From Pastors Pen…

Lectionary Series

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. …

5  And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.  6  And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; - Mark 16:1, 5-6

Why do we seek Jesus among the dead?

Oh, we do not actually search cemeteries for His lifeless body, but all too often we ignore Him as we might a long lost relative – gone, a bit forgotten.

But Jesus is alive! Just as the Wise Men searched for the infant Jesus, so we need the wisdom to continually seek our Lord, His ways, His teaching, His living presence in our lives.

Seek Jesus among the dead? No! Alleluia, He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

April Lectionary

April 6 Lent V Isaiah 43:16-21 Philippians 3:8-14 Luke 20:9-20

Sermon: “A New Thing” – Pastor Albrechtsen onIsaiah 43:16-21

April 13 Palm Sunday Processional Gospel: John 12:12-19

Sunday of the Passion Deuteronomy 32:36-39 Philippians 2:5-11 John 12:20-43

Sermon: “What the Donkey has to Say” – Pastor Albrechtsen on John 12:12-19

April 17 Maundy Thursday Jeremiah 31:31-34 Hebrews 10:15-25 John 13:1-17, 31-35 Special Service

April 18 Good Friday Tenebrae Service – The Words from the Cross

April 20 Easter Isaiah 65:17-25 I Corinthians 15:19-26 Luke 24:1-12

Sermon: “Easter’s New Rules” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Luke 24:1-12

April 27 Easter II Acts 5:12-20 Revelation 1:4-18 John 20:19-31

Sermon: Lay Deacon Tony Hallman will preach on John 20:19-31

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. 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 worshipers 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].