Readings and Psalm for August 28, 2022, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

Invited and inviting—that is the nature of the church. By God’s grace in holy baptism we have a place at Christ’s banquet table. When, by the power of that same Spirit, humility and mutual love continue among us, the church can be more inviting still.

Prayer of the Day

O God, you resist those who are proud and give grace to those who are humble. Give us the humility of your Son, that we may embody the generosity of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Readings and Psalm

Proverbs 25:6-7
Psalm 112
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14

First Reading: Proverbs 25:6-7

 6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
  or stand in the place of the great;
 7for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
  than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

Psalm: Psalm 112

 1Hallelujah! Happy are they who fear the Lord
  and have great delight in God’s commandments!
 2Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
  the generation of the upright will be blessed. 
 3Wealth and riches will be in their house,
  and their righteousness will last forever.
 4Light shines in the darkness for the upright;
  the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
 5It is good for them to be generous in lending
  and to manage their affairs with justice.
 6For they will never be shaken;
  the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance. 
 7They will not be afraid of any evil rumors;
  their heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
 8Their heart is established and will not shrink,
  until they see their desire upon their enemies.
 9They have given freely to the poor, and their righteousness stands fast forever;
   they will hold up their head with honor.
 10The wicked will see it and be angry; they will gnash their teeth and pine away;
  the desires of the wicked will perish. 

Second Reading: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

1Let mutual love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” 6So we can say with confidence,
 “The Lord is my helper;
  I will not be afraid.
 What can anyone do to me?”
 7Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 15Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14

1On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.
 7When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
 12He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Readings and Psalm for August 21, 2022, Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

Remember the sabbath day. Call the sabbath a delight. This is the Lord’s day, and the Lord will do for us what the Lord does: feed us, forgive us, help and heal us. Rejoice at all the wonderful things God is doing.

Prayer of the Day

O God, mighty and immortal, you know that as fragile creatures surrounded by great dangers, we cannot by ourselves stand upright. Give us strength of mind and body, so that even when we suffer because of human sin, we may rise victorious through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Readings and Psalm

Isaiah 58:9b-14
Psalm 103:1-8
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:10-17

First Reading: Isaiah 58:9b-14

 9bIf you remove the yoke from among you,
  the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
 10if you offer your food to the hungry
  and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
 then your light shall rise in the darkness
  and your gloom be like the noonday.
 11The Lord will guide you continually,
  and satisfy your needs in parched places,
  and make your bones strong;
 and you shall be like a watered garden,
  like a spring of water,
  whose waters never fail.
 12Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
  you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
 you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
  the restorer of streets to live in.

 13If you refrain from trampling the sabbath,
  from pursuing your own interests on my holy day;
 if you call the sabbath a delight
  and the holy day of the Lord honorable;
 if you honor it, not going your own ways,
  serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs;
 14then you shall take delight in the Lord,
  and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth;
 I will feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob,
  for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Psalm: Psalm 103:1-8

 1Bless the Lord, O my soul,
  and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.
 2Bless the Lord, O my soul,
  and forget not all God’s benefits—
 3who forgives all your sins
  and heals all your diseases;
 4who redeems your life from the grave
  and crowns you with steadfast love and mercy; 
 5who satisfies your desires with good things
  so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
 6O Lord, you provide vindication
  and justice for all who are oppressed.
 7You made known your ways to Moses
  and your works to the children of Israel.
 8Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy,
  slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 

Second Reading: Hebrews 12:18-29

18You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, 19and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. 20(For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.” 21Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”) 22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
 25See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! 26At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.” 27This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29for indeed our God is a consuming fire.

