Who isn’t at the banquet?
Lectionary Blog

Who isn’t at the banquet?

Lectionary for Oct. 11, 2026 20th Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 25:1-9; Psalm 23; Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14 Have you ever been invited to a fancy dinner? Maybe it was a…
Three harvests
Lectionary Blog

Three harvests

Lectionary for Oct. 4, 2026 19th Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:7-15; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46 A dear friend is known around town for creating beautiful bouquets from her…
Belonging and togetherness
Living Faithfully

Belonging and togetherness

“ຍິນດີຕ້ອນຮັບ—welcome to this day,” proclaimed Sara Schultz in Lao and English. “Welcome to Grace Lao Lutheran Church, welcome to Hope Lutheran Church!” With these words, the pastor of Hope in…
The best day to repent
Lectionary Blog

The best day to repent

Lectionary for Sept. 27, 2026 18th Sunday after Pentecost Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Psalm 25:1-9; Philippians 2:1-31; Matthew 21:23-32 I’ll be honest, I don’t think of repentance as often as I…
Shutting the evil eye
Lectionary Blog

Shutting the evil eye

Lectionary for Sept. 20, 2026 17th Sunday after Pentecost Jonah 3:10–4:11; Psalm 145:1-8; Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16 We’ve been talking a lot about forgiveness recently. Good! I think that is…
True forgiveness
Lectionary Blog

True forgiveness

Lectionary blog for Sept. 13, 2026 16th Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 50:15-21; Psalm 103:8-13; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35 We love grace! Can’t get enough of it, really. “Amazing Grace” is…
A loving call to return
Lectionary Blog

A loving call to return

Lectionary for Sept. 6, 2026 15th Sunday after Pentecost Ezekiel 33:7-11; Psalm 119:33-40; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20 I’m just finishing a conference in Philadelphia as I write this. Last night…
Jesus, David and state violence
Lectionary Blog

Jesus, David and state violence

Lectionary for Aug. 30, 2026 14th Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 15:15-21; Psalm 26:1-8; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28 I know that I’m out of step with most Lutherans in my belief…
Belief and actions
Lectionary Blog

Belief and actions

Lectionary for Aug. 23, 2026 13th Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 51:1-6; Psalm 138; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20 What’s the best thing about your church? No, think for a minute before…
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…