ASLC Podcast

The gift of new life, of eternal life, is the gift of the risen Christ. It is the promise of Jesus. It was true for Dorcas in Joppa. It was true for those “who have come out of the great ordeal” in the Revelation vision. It is true for us and for all the baptized: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Scripture Reading: John 10:22-30, Acts 9:36-43

The disciples make a big splash and breakfast with the risen Jesus in the gospel. Wading in the water (remembering our baptism) and eating with Jesus (celebrating the holy communion) is our weekly encounter with the risen Christ. Jesus asks us, with Peter, again and again: Do you love me? And Jesus invites us, again and again, to follow him, bringing the Easter life to others.

Scripture Reading: John 21:1-19, Acts 9:1-20

Many American churches, including All Saints Lutheran Church, have resurrected an old Easter custom begun by the Greeks in the early centuries of Christianity - “Holy Humor Sunday” celebrations of Jesus’ resurrection on the Sunday after Easter. The custom was rooted in the musings of early church theologians (like Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom) that God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead… “Risus paschalis - the Easter laugh!” Today, our church service is a mixture of tradition and frivolity, a time for celebration and humor where we hear about Thomas. We’re glad you are here!

Scripture Reading: John 20:19-31, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Christ is risen!   Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!  Scripture Reading: John 20:1-18

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. God has indeed raised from the dead the one who was put to death “by hanging him on a tree.” Alleluia! God allows Jesus to appear “to us who were chosen by God as witnesses” in holy baptism and invites us to eat and drink at the table of the risen Christ. Alleluia!

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:1-12, Isaiah 65:17-25

At the heart of the Good Friday liturgy is the passion according to John, which proclaims Jesus as a triumphant king who reigns from the cross. The ancient title for this day - the trump of the cross - reminds us that the church gathers not to mourn this day but to celebrate Christ’s life-giving passion and to find strength and hope in the tree of life. In the ancient bidding prayer we offer petitions for all the world for whom Christ died.

Scripture Reading: John 18:1-19:42, Hebrews 10:16-25

With nightfall our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. At the heart of the Maundy Thursday liturgy is Jesus’ commandment to love one another. As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, we are called to follow his examples as we humbly care for one another, especially the poor and the unloved. At the Lord’s table we remember Jesus’ sacrifice of his life, even as we are called to offer ourselves in love for the life of the world.

Scripture Reading: John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Exodus 12:1-14

The voice of the suffering savior, Jesus, can be heard in the prophet Isaiah’s words and the pleading of the psalm. We are invited into the agony of our Lord in the extended reading of the story of Jesus’ passion. In the second reading, we who have put on Christ in holy baptism are urged to let the mind of Christ be our own. Lent leads us to this holy moment. Embrace it. 

Scripture Reading: Luke 19:28-40; Philippians 2:5-11

Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:34-46

The Lord our God makes all things new. In the first reading God promises it. In the gospel Mary anticipates it, anointing Jesus’ feet with costly perfume in preparation for the day of his burial. In the second reading we recall the transformation of Saul, the persecutor, into Paul, the apostle. In baptism, God’s new person (you!) rises daily from the deadly mire of trespasses and sins.

Scripture Reading: John 12:1-8; Isaiah 43:16-21