Gospel: Luke 13:10-17

10Now [Jesus] was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” 15But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? 16And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” 17When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Readings and Psalm for August 14, 2022, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

The word of God is a refining fire. Jesus is the great divide in human history. He invites our undivided attention and devotion. Sunday in worship we are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses.” In the word and in holy communion we are invited yet again to look to Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

Prayer of the Day

O God, judge eternal, you love justice and hate oppression, and you call us to share your zeal for truth. Give us courage to take our stand with all victims of bloodshed and greed, and, following your servants and prophets, to look to the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Readings and Psalm

Jeremiah 23:23-29
Psalm 82
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Luke 12:49-56

First Reading: Jeremiah 23:23-29

23Am I a God nearby, says the Lord, and not a God far off? 24Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord. 25I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, “I have dreamed, I have dreamed!” 26How long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back—those who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart? 27They plan to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, just as their ancestors forgot my name for Baal. 28Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let the one who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? says the Lord. 29Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

Psalm: Psalm 82

1God stands to charge the divine council assembled,
 giving judgment in the midst of the gods:
2“How long will you judge unjustly,
 and show favor to the wicked?
3Save the weak and the orphan;
 defend the humble and needy;
4rescue the weak and the poor;
 deliver them from the power of the wicked. 
5They do not know, neither do they understand; they wander about in darkness;
 all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6Now I say to you, ‘You are gods,
 and all of you children of the Most High;
7nevertheless, you shall die like mortals,
 and fall like any prince.’ ”
8Arise, O God, and rule the earth,
 for you shall take all nations for your own. 

Second Reading: Hebrews 11:29–12:2

29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. 31By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.
 32And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented—38of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
 39Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.


 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Gospel: Luke 12:49-56

[Jesus said:] 49“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53they will be divided:
 father against son
  and son against father,
 mother against daughter
  and daughter against mother,
 mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
  and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
 54He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. 55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat;’ and it happens. 56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”

Synod Assembly 2022

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

First, we would like to thank the congregation for the opportunity to attend the Synod Assembly. It was a great experience to witness and participate in shaping the Church as we move forward in these challenging times. This was the first in-person assembly since the start of the COVID pandemic and it was clear the roughly 350 attendees were very happy to be able to meet in person not only for the business at hand but also for fellowship.

The theme this year was “Collaborate for Christ’s sake.” Given the divisiveness in this country, this was an appropriate and welcome focus. It is more important than ever for us to work together within the ELCA, with other denominations, local businesses, and non-profit organizations to continue our mission in Christ.

The assembly was introduced to the council which included our fearless leader, Pastor Kyle, as Synod Secretary, recorded the official minutes. His fingers were flying as discussions of the memorials and resolutions were debated extensively. The first was resolution, 22-01 was a memorial calling for reduction of greenhouse emissions by 50% by 2030. Although the baseline for emissions was debated, this resolution passed and will be forwarded for consideration by the national church body.

The second resolution, 22-02 was a memorial calling on the ELCA to call on the President and U.S. Congress to oppose legislation criminalizing support for non-violent protests and sanctions on behalf of Palestinian human rights. This resolution passed and will be forwarded for consideration by the national church body.

Resolution 22-03 was to ban non-disclosure agreements and passed easily.

Resolution 22-04 was submitted late and was the most extensively discussed and debated. This is to form an intentional, anti-racism community within the New England Synod. Although it was widely agreed that this is necessary, the specifics were debated at length and a decision was made to table the resolution and it would be addressed by council.

There were various workshops that related to collaboration with various groups, including immigration, antiracism, approaches to youth ministry, creation care, collaborative worship, in addition to leadership and money matters. While the workshops were interesting, they were so brief as to only give a taste of the topic with limited, tangible information. One small take-away concerning worship was to consider everyone who attends the service is a collaborator. We were called to answer the questions: why do we worship the way we do and who do we not listen to when shaping the service.

There were also several panel discussions highlighting various ministries in our Synod, including youth and campus ministry.

The worship service on Thursday night was quite memorable. It was held at the beautiful Trinity Lutheran Church. It felt like we were in a cathedral and there were many pastors assisting in the worship service which integrated Spanish language, beautiful choir and organ offerings, and various stations for blessings, such as, remembering loved ones who have gone before us, and to commit to denouncing racism. As we sat in this gorgeous church, we felt the evening would have been even better with the space filled with the sound of handbells!

