Texts and Topics 2016

2016

January 3 – Psalm 147:12-20 – “A Good Way to Begin”

God as the creator of all things, even the new year.

Season of Epiphany (January 10-February 7)

 

 

Jesus: The Curtain Rises (Jan. 10-31)

January 10 – Luke 3:15-22 (RCL 3:15-17, 21-22) – “Of Water and Fire”

Jesus’ baptism pulls back the curtain on a world-changing ministry.

January 17 – John 2:1-11 – “Of Water and Wine”

Jesus’ first recorded miracle sets an important tone.

January 24 – Luke 4:14-21 – “An Old Scroll and a New Mission”

Jesus’ first sermon got him thrown out of the synagogue.

January 31 – Luke 4:21-30 – “A New Prophet and an Old Response”

Israel had a history of rejecting the prophets: Jesus included.

Transfiguration Sunday (Feb. 7)

February 7 – Psalm 99 – “Who Needs a King?”

God is king of all, and that’s a good thing.

Season of Lent (February 10-March 26)

February 14 – Psalm 91 (RCL 91:1-2, 9-16) – “Who Needs a Rescuer?”

God is a deliverer, and that’s good, too.

February 21 – Psalm 27 – “Who Needs a Light?”

With God as our “light and my salvation,” who could ask for more?

February 28 – Psalm 63 (RCL 63:1-8) – “Who Needs God?”

God’s present love is food for the soul.

March 6 – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 – “When Old Becomes New”

Old lives can become new creations in Christ.

March 13 – Isaiah 43:16-21 – “God’s New Thing”

Isaiah looked at a troubled world and saw God doing a new thing.

March 20 – Luke 23:1-49 – “The Dark Night Before the Dawn”

Jesus’ crucifixion is distasteful to consider, but essential nevertheless.

Season of Easter – (March 27-May 8)

March 27 – Luke 24:1-12 – “Ladies First” (Easter Sunday)

First in love and faithfulness, first to witness Jesus’ resurrection.

Close Encounters of the Jesus Kind: Conversations with Jesus (April 3-May 8)

April 3 – John 20:19-31 – “A Disciple We Can Like”

Thomas was a disciple we can relate to.

April 10 – John 21:1-19– “One Shepherd to Another” 

Jesus didn’t pass the torch, but handed on a shepherd’s crook.

April 17 – John 10:22-30 – “Ask the Sheep”

Wondering if Jesus was the Messiah? Ask his sheep.

April 24 – John 13:31-35 – “A Serious Summary”

One commandment: many ramifications.

May 1 – John 14:23-29 – “At Home With God”

A different take on the “ideal home.”

May 8 – John 17:20-26 – “Make Them One”

Another “Lord’s prayer” is worth repeating.

 

 

Season of Pentecost – (May 15-November 20)

May 15 – John 14:8-17 – “Someone’s Coming” (Pentecost Sunday)

Jesus would never leave his followers alone: enter the Spirit.

 May 22 – John 16:12-15 – “Trinitarian Roots” (Trinity Sunday)

God the Son talks about God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

Getting on in Galatia: Paul’s Angriest Letter (May 29-July 3)

May 29 – Galatians 1:1-12 – “You Did What?”

Paul can’t believe the Galatians have deserted grace for works.

June 5 – Galatians 1:11-24 – “Training Camp” 

Paul recounts his long days of preparation to preach.

June 12 – Galatians 2:15-21 – “Do You Feel ‘Justified’?”

To be justified by faith is to be crucified with Christ.

June 19 – Galatians 3:23-29 – “No More Lines – Really?”

Dividing lines become meaningless in the shadow of the cross.

June 26 – Galatians 5:1, 13-25 – “What Will Prevail?”

We have human traits – and spiritual gifts. What do others see?

July 3 – Galatians 6:1-16 (RCL 6:[1-6], 7-16) – “Living Like You Mean It”

If we are new creations in Christ, something should be different.

Nothing ‘Minor’ About These Prophets (July 10-31)

July 10 – Amos 7:7-17 – “The Leaning Tower of Israel”

A visionary plumb line reveals a crooked people.

July 17 – Amos 8:1-12 – “Full Pockets and Empty Hearts”

There’s no good news for those who trample the poor.

July 24 – Hosea 1:1-10 – “A Seriously Broken Home”

Hosea’s broken family spoke to a broken nation.

July 31 – Hosea 11:1-11 – “A Love That Won’t Let Go”

God’s love is not the traveling kind.

Faith Matters: Lessons from Hebrews (August 7-28)

August 7 – Hebrews 11:1-16 (RCL 1-3, 8-16) – “You’re Not the First”

A parade of Old Testament faithful witness to the importance of faith.

August 14 – Hebrews 11:29-12:2 – “You’re Not Alone”

The parade continues: a “cloud of witnesses” is cheering us on.

August 21 – Hebrews 12:14-29 (RCL 12:18-29) – “All Shook Up”

When God shakes up the world, the faithful can remain unmoved.

August 28 – Hebrews 13:1-16 (RCL 13:1-8, 15-16) – “Remember – and Do”

A chain of reminders calls for faithful living.

September 4 – Jeremiah 18:1-11 – “Getting Into Shape”

Our ideal shape is in the potter’s hands – if we don’t fight them.

An Apostle’s Apprentice – Lessons from Timothy (Sept. 11-Oct 23)

September 11 – 1 Timothy 1:12-17 – “Bad Starts Can Be Redeemed”

Paul was “chief of sinners,” but with God’s help, turned it around.

September 18 – 1 Timothy 2:1-7 – “It’s Not About You”

Faithful workers are concerned for others, too.

September 25 – 1 Timothy 6:6-19 – “Find Contentment Where You Are”

When “where you are” is at peace with God.

October 2 – 2 Timothy 1:1-14– “Keep the Faith”

Faith-ethics, like work-ethics, often begin at home.

October 9 – 2 Timothy 2:8-15 – “Don’t Be Ashamed”

When we live as we ought, there’s no cause for shame.

October 16 – 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 – “Read the Instructions”

It’s always helpful to start by reading the instruction: including the scriptures.

October 23 – 2 Timothy 4:6-18 (RCL 4:6-8, 16-18) – “Finish the Race”

Timothy was challenged to be faithful until the end.

 October 30 – Luke 19:1-10 – “Little Big Man”

Zacchaeus and the Grinch had a lot in common.

A Time for Gratitude: Songs of Thankful People (November 6-27)

November 6 – Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 – “Justice Always Counts”

A psalm of praise to a God who is just.

November 13 – Psalm 98 – “A New Song for a Lasting Love”

We can’t say enough good things about God’s steadfast love and mercy.

November 20 – Psalm 46 – “When All Else Fails”

God is our refuge and strength – and not only in desperate times.

Season of Advent (November 27-December 25)

November 27 – Psalm 122 – “Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem”

The world’s most strategic real estate still needs our prayers.

December 4 – Matthew 3:1-12 – “Starving for Hope”

People were feeling desperate. Why else listen to John’s fiery message?

December 11 – Matthew 11:2-11 – “The Real McCoy”

Was Jesus the Messiah? The proof was in the pudding.

December 18 – Matthew 1:18-25 – “The Invisible Man”

Joseph is the forgotten man at Christmas, but he had a story, too.

Season of Christmas (December 25 – January 1)

December 25 – Titus 3:4-7 – “Why Christmas Matters”

A short synopsis of Jesus’ mission on earth.

 

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Old Testament texts: 15

New Testament texts: 37