First Sunday after Pentecost | Holy Trinity

At the top of the list of things worthy of our undivided attention: God. That does not mean if we focus long and hard, we will understand all there is to know about God. That is impossible! For example, Scripture teaches that there is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our reason objects, “How can three be one?” So, God’s very existence is a mystery, far beyond our ability to comprehend, no matter how long we ponder it. Yet, while we cannot understand everything about our God, he is still worthy of our undivided attention. For there is plenty about God’s majesty that we can understand. We can understand that God provides for us as a loving Father. We can understand how much God loves us, for that was proven in the sacrifice of God the Son. We can understand that every time we gather in the name of our Triune God, the Holy Spirit grants us the greatest of blessings. These truths are worthy of our undivided attention!

Gospel—John 16:12–15

First Reading—Numbers 6:22–27

Second Reading—Romans 5:1–5

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 8

Hymn of the Day—Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest (CW 586)

Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMkF__Z6aYblDqOCix896dmz&si=AgVJJSC-GCnVjBEd

Second Sunday after Pentecost

We tend to think of mission work as being “over there,” something done in a far-away place. It is good and right to support foreign mission work with our prayers and offerings. However, something is off if we allow our appreciation for “over there” mission work to take our eyes off the mission that is right before us. Here is the two-fold reality worthy of our undivided attention this week. First, if we have seen the grace of God, we will serve as witnesses for Christ. Second, we need not cross the ocean to share the gospel. We can simply cross the street. In our various callings—parent or grandparent or sibling, friend or neighbor or coworker—God will provide one opportunity after another to serve as the witnesses Jesus has made us to be. So, let us continue to pray for and support “over there” mission work. But let us also give our undivided attention to the mission that God had placed right before each of us.

Gospel—Luke 8:26–39

First Reading—Isaiah 43:8–13

Second Reading—2 Timothy 1:3–10

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 66

Hymn of the Day—Rise, Shine, You People (CW 744)

Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMlFgramtF9Y8I28Asg0ZYqE&si=ywyOezqc6TilUpUJ

St. Peter & St. Paul, Apostles

The foundation is the most important part of a building. It's hard to argue otherwise. The rest of the building could be flawless, but if the foundation is not solid then the whole construction is in vain. So when it comes to building Christ's church, we need undivided attention on the rock-solid foundation. That foundation is Christ himself. The foundation of the church is the grace of our Lord Jesus. Through him our sins are forgiven, and by him we are built together as God's holy temple.

June 29 is the day set aside by the Christian Church to commemorate the apostles Peter and Paul. They were by no means flawless. Peter famously denied Jesus three times; Paul infamously persecuted the church. Yet their lives and ministries testify to the fact that it is Christ who builds his church on the rock-solid foundation.

Gospel—Matthew 16:13–19

First Reading—Acts 15:1–12

Second Reading—1 Corinthians 3:16–23

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 31

Hymn of the Day—Lord Jesus Christ, the Church's Head (CW 861)

Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMnsvoOiBniq6kexpq4XlrtQ&si=yFu5miRGb5VsAdOM

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

In recent weeks we learned that everyone who has seen the grace of God will, whenever the opportunity arises, serve as a witness for Christ. However, Scripture teaches that there is also a need for individuals for whom gospel proclamation is their full-time focus. There are many different terms for these workers: shepherds, pastors, teachers, ministers, missionaries, etc. These workers are called by God himself through the Church to proclaim law and gospel in some public capacity. Called workers carry out their calling, not because of what they might gain from the flock, but because of what the flock might gain from Jesus through public ministry. Jesus taught there will always be a want for such workers. "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few" (Luke 10:2). So, this is a topic worthy of our undivided attention.

Gospel—Luke 10:1–12,16–20

First Reading—Ezekiel 2:9–3:11

Second Reading—1 Peter 5:1–4

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 67

Hymn of the Day—O Christians, Haste (CW 901)

Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMkVxLFYg-Udd25LFj7p6KlB&si=Df_o67koI0nUz378

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

We tend to think of distraction and focus as opposites. If someone is focused, they are not easily distracted by random events and encounters. If someone is focused, every decision about how to spend time and resources is calculated. Apart from Christ, that type of focus spells disaster for our neighbor. We may dismiss the needs of our neighbor, thinking, “If I spend time helping him, that will distract me from other things that need my attention.” This week, Jesus teaches us that he has set us free to live a life of such distraction. No matter the neighbor and no matter his need, we are free to give him our undivided attention, even if that seems senseless. Christ has set us free to bear any cost and go any distance to serve a neighbor as Christ himself would serve them.

