April 4, 2010 - EASTER SUNDAY

6:00 AM
Sunrise Holy Eucharist with lighting of the paschal candle and meditations by EFM.


8:00 AM
Usher: Evan Cooper
Usher: Vic Cooper
First Reading: Pick up Reader’s Card
Psalm: Pick up Reader’s Card
Second Reading: Pick up Reader’s Card
Prayers of the People: Pick up Reader’s Card
Chalice: Ann Cooper
Chalice: Needed

Coffee Hour: VESTRY

10:00 AM
Usher: Stephen Duke
Usher: Barbara Ramsey-Duke
First Reading: Elizabeth Pringle
Psalm: Sandy Pringle
Second Reading: Jeanne Kipp
Prayers of the People: Kim Baily
Chalice: Rob Nelson
Chalice: Bob Nelson

Coffee Hour: VESTRY

First Reading Isaiah 65:17-25

For I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I am creating;
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,
and its people as a delight.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
and delight in my people;
no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,
or the cry of distress.
No more shall there be in it
an infant that lives but a few days,
or an old person who does not live out a lifetime;
for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth,
and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.
They shall build houses and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They shall not build and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
They shall not labor in vain,
or bear children for calamity;
for they shall be offspring blessed by the LORD -
and their descendants as well.
Before they call I will answer,
while they are yet speaking I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
the lion shall eat straw like the ox;
but the serpent -its food shall be dust!

They shall not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain, says the LORD.


Psalm 118:1-2. 14-24

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; * his mercy endures for ever.
Let Israel now proclaim, * “His mercy endures for ever.”

The LORD is my strength and my song, * and he has become my salvation.
There is a sound of exultation and victory * in the tents of the righteous:

“The right hand of the LORD has triumphed! * the right hand of the LORD is exalted! the right hand of the LORD has triumphed!”
I shall not die, but live, * and declare the works of the LORD.

The LORD has punished me sorely, * but he did not hand me over to death.
Open for me the gates of righteousness; * I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the LORD.

“This is the gate of the LORD; * he who is righteous may enter.”
I will give thanks to you, for you answered me * and have become my salvation.

The same stone which the builders rejected * has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the LORD’S doing, * and it is marvelous in our eyes.

On this day the LORD has acted; * we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.


Second Reading Acts 10:34-43

Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”


Holy Gospel Luke 24:1-12

The +++ Holy Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

March 28, 2010 - PALM SUNDAY

8:00 AM

Usher: Muriel Schulz
Usher: Needed

Priest: Kathy Van Orden
Evangelist: Nan Wilson
Jesus: David Walbeck
Servant Maid: Pat Swope
Peter: Arnie Zimmerman
First Challenger: Steve Mahanna
Second Challenger: Leroy Foster
Pilate: Mark Hereford
Criminal #1: Jianulla Zimmerman
Criminal #2: Marjorie Marsden
Centurion: Alice Chekian

Prayers: Pick up Reader’s Card
Chalice: Kathy Van Orden
Chalice: Needed

Coffee Hour: Needed

10:00 AM

Usher: Marion Berg
Usher: Al Potash

Priest: Father Bob
Evangelist: Anne Fay
Jesus: Kevin Griswold
Servant Maid: Jan Moore
Peter: Bob Nelson
First Challenger: Al Potash
Second Challenger: Marion Berg
Pilate: Sandy Pringle
Criminal #1: Elizabeth Pringle
Criminal #2: Sandie Nelson
Centurion: Gwendolyn Fleischer

Prayers: Sandie Nelson
Chalice: Gail Connolly
Chalice: Susan Mulledy-DeFrank

Coffee Hour: Anamaria Maresca

The Passion Gospel

Priest The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Evangelist Jesus came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them,

Jesus “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”

Evangelist Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed,

Jesus “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.”

Evangelist When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them,

Jesus “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”

Evangelist While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him,

Jesus “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?”

Evangelist When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked,

People “Lord, should we strike with the sword?”

Evangelist Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said,

Jesus “No more of this!”

Evangelist And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him,

Jesus “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”

Evangelist Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said,

Servant-Maid “This man also was with him.”

Evangelist But he denied it, saying,

Peter “Woman, I do not know him.”

Evangelist A little later someone else, on seeing him, said,

First Challenger “You also are one of them.”

Evangelist But Peter said,

Peter “Man, I am not!”

Evangelist Then about an hour later still another kept insisting,

Second Challenger “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.”

Evangelist But Peter said,

Peter “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!”

Evangelist At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him,

People “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?”

Evangelist They kept heaping many other insults on him. When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said,

People “If you are the Messiah, tell us.”

Evangelist He replied,

Jesus “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

Evangelist All of them asked,

People “Are you, then, the Son of God?”

Evangelist He said to them,

Jesus “You say that I am.”

Evangelist Then they said,

People “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”

Evangelist Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying,

People “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.”

Evangelist Then Pilate asked him,

Pilate “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Evangelist He answered,

Jesus “You say so.”

