Celebrating our neighbors
Faith in Action

Celebrating our neighbors

Focal verse “Little children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18). Reflection There’s an unwritten rule in rural America—at least in…
Good news to the poor, foreigner, sick and incarnated
Lectionary Blog

Good news to the poor, foreigner, sick and incarnated

Lectionary for Feb 8, 2026 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 58:1-9a; Psalm 112:1-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Matthew 5:13-20 I don’t know about y’all, but the start of 2026 has been…
Bearing witness: “Get curious. Speak truthfully. Act boldly.”
Theology & Beliefs

Bearing witness: “Get curious. Speak truthfully. Act boldly.”

Series editor’s note: The 2026 theme for “Deeper understandings” is faithful witness in challenging times. This year, various authors will explore what it means for the ELCA, and each of us…
Prayer for Jan. 25
Prayer Ventures

Prayer for Jan. 25

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…
Foolishness or power?
Lectionary Blog

Foolishness or power?

Lectionary for Jan. 25, 2026 Third Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23 Think back to holiday gatherings around Thanksgiving or Christmas. Did y’all…
Perseverance and breakthroughs
Lectionary Blog

Perseverance and breakthroughs

Lectionary for Jan. 18, 2026 Second Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 Have you ever felt so discouraged that you almost quit, but you…
Breathe together
Faith in Action

Breathe together

Focal verse “The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4). Reflection You made it—you’re here at the start of a…
The <i>what</i> and the <i>why</i>
Lectionary Blog

The what and the why

Lectionary for Jan 11, 2026 Baptism of Our Lord First Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17 Don’t you love books or movies where you already…
Shrewd grace
Theology & Beliefs

Shrewd grace

We don’t usually put the words “shrewd” and “grace” together. They aren’t compatible. Rather, they are opposed in character, each carrying its own connotations that divide them into separate categories….
Grace upon grace
Lectionary Blog

Grace upon grace

Lectionary for Jan. 4, 2026 Second Sunday of Christmas Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1:[1-9]10-18 Can you remember a time when things might have been a little too…