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Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Choose life, reject death

Lectionary blog for Feb 16, 2020 Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Matthew 5:21-37 I’m an adjunct professor at a Lutheran seminary where I teach,…

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Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Community-blessing holiness

Lectionary blog for Feb 9, 2020 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 58:1-9 (10); Psalm 112:1-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Matthew 5:13-20 This week’s lectionary readings continue the theme from last week…

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Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Being a good neighbor

Lectionary for Feb 2, 2020 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12 Sometimes the life of faith is a struggle. Holding out hope in…

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Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Contempt & glory

Lectionary for Jan. 26, 2020 Third Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23 My sons have happened upon Matthew 20:16—”the last shall be first…

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Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Abundant blessings

Lectionary for Jan. 19, 2020 Second Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 As occasionally happens in life, sometimes we are so conscious of how…

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Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Servant songs

Lectionary blog for Jan. 12, 2020 First Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17 Have you ever had one of those conversations in which you are…

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Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Bringing together the family

Lectionary blog for Jan. 5, 2020 Second Sunday of Christmas Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1:10-18 For those of us who are blessed to live relatively close to…

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Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: The way forward

Lectionary for Dec 29, 2019 First Sunday of Christmas Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23 The Feast of the Holy Innocents is a difficult day. Only a few…

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Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Crying out for good news

Lectionary blog for Dec. 22, 2019 Fourth Sunday of Advent Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 Do you ever feel pressure to conform to appearances during the…

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Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: When Jesus disappoints

Lectionary blog for Dec. 15, 2019 Third Sunday of Advent Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 With all the celebration, family time and joy, it’s easy to forget…

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Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Gathering the people for peace

Lectionary blog for Dec 8, 2019 Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 As a relatively new Lutheran Christian, I didn’t grow up with…

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Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Uncertain calendars

Lectionary blog for Dec 1, 2019 First Sunday of Advent Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 There is something deeply comforting about the fixedness of the liturgical calendar….