Worshipfully Speaking – October 2016

OCTOBER, SCRIPTURALLY SPEAKING

The Lectionary Readings Appointed for Sundays in OctoberThere always seems to me a point, in this time of the year, when the seasons are clearly changing, especially evident in the leaf colors from the Kelly green of summer to the olive and greenish-browns of early autumn.  Then there are the tinges of red on dogwood leaves, which will suddenly begin to fade and drop into the pine straw.

This phasing from one season to another takes place also in the seasons of the Church year and its progression of the season through the ‘teaching season’ of Pentecost.  The weekly lections for October listed here are noteworthy.  The readings from the Hebrew Bible speak of existence amid exile and the look toward a new future of return, hope and finality.  The prophets speak of faithfulness amid prosperity and co-existence with captors and foreigners, until release into the promised future.  Interestingly, synagogues are also marking transitions—from the old year to the new year, the old life into new.

The readings from the epistles (Timothy and Thessalonians) call for endurance, keeping the faith, maintaining steadfast with resolve, to the end that is promised and closing in fast.  The Gospel of Luke phases from the ‘second leg’ of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem to the ‘third/final leg’; as Jesus continues to pour out teachings and admonitions to strong discipleship through parables and encounters along the way, which speak to obligations to obedience, prayer, humility, graciousness, and thanksgiving.  “The end is near,” he says, and commitments are called for—one way or the other in the time remaining.

OCTOBER 2, 2016…………WORLD COMMUNION DAY…………20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Psalm 137        Lamentations 1.1-6            2 Timothy 1.1-14    Luke 17.5-10
SPECIAL SERVICE OF THE EUCHARIST

OCTOBER 9, 2016….…UN OBSERVANCE OF CHILDREN’S SABBATH……21ST SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST
Psalm 66        Jeremiah 29.1, 4-7            2 Timothy 2.8-15    Luke 17.11-19

OCTOBER 16, 2016….UNITED METHODIST LAITY DAY………….22nd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Psalm 119        Jeremiah 31.21-34            2 Timothy 3.14-4.5    Luke 18.1-8

OCTOBER 23, 2016……………………………………………………….23nd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Psalm 65        Joel 2.23-32        2 Timothy 4.6-8, 16-18            Luke 18.9-14

Should you wish to know where Jesus goes from here and how he concludes his ministry before arriving at Jerusalem, I commend Luke 20, 21 and 23, our Gospel lections for November and the end of the Church year with Christ the King

Sunday, November 20.  Just remember that reading them now does not exclude your consideration of them in their due course.