From Pastors Pen…
Lectionary Series
It’s time for back to school, time for the regular routines of post-Summer living….
It’s time to gear up for new activities, new opportunities in fellowship and service. It’s time to say hello to those we haven’t seen quite so often these past Summer Sundays, and to say hello to some new faces as well while time allows.
In Matthew 25:31-46, our Lord Jesus Christ describes the final judgment in terms of how we treat each other, especially the stranger, and the Holy Spirit imparted practice of sanctification. While we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, we live out our baptismal faith by feeding and clothing those in need, and by visiting the ill, or those in prison, and welcoming them in our midst (Matthew 25:35c).
With summer vacation season coming to a close and regular routines returning, it is important to be welcoming to both the stranger and those in our communities of faith who have been absent for any length of time from the fellowship of our congregation. This life of hospitality and service is a loving tribute of thanksgiving to our Savior who welcomed children into His arms and transformed strangers into disciples.
As St Paul wrote to the church in Rome: Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:7).
September Lectionary
Why Post the Lectionary?
“Lectionary: is the term used broadly to refer to any book of biblical passages used for liturgical celebration, such as Sunday worship services. The individual readings are also known by the Greek technical term pericope” (of a biblical book). The history of the evolution of the pericope system is complicated.
The Lectionary sets the tone for each Sunday, Feast and Special Occasion within the Church Year – Advent through Pentecost. Every month the appointed Lectionary readings for each Sunday will be posted so that worshipers may further prepare for Sunday service. Wherever possible, the title, lectionary source for that week’s sermon, and a brief synopsis will also be posted.
Sept 6 + Pentecost XV Ezekiel 33:7-9 Romans 13:1-10 Matthew 18:1-20
Sermon: “Bring the Back” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Matthew 18:10-20
To what length would you go to find a lost cell phone? You would probably spend whatever it took to find it. Well then, what about a pen or pencil? Would you spend the same amount of time as for a cell phone? Why bother? There are probably a dozen more in a desk drawer. Would that Jesus thought that way.
Sept 13 + Pentecost XVI Genesis 50: 15-21 Romans 14:1-12 Matthew 18:21-35
Reverend Henry Albrechtsen, III
Sermon: “Seventy-Seven” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Matthew 18:21-35
One of the most difficult things to do is forgive. Insults, being discourteous, having been cheated in any way, shape or form – it is just hard to forgive. We probably would like to get revenge, do to the other person what they did towards us. But we are to forgive without limitations. That’s what our Lord commands. Afterall, He doesn’t show any limited to His forgiveness for us, thank God.
Sept 20 + Pentecost XVII Isaiah 55:6-9 Philippians 1:12-14, 19-30 Matthew 20:1-16
Sermon: “Last but not Least” – Pastor on Matthew 20:1-16
It is quite infuriating to watch as new hirings receive more salary to start than others are receiving after five, six, seven years of service. It isn’t faith. So too is it when new employees start at the same salary as veterans. Start last, start at the bottom and earn your way to full benefits. Right?
Sept 27 + Pentecost XVIII Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 Philippians 2:1-18 Matthew 21:23-27
Sermon: “Lightbulbs” – Pastor on Philippians 2:12-18
“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shone, let it shine all the time, let it shine.” Remember that little tune from Sunday School? You should, at least that's what St Paul is saying. Let that little light shone in a dark and gloomy world.
What is the Lectionary?
“Lectionary: is the term used broadly to refer to any book of biblical passages used for liturgical celebration, such as Sunday worship services. The individual readings are also known by the Greek technical term pericope. The history of the evolution of the pericopal system is complicated.
Early Christian Use of the Scriptures.
References found in the Acts of the Apostles attest to regular Sabbath readings that were firmly established and practiced wide-spread: For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every Sabbath in the synagogues (Acts 15:21). Further references within the New Testament show early Christian use of the Hebrew Scriptures in worship, especially the Psalms (see Ephesians 5:18–20; Colossians 3:16).
Scripture was also read for community edification and instruction (see 1 Timothy 4:13). The first evidence of fixed readings for liturgy is related to the development of the liturgical year and to a lesser degree, the local church in which the liturgy was celebrated. The introduction of annual feasts, seasons, and commemoration of martyrs, is correlated to specially selected Biblical books and fixed passages that were deemed appropriate to the celebration. This evolved in the One-Year Lectionary commonly used in the Church prior to Vatican II.
Modern Lectionary Systems
After the Second Vatican Council of 1962–1965, an arrangement was introduced by which the readings on Sundays and on some principal feasts recur in a three-year cycle, with four passages from Scripture (Old Testament, Epistle, Gospel and the Psalms ). This revised Lectionary, covered much more of the Bible than the readings in the One-Year Lectionary, which repeats itself each year The Revised Common Lectionary was derived from the Roman Lectionary for use in Protestant Churches, including the Lutheran Church.
The Lectionary sets the tone for each Sunday, Feast and Special Occasion within the Church Year – Advent through Pentecost. Typically the Old Testament or First Reading compliments the Gospel reading. The Epistle readings are devised to work through entire letters from the Apostles throughout the Church Year. With the use of the Lectionary throughout our Churches we experience an additional depth of fellowship with our Confessional brothers and sisters.
Every month the appointed Lectionary readings for each Sunday will be posted so that worshipers may further prepare for Sunday service. The title and lectionary source for that week’s sermon will also be posted [see above].