Jan 5, 2025 | Christmas Blog 2024-2025
Home > Christmas Blog 2024-2025 St. Luke’s 2023 Christmas Pageant January 5, 2025 St. Luke’s parishioners celebrating the Christmas Pageant in early 2024.Narrated by Amy Weigand, music director Brad Logan, with Bruce Stevens on the organ and piano.And staring an...
Jan 4, 2025 | Christmas Blog 2024-2025
Home > Christmas Blog 2024-2025 Following the example of Jesus January 4, 2025 Exodus 3:1-12 |Hebrew 11:23-31 | John 14:6-14 As I read John 14:6-14, I couldn’t help but think of my dear friend, Lisa Johnson. My family came to East Greenwich in 1965, and Lisa’s...
Jan 3, 2025 | Christmas Blog 2024-2025
Home > Christmas Blog 2024-2025 What does your ‘pasture’ look like? January 3, 2025 Genesis 28:10-22 | Hebrews 11:13-22 | John 10:7-17 RENEWAL – Christmas is the new beginning that the darkness of Advent ‘looked to’ as light and life faded. Animals safely burrow in...
Jan 2, 2025 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Christmas Blog 2024-2025 Trust and Faith January 2, 2025 Genesis 12:1-7| Hebrews 11:1-12| John 6;35-42, 48-51 Genesis 12:1-7 As I read through this passage two words came to mind: trust and faith. These words are related to each other in that without trust...
Jan 1, 2025 | Christmas Blog 2024-2025
Home > Christmas Blog 2024-2025 Oh, to have been a fly on the wall… January 1, 2025 Numbers 6:22-27| Galatians 4:4-7| Luke 2:15-21 | Psalm 8 I often wonder to myself what it must have been like to be able to see and experience what went on in the barn where...
Dec 31, 2024 | Christmas Blog 2024-2025
Home > Christmas Blog 2024-2025 Keep the light of Christmas through the year December 31, 2024 Isaiah 26:1-9| 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2 | John 8:12-19 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John...
Dec 30, 2024 | Christmas Blog 2024-2025
Home > Christmas Blog 2024-2025 The Gift of God’s Deliverance December 30, 2024 Isaiah 25:1-9|Revelation 1:9-20|John 7:53-8:11 The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) is a non-partisan research organization that publishes an annual Global Peace Index. In 2024...
Dec 29, 2024 | Christmas Blog 2024-2025
Home > Christmas Blog 2024-2025 The Promise of Christmas Isn’t Over December 29, 2024 Isaiah 61:10-62:3 |Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 |John 1:1-18| Psalm 147 I have always loved the visuals depicted in the Book of Isaiah. No matter what translation you read, you are...
Dec 28, 2024 | Christmas Blog 2024-2025
Home > Christmas Blog 2024-2025 God is with us December 28, 2024 Jeremiah 31:15-17 |Revelation 21:1-7 |Matthew 2:13-18 |Psalm 124 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around...
Dec 27, 2024 | Christmas Blog 2024-2025
Home > Christmas Blog 2024-2025 Seek Ye First December 27, 2024 Exodus 33:18-23 | 1John 1:1-9 | John 21:19b-24 | Psalm 92 Moses said to God, “Show me your glory, I pray.” And God said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will...
Dec 26, 2024 | Christmas Blog 2024-2025
Home > Christmas Blog 2024-2025 Peace In The Midst Of Pain December 26, 2024 Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15 | Acts 6:8-7, 51c-60 | Matthew 23:34-39 | Psalm 31 Both Jeremiah and Stephen were persecuted for prophesying about God’s punishment for evil deeds. This is the...
Dec 25, 2024 | Christmas Blog 2024-2025
Home > Christmas Blog 2024-2025 Merry Christmas, St. Luke’s! December 25, 2024 Look who I discovered when visiting Roger Williams Park Carousel last spring: Rhode Island native and worldwide toy icon, Mr. Potato Head! I took the liberty of dressing him up for the...
Dec 24, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 Glorious and TimelessDecember 24, 2024 Isaiah 9:2-7|Titus 2:11-14|Luke 2:1-14And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the...
Dec 23, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 Faith, Forgiveness & FamilyDecember 23, 2024 Genesis 21:8-21 | 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 | Luke 17:1-6Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and Luke’s Gospel speak to me about family both birth & chosen and how we are all better when in this...
