Livestreaming every Sunday at 9:30 am
23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Saturday November 15 & Sunday November 16, 2025
The end is near. There is no doubt about it. The warnings are dire. The tone of today’s texts is ominous. But the baptized know how to live in the meantime. The baptized are strengthened for the living of these days in word and sacrament. The baptized rally around the invitation of the apostle: “Do not be weary in doing what is right.”
Readings for this week
First Reading: Malachi 4:1-2a
First Reading: Malachi 4:1-2a
First Reading: Malachi 4:1-2a
Malachi, whose name means “my messenger,” warns that “the day is coming.” On that day, the evil will be destroyed like stubble in a fire, but the “sun of righteousness” will shine on those who honor God.
1 See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2a But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.
Psalm 98
First Reading: Malachi 4:1-2a
First Reading: Malachi 4:1-2a
In righteousness will the Lord judge the world. (Ps. 98:9)
1 Sing a new song to the Lord, who has done | marvelous things,
whose right hand and holy arm have | won the victory.
2 O Lord, you have made | known your victory,
you have revealed your righteousness in the sight | of the nations.
3 You remember your steadfast love and faithfulness to the | house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen the victory | of our God.
4 Shout with joy to the Lord, | all you lands;
lift up your voice, re- | joice, and sing.
5 Sing to the Lord | with the harp,
with the harp and the | voice of song.
6 With trumpets and the sound | of the horn
shout with joy before the | king, the Lord.
7 Let the sea roar, and | all that fills it,
the world and those who | dwell therein.
8 Let the rivers | clap their hands,
and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord, who comes to | judge the earth.
9 The Lord will judge the | world with righteousness
and the peo- | ples with equity.
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Some members of the Thessalonian community, because of their belief in the nearness of Christ’s return, had ceased to work, living off the generosity of other members of the community. The writer of this letter warns them bluntly that if they want to eat, they need to work.
6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister living irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not irresponsible when we were with you, 8 and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you. 9 This was not because we do not have that right but in order to give you an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are living irresponsibly, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
Gospel: Luke 21:5-19
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
As history moves toward God’s fulfillment there will be frightening signs and events. Before the end, believers will draw strength from their relationship to God and will be given the words they need to testify and to endure without fear.
5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, [Jesus]said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.
9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.”
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