in Lent
Encounters in Jerusalem
Today’s gospel text is from Matthew 21:1-11. This passage tells us that the time has come for Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Thus, Jesus does something he has consistently refused to do up to this...
in Lent
Encounters with Grief
The Fifth Sunday in Lent The gospel text for this 5th Sunday in Lent is from John 11:1-45. This long passage recounts Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, serving as a profound demonstration of his...
in Lent
Encounters in Healing
The Fourth Sunday in Lent The gospel text for this 4th week in Lent is from John 9:1-38. This passage is the familiar story of Jesus healing a man who was born blind. The main...
in Lent
Encounters at the Well
The Third Sunday in Lent The gospel text for this Third Sunday in Lent is from John 4:5-42. Jesus’s encounter with a Samaritan woman at the well illustrates his mission to break social, racial and...
in Lent
Encounters in the Night
The Second Sunday in Lent The gospel text for this second Sunday in Lent is from John 3:1-17. Jesus explains to Nicodemus, a Pharisee, that physical life is not enough; one must be transformed spiritually...
in Lent
Encounters in the Wilderness
The First Sunday in Lent The gospel text for this Sunday is from Matthew 4:1-11. This passage recounts Jesus’ 40-day temptation in the wilderness, where He successfully resisted Satan’s lures of selfish power, testing God...
in Lent
When Criticism Becomes Revelation
The Fifth Sunday in Lent The sermon this week is based on John 12:1-8. Jesus seeks out a familiar retreat setting at the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. The family throws a dinner party...
in Lent
Repentance as a Way of Life
The Third Sunday in Lent Dr. Martin Luther reflected often about “repentance” as he had written in the first of his famous 95 Theses: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent’ (Matthew 4:17),...
in Lent
Getting Ready for the Kingdom
The Second Sunday in Lent The sermon this Sunday is entitled: Getting Ready for the Kingdom and is based on the Gospel reading from Luke 13:31-35. In this text, Jesus is facing threats from Herod and the Pharisees, but...
in Lent
Identity Tests
The first Sunday in Lent and Spiritual Sunday Today we begin our journey through Lent. Our service this Sunday will be led by Sarah Jessop Street, a seminary student at PLTS currently serving at Saint...