Events

Commemoration of Ruth

Ruth of Moab, the subject of the biblical book that bears her name, is an inspiring example of God’s grace. Although she was a Gentile, God made her the great grandmother of King David (Ruth 4:17), and an ancestress of Jesus himself (Mt 1:5). A famine in Israel led Elimelech and Naomi of Bethlehem to …

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16 Jul

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Commemoration of Elijah

The prophet Elijah, whose name means, “My God is Yahweh *the Lord+,” prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel, mostly during the reign of Ahab (874–853 B.C.). Ahab, under the influence of his pagan wife Jezebel, had encouraged the worship of Baal throughout his kingdom, even as Jezebel sought to get rid of the worship …

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20 Jul

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Commemoration of Ezekiel

Ezekiel, son of Buzi, was a priest, called by God to be a prophet to the exiles during the Babylonian captivity (Ez. 1:3). In 597 B.C. King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army brought the king of Judah and thousands of the best citizens of Jerusalem—including Ezekiel—to Babylon (2 Kgs 24:8–16). Ezekiel’s priestly background profoundly stamped …

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21 Jul

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Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Three Year Lectionary—Series B) (Proper 11B)

Jeremiah 23:1–6 Psalm 23 Ephesians 2:11–22 Mark 6:30–44 The Lord Jesus Shepherds His Church on Earth by the Ministry of the Gospel The Lord rebukes and removes “the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep” (Jer. 23:1). He gathers the flock, brings them back to the fold, and sets “shepherds over them who will care …

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21 Jul

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Eighth Sunday after Trinity (One Year Lectionary)

Jeremiah 23:16–29 Psalm 26 Acts 20:27–38      or Romans 8:12–17 Matthew 7:15–23 Beware of False Prophets “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15). Deceit has its strength in masquerading as the truth. False prophets speak a vision of their own heart, not from …

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21 Jul

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St. Mary Magdalene

Proverbs 31:10–31 Acts 13:26–31 John 20:1–2, 10–18 St. Mary Magdalene “An excellent wife who can find?” (Prov. 31:10). The Lord’s love does not search out what is lovely. Instead, His love seeks out sinners and dies for them, washes them clean, and presents them to Himself as a spotless bride (Ephesians 5). Christ had no …

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22 Jul

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St. James the Elder, Apostle

Acts 11:27–12:5 Romans 8:28–39 Mark 10:35–45 St. James the Elder, Apostle The sons of Zebedee ask for seats at Jesus’ “right hand and … left, in your glory” (Mark 10:37). But they do not know what they are asking (Matt. 20:22), for God’s kingdom is not of glory and power but the cross. We will …

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25 Jul

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Commemoration of Johann Sebastian Bach, Kantor

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) is acknowledged as one of the most famous and gifted of all composers past and present in the entire western world. Orphaned at the age of ten, Bach was mostly self-taught in music. His professional life as conductor, performer, composer, teacher, and organ consultant began at the age of 19 in …

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28 Jul

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Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (Three Year Lectionary—Series B) (Proper 12B)

Genesis 9:8–17 Psalm 136:1-9 Ephesians 3:14–21 Mark 6:45–56 Creation Is Redeemed and Sanctified by the Word of Christ Jesus Having spared faithful Noah and his family from the flood, the Lord established His covenant with them, “and with every living creature,” that never again would there be “a flood to destroy the earth” (Gen. 9:9–11). …

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28 Jul

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Ninth Sunday after Trinity (One Year Lectionary)

2 Samuel 22:26–34 Psalm 51:1-12 1 Corinthians 10:6–13 Luke 16:1–9 (10–13) The Steward’s Shrewdness Sanctified “The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness” (Luke 16:1–9). The steward’s shrewdness is praiseworthy for two reasons. First, he knew the master would be merciful. He trusted that the master would honor the debts he forgave in the …

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28 Jul

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Commemoration of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany were disciples with whom Jesus had a special bond of love and friendship. John’s Gospel records that “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:15). On one occasion Martha welcomed Jesus into their home for a meal. While she did all the work, Mary sat at Jesus’ …

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29 Jul

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Commemoration of Robert Barnes, Confessor and Martyr

Remembered as a devoted disciple of Martin Luther, Robert Barnes is considered to be among the first Lutheran martyrs. Born in 1495, Barnes became the prior of the Augustinian monastery at Cambridge, England. Converted to Lutheran teaching, he shared his insights with many English scholars through writings and personal contacts. During a time of exile …

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30 Jul

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