Rabbi Noah Uhlman
Genesis 12:1-3
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Genesis:
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Trinity
John 16:12-15
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:
12 I have much more to tell you,
but you can’t bear to hear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes,
she will guide you into all truth.
She won’t speak on her own initiative;
rather, she’ll speak only what she hears,
and she’ll announce to you
things that are yet to come. 14 In doing this, the Spirit will give glory to me,
for she will take what is mine
and reveal it to you. 15 Everything that Abba God has
belongs to me.
This is why I said that
the Spirit will take what is mine
and reveal it to you. 16 Within a short time you won’t see me,
but soon after that you’ll see me again.”
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Eastertide: Elder Marissa Saints
Deuteronomy 10:12-22, Matthew 25:34-40
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Deuteronomy and Matthew:
Deuteronomy 10:12-22
So now Israel, what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I’m commanding you today—live a good life.
Look around you: Everything you see is God’s—the heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it. But it was your ancestors who God fell in love with; he picked their children—that’s you!—out of all the other peoples. That’s where we are right now. So cut away the thick calluses from your heart and stop being so willfully hardheaded. God, your God, is the God of all gods, he’s the Master of all masters, a God immense and powerful and awesome. He doesn’t play favorites, takes no bribes, makes sure orphans and widows are treated fairly, takes loving care of foreigners by seeing that they get food and clothing.
You must treat foreigners with the same loving care—
remember, you were once foreigners in Egypt.
Reverently respect God, your God, serve him, hold tight to him,
back up your promises with the authority of his name.
He’s your praise! He’s your God!
He did all these tremendous, these staggering things
that you saw with your own eyes.
When your ancestors entered Egypt, they numbered a mere seventy souls. And now look at you—you look more like the stars in the night skies in number. And your God did it.
Matthew 25:34-40
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Eastertide: Dwelling
John 14: 21-29
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:
23 Jesus answered, “Those who love me will be true to my word,
and Abba God will love them;
and we will come to them
and make our dwelling place with them. 24 Those who don’t love me
don’t keep my words.
Yet the message you hear is not mine;
it comes from Abba God who sent me. 25 This much have I said to you while still with you; 26 but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom Abba God will send in my name,
will instruct you in everything
and she will remind you of all that I told you. 27 Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give to you;
but the kind of peace I give you
is not like the world’s peace.
Don’t let your hearts be distressed;
don’t be fearful. 28 You’ve heard me say,
‘I am going away but I will return.’
If you really loved me,
you would rejoice because I am going to Abba God,
for Abba is greater than I. 29 I tell you this now, before it happens,
so that when it happens you will believe.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Eastertide: Glory
John 13:31-35
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:
Jesus said, “Now is the Chosen One glorified and God is glorified as well. 32 If God has been glorified, God will in turn glorify the Chosen One and will do so very soon. 33 My little children, I won’t be with you much longer. You’ll look for me, but what I said to the Temple authorities, I say to you: wher vvcze I am going, you cannot come. 34 I give you a new commandment: Love one another. And you’re to love one another the way I have loved you. 35 This is how all will know that you’re my disciples: that you truly love one another.”
