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Christ the King Sunday—November 21, 2021
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: 2 Samuel 23:1-7 | Psalm 93 | Revelation 1:4b–8 | John 18:33–37
Summary: In our Gospel, Pilate asks Jesus if he is the king of the Jews, and he explains that his kingdom is not from this world. The kingdom of Chrit is not rooted in human lust for riches and power. It is not from here, but it is here. That kingdom manifests itself as Jesus leaves Pilate and journeys to Calvary and the tomb. We see the inbreaking of Jesus’ kingdom through the cross. The kingdom of Christ is one where peace, love, and mutual care reign. It is not from here, but it is here.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 33—November 14, 2021
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 | Psalm 16 | Hebrews 10:11–25 | Mark 13:1–8
Summary: On my first sabbatical, I was awestruck by the pyramids outside Mexico City, just like the disciples in today’s Gospel are awestruck by the temple in Jerusalem. But a few centuries after those pyramids were built, that kingdom was conquered; and thirty-some years after our Gospel, Jerusalem and the temple will be destroyed. There is nothing wrong with celebrating our accomplishments until they become the focus of our lives and our vision changes. When he visited Rome, Martin Luther was impressed with the power and opulence of the city, but looking more closely, he realized that the glory was undermined by its fascination with itself. Most of what competes for our attention is of little meaning. Jesus calls us to build ourselves with love and true life in God.
All Saints Sunday—November 7, 2021
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 25:6–9 | Psalm 24 | Revelation 21:1–6 | John 11:32–44
Summary: In today’s Gospel, we see how thin the veil is between the living and the dead as Jesus commands them to take away the stone and brings Lazarus back to life. All the medicine and hope in the world cannot stop the stone from being rolled over our graves, but Jesus reminds us that this is not the end; in our death we are drawn into the fullness of God. We move from the community that surrounds us in life to the new life we have in God and the fellowship of the saints. Too often we prematurely roll stones like racism, misogyny, and selfishness over ourselves and cut ourselves off from the community around us. The communion of saints begins in the community of the living, where we roll away the stone and see within each other beloved creations of God.
Reformation Day—October 31, 2021
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Jeremiah 31:31–34 | Psalm 46 | Romans 3:19–28 | John 8:31–36
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus says “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples.” Martin Luther saw that the church in his time had made up their own language and lost the word of Jesus. So, on this Reformation Day, we ask if we are continuing in the word of Jesus. At the core of Jesus’ word is love that truly makes us free, but we have confused God’s truth with our own and become save of success and our own desires. However, Jesus continues to call us and our institutions into God’s transforming love. God has chosen to love us in our brokenness and stubbornness, and God accompanies us on our journey to continue in God’s word.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 30—October 24, 2021
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Job 42:1–6, 10–17 | Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22) | Hebrews 7:23–28 | Mark 10:46–52
Summary: I remember growing up in the desert, where the heat bent the light so we would see mirages and not the reality of the world around us. Light can play tricks on us, but it is what blind Bartimaeus in our Gospel wants most, so he asks Jesus to see again. How well do we see in our lives? Some preachers whip us up with fear and frenzy so that we see not what is real but mirages. Others repeat their lies over and over. And we can box ourselves in and accept racism, misogyny, and violence. Do we have the courage to ask with Bartimaeus to see again?
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 29—October 17, 2021
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Job 38:1–7, (34–41) | Psalm 104:1–9, 24, 35c | Hebrews 5:1–10 | Mark 10:35–45
Summary: In our Gospel, James and John ask Jesus to sit on his right and left in glory. We understand their request and might ask for the same thing, but our drive for status and reputation can overshadow the cross. The measure of our success is how we serve God, each other, and our community. It is not about securing our place in the hierarchy but being being open to God, who draws us together in service and love.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 28—October 10, 2021
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Job 23:1–9, 16–17 | Psalm 90:12–17 | Hebrews 4:12–16 | Mark 10:17–31
Summary: In our Gospel, Jesus, with love in his heart, tells the rich young man to sell everything and give to the poor. Jesus is not mandating a transactional faith; he is letting the man know that his wealth is crowding out God. Jesus is unafraid to give up his life for his disciples and all the world. Imagine a world where we love boldly and our hearts are transformed so that we see the stranger as beloved of God and worthy of love.
Feast of St. Francis (transferred)—October 3, 2021
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Genesis 1:1, 20–28 | Psalm 121 | Colossians 3:12–17 | Mark 12:28–34
Summary: Today we celebrate St. Francis, who is popularly known for his love of animals, but the core of his teaching found in today’s Gospel: love God with all your heart, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself. These days so much of our energy is focused on ourselves. Nowhere is this clearer than in our relationship with the environment. Our responsibility for the environment begins with our love for God and our neighbor. God has given us the intelligence and tools to love the earth again and to love it more than we love ourselves. That love may mean changing our habits, but mostly it means loving and bearing with one another for the sake of creation.