3900 Winnetka Avenue N., New Hope, MN 55427

Sermons on Epiphany

February 19, 2023 Transfiguration Sunday “When Jesus Becomes Christ”

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…

January 22, 2023 Third Sunday after Epiphany “Quarrels Among Us”

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…

January 15, 2023 Second Sunday after Epiphany “What Are You Looking For?”

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…

January 8, 2023 Baptism of Our Lord “Community of Outsiders”

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,…

February 20, 2022 Seventh Sunday after Epiphany “Break the Cycle”

FIRST READING             Genesis 45:3-11, 15 The people’s return to Judah after the exile was marred by economic and political troubles. Nevertheless, the prophet declares, Jerusalem and Judah will be restored. God will rejoice over Jerusalem as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride, and the people are called to the celebration. 3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father…

February 6, 2022 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany “Out of Order”

FIRST READING                 Isaiah 6:1-8 Through a vision in the temple, the eighth-century prophet Isaiah is called by God to announce judgment against Israel. Aware of his sinfulness and shortcomings, Isaiah is initially hesitant. But when God calls, Isaiah responds, “Here am I; send me!” 1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a…

January 30, 2022 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany “Epiphany Lite”

FIRST READING            Jeremiah 1:4-10 God calls Jeremiah to be a prophet and consecrates him in the womb. Jeremiah’s task is to preach God’s word amid the difficult political realities of his time, before the Babylonian exile. He is to make God known not only to Judah, but also to the nations. 4Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 5“Before I formed…