Blog Archives

March 6 Worship

2/29/2016

As we move further along in St. Luke's Passion narrative we come to Jesus being presented before Pilate and Herod for questioning. The charges are threefold as presented in our Gospel reading when Jesus appears before Pilate:

"Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, 'We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.'" Luke 23:1-2

Pilate will need to deal with these charges. He even asks Jesus if he really is a king! After feeling that Jesus is innocent of the charges, Pilate passes Jesus off to Herod since Jesus is a Galilean and would be in Herod's jurisdiction. The trial before Herod produces the same result: the innocence of Jesus. We would note in particular the transaction that takes place:'

"He (Herod) questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer." Luke 23:9 Jesus felt it best to remain silent. It would bring us to pause here and wonder if in some situations an accusation is brought against you, would it be better to remain silent?

In finding Jesus' innocent, Herod and the soldiers mock Jesus and place a robe on him and send him back to Pilate. I would invite you to reflect on this entire reading for Sunday's worship. The reading is Luke 23:1-12. May God's blessing be upon your reflection and worship this Sunday.

Pastor Marty

0 Comments

February 28 Worship

2/22/2016

0 Comments

Last Sunday, my focus was on Jesus being betrayed by Judas. This betrayal led to our Lord's arrest and appearing before the Jewish authorities. in this whole incident one of Jesus' disciples, Peter, is looking on from a distance to see what is all going to happen. As he is getting warmed by a fire, he is approached by individuals who ask if he is connected with Jesus, In all three times, Peter issues a denial.

We have these words in our Gospel reading:

"At that moment, while he was still speaking the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, 'Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.' And he went out and wept bitterly." Luke 22: 60 - 62

This sounds like a "make or break" moment in regards to Peter's loyalty to his Lord. Is Peter who was a member of Jesus' inner circle (including James and John) going to deny his Lord at such a critical time? We would recall that Peter, too, did declare not too long ago that he would follow Jesus to death!

Now, as we enter this story we would also need to consider if we in some subtle ways show denial of our Lord by word or deed? It may be that we fail to speak up about what we believe when someone speaks against the Christian faith. We might not want to get involved but just stay on the sidelines. I believe we also need to see ourselves as part of the story.

The whole reading is Luke 22:54 - 71.and you might read it in preparation for Sunday's worship. May God's blessing be upon your meditation and your worship this Sunday.

Pastor Marty

0 Comments

February 21 Worship

2/15/2016

0 Comments

I continue in my sermon series on the Passion narrative as told by St. Luke. This Sunday the focus will be on the arrest and betrayal of Jesus. As if to add insult to injury, the crucifixion alone wasn't enough. There was also the betrayal by one of Jesus' own that enters the story.

Judas enters the scene as the betrayer among the authorities seeking to arrest Jesus. Here is part of the narrative:

"When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, 'Lord, should we strike with the sword?' Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.' But Jesus said, 'No more of this!' And he touched his ear and healed him." Luke 22:49-50

There was the desire to use force to prevent Jesus from being arrested; yet Jesus forbade them. It would make us wonder today about using violence or force in our world today? What about leaders in movements who have sought out non-violence as a way of achieving their goals?

Jesus here forbids any act of resistance as he knows what is happening is in God's plan for his life. Think also about what it means and feels like to be betrayed.

You may want to read the entire section which is Luke 22:47 - 53 in preparation for worship this Sunday. May God's blessing be upon your reflection and worship.

Pastor Marty

0 Comments

February 14 Worship

2/8/2016

0 Comments

This Sunday brings me to the first part of my sermon series on the St. Luke's Passion narrative. For the Sundays in Lent I will be going through the Passion story as presented in Luke's Gospel, which is the Gospel for this year's lectionary readings. Here is the beginning of the reading:

"He came out and went, as was his custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, 'Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.' Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed. Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done. Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground." Luke 22:39-42.

We would note that although for Jesus this was a time of trial, yet he prays that his followers would not even have to encounter any trials for themselves! As we return our focus to Jesus, what we notice is that Jesus needed to pray. He knew what lay ahead for him and he was even asking if his life on Earth could end differently. The word 'cup' here refers to suffering.

We would also observe in this section the intensity of his praying. There is the kneeling and the sweat. Has there been anything in your life where you really were intense in praying? Was there some major crisis that you faced or someone else faced where prayer became a must for you?

I would invite you to reflect on these words as your Lenten discipline and in preparation for worship this Sunday. The entire reading is Luke 22:39-46. May God's blessings be upon your preparation and worship this Sunday.

Pastor Marty

0 Comments

February 7 Worship

2/1/2016

0 Comments

Have you ever had a mountaintop experience? Maybe you had a terrific vacation that was totally exhilarating or maybe you met someone whom you hadn't seen in years and you really had a great time together. These are times which exceed our expectations. The day might seem to be just normal and then all of a sudden we get a boost of energy.

The disciples of Peter, James, and John had a high moment - a mountaintop experience - when they saw Jesus transfigured. Right before their eyes, it was like he became a different person beyond what they had ever seen of him. Oh yes, they had seen some miracles that he performed, but then something ever greater happens and it is with his person! All of this is in the context of while Jesus is praying!

Imagine now in your own life that such spiritually high moments could come to you! It might be in worship, where that one hour seems to lift your spirits, but that experience doesn't need to be confined to church. Such a moment could happen anywhere. The important part is being alert to what God is doing.

I noticed that our Gospel reading has these words about the Transfiguration story:

"And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white." Luke 9:29

Have you ever thought about what could happen when you are praying? Possibly, a God-thought could come to you? Do you listen while you are praying (or when you are done)? You never what God has planned or how God can work in you. The next minute when you are finished praying something amazing could happen.

I would encourage you to read the Gospel for this Sunday, which is Luke 9:28-43 to reflect on this wonderful event in Jesus' life. May God's blessing be upon your meditation of these words and your worship this Sunday.

Pastor Marty

0 Comments

March 6 Worship

February 28 Worship

February 21 Worship

February 14 Worship

February 7 Worship

I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

Archives

ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod Augsburg Fortress The Hills Chamber of Commerce

March 6 Worship

February 28 Worship﻿

February 21 Worship

February 14 Worship

February 7 Worship

I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

Archives

ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod Augsburg Fortress The Hills Chamber of Commerce

February 28 Worship