St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York30 August 2026 + The Fourteenth Sunday after PentecostProper 17 / Lectionary 22aMatthew 16:21-28; Romans 12:9-21The Rev. Josh Evans How could Peter have gotten it so rightand then, in the next breath, so wrong? Peter’s stunning confessionand then his spectacular failure in the face of Jesus’ harsh rebukeare actually not …
St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York7 June 2026 + The Second Sunday after PentecostProper 5 / Lectionary 10aMatthew 9:9-13, 18-26The Rev. Josh Evans There’s a song I’ve been hearing on repeat for the past few weeks: All the colors of the rainbow,all the voices of the wind,every dream that reaches out,that reaches out to find …
St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York7 September 2025 + Thirteenth Sunday after PentecostProper 18 / Lectionary 23cLuke 14:25-33The Rev. Josh Evans Did Jesus really just say that? “Whoever…does not hate father and mother,wife and children,brothers and sisters,yes, and even life itself,cannot be my disciple.” Is this really the same Jesuswho heals the sick,mingles with outcasts,and …
St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York13 October 2024 + Lectionary 28bMark 10:17-31Rev. Josh Evans “You know the commandments.”Do you, Jesus?Because you only named six of them.You couldn’t even name all ten of the big ones –let alone the other 603 that are outlined in the law of Moses.Did you forget a few –hoping (as apparently …
St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York15 September 2024 + Lectionary 24bMark 8:27-38Rev. Josh Evans The stage is set, and the debate is ready to begin.Each party has taken their place at the podium,ready to defend their platform,and the moderator asks the first question:“Who do people say that I am?” The disciples, in turn, offer various …
St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York7 July 2024 + Lectionary 14bMark 6:1-13Rev. Josh Evans It’s not always easy, this life of being a disciple. Take nothing. No bread, no bag, no money. Nothing but your staff, the clothes on your back, and the sandals on your feet. Take nothing. Utterly rely on the providence of …
St. John’s Lutheran Church21 January 2024 + Epiphany 3bMark 1:14-20Rev. Josh Evans What was he thinking? Inviting fishermen to follow him? Not exactly the upper echelon of society – but smelly, day-laboring fishermen without any formal education or social standing. People the world would just as easily cast aside. It’s almost as absurd as God’s …
St. John’s Lutheran Church14 January 2024 + Epiphany 2bJohn 1:43-51Rev. Josh Evans Three simple words. One profound – and dangerous – invitation. “Come and see.” Words spoken by Philip to Nathanael, echoing Jesus’s own in the scene just one day before, as he calls Andrew and Simon Peter, the first of his disciples, on the …
St. John’s Lutheran Church25 June 2023 + Lectionary 12a (4 Pentecost)Matthew 10.24-39Rev. Josh Evans Jesus doesn’t exactly hide the cost of following him. He puts it all out there. There’s no fine print here as he sends out his disciples “like sheep into the midst of wolves.” Picking up right where we left off last …
St. John’s Lutheran Church18 June 2023 + Lectionary 11a (3 Pentecost)Matthew 9.35–10.23Rev. Josh Evans Another Sunday, another call story. Actually, make that stories (plural). In the span of a few verses, one disciple becomes twelve – and probably more than that. They’re just the ones (the men) who get named. Their task: Proclaim the good …
Pastor Josh Evans 