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Speaker: Rev. CJ Valenti

Hope

Written by Faith2014 on .

Our culture often speaks of hope as either a Pollyannaish positivism or a measured optimism. Viewed through the lens of the cross, hope becomes an agent of empowering transformation instead. It does not deny suffering. Hope acknowledges that the present conditions are desperate, and it depends on God, with whom nothing is impossible. Hope is honest about suffering and urgent about God’s future. (From Barn Geese)

Accompanying Scripture:
Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-10, Luke 21:25-36 

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Hope
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Justice

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We often define justice as people getting what they deserve, but Jesus shows us a kind of justice that is more interested in what is necessary and loving than in what is fair. Jesus’ justice is ridiculously unbalanced: the Human One takes all of the hits, and humanity gets all of the benefits. Once we’ve experienced the liberation this kind of justice brings, it calls us to lives of even greater responsibility.

Accompanying Scripture:
Daniel 7:9-10,13-14, Psalm 93, John 18:33-38

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Good News
Justice
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Faith

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“Great is thy faithfulness!” sings a favorite hymn. We encounter God’s faithfulness whenever God meets us in baptismal waters, in bread and cup, in the word proclaimed, and in sins forgiven. On the other hand, our culture often frames faith as something we force into existence by sheer willpower: “Just have a little faith!” If our faith is a manifestation of God’s own faithfulness instead, then it is communal. It is tied to regular practices, and it asks us to show ourselves to God, just like God shows Godself to us.

Accompanying Scripture:
1 Samuel 1:4-20 , 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Mark 13:1-8

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Faith
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All Saints’ Sunday

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On All Saints’ day, we remember loved ones who have died. In worship we will name out loud each loved person we have buried in the last year. In our scripture readings we are reminded that our grief, our tears are sacred. Together as the church we celebrate God’s hope and promise of resurrection for all. Someday we will be reunited again. Our sainthood is not based on our goodness or earned acceptedness but God’s constant love and grace for us. 

Accompanying Scripture:
Isaiah 25:6-9, Psalm 24, John 11: 32-44

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All Saints' Sunday
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22nd Sunday after Pentecost

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This week’s gospel starts with disciples obsessing over who will be closest to Jesus, leading to Jesus teaching his followers about God’s take on importance and power. Here Jesus makes it explicit that the reversal of values in God’s community is a direct challenge to the values of the dominant culture, where wielding power over others is what makes you great. When we pray “your kingdom come” we are praying for an end to tyranny and oppression. We pray this gathered around the cross, a sign of great shame transformed to be the sign of great honor and service.

Accompanying Scripture:
Job 38:1-7, Psalm 91:9-16, Mark 10:35-45

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22nd Sunday after Pentecost
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Season of Creation: Blessing of the Animals

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This Sunday we celebrate the bright and beautiful creation we are a part of and live with on a daily basis. We remember all of creation matters, even the mosquito. We recommit ourselves to be a careful steward and together with God, we build a hopeful future where all thrive. 

Accompanying Scripture:
Romans 8:18-25, Psalm 96, Mark 16: 9-15

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Season of Creation: Blessing of the Animals
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Season of Creation: Mountain Sunday

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Throughout scripture, mountains are a sign of God’s majesty and power. From these high vantage points, we feel in the tingling sensations of our toes how high up we are and how small humanity truly is. This Sunday we give thanks for a different perspective and renew our call to care for all things great and small. 

Accompanying Scripture:
Exodus 3:1-12, Psalm 148, Mark 9:2-10

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Season of Creation: Mountain Sunday
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Second Sunday in Creation: Sky

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From the rising to the setting sun, we mark our days by the sky. Throughout scripture the sky indicates God’s majesty, power, vibrant color and awe inspiring power. We also know how important it is to care for the sky, for without its health we become sick. Breath is life. Life is breath. This Sunday we are reminded of God’s constant presence in the dark, in the light, in the wind, in each breath we take.

Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 19, Mark 16:1-8

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Second Sunday in Creation: Sky
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Season of Creation: Humanity

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Our Season of Creation this year begins with humanity. Today we remember that we as humans are not separate from creation, but an integral part of this delicate web of life God has lovingly and painstakingly created. Jesus asks us to consider whether we as humans are placed here to lord over or partner with?

Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 2:4-15, Mark 10:35-45

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Season of Creation: Humanity
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16th Sunday after Pentecost

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We know God shows no partiality and yet Jesus at first does not want to help this family because they are not Jewish. Even Jesus has grumpy days and needs to be able to listen with compassion. We too are given permission to be human, have grumpy days and in the end remember – compassion and empathy can win every time. (Please note, the first few minutes of Pastor CJ’s sermon were unfortunately not recorded due to technical issues.)

Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 146, James 2:1-10, Mark 7:24-37

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16th Sunday after Pentecost
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Faith Lutheran Church

3313 Arlington Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201

703.525.9283 (Church)
703.525.1375 (Preschool)

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Worship Times

9 am Contemporary Worship

11 am Blended Traditional Worship with Livestream

We invite you to join us this Sunday.

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