Moravian Church in North America

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Forgiveness Forgiveness is on Peter’s mind. He’s obviously been thinking about what it involves, especially focusing on how often it’s required to forgive someone who keeps on doing the wrong thing. When is it OK to give the scoundrel the punishment they deserve? A public rebuke. Time in jail. Even the […]

The watchword for the week: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits.                                                Psalm 103:2 Unto you, O God, we lift our praise. Your ways are marvelous, and we seek to walk in your path. This day gives us the chance to honor you, To share with others your never-ending […]

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost When We Feel Wronged The Scripture passage today comes at the end of a series of teachings by Jesus in response to the disciples asking him, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus describes the greatest in the kingdom as a child. He continues to characterize the greatest in […]

The watchword for the week: Give me understanding, O God, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Psalm 119:34 From the busyness that our jobs bring us May we fix our attention on God’s way. From the busyness that fills our daily lives, May we fix our attention on God’s […]

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost A Blessed Life Who admits to putting God in a box, at least occasionally? Like Peter we come to understand that Jesus is the Messiah, but we have different ideas of what the anointed one is supposed to do. For Israelites in Jesus’ day, he was the warrior king who would […]

The watchword for the week: Jesus says, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 Praise the Lord and give thanks to Him for all his mercies. In Jesus Christ, God grants us the forgiveness of sin and shows us a new […]

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Who Do People Think We Are? Like most of you, I have been reading these portions of Scripture, and it didn’t even dawn on me to ask folks around me, “Who do others say that I am?” I think that is because of our culture, where we might be considered conceited. […]

The watchword for the week: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 From the busyness that our jobs bring us May we fix our attention […]

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Is There Enough God? Can Jesus be Lord to the Gentiles? That’s like asking, “Is there enough of God to go around?” Yes. Of course. This is a major theme that weaves through Matthew’s Gospel; Jesus is the Savior of the world, not just for Jews. That was a bitter pill […]

(Worship at the 2026 Synod of the Northern Province)  The watchword for the week: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Psalm 67:5 O Lord, let my soul rise to meet you as the day rises to meet the sun. May the love of the Lord our God be […]

August 13 Festival Rowing in the Same Direction We sometimes think of Peter’s walk on the water as a test of his faith. When he got scared, he failed the test. But Peter did not ask Jesus to test his faith. He asked Jesus to prove himself.  “Lord, if it is you . . .” […]

The watchword for the week: Jesus spoke to the disciples and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27 Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us give thanks to the One who is with us in the midst of the storms of life. We can take comfort in knowing […]

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Imagine That Day Imagine being in the crowd that day. Some would have come out of devotion to their teacher, but others would have just stumbled upon a crowd. Still others would have come out of pure curiosity, just to see what was going on. I can imagine the atmosphere that […]

(The Southern Province PEC Visiting South Florida Congregations) The watchword for the week: The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. Psalm 145:9 How wonderful are your ways, loving God. We look at the wonderful world you have created and are filled with awe. While we marvel at […]

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost The Parable of the Costly Pearl Jesus emphasizes the value of the kingdom of God in a parable about a wholesale pearl dealer on a trip looking for fine pearls for his business. “When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it” […]

(Bishop Michael Johnson speaking at the 2024 Eastern District Synod) The watchword for the week:  God, turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom toward those who love your name. Psalm 119:132 Gracious God, we adore your saving name. We give thanks that grace is at the center of your way. […]

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost The Parable of the Weeds Every garden I plant grows weeds. Weeds, in a garden or in a lawn or among fields of farm crops, are a nuisance. Any plant growing where it’s not supposed to grow can be called a weed. Jesus told a story about wheat and weeds planted […]

(Communion being served at the 2023 Northern Province Synod) The Watchword for the week: Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Isaiah 44:6 This is the day that the Lord has made, […]