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Eastertide: We Are One
John 10:22-30
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:
22 The time came for Hanukkah, the Feast of the Dedication, in Jerusalem. 23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the Temple area, in Solomon’s Porch, 24 when the Temple authorities surrounded him and said, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you really are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus replied, “I did tell you, but you don’t believe. The work I do in my Abba’s name gives witness in my favor, 26 but you don’t believe because you’re not my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never be lost. No one will ever snatch them from my hand. 29 Abba God, who gave them to me, is greater than anyone, and no one can steal them from Abba God. 30 For Abba and I are One.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Eastertide: Forgiveness & Restoration
John 21:1-19
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:
Later Jesus again was manifested to the disciples at Lake Tiberias. This is how the appearance took place. 2 Assembled were Simon Peter, Thomas “the Twin,” Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s children, and two other disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going out to fish.” “We’ll join you,” they replied, and went off to get into their boat. All through the night they caught nothing. 4 Just after daybreak, Jesus was standing on the shore, though none of the disciples knew it was Jesus. 5 He said to them, “Have you caught anything, friends?” “Not a thing,” they answered. 6 “Cast your net off to the starboard side,” Jesus suggested, “and you’ll find something.” So they made a cast and caught so many fish that they couldn’t haul the net in. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved cried out to Peter, “It’s the Teacher!” Upon hearing this, Simon Peter threw on his cloak—he was naked—and jumped into the water. 8 Meanwhile the other disciples brought the boat to shore, towing the net full of fish. They were not far from land—no more than a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw that a charcoal fire had been prepared, with fish and some bread already being grilled. 10 “Bring some of the fish you just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 Simon Peter went aboard and hauled ashore the net, which was loaded with huge fish—one hundred fifty-three of them. In spite of the great number, the net was not torn. 12 “Come and eat your meal,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared to ask, “Who are you?”—they knew it was the savior. 13 Jesus came over, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This marked the third time that Jesus had appeared to the disciples after being raised from the dead. 15 When they had eaten their meal, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, do you love me more than these?” Peter said, “Yes, Rabbi, you know that I’m your friend.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time Jesus put the question, “Simon, do you love me?” Peter said, “Yes, Rabbi, you know that I’m your friend.” Jesus replied, “Tend my sheep.” 17 A third time Jesus asked him, “Simon, do you love me as a friend would?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” a third time. So he said, “You know everything, Rabbi. You know that I am your friend.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 The truth of the matter is,
when you were young,
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you get old,
you will stretch out your hands
and someone else will put a belt around you
and take you where you don’t want to go.”
19 With these words, Jesus indicated the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then the savior said, “Follow me.”
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Eastertide: Peace
John 20:19-31
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:
19 In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were locked in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Temple authorities. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 Having said this, the savior showed them the marks of crucifixion. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw Jesus, 21 who said to them again, “Peace be with you. As Abba God sent me, so I’m sending you.” 22 After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven.
If you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.” 24 It happened that one of the Twelve, Thomas—nicknamed Didymus, or “Twin”—was absent when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples kept telling him, “We’ve seen Jesus!” Thomas’ answer was, “I’ll never believe it without putting my finger in the nail marks and my hand into the spear wound.” 26 On the eighth day, the disciples were once more in the room, and this time Thomas was with them. Despite the locked doors, Jesus came and stood before them, saying, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then, to Thomas, Jesus said, “Take your finger and examine my hands. Put your hand into my side. Don’t persist in your unbelief, but believe!” 28 Thomas said in response, “My Savior and my God!” 29 Jesus then said, “You’ve become a believer because you saw me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Jesus performed many other signs as well—signs not recorded here—in the presence of the disciples. 31 But these have been recorded to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Only Begotten, so that by believing you may have life in Jesus’ Name.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Easter
Luke 24:1-12
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:
On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn, the women came to the tomb bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled back from the tomb; 3 but when they entered the tomb, they didn’t find the body of Jesus. 4 While they were still at a loss over what to think of this, two figures in dazzling garments stood beside them. 5 Terrified, the women bowed to the ground. The two said to them, “Why do you search for the Living One among the dead? 6 Jesus is not here; Christ has risen. Remember what Jesus said to you while still in Galilee—7 that the Chosen One must be delivered into the hands of sinners and be crucified, and on the third day would rise again.” 8 With this reminder, the words of Jesus came back to them. 9 When they had returned from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and the others. 10 The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them also told the apostles, 11 but the story seemed like nonsense and they refused to believe them. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. He stooped down, but he could see nothing but the wrappings. So he went away, full of amazement at what had occurred.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Lent: Anointed
