Sample
Illuminations
Samples relating to Lutheran Service Book
First Sunday after Christmas - A
(OLD TESTAMENT) In this Old Testament Reading Isaiah stressed the compassionate nature of the Lord's love. He says that when his people are distressed the Lord, too, is distressed. Now that's a comforting thought. Isaiah 63:7-14.
(EPISTLE) In today's Epistle Paul explains to us that the Christ became our Brother in the flesh, born of a woman, at exactly the right time in God's saving plan so that through him we might receive full rights as sons and daughters in God's family. From Galatians, chapter 4.
(HOLY GOSPEL) Jealous King Herod wanted to slay the newborn King, because he saw him only as a possible rival for his throne. But God is in control of such matters. The heavenly Father acted through the Child's legal human father, and the Child's safety and his mission in God's plan were assured. From the second chapter of Matthew.
Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
(FIRST LESSON) Peter healed a crippled man at the temple gate. It caused such a stir that he and John were interrogated by the Sanhedrin, the same Jewish Council that had condemned Jesus to death. Peter boldly testified that Jesus is alive, that he was the power behind the healing, and that he is the only Savior. This has been the testimony of the Church down through the centuries. Acts 4:1-12.
(EPISTLE) In today's Epistle John bases the whole life of a Christian on the foundation of the love Jesus has shown us his laying down his life for us. That not only encourages us to believe in him, but also to please him by obeying his commandments, and learning to lay down our lives for those around us. John assures us that we are God's children now though we still look to the future for full realization of all this means for us. First John 3:16-24.
(HOLY GOSPEL) The Fourth Sunday of Easter is always Good Shepherd Sunday with Holy Gospels taken from John 10, the Good Shepherd Chapter. Here Jesus reminds us again that he laid down his life for us, and more! He assures us that he knows us as intimately as he knows his heavenly Father in all our circumstances and needs.. Listen to this Good News once again!
Proper Thirteen C (July 31 August 6)
(OLD TESTAMENT) We often say, "You can't take it with you." In this Old Testament Reading the writer of Ecclesiastes says that's true, and that it makes a vanity of a life that just clings to things. Life finds its true meaning when God gives us wisdom to enjoy it as his gift, and to live it with God's purposes in mind. Selected verses, chapters one and two.
(EPISTLE) In the Epistle Lesson Paul reminds us that since we have been raised with Christ we need to elevate our sights in all of life continually taking off the old sinful self, and putting on the new self that Christ gives us. Paul gives this instruction in Colossians 3:1-11.
(HOLY GOSPEL) In todays Holy Gospel Jesus brings his warnings against a materialistic lifestyle to a climax with his Parable of the Rich Fool. This parable challenges us to ask ourselves: Am I building my life just on temporary things? It's not too late for us to decide, instead, to pursue eternal values. We hear Luke 12:13-21.
Samples relating to Lutheran Worship
The Transfiguration of our Lord - A
(OLD TESTAMENT) In Holy Scripture mountains and clouds are often the settings for God's revelation of himself. In this Old Testament Reading Moses is invited into that kind of setting for one of his inspiring experiences in the presence of the Lord. From Exodus, chapter 24.
(EPISTLE) Today's Epistle is Peter's eyewitness testimony about his awesome experience of being on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus. He included it in his Second Letter, the first chapter. And he says to us that we do well to pay attention to it.
(HOLY GOSPEL) Through Matthew's Gospel account we get to look in on the Transfiguration of our Lord and we hear the Father's "This is my Son, whom I love." In spirit we take off our shoes, for we are standing on holy ground. Matthew 17:1-9.
Seventh Sunday of Easter Sunday after the Ascension - B
(FIRST LESSON) This Lesson tells of an incident that took place while the apostles waited in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The defection of Judas had reduced their number to eleven. Peter recommended that they replace Judas so they nominated appropriate men and prayed and asked God to choose. That still happen today when we call leaders to service. Acts, chapter one.
(EPISTLE) The apostle of love says to us today that "God is love" and helps us see that when we want to love him in return we must show it on a practical, horizontal level, in love for one another. 1 John 4:13-21.
(HOLY GOSPEL) This Holy Gospel is part of what is called Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in which he prayed for his disciples and for those who would follow them. He left them in the world to serve his purposes, and so he prayed that they might be sanctified through the Word, and protected from the evil one. We hear him pray also for us in John 17:11-19.
The Day of Pentecost - C
(OLD TESTAMENT) The story of the Tower of Babel is the story of human pride and of God's judgment of our pride. It's striking to hear today about God's confusing the languages, when we hear also about his using the gift of "tongues" to convey his message. He enabled the apostles to speak many languages so their hearers could understand the Good News that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead! We hear Genesis 11:1-9.
(EPISTLE) As the apostles proclaimed the Crucified One to be Israel's risen Lord and Christ, the Holy Spirit touched the hearts of many of their hearers and the Christian Church was born. May we be blessed with that same Spirit today and every day. Acts 2:37-47.
(HOLY GOSPEL) In today's Holy Gospel we hear Jesus tell his apostles that when his saving task was completed he would send the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, to empower their testimony to him. The Spirit empowers also the Good News of Jesus that we proclaim, making Jesus the decisive factor in life for all. We hear selected verses from John, chapters fifteen and sixteen.