Lynne Kenyon’s funeral will be held at First Lutheran on Wednesday, December 3 at
Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson
Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg
The end is near. There is no doubt about it. The warnings are dire. The tone of today’s texts is ominous. But the baptized know how to live in the meantime. The baptized are strengthened for the living of these days in word and sacrament. The baptized rally around the invitation of the apostle: “Do not be weary in doing what is right.”
Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson
Assisting Minister: Pete Randall
Acolytes: Juliette and Matthew Carlson
Lector: Dennis Govoni
We worship on the first day of the week because Jesus was raised on that day. Every Sunday is a little Easter. This Sunday feels more like Easter than many as the appointed texts celebrate the reality of the resurrection. Live it up this Lord’s day. Our God is the God of the living.
Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson
Assisting Minister: Pete Randall
In holy baptism God makes saints out of sinners. In holy communion God forgives the sins of all the saints. In worship today we give thanks for all the saints “who from their labors rest.” In the same breath we petition our God for the strength to hear and to heed the admonitions of Jesus in today’s gospel. Sealed by the Spirit and sustained by the Savior’s body and blood, we live with joy as God gives us breath, to the praise of God’s glory.
Presider:Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson
Assisting Minister: Chris Newman
Genuine repentance and pretentious piety stand in stark contrast in the gospel and all around us. All creation stands in need of God’s forgiveness. Keep the faith. God’s people shall be accounted righteous for Jesus’ sake. Our God is merciful to sinners. For this we worship and glorify God forever..
Presider:Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson
Assisting Minister: Jeanne Govoni
Pray always. Do not lose heart. This is Christ’s encouragement in the gospel today. Wrestle with the word. Remember your baptism again and again. Come regularly to Christ’s table. Persistence in our every encounter with the divine will be blessed..
Presider:Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson
Assisting Minister: Sue Newbergl
It’s a miracle! Multiple miracles! The waters of holy baptism have healed us. The body and blood of Jesus in holy communion have made us clean. We have died with Christ and been raised with him. For all this we have returned to offer thanks. From this place we are sent on our way rejoicing to share the good news.
Presider:Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson
Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel
A little faith goes a long way is Jesus’ point in the gospel. A mustard seed’s-worth of faith has miraculous potential. The patience, tenacity, and endurance required for the life of faith are the blessings received in holy baptism, holy communion, and the word read and proclaimed in this assembly. Anticipate them. Receive them with thanksgiving..
Presider:The Reverend Jill Wiley
This is the third of three special services while Pastor Jeff is on vacation. Come experience these with us.Today: A Conversation with Pastor Ken Bjorkland.
Presider:The Reverend Jill Wiley
This is the second of three special services while Pastor Jeff is on vacation. Come experience these with us.Today: Telling the Story of Faith for Hildegard of Bingham.
Presider:The Reverend Jill Wiley
Assisting Minister: Nina Sousa
This is the first of three special services while Pastor Jeff is on vacation. Come experience these with us.
Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson
Assisting Minister: Katarina Sousa
Called to contemplate the cost of discipleship, we might be helped by translating Paul’s request to Philemon into our prayer of the day: Refresh my heart in Christ. Strengthened by the company and forgiveness of Christ in holy communion and recalling God’s grace in remembrance of baptism, we can be strengthened in this hour to “choose life”—to choose life in God as our own.
Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson
Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg
Invited and inviting—that is the nature of the church. By God’s grace in holy baptism we have a place at Christ’s banquet table. When, by the power of that same Spirit, humility and mutual love continue among us, the church can be more inviting still.
Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson
Assisting Minister: Chris Newman
Remember the sabbath day. Call the sabbath a delight. This is the Lord’s day, and the Lord will do for us what the Lord does: feed us, forgive us, help and heal us. Rejoice at all the wonderful things God is doing.
Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson
Assisting Minister: Pete Randall
The word of God is a refining fire. Jesus is the great divide in human history. He invites our undivided attention and devotion. Today in worship we are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses.” In the word and in holy communion we are invited yet again to look to Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