Dec 22, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 “Start to Smile”December 22, 2024 Micah 5:2-5a|Hebrews 10:5-10|Luke 1:39-55I’m not the easiest person to be around during the Advent season. I’m one of those people who leans into the penitential aspect of the season, sometimes fasting,...
Dec 21, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 Love is the fire of transformation.December 21, 2024 Isaiah 43:8-13Isaiah 43:8-13 speaks powerfully to God’s eternal, unwavering presence in our lives. In this passage, Isaiah calls forth all people from all nations, asking them to be...
Dec 20, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 John the BaptistDecember 20, 2024 Isaiah 10:5-19| 2 Peter 2:17-22| Matthew 11:2-15I was delighted when I discovered that today’s readings discuss John the Baptist. I have always been fascinated by him. As a child, I was intrigued by John’s...
Dec 19, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 His hand is stretched out stillDecember 19, 2024 Isaiah 9:18-10:4| 2 Peter 2:10b-16| Matthew 3:1-12For all this, his anger has not turned away; his hand is stretched out still.Isa. 9:18-10:4;This line from Isaiah stood out to me for two...
Dec 18, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 An Advent Community December 18, 2024 Click image to enlarge Isaiah 9:8-17| 2 Peter 2:1-10a| Mark 1:1-8 I have always loved the tradition of a Christmas creche. As a child, I liked to set up the figures huddled in the stable around the...
Dec 17, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 I am sorry December 17, 2024 Isaiah 9:1-7| 2 Peter 1:12-21| Luke 22:54-69“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...
Dec 16, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 The Betrayal of Jesus December 16, 2024 Isa. 8:16-9:1| 2 Peter 1:1-11| Luke 22:39-53How sad Christ must have felt when a crowd suddenly appeared in Gestheme to witness his capture. So many people learned to know Jesus as a caring person who...
Dec 15, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 On the Road to Rejoicing December 15, 2024 Zephaniah 3:14-20| Philippians 4:4-7| Luke 3: 7-18I am someone who spent much of my early adulthood getting lost, often in cities, and all too frequently in some pretty shady areas in those cities....
Dec 14, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 A Journey Unlike Any OtherDecember 14, 2024 Isaiah 8:1-15| 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18| Luke 22:31-38Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to...
Dec 13, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 Call to ActionDecember 13, 2024 Isaiah 7:10-25| 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5| Luke 22:14-30Today’s lessons certainly run the gamut, from Isaiah’s prophesying the birth of Jesus right through to the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Add in the...
Dec 12, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 The Mystery of Lawlessness December 12, 2024 Isaiah 7:1-9| 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12| Luke 22:1-132 Thess. 2:1-12As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be...
Dec 11, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 Judgement or Truth? December 11, 2024 Isaiah 6:1-13| 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12| John 7:53-8:11Perhaps because of the current situation in our country right now, I find myself recoiling from the words of judgement that permeate the readings...
Dec 10, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 Expectant WaitingDecember 10, 2024 Isaiah 5:13-17, 24-25| 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28| Luke 21:29-38I know that change is inevitable and often welcomed, but it seems to me that the number of changes and the pace at which they are occurring has...
Dec 9, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 Put on the Breastplate of Faith and LoveDecember 9, 2024 Isaiah 5:8-12,18-23| 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11| Luke 21:20-28Staying positive and hopeful can be incredibly difficult at times. Life has a way of wearing us down, whether through deep...
Dec 8, 2024 | Advent Blog 2022
Home > Advent Blog 2024 Righteous Peace, Godly GloryDecember 8, 2024 Baruch 5:1-9 | Philippians 1:3-11| Luke 3:1-61 Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on for ever the beauty of the glory from God.2 Put on the robe of the...
Dec 7, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 The world ends daily December 7, 2024 Isaiah 4:2-6| 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18| Luke 21:5-19‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’…. So...
Dec 6, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 A Right Relationship with GodDecember 6, 2024 Isaiah 3:8-15| 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12| Luke 20:41-21:4 Advent is a season of spiritual reflection, inward meditation, and self-examination. The readings for today lead us fully into this space,...
Dec 5, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 Joy in LoveDecember 5, 2024 Isaiah 2:12-22 | 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 | Luke 20:27-40What is the first thing that comes to mind for Advent? Stories of Joseph, Mary, Angels and a newborn king? That is what we are used to, so I had to wonder...
