CategorySunday Preview

Weekly previews of the scripture for the upcoming Sunday, with preaching and home devotional questions for your reflection.

Third Sunday after Pentecost

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash This Sunday, we hear the parable of the mustard seed growing into a shrub. We’re reminded of the image of the tree of life, the tree that we equate with the cross upon which Jesus was crucified and destroyed death. We might expect the image for this grand reversal to be something…

Second Sunday after Pentecost

This Sunday marks the beginning of our summer worship schedule: 8:00 Indoor service, 9:45 livestream, and 11:00 outdoor service led by the New Day Band. We’re excited to be gathering together and to keep walking together on this grand experiment that is post-COVID church. Our readings this Sunday remind us that when we stand divided…

The Holy Trinity

With Easter and Pentecost behind us we look toward the summer. This Sunday, in addition to being Memorial Day weekend, is the Sunday when we celebrate one of those great mysteries of faith which defies explanation. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity, that our God is Three-in-One and One-in-Three, reminds us that there is a…

Day of Pentecost

On the 50th day of Easter, we celebrate that third, mysterious aspect of the Triune God, the Holy Spirit. We hear of the Holy Spirit being poured out and remember that this Spirit brings mercy to places we would probably otherwise not expect it. In this week’s readings a crowd of strangers speaking in many…

Seventh Sunday of Easter

“Alleluia! Christ is Risen!”“Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!” Can you believe it is already the seventh Sunday of Easter? We’ve been raising our alleluia shouts about the resurrection for seven weeks now and are no less excited this week than we were on Easter Sunday! This week, Jesus leaves the disciples, and us, with a…

Sixth Sunday of Easter

“Alleluia! Christ is Risen!”“Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!” With one week left to shout our Easter alleluias, we continue our cries of joy! This week, we hear Jesus talk to his disciples about abiding in love. We may think of the servant-love of Jesus in many situations, but John’s call here seems to guide us…

Fifth Sunday of Easter

“Alleluia! Christ is Risen!”“Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!” Week five of the season of Easter and our Alleluias haven’t given out yet! Jesus, in our reading from the Gospel of John this week, tells us that he has the true vine, God is the vinegrower, and that we are the branches. If we abide in…

Fourth Sunday of Easter

“Alleluia! Christ is Risen!”“Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!” Can you believe it’s still Easter? We celebrate Jesus’ resurrection for seven whole weeks and this is week four, alleluia! This week we speak of Jesus the Good Shepherd who bring us to life. Jesus, the shepherd, guides we sheep along the way we should go, keeping…

Third Sunday of Easter

“Alleluia! Christ is Risen!”“Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!” Yep! It’s still Easter! Three weeks in and four weeks left to celebrate the resurrection! This week Luke tells us how Jesus appeared among the disciples and opens their minds to understand him as the Messiah. Jesus also shares food with the disciples which calls to mind…

Second Sunday of Easter

“Alleluia! Christ is Risen!”“Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!” Our Easter shout continues this week. Easter is a week of weeks (7 Sundays) and acts as a Sunday to the year. Fifty days of easter in a year of about 350 days is about 1/7th of the year. This year during this season we celebrate the…