Every week, our pastor writes a short piece about the gospel reading prescribed by Revised Common Lectionary.
The intent of the article is to give you something to contemplate. Maybe even a new way of looking at the reading. Perhaps you might make a new connection to Jesus and his word of life.
These are designed to enhance or add to your experience from a sermon, by our pastor, or your pastor.
Engage in the word of God manifested in the Son.
9/11/22 14th Sunday after Pentecost (Luke 15:1-10) Gospel Message from Pastor William. The leaders grumbled about Jesus, saying; “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Wow, doesn’t Jesus realize sinners need to be excluded and punished? Doesn’t he see that they need to correct their behavior? Well, what they really need is love; […]
9/04/22 13th Sunday after Pentecost (Luke 14:25-33) Gospel Message from Pastor William. Jesus says that we cannot become his disciples unless we give up all our possessions. Well, no wonder there are not too many modern-day disciples of Jesus. To follow Jesus means to let go of the things we hold onto and trust […]
8/28/22 12th Sunday after Pentecost (Luke 14:1, 7-14) Gospel Message from Pastor William. Jesus gets invited to dinner by a church leader and proceeds to instruct the leader how he needs to elevate others, not himself. Invitations to dinner are generally about what the guest can do for the host, or about the host […]
8/21/22 11th Sunday after Pentecost (Luke 13:10-17) Gospel Message from Pastor William. Once again, Jesus calls his followers hypocrites. They were more concerned with rules, procedures and traditions rather than in seeking justice for the oppressed. And when they realized Jesus was calling them out, they were ashamed. The crowd rejoiced at the good […]
8/14/22 10th Sunday after Pentecost (Luke 12:49-56) Gospel Message from Pastor William. At the beginning of this chapter, Jesus warns about the hypocrisy of believers. Now at the end of chapter twelve, Jesus is a little more explicit; calling the gathered crowds, hypocrites! I like to say; “Being a Christian isn’t for wimps.” It […]
8/07/22 9th Sunday after Pentecost (Luke 12:32-40) Gospel Message from Pastor William. Jesus reminds us that it is God’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom. Then he instructs us to sell our possessions and give alms. Wow, Jesus that takes a great deal of trust on our part to give away that which […]
7/31/22 8th Sunday after Pentecost (Luke 12:13-21) Gospel Message from Pastor William. In this parable of the rich man, Jesus talks about everyone’s favorite sermon topic – money. But, perhaps it is not about money. Perhaps it is about trust, or rather, in whom one trusts. Here in the USA our money is imprinted […]
7/24/22 7th Sunday after Pentecost (Luke 11:1-13) Gospel Message from Pastor William. Jesus prays, then teaches his disciples to pray, and then teaches them why to pray. Most importantly, and perhaps most difficultly, our prayers are to recognize God’s authority in our life. Everything for which we ask is to be guided by our […]
7/17/22 6th Sunday after Pentecost (Luke 10:38-42) Gospel Message from Pastor William. Mary welcomes Jesus into her home by listening to him. Martha welcomes Jesus into her home by serving him. Both show hospitality, but Martha resents Mary’s method. Therein is the problem with us. We tend to think our way of being church […]
7/10/22 5th Sunday after Pentecost (Luke 10:25-37) Gospel Message from Pastor William. A lawyer asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. The simple answer is; nothing! You see, Jesus has done it for you and given to you, so you’ve already inherited it. Now, if you want to experience eternal life […]
