FIRST READING 1st Samuel 16:1-13 Samuel anointed David even though he was the eighth-oldest son of Jesse and did not match his brothers in height or other physical characteristics. With the anointing came endowment with the spirit of the Lord, designating David as the Lord’s chosen successor to Saul. 1The Lord said to Samuel,…
3900 Winnetka Avenue N., New Hope, MN 55427
3900 Winnetka Avenue N., New Hope, MN 55427
Sermons by Rev. Jason Wahlstrom
FIRST READING Exodus 17:1-7 Because the thirsty Israelites quarreled with Moses and put God to the test, Moses cried out in desperation to God. God commanded Moses to strike the rock to provide water for the people. The doubt-filled question – “Is the Lord among us or not?” – received a very positive answer. 1From the wilderness of Sin…
FIRST READING Genesis 12:1-4a God’s call to Abram and Sarai has a clear purpose – that through them all the families of the earth would gain a blessing. As they set out on their journey, they are accompanied by promises of land, nation, and a great reputation. 1Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred…
FIRST READING Exodus 24:12-18 At Mount Sina, Moses experienced the presence of God for forty days and forty nights. The “glory of the Lord” settled on the mountain, and on the seventh day God called out to Moses. On the mountain God gave Moses the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. 12The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me…
FIRST READING Deuteronomy 30:15-20 The Lord sets before the people of God a clear choice. Life and prosperity will come to the faithful; loss of the land will be the consequence of disobedience. Choosing life entails loving and holding fast to the Lord. Life in God’s presence presupposes the promise made to the ancestors. 15See, I have set…
FIRST READING Isaiah 58:1-12 Shortly after the return of Israel from exile in Babylon, the people were troubled by the ineffectiveness of their fasts. God reminds them that outward observance is no substitute for geniuine fasting that results in acts of justice, such as feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and clothing the naked. 1Shout out, do not…
FIRST READING Micah 6:1-8 With the mountains and the foundations of the earth as the jury, God brings a lawsuit against Israel. God has “wearied” Israel with a long history of saving acts. God does not want or expect lavish sacrifices to attempt to earn divine favor. Rather God empowers the people to do…
FIRST READING Isaiah 9:1-4 The northern tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali experienced the gloom of defeat by Assyrian military forces, but they are assured that their condition will be reversed when God makes a light-filled appearance. The joy they will experience will resemble celebrations of great harvests, because God will deliver them from everything…
FIRST READING Isaiah 49:1-7 Here the servant, identified as Israel, speaks for herself and describes her honored mission. Called before her birth like Jeremiah and John the Baptist, the servant is not only to restore Israel. The servant’s ultimate assignment is to bring news of God’s victory to the ends of the earth. God in faithfulness has chosen…
FIRST READING Isaiah 42:1-9 God’s servant is endowed with God’s spirit in order to bring justice to the nations. The servant will not exercise authority boisterously or with violence, nor will weariness ever prevent the fulfilling of the servant’s task. God’s old promises have been fulfilled; the servant’s new assignment is to bring light to the nations. 1Here is my servant,…