Category Archives: Church and Social Movements

Epiphany 1 C: Christ, Wind, and Fire

Posted on January 5, 2022 by John

The readings for The First Sunday after the Epiphany/The Baptism of Our Lord are: Old Testament      Isaiah 43:1–7 Psalm                    Psalm 29 New Testament     Acts 8:14–17 Gospel                   Luke 3:15–17, 21–22 We will focus here on Luke  and … Continue reading →

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Advent 4C: Baby Jesus and the Revolution

Posted on December 14, 2021 by John

The readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent are Old Testament      Micah 5:2–5a Psalm                    Luke 1:46b–55 or Psalm 80:1–7 New Testament     Hebrews 10:5–10 Gospel                   Luke 1:39–45 (46–55) The only two places in the Bible that tell … Continue reading →

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Advent 3 C: The Ideal of Ordinary in These Extraordinary Times

Posted on December 7, 2021 by John

The readings for the Third Sunday of Advent are Old Testament      Zephaniah 3:14–20 Psalm                    Isaiah 12:2–6 New Testament     Philippians 4:4–7 Gospel                   Luke 3:7–18 We might think these extraordinary pandemic times call for extraordinary people. We might … Continue reading →

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Advent 2 C: Omicron as Refining Fire

Posted on December 3, 2021 by John

The readings for this Second Sunday of Advent are Old Testament      Malachi 3:1–4 Psalm                    Luke 1:68–79 New Testament     Philippians 1:3–11 Gospel                   Luke 3:1–6 This past week a wave of panic has swept the globe. We know … Continue reading →

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Advent 1 C: Heads-up Christianity

Posted on November 24, 2021 by John

The lessons for the First Sunday of Advent are: Old Testament      Jeremiah 33:14–16 Psalm                    Psalm 25:1–10 New Testament     1 Thessalonians 3:9–13 Gospel                   Luke 21:25–36 Today I had yet another conversation about yet another person quitting their … Continue reading →

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Christ the King B: “You’re Gonna Have to Serve Somebody”

Posted on November 18, 2021 by John

The lessons for Christ the King, year B, are: Old Testament       Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14 Psalm                    Psalm 93 New Testament      Revelation 1:4b–8 Gospel                   John 18:33–37 Bob Dylan published a song in 1979, during the peak years of … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 25 B: Beyond Dystopia

Posted on November 12, 2021 by John

The readings for this 25th Sunday after Pentecost are: Old Testament      Daniel 12:1–3 Psalm                    Psalm 16 New Testament     Hebrews 10:11–14 (15–18) 19–25 Gospel                   Mark 13:1–8 Christians have a wondrous asset to share with the world. It … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 23 B: The Cost of Love

Posted on October 28, 2021 by John

The readings for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost are Old Testament      Deuteronomy 6:1–9 Psalm                    Psalm 119:1–8 New Testament     Hebrews 9:11–14 Gospel                   Mark 12:28–34 October 31 is Reformation Sunday. Though many congregations of many denominations do not … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 21B: Disarm with Subservience

Posted on October 13, 2021 by John

The readings for the 21st Sunday after Pentecost are: Old Testament       Isaiah 53:4–12 Psalm                    Psalm 91:9–16 New Testament      Hebrews 5:1–10 Gospel                   Mark 10:35–45 Years ago I heard a young woman describe a tense encounter she had … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 20 B: Life or Death on the Oregon Trail

Posted on October 8, 2021 by John

The readings for the 20th Sunday after Pentecost are Old Testament      Amos 5:6–7, 10–15 Psalm                    Psalm 90:12–17 New Testament     Hebrews 4:12–16 Gospel                   Mark 10:17–31 If you were to travel the Oregon Trail, as thousands of desperate … Continue reading →

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