Evangelist Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds,

Pilate “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.”

Evangelist But they were insistent and said,

People “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.”

Evangelist When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies. Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them,

Pilate “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”

Evangelist Then they all shouted out together,

People “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!”

Evangelist (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting,

People “Crucify, crucify him!”

Evangelist A third time he said to them,

Pilate “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.”

Evangelist But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished. As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said,

Jesus “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Please stand.

Evangelist Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called Golgotha, that is the Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said,

Jesus “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

Evangelist And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying,

People “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!”

Evangelist The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying,

People “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”

Evangelist There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying,

Criminal #1 “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

Evangelist But the other rebuked him, saying,

Criminal #2 “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

Evangelist Then he said,

Criminal #2 “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Evangelist He replied,

Jesus “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Evangelist It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said,

Jesus “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

Evangelist Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said,

Centurion “Certainly this man was innocent.”

Evangelist And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rockhewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

March 21, 2010

8:00 AM
Usher: Muriel Schulz
Usher: Needed
First Reading: Pick up Reader’s Card
Psalm: Pick up Reader’s Card
Prayers of the People: Pick up Reader’s Card
Chalice: Kathy Van Orden
Chalice: Gail Connolly

Coffee Hour: Needed

10:00 AM
Usher: Elizabeth Pringle
Usher: Sandy Pringle
First Reading: Laurie Nelson
Psalm: Jan Moore
Prayers of the People: Jeanne Mayer
Chalice: Dawn Switzer
Chalice: Bob Nelson

Coffee Hour: Elizabeth and Sandy Pringle

First Reading Isaiah 32:16-21

Thus says the LORD,
who makes a way in the sea,
a path in the mighty waters,
who brings out chariot and horse,
army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise,
they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
Do not remember the former things,
or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
The wild animals will honor me,
the jackals and the ostriches;
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself
so that they might declare my praise.


Psalm 126

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.

Then they said among the nations, *
“The LORD has done great things for them.”

The LORD has done great things for us, *
and we are glad indeed.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, *
like the watercourses of the Negev.

Those who sowed with tears *
will reap with songs of joy.

Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.


Holy Gospel John 12:1-8

The +++ Holy Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

March 14, 2010

8:00 AM
Usher: Muriel Schulz
Usher: Needed
First Reading: Pick up Reader’s Card
Psalm: Pick up Reader’s Card
Prayers of the People: Pick up Reader’s Card
Chalice: Kathy Van Orden
Chalice: Needed

Coffee Hour: Needed

10:00 AM
Usher: Nicole Compton
Usher: Rachel Compton
First Reading: Kevin Griswold
Psalm: Sandy Pringle
Prayers of the People: Elizabeth Pringle
Chalice: Rob Nelson
Chalice: Kim Baily

Coffee Hour: Needed

First Reading Joshua 5:9-12

The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” And so that place is called Gilgal to this day.

While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the passover in the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho. On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.

Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 32

Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, * and whose sin is put away!

Happy are they to whom the LORD imputes no guilt, * and in whose spirit there is no guile!

While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, * because of my groaning all day long.

For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; * my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you, * and did not conceal my guilt.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” * Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.

Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble; * when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.

You are my hiding-place; you preserve me from trouble; * you surround me with shouts of deliverance.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; * I will guide you with my eye.

Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; * who must be fitted with bit and bridle, or else they will not stay near you.”

Great are the tribulations of the wicked; * but mercy embraces those who trust in the LORD.

Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the LORD; * shout for joy, all who are true of heart.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.


Holy Gospel Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

The +++ Holy Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

So Jesus told them this parable:

“There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe--the best one--and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.

March 7, 2010

8:00 AM
Usher: Evan Cooper
Usher: Needed
First Reading: Pick up Reader’s Card
Psalm: Pick up Reader’s Card
Prayers of the People: Pick up Reader’s Card
Chalice: Kathy Van Orden
Chalice: Vic Cooper

Coffee Hour: Needed

10:00 AM
Usher: Marion Berg
Usher: Al Potash
First Reading: Jeanne Kipp
Psalm: Jan Moore
Prayers of the People: Jeanne Mayer
Chalice: Susan Mulledy-DeFrank
Chalice: Rob Nelson

Coffee Hour: Betty Steib

First Reading Exodus 3:1-15

Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Then the LORD said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He said, “I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.”

But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM Who I AM.”He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’:

This is my name forever,
and this my title for all generations.

Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.
Thanks be to God.


Psalm 63:1-8

O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; * my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.

Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, * that I might behold your power and your glory.

For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; * my lips shall give you praise.

So will I bless you as long as I live * and lift up my hands in your Name.

My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, * and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,

When I remember you upon my bed, * and meditate on you in the night watches.

For you have been my helper, * and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.

My soul clings to you; * your right hand holds me fast.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.


Holy Gospel Luke 13:1-9

The +++ Holy Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

There were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them--do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.