LCH Sermons—Time after Pentecost 2022 (August and September) (Year C)

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 26—September 25, 2022

Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Amos 6:1a,4–7 | Psalm 91:1–6, 14–16 | 1 Timothy 6:6–19 | Luke 16:19–31
Summary: Today’s Gospel story of the rich man and Lazarus can trigger guilt or anxiety as we try to figure out which character we are in the story. However, Luke includes this story among others intended to show our relationship with God, so the intent may be different. God calls us to take hold of life that is truly life. In his privileged life, the rich man never saw Lazarus and only realized after death that he did not have real life. For us, the pursuit of making a living can lead us to miss out on real life. Luke tells us that we already have everything we need to understand God’s deep love for us that frees us to love and serve our neighbor.

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 25—September 18, 2022

Preacher: Pastor Bree Lloyd
Lessons: Jeremiah 8:18—9:1 | Psalm 79:1–9 | 1 Timothy 2:1–7 | Luke 16:1–13
Summary: The Cherokee tell a story of two wolves battling each other within us and conclude that the wolf we feed is the one that will win. Life is messy, systems are messy, and we are messy. Today’s Gospel is confusing, but the clear message at the end that we cannot serve both God and wealth helps. The lesson from Jeremiah gives comfort as we work out our choices. God is with us in the messiness and calls us forward.

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 24—September 11, 2022

Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Jeremiah 4:11–12, 22–28 | Psalm 14 | 1 Timothy 1:12–17 | Luke 15:1–10
Summary: In our Gospel, Jesus tells stories of things that are lost and get found. We are quite familiar with the story of the shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep to search for the one lost sheep. No real shepherd would do that, but it is God’s business to seek out the lost. This is very relevant in the post-covid world. We grieve that things are not the way they were; we have lost something; we long for those who have not come back to church. God’s expansive love for all creation defies sensible thinking and rejoices at the one who was lost and is now found. We are transformed when we see with God’s eye, seek out the lost, and rejoice in the grace of God.

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 23—September 4, 2022

Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Jeremiah 18:1–11 | Psalm 139:1–6, 13–18 | Philemon 1:1–21 | Luke 14:25–33
Summary: Today I greet you as the church and remind you what it means to be church. Inn our Gospel, Jesus says we cannot be his disciples if we value life or family or friends more than we love God. This image of faith sets our teeth on edge. Faith is not mere formality. True discipleship puts nothing before God. Knowing our place as children of God sets us free all that binds us so we can love the world.

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 22—August 28, 2022

Preacher: Pastor Bree Lloyd
Lessons: Jeremiah 2:4–13 | Psalm 81 | Hebrews 13:1–8, 15–16 | Luke 14:1, 7–14
Summary: We hear many voices calling us in our lives, but how can we be sure which is the voice of God? One clue is that the voice of God calls is to work that is most needed by our neighbors both near and far.

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 21—August 21, 2022

Preacher: Pastor Bree Lloyd
Lessons: Jeremiah 1:4–10 | Psalm 71 | Hebrews 12:18–29 | Luke 13:10–17
Summary: There are different voices calling us to all kinds of work. The problem is discerning whether the call comes from God, from the world, or from the ego. Sometimes the call is clear, as with Giovanni in our children’s sermon; but it is usually less clear. We are pulled one way or another between work and the rest of our lives, joy and service, acquisition and contribution, or striving and surrender. May we help each other hear God’s voice calling and surrender to it.

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 20—August 14, 2022

Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 5:1–7 | Psalm 80 | Hebrews 11:29—12:2 | Luke 12:49–56
Summary: A few weeks ago, I took several of our youth to camp and experienced the mess teenaged boys can make. Our lesson from Isaiah shows God’s intentions of the best for God’s people and how they messed it up. In our Gospel, Jesus talks about dissention within families. But each reading ends with a blessing. No matter how broken our lives or the world, the hope remains that God’s vineyard will flourish. At camp I saw hope in our youth. Despite the messiness and brokenness, we persist in the hope that Jesus loves us and is always with us.

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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 19—August 7, 2022

Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 1:1, 10–20 | Psalm 50 | Hebrews 11:1–3, 8–16 | Luke 12:32–40
Summary: Forthcoming

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