The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Second Sunday after Pentecost 2017 (Year A)

The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Second Sunday after Pentecost 2017 (Year A)

 

Believing God’s Promises and Sharing God’s Grace

“Abraham was quick to recognize God, to be obedient to him and to believe his promises (Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7). We rejoice that through Christ’s death for our sins we have lasting peace with God (Romans 5:1-8). God’s goodness and love cause us to sing his praises (Psalm 100 and Psalm 116), and in gratitude, we therefore share the good news of God’s grace with others (Matthew 9:35-10:8)” Thomas Oden

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Trinity Sunday: East and West

“Trinity Sunday is a Western feast observed on the Sunday after Pentecost. The Orthodox churches do not observe this as a separate feast since the Holy Trinity is a major focus of the liturgical texts on Pentecost. The Orthodox churches observe All Saints Sunday the week after Pentecost; in the West, All Saints Day is celebrated on November 1.”

-from The St. James Calendar of the Christian Year

The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Trinity Sunday 2017 (Year A)

The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Trinity Sunday 2017 – Year A

Life in the Trinity: A Witness to New Creation

The glorious life of the Trinity created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1-2:4a). God’s creation is spectacular and demonstrates that He has not abandoned His creation, but continues to sustain all life (Psalm 8). In the light of this gift, Christians are called to gratitude, peace, and love (2 Corinthians 13:11-13). We can find hope in Jesus’ promise to never leave us as we baptize, teach, and live in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:16-20).

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The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Pentecost Sunday 2017 (Year A)

The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Pentecost Sunday 2017 (Year A)

 

Pentecost and the Gift of the Holy Spirit

“On Pentecost, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-21). Through Christ, we are given the living water of the Holy Spirit, poured out on believers on Pentecost, so that we might “thirst” no more (John 7:37-39) and that we might use the spiritual gifts we are given to his glory (1 Corinthians 12:3b-13). We look at the wonders of creation and cannot help but praise God for his wisdom, originality and the beauty of the world around us (Psalm 104:24-34, 35b).”

-Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional: A Year of Weekly Readings

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The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Seventh Sunday in Easter 2017 (Year A)

The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – 7th Sunday in Easter 2017 (Year A)

The Ascended Christ Sends His Spirit and Makes us One 

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower his followers until his return (Acts 1:6-14). This promise gives us the strength to pray and follow God, even in the midst of suffering and anxiety. These things may last for a little while, but we are encouraged to stand firm knowing that Christ himself has prayed for us (1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11). Though orphans, he has promised us a home (Psalm 68: 1-10; 32-35). He has granted us eternal life and the fellowship of other believers, even while we wait (John 17:1-11).

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The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Sixth Sunday in Easter 2017 (Year A)

The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Sixth Sunday in Easter 2017 (Year A)

 

In Him We Live and Move and Have Our Being

The true God has been revealed to the whole world through the life and death of Jesus Christ (Acts 17:22-31). God can truly be known, even when we suffer for his sake (1 Peter 3:13-22). We can be assured of God’s care for us and know that he listens to our prayers. In response, we offer our gratitude and confess what he has done for us (Psalm 66:8-20). We find freedom and take joy in his commands through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-21).

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