For those of you who don’t know the church has a different timeline than the secular calendar. Last Sunday, November 29 was the beginning of the season of Advent. Advent is the first season in the church year, comprising the four weeks before Christmas. The word “Advent” is from Latin, it means “to come.” The church has observed Advent as weeks of preparation since the fifth century. We both anticipate the celebration of God’s coming in the form of the Christ child and the final coming of Christ in the time to come.
How will you celebrate the Church New Year?
I invite you to make a resolution to read the Gospel of Luke. This has been a difficult year and will continue for the next several months. Luke a physician tells the story of Jesus in a way that brings healing, offers comfort, and announces hope. This is a message the world desperately needs at this time.
There is a bonus in attending worship each week, between now until the Sunday after Easter, you will hear more than half of the book. There is a weekly reading plan for the remaining 1,147 verses over the next 21 weeks. We started our walk through the Gospel last Sunday, reading Luke 1:1-4.
Below is the reading plan. I invite you to copy and save or simply print it off and post it.
Reading the Bible can seem daunting and confusing. I would encourage you to use the Prophet of Daniel as a guide as you read. Sunday we read the story of Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Daniel 6:6-27). In that story we heard that Daniel was a devout Jew, who prayed three times a day, used his God given gifts even on behalf of an empire that conquered his country, and most of all trusted God. Daniel understood that God was in control through the good and the bad.
Hope you will join me in reading the entire Gospel. If you are interested in a small group Bible study please contact me.
Blessings,
Rob Norris-Weber, Pastor
952-881-5801 ext. 103
rob@stlukesbloomington.org
Gospel of Luke – Reading Plan
Following the Prophet Daniel’s example:
- Be Devout – Commit to reading through the entire Gospel of Luke. If you attend worship each week you will hear half of the Gospel. (Complete reading in between)
- Pray – As you read, what things come to mind for you to pray about? Daniel in the Lions’ Den example: “Lord, help me see you at work in all things, the good and the bad.”
- Share your God-Given Gift – How does the reading inspire you too use your gifts to serve God and others today? Ex: Daniel interpreted dreams for the King.
- Trust – What is it that you are struggling with today that you need to simply turn over to God? Hopefully it is not as dangerous as a lions’ den. Remember that God is with you and wants the best for you.
Worship Readings (Additional Reading) Non Sunday Worship
1st Advent - Nov. 29 - Luke 1:1-4
2nd Advent - Dec. 6 - Luke 1:5-20 (21-38)
3rd Advent – Dec. 13 - Luke 1:39-56
4th Advent – Dec. 20 - Luke 1:57-66 (67-80)
Christmas Eve – Dec. 24 - Luke 2:1-20
1st Christmas – Dec. 27 - Luke 2:21-38 (39-40)
2nd Christmas – Jan. 3 - Luke 2:41-52
Baptism of Jesus – Jan. 10 - Luke 3:1-22 (3:23-4:13)
2nd Epiphany – Jan. 17 - Luke 4:14-30 (31-44)
3rd Epiphany – Jan. 24 - Luke 5:1-11 (12-39)
4th Epiphany – Jan. 31 - Luke 6:1-16 (17-49)
5th Ephiphany – Feb. 7 - Luke 7:1-17 (7:18-9:27)
Transfiguration – Feb. 14 - Luke 9:28-45 (46-50)
Ash Wed. – Feb. 17 - Luke 9:51-62 (10:1-24)
1st Sun. Lent – Feb. 21 - Luke 10:25-37 (38-42)
1st Wed. Lent – Feb. 24 - Luke 11:1-4 (11:5-12:59)
2nd Sun. Lent – Feb. 28 - Luke 13:1-9, 31-35 (13:10-30, 14:1-6)
2nd Wed. Lent – Mar. 3 - Luke 14:7-14 (15-35)
3rd Sun. Lent – Mar. 7 - Luke 15:1-32
3rd Wed. Lent – Mar. 10 - Luke 16:1-13 (14-18)
4th Sun. Lent – Mar. 14 - Luke 16:19-31 (17:1-10)
4th Wed. Lent – Mar. 17 - Luke 17:11-19 (17:20-18:30)
5th Sun. Lent – Mar. 21 - Luke 18:31-43
5th Wed. Lent – Mar. 24 - Luke 19:1-10 (11-28)
Palm Sunday – Mar. 28 - Luke 19:29-44 (19:45-21:38)
Maundy Thursday – Apr. 1 - Luke 22:1-27 (22:28-23:31)
Good Friday – Apr. 2 - Luke 23:32-47 (48-56)
Easter Sunday – Apr. 4 - Luke 24:1-12
2nd Easter – Apr. 11 - Luke 24:13-35
Ascension Sunday – May 16 - Luke 24:36-43 (Using Luke’s story on Ascension Sunday)