The sermon recording is not available as an MP3 this week. Instead, you are invited to view the service on our Facebook page. FIRST READING           Jeremiah 23:1-6 Today’s reading builds on the common, ancient Near Eastern metaphor of the king as shepherd. Judah’s unjust rulers have caused their people, their “flock,” to be scattered. Nevertheless, God will raise up a new…

FIRST READING             Malachi 4:1-2a 1See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in…

FIRST READING              Jeremiah 31:31-34 The renewed covenant will not be breakable, but like the old covenant it will expect the people to live upright lives. To know the Lord means that one will defend the cause of the poor and needy. The renewed covenant is possible only because the Lord will forgive iniquity and not remember…

FIRST READING                       2nd Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c Naaman, a Syrian general, suffers from leprosy. In this passage Elisha miraculously cures his illness, but only after Naaman realizes, with the help of his servants, that he also needs healing for his pride. This foreign general then acknowledges the sovereignty of the God of Israel. 1Naaman, commander of the…

FIRST READING                               Amos 8:4-7 Amos was called by God to prophesy in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Peace and prosperity in Israel led to corrupt business practices and oppression of the poor. The prophet declares that God will not tolerate such a situation. 4Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and…

FIRST READING              Exodus 32:7-14 While Moses is on Mount Sinai, the people grow restless and make a golden calf to worship. Today’s reading shows Moses as the mediator between an angry God and a sinful people. Moses reminds God that the Israelites are God’s own people, and boldly asks for mercy for them. 7The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once!…

FIRST READING                  Proverbs 25:6-7 The book of Proverbs is part of a collection of writings known as wisdom literature. Wisdom literature gave directions to Israel’s leaders and people for the conduct of daily life. Today’s reading is about humility. 6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great; 7for it…

FIRST READING                    Genesis 15:1-6 God promises childless and aging Abram that a child of his own will be his heir and that his descendents will number as many as the stars. Abram trusts God’s promise, and through this faith he is considered righteous. 1After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not…