Hello Gloria Dei,
During much of 2025, instead of using different preaching series as we’ve done for many years, we are using what is called the “Revised Common Lectionary” for worship Bible texts and preaching themes.
This year many of the assigned gospel texts come from the book of Luke (some will come from the book of John). I encourage you to be reading through the gospel of Luke. Take some time and read the entire gospel. Once you’ve done that, then read smaller portions each week. I will let you know each week in my Friday Followings what the assigned gospel reading will be for weekend worship.
Allow me to give you a brief summary of the major themes to watch for in your reading.
- Jesus came with a message of salvation for all of humanity. In Luke 4, the Jewish people in his hometown of Nazareth try to throw him off of a cliff because he tells them that God’s salvation is now available not only to God’s original chosen people, the Jews, but also the Gentiles. And that’s why we see, for example, the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke’s gospel. Jesus lifts up the Samaritan, a foreigner, as the one who does God’s will by stopping to help the wounded man on the side of the road. God’s message of grace, centered in Christ, is now meant to be Good News for all people.
- In Luke, more than in any of the other three gospels, we see that Jesus had a heart for the marginalized in society. In chapter four Jesus lays out his mission when he quotes the prophet Isaiah and says, “I have come to bring good news to the poor… and to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Take note that Luke is the one who tells us that the lowly shepherds, despised as dirty and considered to be thieves, were the first to hear the great announcement of Jesus’ birth. And Luke is the only gospel to tell us of the wonderful encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus, the despised tax collector. Every person is important to Jesus, even prodigal sons (Luke 15) who rebel.
- Jesus operated by the power of the Holy Spirit within and upon him. The Holy Spirit is mentioned numerous times in Luke’s gospel. It is the Spirit who descends on Jesus at his baptism. It is the Spirit who drives him out into the wilderness to do battle with the devil during his time of temptation. Jesus announces in Luke 4 that “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” After his resurrection Jesus tells the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit shows up fully. Through the Spirit, they too would receive the same power to proclaim and live out the good news of Jesus. And, of course, it is Luke who also wrote the book of Acts, which tells the story of the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost and setting in motion the work of the early church. It is that same Holy Spirit who works in and through you and me and Christ’s church today, to the point where billions now proclaim Jesus as Lord.
These are just three of the major themes in Luke’s telling the story of Jesus and the way of salvation. Again, I encourage you to read through the fascinating and engaging gospel of Luke.
For worship this weekend please read Luke 6:27-38.
And just a reminder we are in the midst of a Capital Campaign with the goal of eliminating our mortgage debt and preparing for future expansion.
In addition to the one-on-one meetings, we are offering 25-minute opportunities for anyone to come and hear more in a group setting and to ask any questions you may have. We will meet on scheduled Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays. The schedule for these group opportunities is as follows:
Sundays from 10:00 to 10:25 a.m.
- February 23 (this Sunday)
- March 2
- March 9
Saturdays from 6:00 to 6:25 p.m.
- February 22 (this Saturday)
Wednesdays from 6:00 to 6:25 p.m.
- February 26 (this Wednesday)
I ask that you make one of these dates a priority for you to learn more and to participate in these important conversations about the future possibilities for Gloria Dei.
See you in worship,
Pastor Tim