Dec 4, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 To Be the Glory and Joy of God’s Love December 4, 2024 Isaiah 2:1-11 | 1 Thessalonians 2: 13-20 | Luke 20:19-26So often I read passages such as today’s and am reminded of Martin Luther King’s ‘Beloved Community’. In his 1956 speech...
Dec 3, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 A Profile of St. Luke’s New Rector?December 3, 2024 Isaiah 1:21-31| 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12| Luke 20:9-18Given my first 75 years of life as a conscientious Roman Catholic (whereby a local bishop appoints each new pastor and faith-filled...
Dec 2, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 “For the mouth of the Lord has spoken” December 2, 2024 Isaiah 1:10-20 | I Thessalonians 1:1-10 | Luke 20:1-8Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord:though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow;though they are red like...
Dec 1, 2024 | Advent Blog 2024
Home > Advent Blog 2024 “There will be signs…” December 1, 2024 Jeremiah 33:14-16 | Thessalonians 3:9-13 | Luke 21:25-36From the time when humans first began to notice the changing world surrounding them, they have looked for signs to guide them into an unknown...
Mar 31, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 HE IS RISEN!March 31, 2024 Acts 10:34-43 | 1 Corinthians 25:6-9 | John 20:1-18 | Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24“They (the angels) said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they...
Mar 30, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Questioning the SpiritMarch 30, 2024 Job 14:1-14 | 1 Peter 4:1-8 | Matthew 27:57-66 | Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16In today’s Gospel, Matthew 27:57-66, it reads, …” after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered...
Mar 29, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 So what’s so good about this Friday? March 29, 2024 Isaiah 52:13-53:12 | Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 | John 18:1-19:42 | Psalm 22I first started attending St. Luke’s in 1995… in a few years, I would join the Canterbury...
Mar 28, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Servant and PriestMarch 28, 2024 Exodus 12:1-14 | 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 | John 13:1-17, 31b-35 | Psalm 116:1, 10-17Maundy Thursday is a day of traditions. Jews and Christians alike celebrate the Exodus from Egypt with a Passover meal....
Mar 27, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Encouraging strength of spirit and character. March 27, 2024 Isaiah 50:4-9a | Hebrews 12:1-3 | John 13:21-32 | Psalm 70I have never been a fan of the saying, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” One reason is because the term...
Mar 26, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 I put my trust in You, Lord March 26, 2024 Isaiah 49:1-7 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 | John 12:20-36 | Psalm 71:1-14Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor.This verse from today’s Psalm...
Mar 25, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Covenant March 25, 2024 Isaiah 42:1-9 | Hebrews 9:11-15 | John 12:1-11 | Psalm 36:5-11Isaiah 42:1-9Here is my servant, whom I uphold,my chosen, in whom my soul delights;I have put my spirit upon him;he will bring forth justice to the...
Mar 24, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 An outfit for a Sunday of festivitiesMarch 24, 2024 Mark 11:1-11| Isaiah 50:4-9a|Psalm 31:9-16|Philippians 2:5-11|Mark 14:1-15-15:47Palm Sunday has always been one of my favorites church celebrations. It ranks up there amongst the major...
Mar 23, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Legality vs. AmbiguityMarch 23, 2024 Ezekiel 37:21-28 | John 11:45-53 | Psalm 85:1-7 Today’s readings bring home to me that magnificent but sometimes scary difference between obeying a law and being guided by the ambiguity of God’s...
Mar 22, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 “The kingdom of heaven is like…”March 22, 2024 Jeremiah 20:7-13 | John 10:31-42 | Psalm 18:1-7I remember having a necklace with a little round, see-through glass ball with a very tiny seed inside… A mustard seed… I was probably in...
Mar 21, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 What’s in a name? March 21, 2024 Genesis 17:1-8 | John 8:51-59 | Psalm 105:4-11Forty-eight years ago this week I began recruit training as a firefighter with the Warwick Fire Department. I was so excited. After getting our turn-out gear...
Mar 20, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Roughing It March 20, 2024 Daniel 3:14–20,24–28 | John 8:31–42 | Canticle [2] or 13“Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *you are worthy of praise; glory to you.” (Canticle 13)Shadrach Meshach, and Abednego may never have had a...
Mar 19, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 But they did not understand. March 19, 2024 Photo courtesy of lumoproject.com2 Samuel 7:4, 8-16 | Romans 4:13-18 | Luke 2:41-52 | Psalm 89:1-29Luke’s New Testament words today bring to my mind the relationship between parents and...
