Author: Bethlehem Lutheran
-
First Sunday in Lent
~ Invocavit ~ Readings: Genesis 3:1-21 | 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 | Matthew 4:1-11 Text: Matthew 4:1-11 Doctors who fight infections are all too aware that having just one weapon isn’t enough. Viruses and bacteria each respond differently to medication. Sometimes a strain comes along that refuses to respond to treatment. Then, newer, stronger, and more…
-
Quinquagesima
Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 | 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 | Luke 18:31-43 Text: Luke 18:31-43 The theme for Quinquagesima is “Grace is not easily understood” and you could broaden that to say that “God’s ways are not easily understood.” In the lesson from 1 Samuel, we saw that God’s choice for king of Israel is not…
-
Sexagesima (About 60 days until Easter)
Readings: Isaiah 55:10-13 | 2 Corinthians 11:19-12:9 | Luke 8:4-15 Text: 2 Corinthians 11:19—12:9 Hearing today’s Epistle lesson is like you came to church late, while St. Paul was already deep into his sermon. In fairness to those of us who didn’t start reading at the beginning of chapter 10, I’ll catch you up to…
-
Septuagesima
Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 | 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5 | Matthew 20:1-16 Text: Matthew 20:1-16 No doubt, envy is a powerful emotion. It takes coveting up a notch, and is defined as, “painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage.” (Merriam Webster) The perception of another’s…
-
The Transfiguration of Our Lord
Readings: Exodus 34:29-35 | 2 Peter 1:16-21 | Matthew 17:1-9 Text: Matthew 17:1-9 I. The Transfiguration can best be understood in light of the cross, comparing the different features. Our desire is to stay at the Transfiguration because we’ve “arrived.” a. Immediately before, six days before, Jesus told His disciples, “Truly, I say to you,…
-
The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord
Readings: Exodus 40:17-21, 34-38 | Titus 3:4-7 | John 1:1-18 Text: Exodus 40:17-21, 34-38 Focus: The difference between the tabernacle erected by men’s hands (even according to God’s command) is far surpassed by the tabernacle not made with hands by which the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. Function: That my hearers would better…
-
The Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord
~ A Service of Lessons & Carols ~ Readings: Genesis 3:8-24 | Isaiah 7:10-14 | Luke 1:26-38 | Matthew 1:18-25 | Luke 2:1-20 Text: Luke 2:1-14 You’ve no doubt heard it at least once so far, and maybe several times today: Merry Christmas! Merriam Webster declared the Word of the Year—the most looked-up word of…
-
Commemoration of St. Thomas
Readings: Ephesians 4:7, 11-16 | John 20:24-29 Text: John 20:24-29 Who was St. Thomas and why is he remembered? Thomas was one of the apostles. In the lists of the Apostles in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), Thomas is paired with Matthew, so perhaps when they were sent out in twos (Matthew 10:5-6), they…
-
Fourth Sunday in Advent
~ Rorate Coeli ~ Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-19 | Philippians 4:4-7 | Luke 1:39-56 Text: Philippians 4:4-7 “The Lord is at Hand For You” Intro: It formed the theme for last Sunday, and now here it is again: Rejoice in the Lord always. Today focuses heavily on the reason for rejoicing in all circumstances: The Lord…
-
Commemoration of Nicasius and Eutropia, Martyrs
Text: Romans 12:14-21, Luke 6:27-36 Who was Nicasius? Nicasius was a bishop in Rheims, on the frontier of the Roman empire. This area had a Christian presence dating back to 260 AD. In the new year’s eve of 407, a horde of Barbarians crossed the frozen Rhine River. To the Roman inhabitants of Gaul, it…