Author: Bethlehem Lutheran
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Fourth Sunday in Lent
Readings: Exodus 16:2-21 | Galatians 4:21-31 | John 6:1-15 Text: John 6:1-15 We began Lent in the wilderness. Jesus is alone and hungry. Then, the Devil comes along and tempts him. Hunger is evil, he seems to say: “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread to feed you in…
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Third Sunday in Lent (Oculi)
Readings: Exodus 8:16-24 | Ephesians 5:1-9 | Luke 11:14-28 Text: Luke 11:14-28 This time of year, many of us are looking at spring cleaning. As more light comes in the window, the grime on the windows and the dust in the air is harder to turn a blind eye to. The first part of spring…
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Second Sunday in Lent (Reminiscere)
Readings: Genesis 32:22-32 | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 | Matthew 15:21-28 Text: Genesis 32:22-32 One of our world’s favorite questions is to ask, “Where is God?” When the floods rage, where is your God? When the tornadoes touch down, where is your God? When tidal waves destroy, when earthquakes level cities, or people die, where is…
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First Sunday in Lent (Invocavit)
Readings: Genesis 3:1-21 | 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 | Matthew 4:1-11 Text: Genesis 3:1-21; Matthew 4:1-11 The Apostle Peter warns us, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by…
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Quinquagesima (About 50 days until Easter)
Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 | 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 | Luke 18:31-43 Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 First Corinthians 13 is one of the most beloved passages of all Scripture. It is a favorite passage for weddings. It is written on knickknacks and tchotchkes we decorate our houses with. Pardon the pun, but we love this chapter…
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Sexagesima (About 60 Days until Easter)
Readings: Isaiah 55:10-13 | 2 Corinthians 11:19-12:9 | Luke 8:4-15 Text: Isaiah 55:1-3, 10-13 At the beginning of Isaiah 55, before we hear this familiar proclamation about God’s Word, we hear God’s heart with a different analogy—one we can all appreciate: 1“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have…
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Septuagesima (about 70 days until Easter)
Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 | 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5 | Matthew 20:1-16 Text: Matthew 20:1-16 Quite often, the airwaves are abuzz with talk of fair wages and proper compensation. Strong words come from politicians, talk show hosts, and probably in your own conversations, too. Everyone wants to get what’s owed to them, and as much as possible. …
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The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Historic)
Readings: Exodus 34:29-35 | 2 Peter 1:16-21 | Matthew 17:1-9 Text: Matthew 17:1-9 Everyone hopes for heaven on earth. What can we do to hasten its arrival? What’s the “secret sauce” that nobody before has managed to discover, or how can I adjust my living so that I can be free of want? The twentieth…
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Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Readings: Amos 9:11-15 | Romans 12:6-16 | John 2:1-11 Text: John 2:1-11 There are two Old Testament readings assigned for this Sunday. One is from Exodus 33:12-23. In that, we read: 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you…
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The Baptism of Our Lord
Readings: Isaiah 42:1-7 | 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 | Matthew 3:13-17 Text: Matthew 3:13-17 Who is Jesus? That’s one of the questions that comes up when we consider the Baptism of Our Lord. Where can we look for an answer? To men? As the dialogue in Mark 8 with the disciples showed, even during His earthly…