First Lutherian Church

07 26 2026 – Pentecost IX

Pentecost IX

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg


Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

As Solomon prays for wisdom, we seek to more deeply know the treasures of faith. In today’s gospel Jesus offers everyday images that reveal to us the reign of God: a tree that becomes a sheltering home, yeast that penetrates and expands, a treasured pearl, a net that gains a great catch. Even as we seek the riches of God’s reign, the great surprise is that God’s grace finds us first!

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July 25, 2026

07 19 2026 – Pentecost VIII

Pentecost VIII

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Chris Newman


Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest. With Paul, we long for the day that all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering. Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope in the promises of God, and from the Lord’s table we go forth to bear the fruit of justice and mercy.

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July 18, 2026

07 12 2026 – Pentecost VII

Pentecost VII

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

God’s word is like the rain that waters the earth and brings forth vegetation. It is also like the sower who scatters seed indiscriminately. Our lives are like seeds sown in the earth. Even from what appears to be little, dormant, or dead, God promises a harvest. At the Lord’s table we are fed with the bread of life, that we may bear fruit in the world.

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July 11, 2026

07 05 2026 – Pentecost VI

Pentecost vI

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Nina Sousa

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

At this celebration of the nation, we join the psalmist in offering thanksgiving to God: “You crown the year with your goodness, and your
paths overflow with plenty.” We are grateful for the abundance of the good things of God’s creation. As the body of Christ in the world, we give ourselves away as bread for the hungry.

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July 4, 2026

06 28 2026 – Pentecost V

Pentecost v

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Pete Randall

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

The welcome of baptism is for all God’s children. This baptismal gift sets us free from the power of sin and death. In today’s gospel, Christ promises that the disciple who gives a cup of cold water to the little ones serves Christ himself. From worship we are sent on our baptismal mission:to serve the little ones of this world and to be a sign of God’s merciful welcome.

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June 27, 2026

06 21 2026 – PRIDE & Father’s Day

PRIDE & Father’s Day

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister:Jeanne Govoni

Lay Eucharist Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

The central characters of today’s gospel are the Ethiopian Eunuch and Philip, an apostle, deacon, and follower of Jesus. The Ethiopian Eunuch, having been sexually mutilated, cannot enter the Temple in Jerusalem for worship. He indeed, is a “stranger at the gate.” Upon a Spirit-filled meeting between the
Eunuch and Philip, the faith demonstrated by the Eunuch compels Philip to baptize him. Both depart from each rejoicing and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

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June 20, 2026

06 14 2026 – Juneteenth

Juneteenth

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister:Peter Randall

Introduction

Moses tells the Israelites that they are called to be a priestly kingdom and a holy people. Jesus sends out the disciples as laborers into the harvest. In baptism we too are anointed for ministry, sharing God’s compassion with our needy world. From the Lord’s table we go forth to proclaim the good news, to heal the sick, and to share our bread with the hungry.

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June 13, 2026

06 07 2026 – Pentecost II

Pentecost II

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Cassandra Chavez,

Assisting Minister:Sue Newburg

Introduction

Though Jesus was a devout Jew who practiced his faith, he was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners—the religiously nonobservant. Jesus criticizes the self-righteous and reminds us that mercy is to be at the heart of our religious practices. God continues to be made known in those on the margins of society, like Matthew the tax collector and the hemorrhaging woman. As we gather each Lord’s day we receive the
healing that makes us well and sends us forth to be signs of God’s mercy for the world.

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June 6, 2026

05 31 2026 – Trinity Sunday

Trinity Sunday

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Beatrice Michels Brown
,

Assisting Minister:Sue Newburg

Introduction

Though the word trinity is not found in the scriptures, today’s second reading includes the apostolic greeting that begins the liturgy: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In the gospel Jesus sends his disciples forth to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. More than a doctrine, the Trinity expresses the heart of our faith: we have experienced the God of creation made known in Jesus Christ and with us always through the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity in word and sacrament, as we profess the creed, and as we are sent into the world to bear witness to our faith.

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May 30, 2026

05 24 2026 – Pentecost & Confirmation

Pentecost & Confirmation

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Dawn Caffelle

Lay Reader: Weston Pearson

Confirmands: Addison Pellerin,
Dashwan Pinto, Avandro Goncalves,
Justin Dahlgren

Introduction

Pentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God’s presence within and
among us. In Acts the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing God’s presence to all people. Paul reminds us that though we each have different capacities, we are unified in the Spirit that equips us with these gifts. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on his disciples, empowering them to forgive sin. We celebrate that we too are given the breath of the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim God’s redeeming love to all the world.

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May 23, 2026

05 17 2026 – Easter VII & LEM Dedication

Easter VII

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Pete Randall

Lay Eucharistic Minister: Jeanne Govonni

Introduction

In these days between Ascension and Pentecost, we gather with the disciples in the upper room, waiting for the Spirit to transform the church around the world. In today’s gospel Jesus prays for his followers and for their mission in his name. Amid religious, social, and economic divisions, we seek the unity that Jesus had with his Father. Made one in baptism, we go forth to live our faith in the world, eager for the unity that God intends for the whole human family.

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May 16, 2026

05 10 2026 – Easter VI

Easter VI

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Pete Randall

Introduction

Jesus does not abandon his followers. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the Spirit of truth. We
receive this Spirit in baptism and pray that in our gathering around the Lord’s table the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world.

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May 9, 2026

05 03 2026 – Easter V with Baptism

Easter V ã Baptism

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Introduction

As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, today’s gospel includes Jesus’ promise that he goes to prepare a place for his followers in his Father’s house. Our baptism commissions us to share Jesus’ mission in
the world. As 1 Peter reminds us, we are a holy people, called to proclaim the one who called us out of darkness into light. In words and deeds we bear witness to the risen Christ—our way, our truth, our life.

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May 2, 2026

04 26 2026 – Easter IV

Easter IV

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Chris Newman

Introduction

Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is called the “gate” of the sheep in today’s gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us amid the world’s violence and war. We go forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God’s tender care to all creation.

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April 25, 2026

04 19 2026 – Easter III

Easter III

Worship Leaders Today

The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson,

Assisting Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction

Today’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with
sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts
burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord’s day.

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April 18, 2026