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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 26—September 27, 2020
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Exodus 17:1–7 | Psalm 78:1–4, 12–16 | Philippians 2:1–13 | Matthew 21:23–32
Summary: In today’s Gospel, the religious leaders ask Jesus by what authority he is acting. Today we also struggle with questions of authority. The problem with the religious leaders is that they cannot change their minds and accept this new thing that God is up to. The people in Exodus have the same problem with Moses’ authority. In our day we ask who has authority over us and have the opportunity to change our minds and accept the authority of Jesus, who pours himself out for the world in love.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 25—September 20, 2020
Preacher: Intern Pastor Bree Lloyd
Lessons: Exodus 16:2–15 | Psalm 105:1–6, 37–45 | Philippians 1:21–30 | Matthew 20:1–16
Summary: We often identify with the first laborer in today’s Gospel and focus on comparison and fairness, but that can cause us to lose sight of the work in front of us and distract us from the deeper work of justice and grace. In the economy of God, we are equally covered in grace, freedom, and love because we are God’s.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 24—September 13, 2020
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Exodus 14:19–31 | Psalm 114 | Romans 14:1–12 | Matthew 18:21–35
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells Peter that we should forgive another seventy-seven times. We like to hold on to and keep track of our grudges, but Jesus calls us to forgiveness that frees us from the power of both shame for our own sins and bondage to the grudges we have against others.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 23—September 6, 2020
Preacher: Intern Pastor Bree Lloyd
Lessons: Exodus 12:1–14 | Psalm 149 | Romans 13:8–14 | Matthew 18:15–20
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus breathes new life into old practices of reconciliation. We humans are both broken and healers. Wounds may run deep, and it may seem easier to cover them over than to engage in the long work that may be required bring about reconciliation. God is among us as we enter into and continue this work of reconciliation.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 22—August 30, 2020
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Exodus 3:1–15 | Psalm 105:1–6, 23–26, 45b | Romans 12:9–21 | Matthew 16:21–28
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains that discipleship has nothing to do with worldly success and everything to do with denying self and taking up the cross. Luther said that, like Peter in the Gospel and Moses in our first lesson, we are all both saints and sinners. As disciples, we must come to terms with our own brokenness and remember that God reaches out to us over and over to take up the cross and follow.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 21—August 23, 2020
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Exodus 1:8—2:10 | Psalm 124 | Romans 12:1–8 | Matthew 16:13–20
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks the disciples who they say he is, Peter answers that Jesus is the Christ, and Jesus says that he will build the church on the rock of Peter’s faith. This question continues to be key down to the present. Jesus is the gift from God to build up the body of Christ. Who will we be for Jesus? Will we be committed to justice, agents of transformation, feeders of crowds, and much more?
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 20—August 16, 2020
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Genesis 45:1–15 | Psalm 133 | Romans 11:1–2a, 29–32 | Matthew 15:10–28
This sermon was not recorded because of technical issues.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 19—August 9, 2020
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Genesis 37:1–4, 12–28 | Psalm 105 | Romans 10:5–15 | Matthew 14:22–33
Summary: Todays lesson tell stories of people seeking but not quite finding. We too often seek and don’t quite find what we are looking for. How do we hang on to our faith in these troubled times when we cannot even worship together? God chooses you and me and our world. We are still God’s people, and we can step out. Even when we feel like we are drowning, Jesus reaches out and lifts us up. And we keep taking chances and loving because God is with us forever.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 18—August 2, 2020
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Genesis 32:22–31| Psalm 17 | Romans 9:1–5 | Matthew 14:13–21
Summary: The context of today’s Gospel story of Jesus feeding the five thousand is important for a clear understanding. Learning of the killing of John the Baptist, Jesus goes to a deserted place to grieve and pray; having compassion on the crowds who follow, Jesus heals and, after calling of the disciples to do it, feeds them; and leaving with his disciples, Peter fails to walk on water. We are reminded of the John Lewis getting into good trouble. Like Lewis, we are called to work through our discomfort and get into good trouble so that the vision of Jesus Christ becomes reality in this world. We cannot leave it to the professionals; Jesus calls each of us to do the work. There are loaves ad fishes for us to bring to the good work of God.