Festival of All Saints

God grants the status of “saint” (which means “holy one”) to every believer. It might appear that status is of little practical value. If you achieve the status “billionaire” or “celebrity” or “senator,” your life is going to be vastly different than most other people, most likely better. But if God calls you a saint, just like everyone else, you will struggle with trials, temptations, and sin. Being a saint does not make life easier. In some ways it makes life more difficult as we struggle against a world that is hostile toward Christ. This might lead us to ask, “Is it really that big a deal that God calls us saints?”

For centuries, the Church has answered that question by celebrating the Festival of All Saints. This week we get a peek at the saints who have died and now live in the glory of Christ’s light. Through eyes of faith, we see the saints enjoying glory in the place where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:1-6). We realize what a precious gift this status of saint actually is. We understand that soon enough we shall join all the saints in that glorious heavenly city. And that gives us amazing stamina to face the challenges of this world with the strength Christ gives to all his saints.

Gospel—Luke 6:20–23

First Reading—Revelation 21:1–6

Second Reading—Hebrews 11:32–40

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 149

Hymn of the Day—Jerusalem the Golden (CW 890)

Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMkLSIQy2xLkGFYXKvdEVvtd&si=k6jU--W0TyPEYkZy

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

King David once said that guilt makes you feel like your very bones are rotting. Guilt makes you feel weak . . . sick. Guilt can make it hard to focus on anything else . . . hard to function. And guilt is an inescapable fact of life. Everyone carries guilt about something. Worse, our efforts to deal with guilt—minimizing our mistakes, making excuses for our sin—don’t help, but only make us feel worse. What alleviates the burden of guilt?

Just one thing—God’s gift of grace. Christ’s love is undeserved and unconditional. He pardons every sin. This is the entire reason Jesus came to earth. This was his mission—to give the gift of grace! When we receive that gift, our guilt melts. Left in its place is the joy of our salvation.

Gospel—Luke 19:1–10

First Reading—Micah 7:18–20

Second Reading—Romans 5:6–11

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 63

Hymn of the Day—God Loved the World So That He Gave (CW 570)

Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMl6FiwyfI0tRkD-8leLPgwg&si=hW88IEqugSfoIYBH

Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

If you were making a list of things that might make society more peaceful, would you include “more judgment”? Likely not. Many people assume that judgment leads to conflict, not peace. However, a lack of judgment is a luxury many cannot afford. Our world is full of victims of abuse, violence, and oppression. In many cases this evil goes unnoticed and unpunished. A future without the hope of judgment means no peace. If there is no hope of judgment, victims would be driven either into total despair or be consumed by the desire for revenge. A future that includes judgment, however, gives those who are wronged the peace of knowing that one day there will be perfect justice.

When we are horribly wronged, what are our options? Taking matters into our own hands? Despair? Jesus provides a better option. Trust that he will keep his promise to return, bringing judgment. The effect of that promise? We have peace, knowing that every wrong will eventually be righted by the one righteous Judge.

Gospel—Luke 21:5–19

First Reading—Malachi 4:1–6

Second Reading—2 Thessalonians 1:5–10

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 98

Hymn of the Day—The Day Is Surely Drawing Near (CW 488)

Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMmV-5MCPymQ7L80x2E8IDDi&si=Bdqlh3bqA8QNog0u

Christ the King

Throughout the year, we have seen repeatedly how Jesus is a King different from the rest of history's kings. He was rejected by his own people, even in his own hometown. He interceded for those who failed him and sought out those who rebelled against him. He pronounced blessings to those who seemed cursed and curses those who seemed blessed. He casts down the mighty and lifts up the lowly; he fills the hungry and sends the rich away empty.

Christ's unique reign takes center stage as the church year draws to a close. In order to defeat our enemies and rescue us from their dominion, our King came to wear a crown of thorns. By doing so, however, he became our righteousness and opened the door for us to enter his paradise. He is now seated at the right hand of God and rules over all. Today we are reminded that his reign means true safety for us, because Christ does not reign only for a day or for a year; Christ our King reigns now and forever.

Gospel—Luke 23:35–43

First Reading—Jeremiah 23:1–6

Second Reading—Colossians 1:13–20

Psalm of the Day—Psalm 95

Hymn of the Day—The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns (CW 531)

Service Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsz_kDgPJyMm8FXj77bbUcc0h9EDOXLYd&si=7TY-qNCTDlQwPC2v