ASLC Podcast

God’s word is like the rain that waters the earth and brings forth vegetation. It is also like the sower who scatters seed indiscriminately. Our lives are like seeds sown in the earth. Even from what appears to be little, dormant, or dead, God promises a harvest. At the Lord’s table we are fed with the bread of life, that we may bear fruit in the world.

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 55:10-13; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Introduction
God’s word is like the rain that waters the earth and brings forth vegetation. It is also like the sower who scatters seed indiscriminately. Our lives are like seeds sown in the earth. Even from what appears to be little, dormant, or dead, God promises a harvest. At the Lord’s table we are fed with the bread of life, that we may bear fruit in the world.

Readings: First Lesson: Isaiah 55:10-13, and Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Introduction
The welcome of baptism is for all God’s children. This baptismal gift sets us free from the power of sin and death. In today’s gospel, Christ promises that the disciple who gives a cup of cold water to the little ones serves Christ himself. From worship we are sent on our baptismal mission: to serve the little ones of this world and to be a sign of God’s merciful welcome.

Readings

Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18, Romans 6:12-23 and Matthew 10:40-42

Introduction
God does not promise that the path of the disciple will be easy.
Jeremiah feels the pain of rejection from those who do not want to
hear what he has to say. Jesus declares that his words may bring stark
division. Even so, we need not be afraid for God accounts for each hair
on our heads. Though we may experience rejection, frustration,
division, and death, God’s grace and love make us a new creation each
day. Marked with the cross and filled with holy food, we are sent from
worship to witness to Christ in the world.

Readings:

Psalm: 69:7-18, Romans 6:1b-11, and Matthew 10:24-39

Introduction
Moses tells the Israelites that they are called to be a priestly kingdom and
a holy people. Jesus sends out the disciples as laborers into the harvest. In
baptism we too are anointed for ministry, sharing God’s compassion with
our needy world. From the Lord’s table we go forth to proclaim the good
news, to heal the sick, and to share our bread with the hungry

Readings:Second Reading: First Reading: Exodus 19:2-8a, Second Reading Romans 5:1-8  , Gospel: Matthew 9:35—10:8

Introduction: 

Faith is guided by the Holy Spirit and illustrated in
Community. Today’s lessons highlight the faith of Abraham who
listened to God so left the known for the unknown, by Matthew the
Tax Collector who left a secure job to follow Jesus, by the leader
of a synagogue who for the love of his child sought Jesus, by a
woman suffering from an illness and shame, who reached out to
Jesus. Their stories are remembered and illustrated by
participants of the communities of All Saints and Zion Lutheran
Churches.

Readings:

Romans 4:13-25, New Living Translation and  Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Introduction
Though the word trinity is not found in the scriptures, today’s second
reading includes the apostolic greeting that begins the liturgy: The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Spirit be with you all. In the gospel Jesus sends his disciples forth to
baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. More
than a doctrine, the Trinity expresses the heart of our faith: we have
experienced the God of creation made known in Jesus Christ and with us
always through the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the mystery of the Holy
Trinity in word and sacrament, as we profess the creed, and as we are sent
into the world to bear witness to our faith.

First Reading: For the Healing of Creation Liturgy
In lieu of reading the first creation story from Genesis 1, we will be singing a
song of prayer for creation.

Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 and Matthew 28:16-20 

1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, from the Message, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b and Acts 2:1-21

In these days between Ascension and Pentecost, we gather with the disciples in the upper room, waiting for the Spirit to transform the church around the world. In today’s gospel Jesus prays for his followers and for their mission in his name. Amid religious, social, and economic divisions, we seek the unity that Jesus had with his Father. Made one in baptism, we go forth to live our faith in the world, eager for the unity that God intends for the whole human family.

Scripture Readings: Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11

Introduction
Jesus does not abandon his followers. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to
abide with his disciples of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are
reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the Spirit of truth. We receive this
Spirit in baptism and pray that in our gathering around the Lord’s table the
Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world.

Readings:

Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:8-20 and John 14:15-21