Mar 18, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Who is Susanna? March 18, 2024 Susanna [1–9,15–29,34–40],41-62 | John 8:1–11 or John 8:12–20 | Psalm 23Not being a Biblical scholar nor an avid reader of the Apocrypha, I was curious about the Old Testament reading. While the background...
Mar 17, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 God’s MercyMarch 17, 2024 Jeremiah 31:31-34 | Hebrews 5:5-10 | John 12:20-33 | Psalm 51:1-13”Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness;… “What is mercy? I’ve seen several explanations for this word. Some indicate that one is...
Mar 16, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 God Prevails March 16, 2024 Jeremiah 11:18–20 | John 7:37–52 | Psalm 7:6–11Let us destroy the tree with its fruitLet us cut him from the land of the living,So that his name will no longer be remembered.” – Jeremiah 11:18-20This passage...
Mar 15, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Did Jesus Have FOMO?March 15, 2024 Wisdom 2:1a, 12-24 | John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 | Psalm 34:15-22I see this gospel (John 7:1–2,10,25–30) as a push-pull between Jesus’s human and divine selves. We hear about Jesus first deciding NOT to go...
Mar 14, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Shining Lamps & God’s Love.March 14, 2024 Pat Hallenbeck, 1972, working with the youth group.Exodus 32: 7-14 | John 5:30-47 | Psalm 106:6-7, 19-21The gospel reading for today, from John 5:30-47, made me remember my life 50 years ago,...
Mar 13, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Comfort March 13, 2024 Isaiah 49:8-15 | John 5:19-29 | Psalm 145:8-19Although the word “comfort” does not appear in these passages, I became aware that the concept is a theme found in each one.In Isaiah God comforts His...
Mar 12, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 WaterMarch 12, 2024 Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 | John 5:1-18 | Psalm 46:1-8With all that water is, it is no wonder it winds its way through our stories and beliefs. In Ezekiel 47: 1-9, 12, the river brings life. “It will become fresh; and...
Mar 11, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Paying Attention March 11, 2024 Isaiah 65:17-25 | John 4:43-54 | Psalm 30:1-6, 11-13As I attend to life’s troubles – which seem vexingly more complex with age – the Spirit whispers to slow down, be silent, pay attention. These practices...
Mar 10, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 IlluminationMarch 10, 2024 Numbers 21:4-9 | Ephesians 2:1-10 | John 3:14-21 | Psalm 107:1-3,17-22I took my one and only art history course as a college sophomore in 1975. Regrettably, the only thing I retained from those studies is the...
Mar 9, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Right on cue, the Lenten roses are blooming March 9, 2024 Hosea 6:1-6 | Luke 18:9-14 | Psalm 51:15-20 Even without non-stop snow and deep freezes, this winter has felt particularly dreary. Maybe it was the seemingly endless gray weather in...
Mar 8, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Loving Your Neighbor March 8, 2024 Hosea 14:1-9 | Mark 12:28-34 | Psalm 81:8-14“The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Mark 12:28-34Love it is one of the biggest things that is talked about during the season of...
Mar 7, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Thread of the DivineMarch 7, 2024 Jeremiah 7:23-28 | Luke 11:14-23 | Psalm 95:6-11It is 4:47PM on the night that my blog is due. Recently, I had a conversation with Father Tim and was inspired to be a part of the Lenten blog series this...
Mar 6, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Pondering SafetyMarch 6, 2024 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 5-9 | Matthew 5:17-19 | Psalm 78:1-6 Give ear to our prayers, O Lord, and direct the way of your servants in safety under your protection, that, amid all the changes of our earthly...
Mar 5, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 FORGIVEMarch 5, 2024 Song of Three Young Men 2-4, 11-20a | Matthew 18: 21-35 | Psalm 25:3-10Today we live in a culture that often ignores the importance of forgiveness, and today’s readings remind us how essential it is to ask for and give...
Mar 4, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. March 4, 2024 2 Kings 5:1-15b | Luke 4:23-30 | Psalm 42:1-7It’s true, isn’t it? Those who know us in a certain context – family, friends, neighbors, co-workers...
Mar 3, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 The Law of LoveMarch 3, 2024 Exodus 20:1-17 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 | John 2:13-22 | Psalm 19The Old Testament lesson appointed for today lists the 10 Commandments that were given to Moses. I remember learning the 10 Commandments as a...
