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Christ the King—November 20, 2022
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Jeremiah 23:1–6 | Psalm 46 | Colossians 1:11–20 | Luke 23:33–43
Summary: Christ the King, this last Sunday in the long season of Time after Pentecost, can be confusing because in life Jesus was not concerned with the power and authority we associate with kings. Our Gospel tells of Jesus on the cross forgiving his persecutors and promising to be with us in paradise. His is a kingdom built on love and sacrifice. Our role as the church is all about finding ways to share God’s love with all creation.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 33—November 13, 2022
No sermon because of the first half of the congregational meeting.
All Saints Sunday—November 6, 2022
Preacher: Pastor Bree Lloyd
Lessons: Daniel 7:1–3, 15–18 | Psalm 149 | Ephesians 1:11–23 | Luke 6:20–31
Summary: In Celtic tradition, this time of year was thought to be a thin space between the living and the dead. To understand those old traditions, we must think about life, living, and death and understand how both past and present have a role in our existence. Our lesson from Daniel talks of a time when the people did not know who to follow. In our own day, we need a vision for how to live together. Luke’s version of the Beatitudes presents a vision for moving forward in this life, a vision of the Beloved Community. The way forward may be messy as we are led to a vision beckoning us to God.
Reformation Sunday—October 30, 2022
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Jeremiah 31:31–34 | Psalm 46 | Romans 3:19–28 | John 8:31–36
Summary: Our readings trace out a journey of people who have been separated from God and then redeemed. In Jeremiah God sees the shortcomings of God’s people; Paul reminds the Romans where they have fallen short and also sees that no one can be justified by their own works; and our Gospel tells us that if we continue in God’s word, we will be Jesus’ disciples and made free. Against this backdrop, we celebrate the Reformation. Our justification is tied to the cross; it is not fairness but mercy. We are being reshaped over and over into what God has for us in the future.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 30—October 23, 2022
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Joel 2:23–32 | Psalm 65 | 2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18 | Luke 18:9–14
Summary: Our Gospel story about the two men praying is often heard in an antisemitic way. We need to remember that Jesus was thoroughly Jewish and that this story is about prayer and not ethnic characteristics. Whatever it took for them to go out and pray in public and whatever their payer was like, the question is whether God heard their prayers. If this were the only story about prayer, you might think God only heard the prayer of the tax collector. Whatever our needs and prayers, God is there for us. Prayer is not a scheme for bargaining with God or religious magic. Prayer is a way to understand and talk with God who enfolds us with love and hears our prayers.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 29—October 16, 2022
Preacher: Pastor Bree Lloyd
Lessons: Jeremiah 31:27–34 | Psalm 119:97–104 | 2 Timothy 3:14—4:5 | Luke 18:1–8
Summary: Pr. Bree shared examples of ways people have described prayer. In our Gospel, Jesus tells us to pray always and not to lose heart.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 28—October 9, 2022
Preacher: Pastor Bree Lloyd
Lessons: Jeremiah 29:1, 4–7 | Psalm 66:1–12 | 2 Timothy 2:8–15 | Luke 17:11–19
Summary: Living in exile is part of the experience of many in the US, just as it was for the Jews, as seen in our lesson from Jeremiah. In our Gospel, Jesus is in the border areas and encounters people living in the exile of leprosy and difference, and by a miracle of grace the double exile returns to give thanks. As individuals, we can feel like exiled as we age and seem to be exiled from our bodies and minds. We all ache for home and belonging. Jesus meets us in each borderland, sees our ache and exile, and meets us with welcome home and healing.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 27/Blessing of the Pets—October 2, 2022
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Lamentations 1:1–6 | Psalm 137 | 2 Timothy 1:1–14 | Luke 17:5–10
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that if we have just a little faith, we can uproot a tree, but most of us are sure we could never do that, and we feel inferior. Just before this Jesus tells the disciples not to cause others to stumble and to forgive over and over. All this probably caused them to wonder how they have injured others. However, these passages are not meant to discourage us but to remember our place in God’s creation. The story of St. Francis preaching to the birds reminds us that all of creation is valuable and that humans are not the pinnacle of creation. As we touch the hem of God’s robe, we that we are at home, even if we do not know the way.