From Pastors Pen…
Lectionary Series
With these words, our Lord began His public ministry, a journey that would lead to the Cross and the establishment of His kingdom.
As we look forward our Lenten journey next month, we remember the words uttered on Ash Wednesday:
Repent and believe the Gospel.
Martin Lither remarked that the life of the Christian is to be one of repentance. Repentance is a time of introspection, a
time of reflection, a time to recognize how much our Savior, Jesus Christ, has done that we might escape the wrath of
God because of our sin. During the upcoming season of Lent, some will do this through sacrifice in their own right: giving
up some pleasure for the Season, performing increased acts of charity, fasting and praying.
These are fine Lenten disciplines, but a life filled with repentance would not just give up something for a short period of
time, but strive, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to give up all sin that would harass and separate us from God and each
other. And always we need to remember that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. With repentance and forgiveness comes
the assurance by faith that the Kingdom of God is here, now and throughout eternity - and that we will be there too.
The Lectionary
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 (a "snippet" of a
biblical book). The history of the evolution of the pericopal system is complicated.
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 worshippers may further
prepare for Sunday service. The title and lectionary source for that week’s sermon will also be posted [see below].
Lectionary Notes for February 2025
Feb 2 + Epiphany IV I Samuel 1:21-28 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-32
Presentation of our Lord Sermon: “Dedicated to God” – Pastor on I Samuel 1:21-28 & Luke 2:22-32
Feb 9 + Epiphany V Isaiah 6:1-8 I Corinthians 14:12-20 Luke 5:1-11
Sermon: “Change? What Change?” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Luke 5:1-11
Feb 16 + Epiphany VI Jeremiah 17:5-8 I Corinthians 15:12-20 Luke 6:17-26
Sermon: “Blessings and Curses” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Luke 6:17-26
Feb 23 + Epiphany VII Genesis 45:3-15 I Corinthians 15:21-26, 30-42 Luke 6:27-38
Sermon: “An Unreasonable Love” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Luke 6:27-38
Lectionary Series
January 5 + Sunday of the Epiphany [Observed]
Isaiah 66:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon: “Wise Men Still Seek Him” + Pastor Albrechtsen on Matthew 2:1-12
January 12 + The Feast of the Baptism of our Lord
Isaiah 43:1-7 Romans 6:1-11 Luke 3:15-22
Sermon: “Why Be Baptized?” + Pastor Albrechtsen on Luke 3:15-22
January 19 + Epiphany II
Isaiah 62:1-5 I Corinthians 12:12-31 John 2:1-11
Sermon: “Christ the Vintner” + Pastor Albrchtsen on John 2:1-11
January 26 + Epiphany III
Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-20 I Corinthians 12:12-31 Luke 4:16-30
Sermon: “The Scri[ture Fuilfilled” + Pastor on Isaiah 62:1-5, & Luke 4:16-30
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 (a "snippet" of a biblical book). 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].