reveals Himself to His disciples, so that they would know their hope is not in vain and that all He said before His passion is…
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Second Sunday of Easter Readings: Acts 5:29-42 | 1 Peter 1:3-9 | John 20:19-31 Text: John 20:19-31 HEARING IS BELIEVING, AND BY IT WE TOO ARE FORGIVEN AND AT PEACE. 30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these are written so that you may believe that…
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Easter Sunrise Readings: Exodus 14:10-15:1 | 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 | John 20:1-18 Excerpts from the Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article VIII The Person of Christ 16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet…
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The Resurrection of Our Lord ~ Easter Day ~ Readings: Acts 10:34-43 | Colossians 3:1-4 | Matthew 28:1-10 Text: Matthew 28:1-10 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. “After the Sabbath” is more than just a marker of time. Of course, after…
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Paschal Vigil ~ Service of Light ~ Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:3 | Exodus 14L10-15:1 | Jonah 3 | Text: Mark 16:1-8 The Gospel begins with proclamation. It is news of events that must be told and explained. Without the explanation, fear and uncertainty fill in. So much of the world seems self-evident to us, but it is only…
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Good Friday Readings: Isaiah 52:13–53:12 | Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9 | John 19:16b-30Text: John 19:28-37 In the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, new light shines on what He had done beforehand to recognize sinners to Himself and make them His people. The Scripture references the Holy Spirit gives us through John are telling: ~ Christ the Reproach…