Reimagining faithful witness

Reimagining faithful witness

Series editor’s note: This article kicks off the 2026 theme for “Deeper understandings”: faithful witness in challenging times. In the coming year, various authors will explore what it means for…

The stories are still relevant
Lectionary Blog

The stories are still relevant

Lectionary blog for December 28 First Sunday of Christmas Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23 My “side hustle” is sometimes teaching Hebrew Bible classes at ELCA seminaries. One…

Waiting with hope
From The Presiding Bishop

Waiting with hope

I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19). What does it mean to wait with hope? The upcoming months…

A dangerous time for a baby
Lectionary Blog

A dangerous time for a baby

Lectionary blog for Dec. 21 Fourth Sunday of Advent Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 Like many families, my wife and I have a “Covid baby” (a…

Lessons from <i>A Charlie Brown Christmas</i>
Voices of Faith

Lessons from A Charlie Brown Christmas

We all know the story of the angel appearing to shepherds on the night Jesus was born. In church, we’ll hear Matthew’s version this year, but many will think of…

Lectionary blog: Prepare in the wilderness
Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Prepare in the wilderness

Lectionary blog for Dec. 14 Third Sunday of Advent Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 Have you ever been in a desert or wilderness area? Most of us…

Lectionary blog: Endurance and encouragement
Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Endurance and encouragement

Lectionary blog for Dec. 7, 2025 Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 One of my favorite parts of Advent is the lectionary readings…

Lectionary blog: Getting ready
Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Getting ready

Lectionary blog for Nov. 30, 2025 First Sunday of Advent Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 I hope you’re ready! Advent has rolled around once again. It is…

Lectionary blog: Not that kind of king
Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Not that kind of king

Lectionary blog for Nov. 23, 2025 Christ the King Sunday Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43 Did you ever help elect someone to a position of responsibility, only…

Lectionary blog: The day will come
Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: The day will come

Lectionary blog for Nov. 16, 2025 23rd Sunday after Pentecost Malachi 4:1-2a; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19 My family recently celebrated my birthday. I was really looking forward…

Lectionary blog: Resurrection is the power of God
Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Resurrection is the power of God

Lectionary blog for Nov. 9, 2025 22nd Sunday after Pentecost Job 19:23-27a; Psalm 17:1-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17; Luke 20:27-38 Did you grow up with cartoons in which Wile E….