John 12:1-8
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Prodigal
Luke 15:1-3,11-32
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:
1 Meanwhile, the tax collectors and the “sinners” were all gathering around Jesus to listen to his teaching, 2 at which the Pharisees and the religious scholars murmured, “This person welcomes sinners and eats with them!” 3 Jesus then addressed this parable to them:
11 He added, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to their father, ‘Give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ So the father divided up the property between them. 13 Some days later, the younger son gathered up his belongings and went off to a distant land. Here he squandered all his money on loose living. 14 “After everything was spent, a great famine broke out in the land, and the son was in great need. 15 So he went to a landowner, who sent him to a farm to take care of the pigs. 16 The son was so hungry that he could have eaten the husks that were fodder for the pigs, but no one made a move to give him anything. 17 Coming to his senses at last, he said, ‘How many hired hands at my father’s house have more than enough to eat, while here I am starving! 18 I’ll quit and go back home and say, “I’ve sinned against God and against you; 19 I no longer deserve to be called one of your children. Treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20 With that, the younger son set off for home. “While still a long way off, the father caught sight of the returning child and was deeply moved. The father ran out to meet him, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, ‘I’ve sinned against God and against you; I no longer deserve to be called one of your children.’ 22 But his father said to one of the workers, ‘Quick! Bring out the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. 23 Take the calf we’ve been fattening and butcher it. Let’s eat and celebrate! 24 This son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and now he’s found!’ And the celebration began. 25 “Meanwhile the elder son had been out in the field. As he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. 26 He called one of the workers and asked what was happening. 27 The worker answered, ‘Your brother is home, and the fatted calf has been killed because your father has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The son got angry at this and refused to go in to the party, but his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 The older son replied, ‘Look! For years now I’ve done every single thing you asked me to do. I never disobeyed even one of your orders, yet you never gave me so much as a kid goat to celebrate with my friends. 30 But then this son of yours comes home after going through your money with prostitutes, and you kill the fatted calf for him!’ 31 “ ‘But my child!’ the father said. ‘You’re with me always, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we have to celebrate and rejoice! This brother of yours was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and now he’s found.’”
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Lent: Killing Prophets
Luke 13:28-36
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:
People will come from the East and the West, from the North and the South, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.” 31 Just then, some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “You need to get out of town, and fast. Herod is trying to kill you.” 32 Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Today and tomorrow, I’ll be casting out devils and healing people, and on the third day I’ll reach my goal.’ 33 Even with all that, I’ll need to continue on my journey today, tomorrow and the day after that, since no prophet can be allowed to die anywhere except in Jerusalem. 34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I wanted to gather your children together as a mother bird collects her babies under her wings—yet you refuse me! 35 So take note: your house will be left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the One who comes in the name of our God!’ ”
This is the word of the Lord.Thanks be to God
Lent: Wilderness
Luke 4:1-13
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:
Jesus returned from the Jordan filled with the Holy Spirit, and she led him into the desert 2 for forty days, where he was tempted by the Devil. Jesus ate nothing during that time, at the end of which he was famished. 3 The Devil said to Jesus, “If you are God’s Own, command this stone to turn into bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “Scripture has it, ‘We don’t live on bread alone.’ ” 5 Then the Devil took Jesus up higher and showed him all the nations of the world in a single instant. 6 The Devil said, “I’ll give you all the power and the glory of these nations; the power has been given to me and I can give it to whomever I wish. 7 Prostrate yourself in homage before me, and it will all be yours.” 8 In reply, Jesus said, “Scripture has it: ‘You will worship the Most High God; God alone will you adore.’ ” 9 Then the Devil led Jesus to Jerusalem, set him up on the parapet of the Temple and said, “If you are God’s Own, throw yourself down from here, 10 for scripture has it, ‘God will tell the angels to take care of you; 11 with their hands they’ll support you, that you may never stumble on a stone.’ ” 12 Jesus said to the Devil in reply, “It also says, ‘Do not put God to the test.’ ” 13 When the Devil had finished all this tempting, Jesus was left alone. The Devil awaited another opportunity.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Transformed
2 Corinthians 3:12-18
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the 2nd Letter to the Corinthians:
12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14 But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. 15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Epiphany: Love Your Enemies
Luke 6:27-38
Scripture:
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:
27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Epiphany: Paradox
Luke 6:17-26
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:
17 Coming down the mountain with them, Jesus stopped in a level area where there were a great number of disciples. A large crowd of people was with them from Jerusalem and all over Judea, to as far north as the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon—18 people who had come to hear Jesus and be healed of their diseases, and even to be freed from unclean spirits. 19 Indeed, the whole crowd was trying to touch Jesus, because power was coming out of him and healing them all. 20 Looking at the disciples, Jesus said: “You who are poor are blessed, for the reign of God is yours.
