The season after Pentecost is called Ordinary Time. This does not mean it is mundane, for nothing having been sanctified by Christ can be called mundane. Rather, it is ordered, and methodical. We have put together a travel companion for the season which you can download here.

Twenty Fourth Sunday After Pentecost (11/23): Some Really Weird Things

Christ is the King of All Creation. What does that mean for us? Wayne Shockley explores Paul’s treatment of this in Colossians for us.

Twenty Third Sunday After Pentecost (11/16): The Quiet Work of God

2 Thessalonians 3 is an oft-quoted passage in public conversations on welfare, public social programs and the like. But what does Paul mean? Perhaps Paul is encouraging us to see the work we do have, no matter what it is, as blessed by Christ and worthy to be done.

Twenty Second Sunday After Pentecost (11/9): Hold Fast to What is Good

In 2 Thessalonians, Paul addresses deceit and deception, that are rampant in the world. This deception can lead us to worry and fear, but Paul encourages us to hold fast to the love of God.

Twenty First Sunday After Pentecost (11/2): A Cloud of Witnesses

The Sunday following November 1 is a day where we honor the saints who have passed and gone. But we recognize that those saints have not passed and are impartial; rather, they are watching us, cheering us on and serve as models of life.

Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost (10/26): It’s a Trap

Flannery O’Connor once wrote “To know oneself is, above all, to know what one lacks. It is to measure oneself against Truth, and not the other way around. The first product of self-knowledge is humility.” Luke tells us that Jesus told a parable “to those who thought they could justify themselves.” From this parable we learn our need to approach God with humility. When we read this parable, we are tempted to think we are better than the Pharisee. When we do that, we fall for the trap that Jesus has set.

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (10/19): Persevering Prayer

In Luke 18, Jesus “told his disciples a parable about why they should always be in prayer, and not lose heart.” This is challenging, and it needs to be addressed, because it is challenging. But in the midst of the challenge is hope: God, who is just, will avenge his disciples speedily. God will come quickly to rescue of his disciples.

Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost (10/12): Easy Healing, Hard Recovery

In 2 King 5, Naaman, an Aramean (Syrian) General is affected by a skin disease that he cannot get rid of. And when healing comes quickly, he is, at first, offended by how simple it is. But in the simplicity he realizes that God is gracing him, and he comes to believe. Once he confesses that Yahweh is God, he realizes the parts of his life that are offensive to God and asks for forgiveness.

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost (10/5): Symbols of the Faith: The Day

Ever wondered why we worship on Sunday? What if it was an intentional decision loaded with imagery and symbolism? The history of the Church and Biblical Witness testify that it was!

Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost (9/28): Symbols of the Faith: The River

Paul describes our baptism as a symbolic burial. A burial in which we really die, and enter Jesus’ tomb with him, to be raised to new life. In that burial, sin loses its authority over us, and we are able to walk a new life: the Life of Jesus.

Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost (9/21): Symbols of the Faith: The Table

Our Church practices communion every week. Why? What do we learn? How does the Table open us to God’s presence and grace?

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost (9/14): Symbols of the Faith: The Word

The Bible is one of the foundational aspects of Christianity. It serves as an instructor, reproover, corrector, and trainer. It’s purpose is our proficiency and equipment.

Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost (9/7): Symbols of the Faith: The Cross

The Cross has been one of the primary symbols of the Christian faith ever since Jesus died upon one. But what does this symbol mean for us today?

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost (8/31): Rest from Your Labor (Day)

Labor Day is a day off from work in honor of those who worked for fair hours, pay, and environment. But is a day off the same as Sabbath? Jesus says that the Sabbath was made for humans, because we need it. Join us to explore the topic of sabbath!

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost (8/10): Habits of Hope

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be as well. This does not only apply to the things we have, it applies to the habits we have, and what they reveal about our treasure. Jesus is inviting us into habits of hope, which keep our hearts focused on heaven.

Eighth Sunday After Pentecost (8/3): Knowing the Power of the King

In Luke 7, Jesus is encountered by servants of a Centurion, who has immense faith. From this Centurion, we learn what authority means, and how much authority Jesus has.

Seventh Sunday After Pentecost (7/27): The Most Beautiful Chapter in the Old Testament

Hosea 11 describes the unfailing love of God, and that separates God from humanity. What makes God holy is not God’s wrath. It’s God’s refusal to come in wrath.

Sixth Sunday After Pentecost (7/20): Hush.

In Amos 8, God’s anger towards the Israelites leads God to tell them to “Hush.” That he will be quiet until they are quiet and ready to listen. We are invited to hunger and thirst for God’s voice and for righteousness.

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost (7/13): Soul Ripening

Amos took a message to Israel that was rejected by the High Priest and the King. From this episode we are encouraged to put our faith in God alone. When we do so, we will see that God’s reproof is an act of love, and while it may hurt, it is ripening our soul.

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (7/7): Reaping what we Sow

Paul tells the Galatians that they reap what they sow. But this is not meant to put them down or create a moralist view of the world. It’s an encouragement to sow to the Spirit, to act as the new creations that they (and we) are. How can we become the kind of community that does not grow weary in doing what is right?

Third Sunday after Pentecost (6/29): Set Free, Now What

Paul tells the Galatians that they have been set free from obligation to the Mosaic Law. But that does not mean they can do whatever they want. There is a new guide: the Spirit. And if they walk in and through the Spirit, they will be led to serve one another in love.

Second Sunday After Pentecost (6/22): Open Doors

In Galatians 3, Paul says that in Christ all that had once divided and determined who was “in” or “out’ has been put aside. We have been united in Christ, and therefore have been made “one.” There is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female. In this way, Paul is saying that all are welcome to participate in the Body of Christ.

First Sunday After Pentecost (6/15): Crucified with Christ

In Galatians 2, Paul challenges the necessity of following the Mosaic Law, claiming instead that through our Faith in the faithfulness of Christ’s life, we can be crucified with Christ, having therefore followed the Law with Christ. Why, then, do we add things to the Gospel?