The world is ending and yet our texts remind us today not to lose hope. God promises to be right here in the midst of the mess-the messes we make, the messes that find us and the messes beyond our control.
Accompanying Scripture:
Malachi 4:1-2, Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 21:5-19
When life throws a curveball and one ends up in the hospital, religion often becomes an important aspect of the hospital stay. Comfort your hearts with God and with Jesus. Spiritual care is important at all times, but it is often incredibly needed for patients receiving medical treatment, as well as for their families and loved ones.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38
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 lean into the wholeness of the beatitudes in today’s gospel. Sealed by the Spirit and sustained by Christ, we live with joy and grief as God’s people.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 149, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31
The theme in our texts for this week is don’t give up. Jacob wrestles with his broken relationship with his brother and ends up wrestling God. Jesus describes a parable where a widow wrestles with injustice and faces a grumpy judge. In faith we too are invited to be persistent, be honest, ask questions and hold one another accountable. God can handle all of our questions, our doubts and wrestling. Indeed blessing might even be found in the engagement.
Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 121, Luke 18:1-8
Today is a day of unexpected blessings, surprising signs of how God is active and alive and present in our world and in our lives in the most unlikely of places. Naaman, a commander and mighty warrior and enemy of Israel, suffers from leprosy and is offered healing through disappointing ordinary means. Also afflicted with leprosy, ten people implore Jesus for God’s mercy and are healed. But the outsider—the foreigner—is the only one who returns to give thanks. How can we pay attention to the surprising places where God is present for us and give thanks?
Accompanying Scripture:
2 Kings 5:1-15c, Psalm 111, Luke 17:11-19
Life in a metropolitan area often lacks green space. We do not have to travel far to see God’s creation. We have parks, rivers, forests, zoos and animal rescues in the DC area and some just a short drive away. An invitation this week is to take time out of our busy schedules to rest and reflect on God’s abundance of creation. What do you hear? See? Feel?
Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 1:1-31, Psalm 96, John 1:1-5
The story of the rich man and Lazarus infamously and painfully reminds us of the uncomfortable truth that money will not earn us salvation and God deeply cares for the poor. In worship all are welcome, all are loved. As God continues to love all of who we are, we are invited to do the same for one another. Knowing as we do, we encounter heaven on earth.
Accompanying Scripture:
Amos 6:1a, 4-7, Psalm 146, Luke 16:19-31
Experiencing God’s love in a chaotic world may seem impossible. We are often reminded in scripture that God’s love never fails and God’s most precious gift was Jesus. Jesus invited everyone to the table without condition. As Jesus invites us to the table, let us open our tables to others without conditions.
Accompanying Scripture:
Amos 8:4-7, Psalm 113, Luke 16:1-13
Jesus finds us when we are lost. This week we hear the powerful reminder of the lost sheep and the lost coin and the party that follows. Each Sunday this party full of ‘sweet tunes’ is for us all. As we foster good party vibes, we humbly are reminded that we too were once lost and have been found and so it is our job to extend this invitation to others.
Accompanying Scripture:
Exodus 32:7-14, Psalm 51:1-10, Luke 15:1-10
There is nothing like finding a place where you feel like you are at home. A little kindness, someone making the extra effort for you- it all ends up feeling like a special gift. This is especially true at church- some extra touches and careful intention can make people feel welcomed and valued. For the fall we are going to explore different intentions that can widen and deepen our hospitality. What are we doing well? Where can we improve? How can we become the place that feels a little like home in the midst of this wild world we live in?
Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 18:1-14, Psalm 5, Luke 19:1-10
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