Readings: Exodus 33:12-23/ Psalm 99/ Matthew 22:15-22
Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson
Audio-Only Version
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©2023 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.
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Introduction: In today’s first reading God uses the Gentile ruler Cyrus to accomplish divine purposes. When the Pharisees try to trap Jesus, he tells them to give the emperor what belongs to him and to God what belongs to God. To gather for worship reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to God rather than to any earthly authority. Created in the image of God, we offer our entire selves in the service of God and for the sake of the world.
Readings: Exodus 33:12-23/ Psalm 99/ Matthew 22:15-22 Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson
Introduction: In Isaiah we are given a vision of the great feast to come, when God will wipe away death forever. In Jesus’ parable about a great banquet, those invited do not come, so the invitation is extended to others. In our liturgy God spreads a table before us. Even amid anxiety and hardship we rejoice in the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. With great joy we feast at the table of the Lord, and we go forth to share the wonderful invitation with others hungering and thirsting for the abundant life of God.
Readings: Exodus 32:1-14/ Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 / Matthew 22:1-14 Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson
Introduction: In today’s gospel reading, Jesus tells a vineyard parable, which serves as an image of Israel, the prophets’ mission, and Christ’s death. For Christians, the vineyard also speaks of God’s love poured out in the blood of Christ, given to us for the forgiveness of sin. Grafted onto Christ the vine at baptism, we are nourished with wine and bread so that we may share Christ’s sufferings and know the power of his resurrection.
Readings: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20/ Psalm 19/ Matthew 21:33-46 Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson
©2023 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.
Introduction:
Jesus’ parable about two sons who don’t do what they say reveals surprises in the reign of God. In the reading from Ezekiel the people claim the ways of the Lord are unfair, while God offers repentance and new life. Paul urges us to look to Christ as a model of humility, putting the interests of others above our own. Nourished by the broken bread and shared cup, we offer our lives for the sake of our needy world. Readings: Exodus 17:1-7/ Psalm 25:1-9/ Matthew 21:23-32 Sermon: Rev. Dr. Robert Larry Hallett ("Pastor Larry")
©2023 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.
Introduction
Matthew narrates one of Jesus’ controversial parables in which Jesus says that the reign of God is like that of a landowner who pays his workers the same wage no matter what time of day they began to work. When God changes God’s mind about punishing Nineveh for their evil ways, Jonah is angry. Yet God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love. In baptism we receive the grace of God that is freely given to all. As Martin Luther wrote, in the presence of God’s mercy we are all beggars. Readings: Jonah 3:10-4:11, Psalm 145:1-8, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson
©2023 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.
Introduction
In today’s second reading Paul questions why we judge one another, since we all stand before the judgment of God. Yet we do sin against one another, and Jesus’ challenge that we forgive seventy-seven times reveals God’s boundless mercy. When we hear the words of forgiveness in worship and sign ourselves with the cross, we are renewed in baptism to be signs of reconciliation in the world. Readings: Genesis 50:15-21, Psalm 103:[1-7] 8-13, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 Sermon: Pastor Debbie McAllister
©2023 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.
Introduction
Conflict is a part of relationships and life in community. Jesus’ words in today's gospel are often used in situations having to do with church discipline. The prophet Ezekiel tells of warning the wicked to turn from their ways, and Paul reminds us that love is the fulfilling of the law. We gather in the name of Christ, assured that he is present among us with gifts of peace and reconciliation. Readings: Ezekiel 33:7-11, Psalm 119:33-40, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20 Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson
©2023 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.
Introduction
The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering yet finds in God’s words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world. Readings: Jeremiah 15:15-21, Psalm 26:1-8, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson
©2023 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.
Introduction
In Isaiah the people are advised to look to their spiritual ancestors as the rock from which they were hewn. Jesus declares that the church will be built on the rock of Peter’s bold confession of faith. God’s word of reconciliation and God’s mercy are keys to the church’s mission. Paul urges us to not be conformed to this world but to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, using our individual gifts to build up the body of Christ. From the table we go forth to offer our spiritual worship through word and deed. Readings: Isaiah 51:1-6; Psalm 138; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20 Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson
©2023 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.
Introduction
In Isaiah we hear that God’s house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering around word and meal we receive strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and justice for those in need. Readings: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Psalm 67; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28 Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson
©2023 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.
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