St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York28 September 2025 + Sixteenth Sunday after PentecostProper 21 / Lectionary 26cLuke 16:19-31The Rev. Josh Evans This is an uncomfortable gospel. For Lazarus:who in life was economically destitute,covered with painful sores,without even a crumb to eat,the hunger pangs gnawing away inside of him,overlooked and passed by,with only the feral dogs …
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 York31 August 2025 + Twelfth Sunday after PentecostProper 17 / Lectionary 22cLuke 14:1, 7-14The Rev. Josh Evans A place for everything,and everything in its place. It’s so simple,so proverb-like,so beautiful of a sentiment.Words to live by. It’s no secret that I like things neatly organized.If we had projection screens in …
St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York24 August 2025 + Eleventh Sunday after PentecostProper 16 / Lectionary 21cLuke 13:10-17The Rev. Josh Evans [Content Note: This sermon includes a mention of suicide and mental illness.] *** No one likes being ignored,made to feel unimportant,or worse – invisible. This woman – unnamed as so often women are in …
St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York10 August 2025 + Ninth Sunday after PentecostProper 14 / Lectionary 19cLuke 12:32-40The Rev. Josh Evans Three years ago,I decided to shake things up in worship.That summer, while I was still in my previous call,I opted for the alternate set of first readings –sometimes called the “semi-continuous” first readingsfor the …
St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York27 July 2025 + Seventh Sunday after PentecostProper 12 / Lectionary 17cGenesis 18:20-32; Luke 11:1-13The Rev. Josh Evans I don’t know how Genesis 18 came to be paired with this gospel readingfrom which we get the Lord’s Prayer –except that it has to do with prayer(?) because Abraham “prays”?And is …
St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York13 July 2025 + Fifth Sunday after PentecostProper 10 / Lectionary 15cLuke 10:25-37The Rev. Josh Evans In nearly seven years of ordained ministry,you might be shocked to learn – as I was –that I have, apparently, never preached on this parable before.This parable of the so-called “Good Samaritan,”as our Bibles …
St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York6 July 2025 + Fourth Sunday after PentecostProper 9 / Lectionary 14c2 Kings 5:1-14; Galatians 6:7-16The Rev. Josh Evans “Praise to you for your saving waters,”we pray at the font:“Noah and the animals survive the flood,Hagar discovers your well.The Israelites escape through the sea,and they drink from your gushing rock.Naaman …
St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York29 June 2025 + Third Sunday after PentecostProper 8 / Lectionary 13c1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21; 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14The Rev. Josh Evans Remember last week?Elijah was afraid, fleeing for his life.Elijah was tired, taking refuge in a cave in the wilderness by himself.Elijah was burnt out, asking that he might …
St. John’s Lutheran ChurchAlbany, New York22 June 2025 + Second Sunday after PentecostProper 7 / Lectionary 12c1 Kings 19:1-15aThe Rev. Josh Evans It’s important for us not just to hear the sacred stories of scripture,but to find our place in these stories, alongside our biblical ancestors,human beings who lived and struggled and prayed,just as we …
Pastor Josh Evans 