21 You who hunger now are blessed,for you’ll be filled.
You who weep now are blessed,for you’ll laugh.
22 You are blessed when people hate you, when they scorn and insult you and spurn your name as evil
because of the Chosen One.
23 On the day they do so, rejoice and be glad: your reward will be great in heaven, for their ancestors treated the prophets the same way.
24 But woe to you rich, for you are now receiving your comfort in full.
25 Woe to you who are full, for you’ll go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now, for you’ll weep in your grief.
26 Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets
in the same way.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Epiphany: Experiencing Christ
Luke 5:1-11
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:
One day, Jesus was standing by Lake Gennesaret, and the crowd pressed in on him to hear the word of God. 2 He saw two boats moored by the side of the lake; the fishers had disembarked and were washing their nets. 3 Jesus stepped into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to pull out a short distance from the shore; then, remaining seated, he continued to teach the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Pull out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Rabbi, we’ve been working hard all night long and have caught nothing; but if you say so, I’ll lower the nets.” 6 Upon doing so, they caught such a great number of fish that their nets were at the breaking point. 7 They signaled to their mates in the other boat to come and help them, and together they filled the two boats until they both nearly sank. 8 After Simon saw what happened, he was filled with awe and fell down before Jesus, saying, “Leave me, Rabbi, for I’m a sinner.” 9 For Simon and his shipmates were astonished at the size of the catch they had made, 10 as were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you’ll fish among humankind.” 11 And when they brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Epiphany: Hometown Prophet
Luke 4:21-30
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:
21 Then he said to them, “Today, in your hearing, this scripture passage is fulfilled.” 22 All who were present spoke favorably of him; they marveled at the eloquence of the words on Jesus’ lips. They said, “Surely this isn’t Mary and Joseph’s son!” 23 Jesus said to them, “Undoubtedly you’ll quote me the proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your own country the things we heard you did in Capernaum.’ 24 But the truth is, prophets never gain acceptance in their hometowns. 25 “The truth is, there were many women who were widowed in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens remained closed for three and a half years and a great famine spread over the land. 26 It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but to a woman who had been widowed in Zarephath, near Sidon. 27 Recall, too, that many had leprosy in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one was cured except Naaman the Syrian.” 28 At these words, the whole audience in the synagogue was filled with indignation. 29 They rose up and dragged Jesus out of town, leading him to the brow of the hill on which the city was built, with the intention of hurling him over the edge. 30 But he moved straight through the crowd and walked away.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Epiphany: Release
Luke 4: 14-21
Hear what the Spirit is saying from the Gospel of Luke:
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and his reputation spread throughout the region. 15 He was teaching in the Galilean synagogues, and all were loud in their praise. 16 Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. Entering the synagogue on the Sabbath, as was his habit, Jesus stood up to do the reading. 17 When the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed him, he unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
18 “The Spirit of our God is upon me:
because the Most High has anointed me
to bring Good News to those who are poor.
God has sent me to proclaim liberty to those held captive,
recovery of sight to those who are blind,
and release to those in prison— 19 to proclaim the year of our God’s favor.”
20 Rolling up the scroll, Jesus gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he said to them, “Today, in your hearing, this scripture passage is fulfilled.”
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Epiphany: Sign of the Times
John 2:2-11
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God