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Christ the King: Last Sunday after Pentecost—November 20, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Jeremiah 23:1–6 | Psalm 46 | Colossians 1:11–20 | Luke 23:33–43
Summary: Thinking about today’s Gospel, what kind of king/messiah do you see? Some see God/Jesus as irrelevant in these modern times. Others see a warrior king who will bring destruction to the unrighteous and raise up a new kingdom. Others see a spiritual king whose only concern is salvation. Still others see a king and messiah who is present in daily life and calling God’s people to bring care of love to the world. What king do you see?
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 33—November 13, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Malachi 4:1–2a | Psalm 98 | 2 Thessalonians 3:6–13 | Luke 21:5–19
Summary: Like Orwell’s novel 1984, today’s Gospel paints a picture of society folding in on itself. Jesus is not making a prediction but reminding his listeners that God is steadfastly with us in the world. As Paul writes in the epistle, our work is to live out hope, lift up justice, and fling wide the gates to let in the fresh air of the Spirit and so we can go out and do the work of God. God abides, God stands with us, and God calls us to stand with each other.
All Saints Sunday—November 6, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Daniel 7:1–3, 15–18 | Psalm 149 | Ephesians 1:11–23 | Luke 6:20–31
Summary: Most of the saints in any congregation don’t match our image of good people. They are the kinds of people Jesus talks about in the Beatitudes, which we heard today is Luke’s version. Matthew spiritualizes the Beatitudes and puts them in future tense, but in Luke, Jesus talks about ordinary people here and now. They are like Melvin from my first congregation who used his gifts for the kingdom of God. Our reward is great in heaven, but our work and our blessedness are here and now. Our country is full of discord, and we need to set aside our differences and find the blessings of God together.
Reformation Sunday—October 30, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Jeremiah 31:31–34 | Psalm 46 | Romans 3:19–28 | John 8:31–36
Summary: Our first lesson from Jeremiah tells us that God will make a new covenant and write it on the people’s hearts and that the day of the Lord is coming. What days are coming for us? We know that Christendom is dead, but if the institutional church passes away, who will take care of international relief, socials services, and the other things the church does? LCH is a very traditional church, but we have a passion for justice. We need to pass along our faith to others and help them live out their calling.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 30—October 23, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Don Johnson
Lessons: Jeremiah 14:7–10 | Psalm 84:1–6 | 2 Timothy 4:6–8,16–18 | Luke 18:9–14
Summary: Safety is one of the most basic human needs, after breath, food, and water. When you feel safe, you can grow and prosper. In today’s Gospel, the Pharisee seeks safety in his works and the tax collector seeks safety in God’s love and mercy. We find safety in this place, nourished by the living Word of God, by the sacraments, and by this community. And we can leave our comfort zone to share God’s love and safety and to invite others into the circle of faith.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 29 / Children’s Sabbath—October 16, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Genesis 32:22-31 | Psalm 121 | 2 Timothy 3:14—4:5 | Luke 18:1–8
Summary: In our first lesson, Jacob wrestles with God or an angel until the angel asks his name. Long before that in the story, Jacob had pretended to be his brother Esau to get a blessing from his father Abraham, but this time Jacob gives his true name and gets a blessing. Likelwise, God blesses us in our true nature and identity and in our brokenness. When we are who we are, we are bless by God whose name is “I am.”
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 28—October 9, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c | Psalm 111 | 2 Timothy 2:8–15 | Luke 17:11–19
Summary: Today’s Gospel is about the ten lepers who were healed and restored to the community and normal life. Too often we looks at someone who is homeless or poor or diseased and focus on their condition; we do not see them as people. When we see the world through the eyes of gratefulness, we restore life to everyone around us. And we live our lives for the sake of Christ and all creation.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 27—October 2, 2016
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 | Psalm 37:1-9 | 2 Timothy 1:1–14 | Luke 17:5–10
Summary: Just before today’s Gospel, the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith, and Jesus responds by saying that faith the size of mustard seed was enough to do great things. We also want everything bigger, including our faith. But just as a little seed contains everything to grow a great plant, we already have everything we need to do ministry in our seeds of faith.