Mar 2, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Grateful March 2, 2024 Click image to enlarge Micah 7:14-15 | Luke 15:11-32 | Psalm 103:1-12 My mind began to meander as I sat with today’s readings. One of the reasons for my winding and weaving thoughts is that many of these words are...
Mar 1, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Where the journey may leadMarch 1, 2024 Genesis 37:3-4, 12-28 | Matt 21:33-43 | Psalm 105:16-22Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.”This gospel...
Feb 29, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Roots of Trust February 29, 2024 Jeremiah 17:5-10 | Luke 16:19-31 | Psalm 1In today’s lessons, both the passage from the Book of Jeremiah and Psalm 1 paint the same image:Blessed are those who trust in the Lord… They shall be like a...
Feb 28, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 GreatnessFebruary 28, 2024 Jeremiah 18:1-11, 18-20 | Matt 20:17-28 | Psalm 31: 9-16“but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came...
Feb 27, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Honoring GodFebruary 27, 2024 Isaiah 1:2-4, 16-20 | Matt 23:1-12 | Psalm 50:7-15,22-24“Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; but to those who keep in my way will I show the salvation of God.” Psalm50:24As we have been...
Feb 26, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Hmmm February 26, 2024 Daniel 9:3-10 | Luke 6:27-38 | Psalm 79:1-9Jesus said, “I say to you that listen, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES… Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for...
Feb 25, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Where Do I Walk in the Covenant with God? February 25, 2024 Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 | Romans 4:13-26 | Mark 8:31-38 | Psalm 22:22-30In all the readings for this the second Sunday of Lent a reoccurring theme has somehow taken up space in...
Feb 24, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Feast of St. Matthias the ApostleFebruary 24, 2024 Acts 1:15-26 | Philippians 3:13-21 | John 15:1, 6-16 | Psalm 15 February 24 is the Feast of St. Matthias in the Episcopal church and the readings for today celebrate him. Many may...
Feb 23, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Help us better understand God’s love. February 23, 2024 Ezekiel 18:21–28 | Matthew 5:20–26 | Psalm 130Lent is my favorite time of the church year. Forty days to remember Christ being tempted by the devil. His strength. His love for...
Feb 22, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Becoming February 22, 2024 Esther (Apocrypha) 14:1–6,12–14 | Matthew 7:7-12 | Psalm 138When I read today’s lessons, I was so excited! I love Esther. She is so inspiring- a Cinderella/Joan of Arc woman. If you ever think “I can’t do...
Feb 21, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 The peace of being renewed in right spirit awaits us.February 21, 2024 Jonah 3:1-10 | Luke 11:29-32 | Psalm 51:11-18At my first reading, today’s texts all seemed to be about evil – honestly not my favorite part of scripture. As I re-read...
Feb 20, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Pray, Forgive, OvercomeFebruary 20, 2024 A terracotta sculptural model of Saint Matthew by Giuseppe BernardiIsaiah 55:6-11 | Matt 6:7-15 | Psalm 34:15-22As Christians, we are called to grow into the image of God. What does that mean?...
Feb 19, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Sheep and Goats February 19, 2024 Leviticus 19:1-2, 2:1-18 Matt 25:31-46 Psalm 19:7-14The parable of the sheep and the goats… This one intrigues me—especially upon learning our beloved Fr. Tim and his dear wife Diane will soon be not...
Feb 18, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Destructive, yet life-giving – water. February 18, 2024 Genesis 9:8-17 | 1 Peter 3:18-22 | Mark 1:9-15 | Psalm 25:1-9Water. Beautiful to look at, refreshing to drink. But what happens when there is too much? After the January storms...
Feb 17, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Listening, Doing, and Knitting My Heart to God February 17, 2024 Isaiah 58:9b-14 | Psalm 86:1-11 | Luke 5:27-32“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; knit my heart to you that I may fear your Name.”Today’s...
Feb 16, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 How Fast to Your Fast February 16, 2024 Isaiah 58:1-9a | Matt 9:10-17 | Psalm 51:1-10Support Support us, O Lord, with your gracious favor through the fast we have begun; that as we observe it by bodily self-denial, so we may fulfill it...
Feb 15, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 Choices February 15, 2024 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 | Luke 9:18-25 | Psalm 1″See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity…I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life...
Feb 14, 2024 | Lenten Blog 2024
Home > Lenten Blog 2024 All You Need Is Love!February 14, 2024 Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 | Isaiah 58:1-12 | Psalm 103 | 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 | Matt 6:1-6, 16-21When we began to put plans together for our Lenten blog, I was surprised and somewhat amused that Ash...