In all it was a fulfilling weekend with one of the best parts being spending time with Pastor Kyle and sharing stories of the use of fire in worship. It was remarkable that every pastor at the table had an out-of-control fire story! Pastor Kyle’s was still the most impressive.

Kent and Trudy Roberts

REF: https://www.nelutherans.org/assembly

Readings and Psalm for August 7, 2022, Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

Jesus says, “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” It is God’s promise from the beginning—to Abraham, to the early church, and to the “little flock” of which we are a part in today’s assembly. Faith, God’s baptismal gift, trusts the promises of God. Have no fear.

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, you sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your church. Open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may be ready to receive you wherever you appear, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Readings and Psalm

Genesis 15:1-6
Psalm 33:12-22
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
Luke 12:32-40

First Reading: Genesis 15:1-6

1After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” 4But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” 5He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Psalm: Psalm 33:12-22

 12Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!
  Happy the people chosen to be God’s heritage!
 13The Lord looks down from heaven,
  and sees all humankind.
 14God sits firmly enthroned and watches
  all who dwell on the earth.
 15God fashions all their hearts
  and observes all their deeds. 
 16A king is not saved by the size of the army,
  nor are warriors rescued by their great strength.
 17The horse gives vain hope for victory;
  despite its great strength it cannot save.
 18Truly, your eye is upon those who fear you, O Lord,
  upon those who wait for your steadfast love,
 19to deliver their lives from death,
  and to keep them alive in time of famine. 
 20Our innermost being waits for you, O Lord,
  our helper and our shield.
 21Surely, our heart rejoices in you,
  for in your holy name we put our trust.
 22Let your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us,
  even as we place our hope in you. 

Second Reading: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
 8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”
 13All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

Gospel: Luke 12:32-40

[Jesus said:] 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
 35“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; 36be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. 37Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. 38If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
 39“But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

Readings and Psalm for July 31, 2022, Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

Sunday’s texts offer instruction and encouragement for all who are occasionally overwhelmed by the “unhappy business” of life. Jesus urges us to take care and be on guard against all kinds of greed. We who have died with Christ in holy baptism have also been raised with him and are encouraged to elevate our thinking, seeking the “things that are above.” To that end we seek the sustenance of the Lord’s supper and the encouragement of God’s word.

Prayer of the Day

Benevolent God, you are the source, the guide, and the goal of our lives. Teach us to love what is worth loving, to reject what is offensive to you, and to treasure what is precious in your sight, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Readings and Psalm

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
Psalm 49:1-12
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21

First Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23

 2Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher,
  vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

12I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, 13applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. 14I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.


 2:18I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to those who come after me 19—and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. 20So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun, 21because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? 23For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.

Psalm: Psalm 49:1-12

 1Hear this, all you peoples;
  give ear, all you who dwell in the world,
 2you of high degree and low,
  rich and poor together.
 3My mouth shall speak of wisdom,
  and my heart shall meditate on understanding.
 4I will incline my ear to a proverb
  and set forth my riddle upon the harp. 
 5Why should I be afraid in evil days,
  when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me,
 6the wickedness of those who put their trust in their own prowess,
  and boast of their great riches?
 7One can never redeem another,
  or give to God the ransom for another’s life;
 8for the ransom of a life is so great
  that there would never be enough to pay it,
 9in order to live forever and ever
  and never see the grave.
 10For we see that the wise die also; like the dull and stupid they perish
  and leave their wealth to those who come after them.
 11Their graves shall be their homes forever, their dwelling places from generation to generation,
  though they had named lands after themselves.
 12Even though honored, they cannot live forever;
  they are like the beasts that perish. 

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-11

1So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
 5Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. 8But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21

13Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus,] “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” 16Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. 17And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ 18Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”