Simply the Sermon for February 22, 2026: First Sunday in Lent

Our Bible texts for Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 are: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; and Matthew 4:1-11.

Today's gospel tells of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. His forty-day fast becomes the basis of our Lenten pilgrimage. In the early church Lent was a time of intense preparation for those to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. This catechetical (Christian education) focus on the meaning of faith is at the heart of our Lenten journey to the baptismal waters of Easter. Hungry for God’s mercy, we receive the bread of life to nourish us for the days ahead.

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Simply the Sermon for February 18, 2026: Ash Wednesday

Our Bible texts for Feb. 18, 2026, Ash Wednesday are: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21.

On Ash Wednesday we begin the forty-day journey toward Easter with a day of fasting and repentance. Marking our foreheads with dust, we acknowledge that we die and return to the earth. At the same time, the dust re-traces the life-giving cross indelibly marked on our foreheads at baptism. While we journey through Lent to return to God, we have already been reconciled to God through Christ. We humbly pray for God to make our hearts clean while we rejoice that “now is the day of salvation.” Returning to our baptismal call, we more intentionally bear the fruits of mercy and justice in the world.

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Simply the Sermon for February 15, 2026: Transfiguration of Our Lord

Our Readings for Transfiguration Sunday, February 15 are: Psalm 2 (used as our call to worship); Exodus 24:12-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; and Matthew 17:1-9.

Today’s festival is a bridge between the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle that comes to a close today and the Lent-Easter cycle that begins in several days. On a high mountain, Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved Son, echoing the words at his baptism. This vision of glory sustains us as Jesus faces his impending death in Jerusalem. From this perspective, we know so much more than the disciples but still so little about who and what God is. It is a Mystery that we continue to explore even as we have faith in God, trusting God's word. 

We turn this week to Ash Wednesday and our yearly baptismal journey from Lent to Easter. Some churches put aside the alleluia at the conclusion of today’s liturgy. This word of joy will be omitted during the penitential season of Lent and will be sung again at Easter.

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Simply the Sermon for February 8, 2026: Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

Our texts for Sunday, Feb. 8, the 5th Sunday after Epiphany are: Isaiah 58:1-12; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; and Matthew 5:13-20.

Isaiah declares that when we loosen the bonds of injustice and share our bread with the hungry, the light breaks forth like the dawn. We all know folks who live that spirit of grace for our siblings in need. We are called to join them. In another passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus, the light of the world, calls his followers to let the light of their good works shine before others. Through baptism we are sent into the world to shine with the light of Christ.

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Simply the Sermon for February 1, 2026: Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

The Gospel reading today is The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), the familiar blessings shared by Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount. Guest Pastor Ellen Ayres gives us a fresh experience on this passage by reading it from the "First Nations Version New Testament," a Native American translation. The term "Creator" is used to refer to Jesus. For example, here is verse 3: "Creator's blessing rests on the poor, the ones with broken spirits. The good road from above is theirs to walk." Jesus, God with us, blesses the unlikeliest ones - and that  includes us.

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Simply the Sermon for January 25, 2026: Third Sunday After Epiphany

Our readings for Sunday, January 25  are Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23.

Upon hearing of his cousin John's arrest, Jesus moves his residence into the land of Herod and begins his public ministry by repeating and amplifying John's call to "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!" He then calls fishers to leave their nets and follow him. 

In Jesus the kingdom of God has come near. We who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. We see this light most profoundly in the cross—as God suffers with us and all who are oppressed by oppression, sickness, sin, or evil. Light dawns for us as we gather around the word, the font, and the holy table. We are then sent to share the good news that others may be “caught” in the net of God’s grace and mercy.

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Simply the Sermon for January 18, 2026: Second Sunday of Epiphany

Our texts for Sunday, January 18, the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany are Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; and John 1:29-42

Today’s gospel opens with a reflection on Jesus’ baptism; there isn't actually a baptismal scene in this gospel rather, John discusses his memory of Jesus' baptism. John relates that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and the one anointed and indwelt by the Spirit. In the liturgy we come and see Christ revealed among us in word and meal. We go forth to invite others to come and worship the Holy One and to receive the gifts of grace and peace made known among us.

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Simply the Sermon for January 11, 2026: Baptism of Our Lord

Our Bible texts for Sunday, January 11, the Baptism of our Lord, are Isaiah 42:1-9; Acts 10:34-43; and Matthew 3:13-17 

In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany (AKA revelation or sudden insight), Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In our reading from Acts, we see the Holy Spirit acting in the lives of Gentile new converts even before they can be physically baptised. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and named God’s beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who are oppressed or in need of God’s healing.

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Simply the Sermon for December 28, 2025: First Sunday of Christmas

This weeks readings are Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18 and Matthew 2:13-23

Where is Jesus Emanuel in grief and times of fear? Does he really understand? Matthew’s Gospel answers that question starting from the first words all the way to the ending.

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Simply the Sermon for December 24, 2025: Christmas Eve

In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. Isaiah declares that the light of the long-promised king will illumine the world and bring endless peace and justice. Paul reminds us that the grace of God through Jesus Christ brings salvation to all people. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good and joyful news for everyone, including lowly shepherds. Filled with the light that shines in our lives, we go forth to share the light of Christ with the whole world.

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Simply the Sermon for December 21, 2025: Fourth Sunday of Advent

Our texts for Sunday, December 21, the 4th Sunday of Advent are: Isaiah 7:10-16;  Romans 1:1-7; and Matthew 1:18-25.

Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. Today's gospel reading is Matthew’s account of the annunciation (how Joseph was told the back story of Mary's surprising and completely faithful pregnancy) and birth of the one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. During these final days of Advent we pray, “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on the O Antiphons, ancient prayers appointed for the seven days preceding Christmas. On this final Sunday of Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us from the power of sin and death.

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Simply the Sermon for December 14, 2025: Third Sunday of Advent

Our texts for Sunday, December 14 are: Isaiah 35:1-10; 
Psalmody - Luke 1:46b-55; James 5:7-10; and Matthew 11:2-11. 

A note of joyful expectation marks today’s worship. Isaiah announces that the desert shall rejoice and blossom, Mary's Magnificat prophecies a societal upending, and Jesus points to the unexpected and transforming signs of God’s reign. We wait with patience for the coming of the Lord, even as we rejoice at his presence among us this day: in word and holy supper, in church and in our homes, in silent reflection and in works of justice and love. We pray that God would open our eyes and ears to the wonders of Christ’s advent among us even as we contemplate what kind of Savior we are expecting.

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Simply the Sermon for December 7, 2025: Second Sunday of Advent

Our Bible texts for Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 are: Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; and Matthew 3:1-12. The focus for this liturgical year is on the gospel of Matthew, interspersed with the occasional reading from John. Reading through the gospel of Matthew in particular might be a great way to start off the season of Advent and our new year.

At the heart of our Advent preparation stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning. As the darkness increases we turn toward the approaching light of Christ. For Christians he is the root of Jesse, the righteous judge who welcomes all, especially the poor and oppressed of the earth. We wait with hope for that day when the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and there will be no more hurt or destruction. From the Lord’s table we are sent in the spirit of John the Baptist to proclaim that in Christ the kingdom of God has come near. Through his nearness we are able to burst forth from the hard shell of ego and self-protection so that the tender, vulnerable grain of humanity can be freed to nourish the world.

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Simply the Sermon for November 30, 2025: First Sunday of Advent

This beautiful Advent season calls us to not only fill our stockings and homes with presents, or to only busy our lives with activities and events...but to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ.  Actually, two "comings".  To ponder once again at the wonder of the Word made flesh.  The Christ of the manger.  AND the second coming of Christ...which may seem a little more mysterious and obscure.  When will that be, we ask?  Many have tried to figure that out.  Perhaps we should be asking instead, "what are we to be doing in the meantime?"  Pastor Russ gladly filled in for Pastor Diana on this first Sunday of Advent and shares his thoughts.

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Simply the Sermon for November 23, 2025: Christ the King Sunday

Our worship for Sunday, November 23 was a bit out of the ordinary. We still had three readings: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Revelation 1:4-8; and John 18:33-37 but beyond that, things were a little all over the place. As this is the last Sunday of the Church year it was a little like New Year's Eve so we walked our way through a standard church year, both so that we could remember the year gone by and look forward to the rhythm of the year to come. But since the church year doesn't quite flow like a standard church service things felt a little out of sorts. The gospel came before the second reading, communion came before the offering, there was NO SERMON, and we sang more hymns than we would sing on a month of Sundays, but it was all for a good reason: it helped us keep our eyes on the story of God. 

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Simply the Sermon for November 16, 2025: Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost

Our readings for Sunday, November 16 are: Malachi 4:1-2a; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19.

The end is nearer than it has ever been and the times are scary. There is no doubt about it. The warnings are dire. The tone of today’s texts seems ominous. But the baptized know how to live in the meantime. The baptized are strengthened for the living of these days in word and sacrament and community. The baptized rally around the invitation of the apostle: “Do not be weary in doing what is right.” We live as the people of God, witnessing to the goodness that has been shared with us. 

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Simply the Sermon for November 9, 2025: Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost

Our readings for Sunday, November 9 are: Job 19:23-27a; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17; Luke 20:27-38. 

Our reading today from the gospel of Luke sounds particularly interesting to our 21st century North American ears and sensibilities, but different cultures had rules and laws that were appropriate to them. Reading about a culture where the concept of eternal life was granted not through God but through male children who would carry on their father's lineage takes a bit of clarifying to understand. The Sadducees were using what they understood as a newfangled understanding of eternal life as a way to trick Jesus into denigrating other factions of Jewish religious hierarchy. But Jesus didn't fall for it. Instead, he revealed to the Sadducees and those around him that the reality of life eternal in God was so much deeper and fulfilling than even our best, most transcendent experiences here on earth! No one owns anyone but instead we live in love, grace, and peace. 

Share the good news!

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Simply the Sermon for November 2, 2025: All Saints Sunday

Our readings for All Saints Sunday, November 2 are: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18; Ephesians 1:11-23; and Luke 6:20-31. 

In holy baptism God makes saints out of sinners. In holy communion God forgives the sins of all the saints. In worship today we give thanks for all the saints “who from their labors rest.” In the same breath we petition our God for the strength to hear and to heed the admonitions of Jesus in today’s gospel. Sealed by the Spirit and sustained by the Savior’s body and blood, we live with joy as God gives us breath, to the praise of God’s glory.

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Simply the Sermon for October 26, 2025: Reformation Sunday

Our texts for Reformation Sunday, October 26 are Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 3:19-28; and John 8:31-36.

Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to us in baptism, we pray for the church, that Christians will unite more fully in worship and mission. The grace of God, through Christ, for our neighbor can be our focus.

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Simply the Sermon for October 19, 2025: Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Our Bible texts for Sunday, October 19, 2025 are Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 121; and Luke 18:1-8.

Pray always. Do not lose heart. This is Christ’s encouragement in the gospel today. Wrestle with the word. Remember your baptism again and again. Come regularly to Christ’s table. Persistence in our every encounter with the divine will be blessed.

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