Category: Mid-Week
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Commemoration of Ambrose of Milan
Readings: Ephesians 3:8-12 | John 10:11-16 Text: Ephesians 3:8-12 Who was Ambrose? What led the Church to remember him? Aurelius Ambrosius was born in 339 to a Roman Christian family in Gaul in modern-day Germany. His father was a praetorian prefect, or high-ranking administrator for the province. Ambrose was set to follow in his father’s…
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Growing in Faith
The Feast of St. Andrew Text: John 1:35-42a Who was Andrew? How is he remembered? Andrew was the brother of Peter, first a disciple of John and moved by the words, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Although he was the first to believe, he wasn’t as impetuous as his brother. The two of them were…
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Holy Saturday
Paschal Vigil Holy Baptism of Matthew, Alonna, and Wyatt Reeves Readings: The Creation – Genesis 1:1-2:3 | The Flood – Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 | Israel’s Deliverance at the Red Sea – Exodus 14:10-15:1 | A New Heart and a New Spirit – Ezekiel 36:24-28 | Jonah Preaches to Nineveh – Jonah 3 |…
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Good Friday
Readings: Isaiah 52:13—53:12 | 2 Corinthians 5:14–21 | John 18-19 Text: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; John 19:30 “The Death of Jesus Changed How God Relates to the World” The Old Testament sure is bloody. People are dropping dead every other minute, it seems. Reading through the Old Testament, you will find that there are many manifest…
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Maundy Thursday
Readings: Exodus 12:1–14 | 1 Corinthians 11:23–32 | John 13:1–15 Text: John 13:1-17, 34-35 This Maundy Thursday, I want to address two things: The connection between the Lord’s Supper and the Passover, and why this night we read about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and commanding them to love one another. In delivering His people…