Gospel—Luke 10:25–37

First Reading—Ruth 1:1–19a

Second Reading—Galatians 5:1,13–25

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 35

Hymn of the Day—Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace (CW 768)

Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMm2Y1M3oHsHtsHAF1soixV_&si=FSjHRV4Zku0cWZSa

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Most would agree with Jesus’ teaching that “Few things are needed” (Luke 10:42). We understand that people often confuse their wants with needs. We might want many things; but in reality, we only need a few things. So, we would agree with Jesus. “Few things are needed.” However, Jesus said more. “Few things are needed—or indeed only one.” Now we might object. There seems to be more than one true need. We need water, food, clothing, shelter, friendship, etc. Yet, what Jesus said is true. Because only one thing—the gospel—can create and sustain the faith that makes one God’s dear child and an heir of the everlasting kingdom. If you didn’t have water, you would die in a few days; without oxygen, in a few minutes. But without Jesus speaking to us through his Word, there is no hope for eternal life in heaven. We literally need the gospel more than water or oxygen. So, let us listen to Jesus speak, giving him our undivided attention.

Gospel—Luke 10:38–42

First Reading—Genesis 18:1–14

Second Reading—Colossians 1:1–14

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 119:33–40

Hymn of the Day—One Thing's Needful (CW 645)

Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMnhCbL9EN5pxXKq7zed9wwt&si=NuAnIxOKIkcvQ4Ln

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

In a sense, prayer comes naturally to us. We want so we ask. We hurt so we cry out. We are frustrated so we vent. We are blessed so we give thanks. Natural! What does not come naturally, however, is a proper understanding of the privilege of prayer. Prayer is a privilege, based entirely on the unique and unearned relationship we have with God, our Father. And the purpose of prayer is really not to tell God what we want, but to claim that which God wants for us. Prayer provides the opportunity to bring our will into conformity with God’s will, not the other way around. This week, we give our undivided attention to what God says about this access we call prayer. Along with Jesus’ disciples we say, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1).

Gospel—Luke 11:1–13

First Reading—Genesis 18:20–32

Second Reading—1 Timothy 2:1–7

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 138

Hymn of the Day—Hear Us, Father, When We Pray (CW 725)

Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMngOGQBrVCnhDbWc5xwQ7X6&si=9d047MxqOzqi-WE4

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Money. Possessions. Perhaps more than anything else, those things have the power to turn our attention away from what is truly important. It is no surprise, therefore, that Jesus frequently teaches about wealth. Christ wants us to understand that it is our heavenly Father who provides us with those useful resources. But we need to know why our Father gives them: what they are useful for, and what they are not useful for. Those resources cannot give purpose or meaning to our lives on earth. They cannot give us security for life after this earth. However, the blessings God provides can bring some joy to our lives. More importantly, our wealth is extremely useful in our efforts to serve God and others. This week let us give our undivided attention to what Christ says about the useful resources our gracious Father provides to us.

Gospel—Luke 12:13–21

First Reading—Ecclesiastes 1:1–2,12–14; 2:18–26

Second Reading—Colossians 3:1–11

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 90

Hymn of the Day—O God, Our Help in Ages Past (CW 820)

Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMnHqfdvFBHKmynGNMxtgGNk&si=mpHq9JLCN66_8qF_

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Last week Jesus warned us against overvaluing earthly wealth. This week Jesus warns against undervaluing heavenly treasure. Last week, Jesus exposed the folly of greed. This week, Jesus exposes the folly of worry, even when faced with the prospect of having a seeming shortage of resources. This week might be the bigger challenge! When it seems we lack providence or protection for our daily lives, it can be hard to avoid worry. So, Jesus asks us to give our undivided attention to him, that he might take our worries away. Jesus points to creatures that do not labor or toil yet eat every day. Even more, Jesus points to our Father who promises to give us the heavenly treasures of his kingdom. Jesus assures us that our Father will throw in any needed earthly possessions as well. We can rest from our worries, confident that our loving Father knows all we need.

Gospel—Luke 12:22–34

First Reading—Genesis 15:1–6

Second Reading—Hebrews 11:1–3,8–16

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 121

Hymn of the Day—How Firm a Foundation (CW 800)

Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMkHSyVwH4s0YZOZf144V_Rp&si=En6R8CjKuuqvdfkc