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Archives: Episode

Fifth Sunday in Lent

On this fifth Sunday of Lent we get one last covenant – a promise that God will be as close to us as a tattoo on our hearts. The psalm is a nod back to Ash Wednesday and an ask to create in us clean hearts. As we prepare our hearts to face the horror and sadness of holy week, Jesus reminds us that from death can come resurrection not just for a few but for all of us. 

Accompanying Scripture:
Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51:1-12, John 12:20-21

Good News
Good News
Fifth Sunday in Lent
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Fourth Sunday in Lent

Through our texts today, we are invited to lift up the things that scare and afflict us the most – snakes, sin and even death. In doing so, we remember God asks us not to lift these things up to condemn us but to save and heal us. What would it look like to be brutally honest about all the ways we fall short? Would you feel relief in such vulnerability? As Lutherans we cling to the promise that we alongside the whole cosmos are saved by God’s grace. 

Accompanying Scripture:
Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21

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Good News
Fourth Sunday in Lent
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Third Sunday in Lent

The third covenant in this year’s Lenten readings is the central one of Israel’s history: the gift of the law to those God freed from slavery. The commandments begin with the statement that because God alone has freed us from the powers that oppressed us, we are to let nothing else claim first place in our lives. When Jesus throws the merchants out of the temple, he is defending the worship of God alone and rejecting the ways commerce and profit-making can become our gods. Centered first in God’s liberating love, we strive to live out justice and mercy in our communities and the world.

Accompanying Scripture:
Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19, John 2:13-22

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Third Sunday in Lent
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Second Sunday in Lent

This Sunday we remember another covenant. We are connected to a wide family of faith, as numerous as the stars, through Abraham and Sarah. In the gospel reading, Jesus poses this famous invitation to the crowd and disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” What does it look like today to hold onto our crosses and follow? 

Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31, Mark 8:31-38

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Good News
Second Sunday in Lent
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First Sunday of Lent

In this first week of Lent, we hear the familiar story of promise with a rainbow and of wilderness. No matter what messiness we find ourselves in, this story reminds us we are not alone. While Satan may show up, there also promises to be wild beasts, angels and Jesus in the midst of it all. 

Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10, Mark 1:9-15

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Good News
First Sunday of Lent
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Transfiguration Sunday

On Transfiguration Sunday, we get a glimpse of Jesus divine and it is both comforting and terrifying. In worship, we show up to encounter God in the water, in the word, at the table and in one another. May we wake up to God’s liberating light which shimmers in all people, places and beings. 

Accompanying Scripture:
2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6, Mark 9:2-9

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Transfiguration Sunday
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Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

 In Isaiah God is the one who sits above the earth with its inhabitants as small as grasshoppers and also strengthens the powerless. So in Jesus’ healing work we see the hand of the creator God, lifting up the sick woman to health and service (diakonia). Like Simon’s mother-in-law, we are lifted up and healed to serve. Following Jesus, we strengthen the powerless; like Jesus, we seek to renew our own strength in quiet times of prayer.

Accompanying Scripture:
Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c, Mark 1:29-30

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Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
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Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

In Deuteronomy God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses, who will speak for God; in Psalm 111 God shows the people the power of God’s works. For the church these are ways of pointing to the unique authority people sensed in Jesus’ actions and words. We encounter that authority in God’s word, around which we gather, the word that prevails over any lesser spirit that would claim power over us, freeing us to follow Jesus.

Accompanying Scripture:
Deuteronomy 18: 15-20, Psalm 111, Mark 1:21-20

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Good News
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
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Third Sunday After Epiphany

As we continue through the time after Epiphany, stories of the call to discipleship show us our collective calling to show Christ to the world. Jesus begins proclaiming the good news and calling people to repentance right after John the Baptist is arrested for preaching in a similar way. Knowing that John was later executed, we see at the very outset the cost of discipleship. Still, the two sets of brothers leave everything they have known and worked for all their lives to follow Jesus and fish for people.

Accompanying Scripture:
Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Mark 1:14-20

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Third Sunday After Epiphany
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Second Sunday After Epiphany

In John’s gospel, Jesus’ ministry begins with a simple call of disciples- “Follow me.” We are invited to do the same, following Jesus day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment trusting we do now do this work alone.

Accompanying Scripture:
1 Samuel 3:1-10; Psalm 139; John 1:43-51

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Good News
Second Sunday After Epiphany
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Faith Lutheran Church

3313 Arlington Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201

703.525.9283 (Church)
703.525.1375 (Preschool)

Worship Times

9 am Contemporary Worship

11 am Blended Traditional Worship with Livestream

We invite you to join us this Sunday.