Ash Wednesday
Mark 14:1–9
February 26, 2020
St. John’s Lutheran Church—Chicago, IL​

Our Lenten meditations this year will focus on eyes, that is, how we see things—correctly or not. As He makes His way to the cross, all eyes are on Jesus but what do they see? Only through the cross can we see clearly to see Jesus our Savior.

Quinquagesima
1 Corinthians 13:1–13
February 23, 2020
St. John’s Lutheran Church—Chicago, IL
 
In the name of + Jesus.

[Gong!]

I was at the Jewels on Friday and witnessed two grown men engage in a preschool level argument at the checkout. Apparently, there was a disagreement about one of the men butting in line. It was a ridiculous conversation that just went on. The amusing part was that one fellow kept yelling, “Have a good day, sir!” I suspect he wasn’t really wishing the other fellow would have a good day.
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[Gong!]

Sexagesima
1 Corinthians 12:9
February 16, 2020
St. John’s Lutheran Church—Chicago, IL
 
In the name of + Jesus.
 
We’re spending a little time with the Corinthians this Gesimatide, and man, were they a hot mess of a congregation. In Paul’s first epistle to them (which wasn’t even the first time he had to write to them) he had to address over a dozen different problems ranging from divisions, to factions, to winking at sexual immorality and affirming incest, to taking each other to court, to conduct in worship, to the abuse of the Lord’s Supper. If there was ever a church problem, Corinth probably experienced it.
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I wonder what St. Paul would have to write to St. John’s. Would he see divisions and factions? Would he find people winking at sexual immorality or affirming it? Would he find lawsuits or pettier squabbles among our members? How do you think he’d address the way people behave in worship? Or how we treat the Lord’s Supper? What might he commend? What might he condemn?

The theme for this year's Lent Midweek Services is Eyes on Jesus. 

From the introduction to the meditations:
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"O come, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Gradual for Lent, based on Hebrews 12:2)

When the characters in the Passion narrative look at Jesus, what do they see? In most cases, people misunderstood who He is and what He was doing. In some cases, by faith, people recognized Him aright. Our Lenten series this year, based on the Gospel according to St. Mark, will examine how the various people around Jesus viewed Him—and how we should view Him. We will “fix our eyes” on what Jesus has done to save us from our sins by His holy, precious blood and innocent sufferings and death, and celebrate what God sees on account of His work: our justification for His sake."

Septuagesima
1 Corinthians 9:24–10:5
February 9, 2020
St. John’s Lutheran Church—Chicago, IL
 
In the name of + Jesus.
 
St. Paul compares the Christian life to an endurance race. And endurance requires discipline. The top athletes of our age hone their bodies to do amazing things; and they do it to receive a hunk of metal and sometimes a pile of cash. But so often their discipline doesn’t extend to their possessions, and once successful athletes end up destitute.

The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord
Luke 2:22–40
February 2, 2020
St. John’s Lutheran Church—Chicago, IL
 
In the name of + Jesus.
 
Psalm 116 asks, “What shall I render to the Lord, for all His benefits to me?” This should be the same question you ask yourself when you open your checkbook or wallet, or pull up the giving page on our website or mobile app, to prepare your offering. You do prepare and plan your giving, right? While we are grateful for all contributions, and God accepts such offerings given from a posture of faith, the mature Christian sees giving as a discipline, something that doesn’t catch you off guard. Like other financial matters, planning helps you control your money and other possessions rather than letting them control you.