From Pastors Pen…
Lectionary Series
…“The sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work. It is already there, I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.” — Michelangelo
This famous quotation from perhaps the greatest sculptor of all times does not merely describe a hunk of marble or stone; it describes us as well. The Prophet Isaiah wrote: Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. [Isaiah 51:1]
Being compared to a rock is not necessarily a compliment. Sure, they’re strong, withstand storms. People climb all over rocks and they are not damaged. However, comparing each of us to rocks also means that we are immovable in negative ways, resistant to change when change is good, thickheaded – as in being a blockhead – and generally quite dull. We have all heard or said such comparisons as “sat there like a rock” or “dumb as a rock.” Being “stoned out of your mind” is not a good thing.
But enter God, who at Creation sculpted the Universe, and continues to mold, sculpt, shape each of us through the Holy Spirit who came upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost and still comes to us. His chisel is His Word, His hands smoothing the rough edges. His goal: to bring out the best in each of us according to His will [Ephesians 2:10]. May we gladly stand ready to the often disruptive, sculpting, constructing protecting work of God’s Word creating in us living monuments to His Grace.
June Lectionary
June 1+ Easter VII Acts 1: 1-26 Revelation 22:1-6 John 17:20-25
Sermon: “The Unity of Brothers [& Sisters] – Pastor Albrechtsen on Psalm 133
June 8 + Day of Pentecost Genesis 11:1-9 Acts 2:1-21 John 14:23-31
Sermon: “Peter’s Front Porch” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Acts 2:1-21
June 15 + Trinity Sunday Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 Acts 2:14a, 22-36 John 8:48-59
Sermon: “Peter’s Living Room” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Acts 2:22-36
June 22 + Pentecost II Isaiah 65:1-9 Galatians 3:22-4:7 Luke 8:26-39
Sermon: “Thanks Dad” - Pastor Albrechtsen on Galatians 3:23-4:7
June 29 + Pentecost III Acts 15:1-12 Galatians 2:1-10 Matthew 16:13-19
Sts Peter & Paul Sermon: “Jesus & the Church” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Matthew2 16:13-19
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].