First Lutheran Church

Advent II

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Introduction

Forerunners and messengers advance the advent of our God. While John the baptizer’s voice in the wilderness may be the principal focus of the day, Malachi’s prophecy could as easily herald the coming Christ as forerunner of the LORD of hosts.Finally all the baptized are called to participate in the sharing of the gospel. In so doing we prepare the way for the coming of Jesus and assist all people in capturing a vision of the “salvation of God.”

Advent I

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg

Introduction

Advent is about the “coming days.” God’s people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks. The ancients anticipated a “righteous Branch to spring up for David.” The Thessalonians awaited “the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints.” Jesus’ contemporaries hoped for the time “to stand before the Son of Man.” With them we eagerly await the coming days: another Christmas celebration, a second coming, and the advent of Christ in word and supper.

Christ the King | Baptism

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Bill Keisell

Introduction

Even after Israel had experienced the vagaries of kings, the people still longed for a true king to set things right. He would have the king’s title of Anointed One (Messiah); he would be the “one like a human being” (Son of Man) given dominion in Daniel’s vision. Jesus is given these titles, even though he is nothing like an earthly king. His authority comes from the truth to which he bears witness, and those who recognize the truth voluntarily listen to him. We look forward to the day he is given dominion, knowing his victory will be the nonviolent victory of love.

Pentecost XXVI

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Bill Keisell

Introduction

November begins with All Saints Day and ends in or near Advent, when we anticipate Christ’s coming again. It is fitting, then, that the readings today tell of the final resurrection and the end time. In the turmoil of hope, fear, and disbelief that these predictions provoke in us, Hebrews sounds a note of confident trust. Christ makes a way for us where there is no way, and we walk it confidently, our hearts and bodies washed in baptismal water, trusting the one who has promised forgiveness. The more we see the last day approaching, the more important it is to meet together to provoke one another to love.

Pentecost XXV

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Pete Randall

Introduction

Widows are visible everywhere in today’s readings. Jesus denounces those scribes who pray impressive prayers but devour widows’ houses. He commends the poor widow who in his view gave far more than the major donors. Jesus doesn’t see her simply as an object of compassion or charity. She, like the widow of Zarephath who shares her last bit of food with Elijah, does something of great importance.

All Saints Sunday

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Chris Newman

Introduction

Of all three years of the lectionary cycle, this year’s All Saints readings have the most tears. Isaiah and Revelation look forward to the day when God will wipe away all tears; in John’s gospel, Jesus weeps along with Mary and all the gathered mourners before he demonstrates his power over death. On All Saints Day we celebrate the victory won for all the faithful dead, but we grieve for our beloved dead as well, knowing that God honors our tears. We bring our grief to the table and find there a foretaste of Isaiah’s feast to come.

Reformation Sunday

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Lector: Dennis Govoni

Crucifer: Juliette Carlson

Acolyte: Matthew Carlson

Introduction

Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to us in baptism, we pray for the church, that Christians will unite more fully in worship and mission.

First Holy Communion & Pentecost XXII

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Dawn Cafelle

Introduction

Today’s gospel starts with disciples obsessing over who will be closest to Jesus, leading to Jesus teaching his followers about God’s take on importance and power. Here Jesus makes it explicit that the reversal of values in God’s community is a direct challenge to the values of the dominant culture, where wielding power over others is what makes you great. When we pray “your kingdom come” we are praying for an end to tyranny and oppression. We pray this gathered around the cross, a sign of great shame transformed to be the sign of great honor and service. Our First Holy Communicants today are Keira and Mya Fitzgerald and Penny MacNevin. Congratulations!.

PET BLESSING & PENTECOST XXI

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Peter Randall

Introduction

The annual feast of St. Francis of Assisi is traditionally held on October 4. Francis is known on most church calendars as a “church reformer.” In the 13th century, Francis rebuilt the church in its outward form of mission to the outside world. Francis and his followers chose to live in nature rather than permanent physical structures. Francis embraced all of creation from birds to wolves to Brother Son to Sister Moon. Popular culture has embraced his countercultural identity in his association with Creation Theology and most closely identified him with popular blessings of animals and pet companions. Our relationship to creation and especially our pet companions point to our relationships with Jesus. It is no coincidence that Pope Francis I took the name of Francis on his consecration as Pontiff in 2013 given their shared humility and identity with the marginalized.

PENTECOST XX

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg

Introduction

Today’s gospel combines a saying that makes many of us uncomfortable with a story we find comforting. Jesus’ saying on divorce is another of his rejections of human legislation in favor of the original intent of God’s law. Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples who are fending off the children should challenge us as well. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a child does?

PENTECOST XVIII

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Chris Newman

Introduction

Someone who isn’t part of Jesus’ own circle is casting out demons in Jesus’ name, and the disciples want him stopped. They appeal to Jesus, as Joshua did to Moses about the elders who prophesied without official authorization. Like Moses, Jesus refuses to see this as a threat. Jesus welcomes good being done in his name, even when it is not under his control. The circle we form around Jesus’ word must be able to value good being done in ways we wouldn’t do it, by people we can’t keep tabs on.

PENTECOST XVIII

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Introduction

Today we hear James warn against selfish ambition, while the disciples quarrel over which one of them is the greatest. Jesus tells them the way to be great is to serve. Then, to make it concrete, he puts in front of them a flesh-and-blood child. We are called to welcome the children God puts in front of us, to make room for them in daily interaction, and to give them a place of honor in the assembly..

PENTECOST XVII

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend The Reverend Jill Wiley

Assisting Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

Three weeks ago we heard Peter’s confession of faith as told in John’s gospel. This week we hear Mark’s version, when Peter says, “You are the Messiah.” In John, the stumbling block is Jesus’ invitation to eat his flesh, given for the life of the world. In Mark too the scandal has to do with Jesus’ words about his own coming death, and here Peter himself stumbles over Jesus’ words. But Jesus is anointed (the meaning of messiah) in Mark only on the way to the cross (14:3); so we are anointed in baptism with the sign of the cross.

PENTECOST XVI

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend The Reverend Jill Wiley

Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg

Introduction

James tells us to stop showing favoritism in the assembly, treating the rich visitor with more honor than the poor one. Jesus himself seems to show partiality in his first response to the Syrophoenician woman in today’s gospel. Was he testing her faith in saying Gentiles don’t deserve the goods meant for God’s children? Or was he speaking out of his human worldview, but transcended those limits when she took him by surprise with her reply? Either way, the story tells us that God shows no partiality. Everyone who brings a need to Jesus is received with equal honor as a child and heir..

PENTECOST XIV

Officiants Today

Presiding: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg

Introduction

Jesus protests against human customs being given the weight of divine law, while the essence of God’s law is ignored. True uncleanness comes not from external things, but from the intentions of the human heart. Last week Jesus told us “the words that I havespoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63). Now James says God has given us birth by the word of truth. We who were washed in the word when we were born in the font return to it every Sunday to ask God to create in us clean hearts.