Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Third Sunday in Lent 2020 (Year A)
Living Water
“Water is used throughout Scripture as a symbol of faith. In the Old Testament, it sometimes foreshadows Christ’s sacrifice for our sins (Exodus 17:1-7). In the New Testament, Jesus offers forgiveness to all, regardless of race or past misdeeds, and ‘living water,’ which is the Holy Spirit and eternal life (John 4:5-42). Through his death, we are reconciled to God (Romans 5:1-11), our Creator and King, to whom we offer praise and thanks for our salvation (Psalm 95).”
– Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Second Sunday in Lent 2020 (Year A)
Faith and Life Through Jesus
Like Abraham, we are called to follow God in faith (Gen. 12:1-4). We must keep our eyes fixed on the one who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121). God cares for us and has promised to provide rest and grace for those who put their faith in him (Romans 4:1-5,13-17). God came to us through Jesus so that we might be made new and inherit eternal life through his name (John 3:1-17).
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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Ash Wednesday / First Sunday in Lent 2020 (Year A)
Remedy Against Sin
“Adam succumbed to temptation and brought sin on all generations of people (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7). We confess our sin and rejoice in God’s forgiveness (Psalm 32). Just as Adam’s sin brought sin on all humankind, so is Christ’s redemption of sin available for all (Romans 5:12-19), because Jesus alone was able to resist temptation (Matthew 4:1-11).”
–Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional
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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Feast of Transfiguration 2020 (Year A)
The Illumination of Transfiguration
God has revealed to his people the paths of righteousness that lead to life (Exodus 24:12-18). God is holy and loves justice, delighting in those who follow his ways. He transcends the politics and postures of this world and is worthy of our worship and praise (Psalm 2 and Psalm 99). We pay close attention to Scripture and the words of Jesus (2 Peter 1:16-21), who is gloriously revealed as the beloved Son of God who takes away our fear (Matthew 17:1-9) and leads us into joy.
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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Sixth Sunday after Epiphany 2020 (Year A)
Purity of Heart in Human Relationships
“To look with lust violates relationships. To swear an oath disguises God’s mercy. The law of God is a pattern against pretense. It affects how we perceive others, the relationships that we enter, and what comes forth from our mouths. The lesson is twofold: let how we behave be obedient, and let what we say have integrity.”
-Rev. James Kirk, When We Gather: Prayers for Worship
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 119:1-8
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Matthew 5:21-37
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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 2020 (Year A)
City on a Hill
“How do we please God? By caring for the poor and working toward justice (Isaiah 58:1-9,12), exhibiting courage, fearing the Lord and following his commandments (Psalm 112:1-9,10) and living in the Spirit, depending on the power of God rather than the power of rhetoric (1 Corinthians 2:1-12,13-16). In this way, we become the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-20).”
– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional
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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 2020 (Year A)
Blessed in Weakness
“God asks that we practice love, justice, kindness and humility (Micah 6:1-8). We are to be truthful, not slander others, protect the innocent and do what is right (Psalm 15). God shows his strength through what the world considers weak or despised, so that he might be glorified (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). Thus, he calls “blessed” the poor in spirit, the meek, those who mourn, and the persecuted (Matthew 5:1-12).”
– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional
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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Third Sunday after Epiphany 2020 (Year A)
Christ the Light
God sent Jesus to be the light of the world. He is our light and our salvation (Isaiah 9:1-4) who cares for us in times of trouble (Psalm 27:1, 4-9). Christians should seek to cultivate peace (1 Corinthians 1:10-18), repenting of sins and turning to follow Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:12-23). He reveals himself in the midst of our ordinary lives and calls for us to follow him.
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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Second Sunday after Epiphany 2020 (Year A)
Light to the Nations
“God promises us that his salvation will reach to the end of the earth (Is 49:1-7); he sent his only son Jesus, to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29-42). Because of God’s grace and mercy toward us, we put our trust in him (Psalm 40:1-11) and look to the second coming of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:1-9). “
– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional
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