From Pastors Pen…
Lectionary Series
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand – Matthew 3:2
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.
March Lectionary
March 2 + The Transfiguration
Our Lord Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Hebrews 3:1-5
Luke 9:28-36
Sermon: “A New Light” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Luke 9:28-36
March 5 + Ash Wednesday Joel 2:12-19 II Corinthians 5:20-6:10
Matthew 6:16-21
Sermon: “Return to the Lord” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Joel
2:12-19
March 9 + Lent I Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Romans 10:8-13
Luke 4:1-13
Sermon: “Jesus Did Not Sin For You” – Pastor Albrechtsen on
Luke 4:1-13
March 16 + Lent II Jeremiah 26:8-15 Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:31-35
Sermon: “Don’t Cry for Me, Jerusalem” – Pastor Albrechtsen
on Luke 13:31-35
March 23 + Lent III Ezekiel 33:7-20 I Corinthians 5:15-21
Luke 13:1-9
Sermon: “Publish or Perish” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Luke
13:1-9
March 30 + Lent IV Isaiah 12:1-6 II Corinthians 5:15-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Sermon: “The Lost Boys” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Luke 15:11-
32
Why Post the Lectionary?
Reverend Henry Albrechtsen, III
“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 pericope system is
complicated.
The Lectionary sets the tone for each Sunday, Feast and Special Occasion within the Church Year – Advent
through Pentecost. 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.
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].