From Pastors Pen…

Lectionary Series

10  When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.   11  And going into the house, … they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. [Matthew 2:10-11]

The Magi from the East brought the Child Jesus gifts – gifts that would benefit Him: Gold for a king, the incense frankincense as used in worship, and myrrh – a spice used in embalming the dead. What do we bring to Jesus today? Our offerings, our prayers, and our lives. These treasures are every bit as precious as those the Magi presented Christ – perhaps even more so for, having seen the brightness of Him in our lives, we give of ourselves. May we continue throughout this New Year to fall before Him in worship.

January Lectionary

Jan 4 + Feast of the Epiphany [Observed] Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon: “Learning from Wise Men” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Matthew 2:1-12

What do the Magi have to teach us? Simple: study the Scriptures, look for God’s guidance and worship Him.

Jan 11 + Baptism of our Lord Isaiah 42:1-9 Romans 6:1-11 Matthew 3:13-17 Sermon: “In the Water Together” –

Pastor Albrechtsen on Matthew 3:13-17

At His Baptism, Jesus shared the River Jordan with others come to be baptized by John. But was that it? What more did Jesus share of us and

to us that day?

Jan 18 + Confession of St Peter Acts 4:8-13 II Peter 1:1-15

Mark 8:27-35

Sermon: “Can You Get It right?” – Pastor Albrechtsen on Mark 8:27-35

Peter could never keep his mouth shut. He was so impetuous, his rushed Words often got him in to trouble. So why is his confession of

Christ different? Or Is it?

Jan 25 + Conversion of St Paul Acts 9:1-22 Galatians 1:11-24

Matthew 19:27-30

Sermon: “Can We Believe Him? – Pastor Albrechtsen on Acts 9:1-22

The old adage states that a leopard cannot change his spots.

So then, why should we Paul that he has changed from being a persecutor of the Church to its most ardent defender? Why should we believe others when we forgive them and they say they will not sin against us, or God again?

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].