Dec 25, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 Magnificent!December 25, 2023 Luke 1:46-55Today, many of us will give, receive, and open presents. We will hear a litany of phrases like, “wow, just what I wanted!” Or, “this is great!” Or, “um… well… it is clear that you put a lot of work...
Dec 24, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 Christmas Eve with family December 24, 2023 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 | Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 | Romans 16:25-27 | Luke 1:26-38We are nearing the end of the Advent season. And today’s scripture reminds me just how far humanity had fallen to...
Dec 23, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 This Advent, choose to be the breath of heaven to someone – be God’s love. December 23, 2023 Zech. 8:9-17 | Psalm 55 | Revelation 6:1-17 | Matt. 25:31-46In his recent book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and...
Dec 22, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 God Bless the Child That’s Got Her Own December 22, 2023 Zechariah 7:8-8:8 | Psalm 40 | Revelation 5:6-14 | Matthew 25:14-30Back in 1968, the rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears released their second album, which included their version...
Dec 21, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 Believing is Seeing! December 21, 2023 Habakkuk 2:1-4 | Psalm 126 | Hebrews 10:35-11: 1 | John 20:24-29Thomas was known as “Doubting Thomas”. He did not believe things unless he saw them himself. He did not believe Jesus had risen...
Dec 20, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 Where do you find Joy?December 20, 2023 Isaiah 55:6-11 | Psalm 46 | John 15:1-11I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11 This is the 3rd week of advent. The pink candle...
Dec 19, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 The Lesson of the Fig Tree December 19, 2023 Zechariah 2:1-13 | Psalm 45 | Revelation 3:14-22 | Matthew 24:32-44‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is...
Dec 18, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 May you find poetry even in dark moments.December 18, 2023 Zech. 1:7-17 | Psalm 41 | Psalm 53 | Revelation 3:7-13 | Matt. 24:15-31When you hear the word ‘Advent’, what do you think? If you’re like me, plenty of images spring to mind:...
Dec 17, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 Make Straight the Way of the Lord December 17, 2023 Isaiah 61:1-4 8-11 | Psalm 126 1 | Thessalonians 5:16-24 | John 1:6-8, 19-28A few weeks ago, I decided to begin a new project. It always seems that when I begin a new project,...
Dec 16, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. December 16, 2023 Haggai 2:1-19 | Psalm 30 | Psalm 32 | Revelation 3:1-6 | Matthew 24:1-14One of the many ways that being a part of St. Luke’s has deepened my faith...
Dec 15, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 Bearing Witness December 15, 2023 2 Kings 5:1-14 | Psalm 96 | Luke 13:10-17Today “Lesser Feasts and Fasts” invites us to reflect on the life of Nino, a fourth century missionary to the country of Georgia. Georgia was and is located at...
Dec 14, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 God’s Lullaby December 14, 2023 1 Kings 19:1-9 | Psalm 121 | John 16:12-221 I lift up my eyes to the hills; * from where is my help to come?2 My help comes from the Lord, * the maker of heaven and earth.3 He will not let your...
Dec 13, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 The True LightDecember 13, 2023 Revelation 19:5-8 | Psalm 131 | John 1:9-149″The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did...
Dec 12, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 Things That Matter December 12, 2023 I keep thinking about Jonathan’s sermon from Sunday, Nov. 26th. If you missed it, go to YouTube… Watch… Listen… REALLY LISTEN… I know… I know… Jonathan’s sermon wasn’t an ADVENT sermon… It wasn’t Advent...
Dec 11, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 Shepherding Community December 11, 2023 1 Corinthians 1 | Psalm 18:1-6, 18-20 | John 10:11-18The themes of division and community thread through both 1st Corinthians and today’s Gospel. Today, as in long ago Corinth, we are all too...
Dec 10, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 Where do you find Peace? December 10, 2023 Isaiah 40:1-11 | Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 | 2 Peter 3:8-15a | Mark 1:1-8Psalm: 85:8 “I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who...
Dec 9, 2023 | Advent Blog 2023
Home > Advent Blog 2023 A lot to think about… December 9, 2023 Amos 5:18-27 | Psalm 20-21 | Jude 17-25 | Matthew 22:15-22In the Amos reading, while this passage is about darkness rather than light, this is the verse that speaks to me: 24But let justice roll...
