ASLC Podcast

Introduction
All Saints celebrates the baptized people of God, living and dead,
who are the body of Christ. Today we also recognize the immigrants
in our community as vital members of the body of Christ. The
readings and liturgy call us to remember all who are made whole in
Christ. At the Lord’s table we gather with the faithful of every time
and place, trusting that the promises of God will be fulfilled and that
all tears will be wiped away.

Readings:

Jeremiah 7: 1-3, 5-7

Psalm 146

Matthew 5: 1-12

INTRODUCTION
Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be
reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world.
We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free
every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given
to us in baptism, we pray for the church, that Christians will unite more fully
in worship and mission.

Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28 and John 8:31-36 

Introduction
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.

Psalm 96:1-9, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 and Matthew 22:15-22

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. 

Isaiah 25:1-9, Philippians 4:1-9 and  Matthew 22:1-14 

Introduction
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus tells a vineyard parable, which 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.

Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:7-15, and Matthew 21:33-46

Introduction
Jesus’ parable about two sons who don’t do what they say
reveals surprises in the reign of God. 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. 

Psalm 25:1-9, Philippians 2:1-13 and Matthew 21:23-32

Introduction
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. Matthew then 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. Let us be reminded that in baptism we
receive the grace of God that is freely given to all.

First Reading: Jonah 3:10—4:11, Psalm 145:1-8 and Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16

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 103:1-13 & Matthew 18:21-35

Introduction
Since the seventh century, September 1 has symbolized the day of the
creation of the world in the Byzantine tradition and has been the opening
feast of its liturgical year, in parallel with Rosh Hashanah marking the
Jewish New Year. Creation in Christ celebrates the ongoing creation of the
world in and through Christ, who sustains, unites, and holds all created
things. We hear today of the triune God who creates all things: sun and
moon, shining stars, sea monsters, creeping things and flying birds—and,
yes, even human beings. God-in-Christ still takes care of all things and
invites us to join in as caretakers of God's good creation. 

Readings:

Genesis 1, Matthew 18:15-20 and Matthew 18:15-20 

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.

Scripture Readings: Jeremiah 15:15-21; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28