From Pastors Pen…

Lectionary Series

We are now entering the Season of Lent…

– a time of self-reflection and denial, or observing the Lenten discipline of charity, prayer and sacrifice. The Season of Lent is also filled with

images – Jesus praying in Gethsemane, standing before Pilot in a scarlet robe and crown of thorns atop His head, carrying His cross along the Via Del Rosa to the Golgotha – the place of execution. These images elicit sadness. How could anyone allow themselves to be so tortured? Why would Christ allow Himself to carry a cross to His death. He did so out of love for us. And that love was a burden – a yoke – a cross He gladly carried

for all to see, knowing the joy that would follow. If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me [Luke 9:23] And now it is our turn; it is our turn to carry crosses on the road of our lives. What is that cross? Chronic illness, crushing debt, strained relationship, dead end jobs. Or maybe it’s you think it is the cross of worry, depression, sadness – all unique to the individual. However, the cross that we all carry – the cross that Jesus has told us to pick up and follow Him with – is our faith. Just as Jesus gladly carried His cross that bleak Friday thousands of years ago, we gladly carry our faith with us. It is often heavy when people reject us or mock us for our faith, but we still gladly carry it for all the world to see, knowing the joy we will all experience at that eternal Easter.

March Lectionary

March 1 + Lent II Genesis 12:1-9 Romans 4:1-8; 13-17 John 3:1-17

Abraham’s faith was filled with a tireless and dogged determination. But it was based on the fact that the mercy and kindness of our God is even more tireless and dogged and determined than we are. His forgiveness and grace pursue us with a persistence because His forgiveness and grace never give up! And it is that sure and certain hope on which the faith of Abraham rested.

March 8 + Lent III Exodus 17:1-7 Romans 5:1-8 John 4:4-26

Have you ever felt like you’re a bit of an outsider? That maybe you’re being looked down upon by others–whether fairly or unfairly. Maybe you’ve done something to bring some shame upon yourself. And maybe you feel some guilt before God. If this is the case, then I’ve got good news for you today. And we’ll find it out at the side of a well, where a Jewish man has come and meets “The Samaritan Woman at the Well.”

March 15 + Lent IV Isaiah 42:1-21 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-7,13-17,34-39

A man who has never seen clearly in his entire life and now, as an adult, has perfect vision. The people brought the man to the Pharisees, likely because they were certain that the religious leaders would want to see the great things that God had done for this man. But the reaction that they received from these leaders was overtly negative. They didn’t see this miracle as evidence of Jesus’ divine nature. Rather, they saw this act as a clear testimony ofthe sin they supposed Jesus had. They couldn’t see what was happening right in front of them. What do you see?

March 22 + Lent V Ezekiel 37:1-14 Romans 8:1-11 John 11:17-27,38-53

Overwhelming grief and pain can make us feel like our heart is breaking if we have to leave friends behind, move away, or when death separates us from a loved one. Broken hearts hurt – there is no other way to put it. And that is what’s before us in the Gospel lesson today: Mary and Martha’s broken hearts at the death of their brother, Lazarus, and not just Mary and Martha, but Jesus’ heart also. Jesus comes to mend those broken hearts and give hope as no one else can.

March 29 + Palm Sunday Isaiah 50:4-9 Philippians 2:5-10 John 12:12-43

The anticipation was great. This wasn’t something just thrown together at the last minute. The people of Israel had been waiting for literally centuries for this day to arrive. The Son of David had finally come. How could they know? The signs pointed to this: The water into wine, the healings, the feeding of the 5,000, walking on the water, and raising the dead. Now it’s nearing the culmination of the Son of David coming to accomplish what was foretold!” They were anticipating great things from Jesus, that He would bring an everlasting Kingdom of perfect righteousness and justice. They were ecstatic about His arrival. But...

What is the Lectionary?

“Lectionary: is the term used broadly to refer to any book of biblical passages used for liturgical celebration, such as Sunday worship services. The individual readings are also known by the Greek technical term pericope. The history of the evolution of the pericopal system is complicated.

Early Christian Use of the Scriptures. 

References found in the  Acts of the Apostles  attest to regular Sabbath readings that were firmly established and practiced wide-spread: For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every Sabbath in the synagogues (Acts 15:21). Further references within the  New Testament  show early Christian use of the Hebrew Scriptures in worship, especially the Psalms (see Ephesians 5:18–20; Colossians 3:16).

Scripture was also read for community edification and instruction (see 1 Timothy 4:13). The first evidence of fixed readings for liturgy is related to the development of the liturgical year and to a lesser degree, the local church in which the liturgy was celebrated. The introduction of annual feasts, seasons, and commemoration of martyrs, is correlated to specially selected Biblical books and fixed passages that were deemed appropriate to the celebration. This evolved in the One-Year Lectionary commonly used in the Church prior to Vatican II.

Modern Lectionary Systems

After the  Second Vatican Council  of 1962–1965, an arrangement was introduced by which the readings on Sundays and on some principal feasts recur in a three-year cycle, with four passages from Scripture (Old Testament, Epistle, Gospel and the  Psalms ). This revised Lectionary, covered much more of the Bible than the readings in the One-Year Lectionary, which repeats itself each year The Revised Common Lectionary was derived from the Roman Lectionary for use in Protestant Churches, including the Lutheran Church.

The Lectionary sets the tone for each Sunday, Feast and Special Occasion within the Church Year – Advent through Pentecost. Typically the Old Testament or First Reading compliments the Gospel reading. The Epistle readings are devised to work through entire letters from the Apostles throughout the Church Year. With the use of the Lectionary throughout our Churches we experience an additional depth of fellowship with our Confessional brothers and sisters.

Every month the appointed Lectionary readings for each Sunday will be posted so that worshipers may further prepare for Sunday service. The title and lectionary source for that week’s sermon will also be posted [see above].