A tale of two kisses
Lectionary Blog

A tale of two kisses

Lectionary for Aug. 9, 2026 11th Sunday after Pentecost 1 Kings 19:9-18; Psalm 85:8-13; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33 They say that symmetry is tied to perceptions of beauty. Denzel Washington’s…

Don’t steal the bread!
Lectionary Blog

Don’t steal the bread!

Lectionary for Aug. 2, 2026 10th Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 55:1-5; Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21 One of the proverbs we quote most in my house is: “An…

Welcoming a prophet
Lectionary Blog

Welcoming a prophet

Lectionary for June 28, 2026 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 28:5-9; Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42 Sometimes I fear for my wife in churches. My wife grew up…

“That sort of Christianity …”
Lectionary Blog

“That sort of Christianity …”

Lectionary for June 21, 2026 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 20:7-13; Psalm 69:7-10, 16-18; Romans 6:1-11; Matthew 10:24-39 One of my favorite movies is Kingdom of Heaven from 2005 (the…

This church still has fire
From The Presiding Bishop

This church still has fire

Not all memories come flooding back because of photographs. Sometimes they can be a song, a word or phrase, or even a smell. For me, it’s barbecue. One whiff and,…

Anything but ordinary
Theology & Beliefs

Anything but ordinary

Back in the day, maybe even yet still, one’s first year of seminary involved serving several hours a week in a Ministry in Context (MIC) congregation. The goal was to…

Prayer for May 24
Prayer Ventures

Prayer for May 24

Every day, Living Lutheran offers a prayer for the day from the ELCA resource “Prayer ventures,” which can be downloaded here. These daily petitions are offered as a guide for your own prayer…

To try
Theology & Beliefs

To try

In the story of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Spirit doesn’t knock at the door. Instead, there is a “sound like a rush of a violent wind.” It doesn’t whip…

Little fires and contextualized words of Pentecost!
Lectionary Blog

Little fires and contextualized words of Pentecost!

Lectionary for May 24, 2026 Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-21; Numbers 11:24-30; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; John 20:19-23 Since I don’t serve a congregation, I rarely put on…

Comforting companion
Lectionary Blog

Comforting companion

Lectionary for May 10, 2026 Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66:8-20; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21 What is the most recent thing that really brought you comfort? Some…

Prayer ventures: June 8
Prayer Ventures

Prayer ventures: June 8

Every day, Living Lutheran offers a prayer for the day from the ELCA resource “Prayer ventures,” which can be downloaded here. These daily petitions are offered as a guide for…

My take: We could speak again 
Voices of Faith

My take: We could speak again 

In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh … (Acts 2:17).  I forget sometimes how afraid the first disciples…