St. John’s Lutheran Church2 July 2023 + Lectionary 13a (5 Pentecost)Matthew 10.40-42Rev. Josh Evans “Welcome.” It’s a word we throw around a lot. As a part of social etiquette: “Thank you … you’re welcome!” On the airplane’s final descent: “Welcome to Albany International Airport!” Even in churches, as I began this and every service: “Welcome …
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 …
St. John’s Lutheran Church11 June 2023 + Lectionary 10a (2 Pentecost)Matthew 9.9-13, 18-26Rev. Josh Evans (Video unavailable this week.) There’s admittedly a lot going on in this Sunday’s gospel reading: a call story, a resuscitation story, and a healing story. Where do we even start? It can feel a little suffocating – perhaps as claustrophobic …
St. John’s Lutheran Church4 June 2023 + The Holy TrinityMatthew 28.16-20Rev. Josh Evans People can become famous for many things. Some write best-selling novels. Others paint masterpiece artwork. And still others compose magnificent pieces of music. Me? I went viral for a TikTok video. Well, at least church-world viral. Two years ago, as I sat …
St. John’s Lutheran Church9 April 2023 + Resurrection of Our LordMatthew 28.1-10Rev. Josh Evans The possibilities are endless:Happy birthday!Congratulations!Thank you!Even “Just because!” It looks like a harmless enough greeting card, but after you sign it, close it, and pull a little tab out of the side, the recipient will be greeted not just with your …
St. John’s Lutheran Church2 April 2023 + Sunday of the PassionMatthew 21.1-11; 26.14-27.66Rev. Josh Evans Paradox abounds in our liturgy today. We began with a festive palm procession, commemorating Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. With the crowds we shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of …
St. Philip Lutheran Church26 February 2023 + Lent 1aMatthew 4.1-11Rev. Josh Evans It had to be one of the most difficult and dangerous journeys I ever made. In hindsight, I probably should’ve just canceled. In the winter of 2017, I was in the middle of my year-long seminary internship in Omaha, Nebraska. In February of …
St. Philip Lutheran Church19 February 2023 + Transfiguration of Our LordMatthew 17.1-9Rev. Josh Evans It’s tempting to want to stay in certain moments. No one wants to think about packing up on the last day of a dream vacation – the last poolside breakfast on the brightest, sunniest day before heading back home, probably to …
St. Philip Lutheran Church29 January 2023 + Lectionary 4a (Epiphany 4)Micah 6.1-8; 1 Cor. 1.18-31; Matt. 5.1-12Rev. Josh Evans It reminds me of Good Friday. “O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me!” Micah’s lament is leveled squarely at God’s people. Despite God’s clear instructions for …
Pastor Josh Evans 