Time after Pentecost

The Time after Pentecost began the Day after Pentecost and ends the Saturday before the First Sunday in Advent. The Sundays after Pentecost make up the longest portion of the Church Year. We call this half of the year the Time of the Church.

Throughout this season, we focus on the ministry of Christ and how He guides His church to grow in faith toward God and in love toward one another. During this time our will focus will be on the Gospel readings in Luke. These readings pick up the narrative of Jesus’ life in mid-ministry at the height of His teaching, storytelling, and healing. There is a bit of everything in Luke, with some well-known passages to experience again: the sending out of the disciples, the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus visiting Mary and Martha, and instruction on prayer. These snapshots of Jesus’ ministry highlight various facets of discipleship practice: welcoming, listening, praying, peacemaking, rejoicing, and more.

The color for the season after Pentecost is green which signifies growth and life. We grow in faith and are nourished as we hear and study God’s Word and receive the Sacraments in the resurrection life in Christ.

Resources: Sundays and Seasons Copyright © 2024 Augsburg Fortress. | Enduring Grace A Church Year Journal for Kids Copyright © 2024 Concordia Publishing House

Pentecost: Summer Theme

Faithfully Following
our Refuge and Strength

Theme Write-up

written by Matthew Reece, Director of Music Ministries

As we come to the close of the Pentecost season, we are reminded that our journey of faith is rooted in the steadfast love and power of God, our refuge and strength. In every season of life—whether marked by joy or challenge—God remains our sure foundation, guiding us by the Spirit and upholding us in grace. Like the psalmist who proclaims, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” we are called to trust fully in the One who never leaves us nor forsakes us. This trust shapes how we live, encouraging us to follow Christ with courage, humility, and compassion, knowing that God’s presence surrounds us and equips us for each step along the way.

Faithfully following our refuge and strength means walking in the footsteps of Jesus, even when the path is uncertain or costly. It means listening for the Spirit’s call, loving our neighbors, seeking justice, and bearing witness to the hope we have in Christ. As we prepare to enter the new church year, we do so with hearts strengthened by God’s promises and with lives oriented toward God’s kingdom. In the face of change, challenge, and opportunity, we find our confidence not in our own abilities but in the unfailing grace of God, who leads us forward. Together as the body of Christ, we are sent into the world to reflect God’s light, trusting that the One who is our refuge and strength will sustain us in every time and place.

Altarscpape

Thank you, Julie, for the beautiful altarscape you created for the season.

Ardor (Worship Musicians)

The musicians rehearse from 9:00 – 9:45 am every Sunday morning. You are invited to join us in leading music during the worship service. The musicians for worship can find the service orders and music in the crate on the back pew in the sanctuary for each week. Contact the office if you plan to help lead worship.

Worship Information

Join us in-person for the weekly Worship Service at 10 am in-person or via Facebook Live if you are unable to attend in person (https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsdavenport/). The service will later be uploaded to YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@allsaintslutheranchurchdav1987) for your viewing.

Worship at All Saints might look and feel a little different. We carefully and prayerfully select a worship theme each season, and we choose songs and liturgical elements that help communicate that theme and bring us closer to God and to one another.

All Saints Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and participates in the Synod Authorized Ministry (SAM) program offered by the Southeastern Iowa Synod. Bishop Amy Current has authorized Wanda Barber, Matthew Reece, and Julie Schoville to be Synod Authorized Ministers able to preside over all worship services and offer pastoral care. The Synod provides training and instruction throughout the year and fully supports this program.   

If you would like the spoken words for the worship services, contact the office (office@allsaintsdavenport.org) to request the information.

Introduction

As we are invited today to consider what it means to be managers (rather than owners) of all that we have, it is crucial to recognize that we are bought with a price. “Christ Jesus, himself human, . . . gave himself a ransom for all.” Apart from the generosity of God we have nothing—we are nothing. By God’s gracious favor we have everything we need.

Prayer of the Day

God among us, we gather in the name of your Son to learn love for one another. Keep our feet from evil paths. Turn our minds to your wisdom and our hearts to the grace revealed in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Scripture
Amos 8:4-7 Warnings to those who trample on the needy and poor

Amos was called by God to prophesy in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Peace and prosperity in Israel led to corrupt business practices and oppression of the poor. The prophet declares that God will not tolerate such a situation.

Psalm 113 The Lord lifts up the poor from the ashes. (Ps. 113:7)

1 Timothy 2:1-7 One God, one mediator—Christ Jesus—who gave himself for all people

The pastoral epistles offer insight into how early Christians understood many practical matters, such as church administration and worship. The church’s focused prayer for others is an expression of the single-minded passion God has toward us in Jesus.

Luke 16:1-13 A shrewd manager: faithful in little, faithful in much; serving God/wealth

Jesus tells the curious story of a dishonest manager who cheats his employer and then is commended by him for having acted so shrewdly. Jesus wonders why his own followers are less creative and diligent in their stewardship given that they are managers of a far more valuable household.

Fellowship Time

You are invited to stay after worship for refreshments and fellowship time in the gathering space.