ASLC Podcast

Introduction The welcome of baptism is for all God’s children. This baptismal gift sets us free from the power of sin and death. In today’s gospel, Christ promises that the disciple who gives a cup of cold water to the little ones serves Christ himself. From worship we are sent on our baptismal mission: to serve the little ones of this world and to be a sign of God’s merciful welcome. Readings Psa...

Introduction God does not promise that the path of the disciple will be easy. Jeremiah feels the pain of rejection from those who do not want to hear what he has to say. Jesus declares that his words may bring stark division. Even so, we need not be afraid for God accounts for each hair on our heads. Though we may experience rejection, frustration, division, and death, God’s grace and love make us...

Introduction Moses tells the Israelites that they are called to be a priestly kingdom and a holy people. Jesus sends out the disciples as laborers into the harvest. In baptism we too are anointed for ministry, sharing God’s compassion with our needy world. From the Lord’s table we go forth to proclaim the good news, to heal the sick, and to share our bread with the hungry Readings:Second Reading:...

Introduction:  Faith is guided by the Holy Spirit and illustrated in Community. Today’s lessons highlight the faith of Abraham who listened to God so left the known for the unknown, by Matthew the Tax Collector who left a secure job to follow Jesus, by the leader of a synagogue who for the love of his child sought Jesus, by a woman suffering from an illness and shame, who reached out to Jesus. The...

Introduction Though the word trinity is not found in the scriptures, today’s second reading includes the apostolic greeting that begins the liturgy: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In the gospel Jesus sends his disciples forth to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. More than a doctrine, the...

1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, from the Message, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b and Acts 2:1-21

In these days between Ascension and Pentecost, we gather with the disciples in the upper room, waiting for the Spirit to transform the church around the world. In today’s gospel Jesus prays for his followers and for their mission in his name. Amid religious, social, and economic divisions, we seek the unity that Jesus had with his Father. Made one in baptism, we go forth to live our faith in the w...

Introduction Jesus does not abandon his followers. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the Spirit of truth. We receive this Spirit in baptism and pray that in our gathering around the Lord’s table the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the wor...

As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, today’s gospel includes Jesus’ promise that he goes to prepare a place for his followers in his Father’s house. Our baptism commissions us to share Jesus’ mission in the world. In words and deeds we bear witness to the risen Christ—our way, our truth, our life. Readings: Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 and John 14:1-14

Introduction Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is called the “gate” of the sheep in today’s gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us amid the world’s violence and war. We go forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God’s tender c...

Introduction Today’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is b...

In today’s gospel the risen Christ appears to the disciples and offers them the gift of peace. Even amid doubts and questions, we experience the resurrection in our Sunday gathering around word and meal, and in our everyday lives. Throughout the coming Sundays of Easter the first two readings will be from the Acts of the Apostles and the first letter of Peter. Even as the early Christians proclaim...

Creator, you made all people of every land. It is our responsibility to give thanks and respect to those who first occupied this land we are upon. At All Saints we give thanks to the Wahpekute (Wah-peh-kue-teh) Dakota, the first people of this land. We offer our respect to those ancestors who may be interred in this land, and are thankful for the gifts of the People of the land. For all these thin...

Scripture Readings: John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Scripture Reading: John 18:1-19:42

We are reminded that we are stewards of Temple, our body and health; Time; Talents; Treasure; Testimony, our reputation and integrity; and Terra, care of the earth.

Today, we encounter the paradox that defines our faith: Jesus Christ is glorified king and humiliated servant. We wave palms in celebration today as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow with trepidation as his path leads to death on the cross. Amid it all we are invited into this paradoxical promise of life through Christ’s broken body and outpoured love in a meal of bread and wine. We begin...

Introduction In today’s gospel Jesus reveals his power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. To those in exile or living in the shadows of death, these stories proclaim God’s promise of resurrection. In baptism we die with Christ that we might also be raised with him to new life. At the Easter Vigil we will welcome the newly baptized as we remember God’s unfailing promise in our baptism. Sc...

Baptism is sometimes called enlightenment. The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. “I was blind, now I see,” declares the man. In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are: God’s beloved children. As David was anointed king of Israel, in baptism God anoints our head with oil, and calls us to bear witness to the light of Christ in our daily li...

Scripture Reading: Luke 10:25-37

In today’s gospel the Samaritan woman asks Jesus for water, an image of our thirst for God. Jesus offers living water, a sign of God’s grace flowing from the waters of baptism. The early church used this gospel and those of the next two Sundays to deepen baptismal reflection during the final days of preparation before baptism at Easter. As we journey to the resurrection feast, Christ comes among u...

Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 8:17-18; Matthew 6:21-24; Luke 16:11; 1 Timothy 6:10;1 Timothy 6:17

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:1-21 - Place your life before God

Introduction During Lent we journey with all those around the world who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil. In today’s gospel Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born of water and Spirit. At the font we are a given a new birth as children of God. As God made a covenant with Abraham, in baptism God promises to raise us up with Christ to new life. From worship we are sent forth to proclaim God’s...

1st wednesday in Lent Scripture Readings: Matthew 13: 24-30