Ascension St. Matthew’s

God’s Work. Our Hands. God’s World. Our Neighborhood. All are Welcome. Come Share the Spirit

August 3rd - 8th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C

Readings - Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23, Psalm 49:1-12

Second Reading -Colossians 3:1-11

Gospel - Luke 12:13-12

Today’s texts offer instruction and encouragement for all who are occasionally overwhelmed by the “unhappy business” of life. Jesus urges us to take care and be on guard against all kinds of greed. We who have died with Christ in holy baptism have also been raised with him and are encouraged to elevate our thinking, seeking the “things that are above.” To that end we seek the sustenance of the Lord’s supper and the encouragement of God’s word.

August 10th- 9th Day after Pentecost, Year C

Readings - Genesis 15:1-6, Psalm 33:12-22

Second Reading - Hebrews, 11:1-3, 8-16, Gospel - Luke 12:32-40

Jesus says, “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” It is God’s promise from the beginning—to Abraham, to the early church, and to the “little flock” of which we are a part in today’s assembly. Faith, God’s baptismal gift, trusts the promises of God. Have no fear.

August 17th- 10th Day after Pentecost , Year C

Readings - Jeremiah 23:23-29 , Psalm 82

Second Reading - Hebrews 11:29-12:2, Gospel - Luke 12:49-56

The word of God is a refining fire. Jesus is the great divide in human history. He invites our undivided attention and devotion. Today in worship we are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses.” In the word and in holy communion we are invited yet again to look to Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

August 24th- 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C

Readings - Isaiah 58:9b-14 , Psalm 103:1-8

Second Reading - Hebrews 12:18-29, Gospel - Luke 13:10-17

Remember the sabbath day. Call the sabbath a delight. This is the Lord’s day, and the Lord will do for us what the Lord does: feed us, forgive us, help and heal us. Rejoice at all the wonderful things God is doing.

August 31st - 12th Sunday after Pentecost , Year C

Readings - Proverbs 25:6-7a , Psalm 112

Second Reading - Hebrews 13;1-18, 15-16 , Gospel - Luke 14:1,7-14

Invited and inviting—that is the nature of the church. By God’s grace in holy baptism we have a place at Christ’s banquet table. When, by the power of that same Spirit, humility and mutual love continue among us, the church can be more inviting still.

September 7th- 13th Sunday after Pentecost , Year C

Readings - Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 1

Second Reading - Philemon 1-21, Gospel - Luke 14;25-33

Called to contemplate the cost of discipleship, we might be helped by translating Paul’s request to Philemon into our prayer of the day: Refresh my heart in Christ. Strengthened by the company and forgiveness of Christ in holy communion and recalling God’s grace in remembrance of baptism, we can be strengthened in this hour to “choose life”—to choose life in God as our own.

September 14th - 14th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C

Readings - Exodus 32:7-14, Psalm 51:1-10

Second Reading - 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Gospel - Luke 15:1-10

The grumbling of the religious leaders in today’s gospel is actually our holy hope: This Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. That our God seeks and saves the lost is not only a holy hope, it is our only hope. As the writer of 1 Timothy reminds us, “The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Thanks be to God.

September 21st- 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C

Readings - Amos 8:4-7 , Psalm 113

Second Reading - 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Gospel - Luke 16:1-13

As we are invited today to consider what it means to be managers (rather than owners) of all that we have, it is crucial to recognize that we are bought with a price. “Christ Jesus, himself human, . . . gave himself a ransom for all.” Apart from the generosity of God we have nothing—we are nothing. By God’s gracious favor we have everything we need.

September 28th- 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C

Readings - Amos 6: 1a-4-7 , Psalm 146

Second Reading - 1 Timothy 6":6-19, Gospel - Luke 16:19-31

Consideration of and care for those in need (especially those “at our gate,” visible to us, of whom we are aware) is an essential component of good stewardship. It is in the sharing of wealth that we avoid the snare of wealth. It is the one whom death could not hold—who comes to us risen from the dead—who can free us from the death grip of greed.