November 16, 2025
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Mark 12:44 – “For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
From Old Testament times right through to today, the Lord has urged us to give to His work in the Church in proportion to how He has blessed us. He has also called us to sacrificial giving, that is, giving that actually costs us something.
That’s the shape of true Christian generosity.
LCMS Stewardship Bulletin Sentences
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Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Malachi 4:1–6; 2 Thessalonians 3:(1–5) 6–13; Luke 21:5–28 (29–36)
God’s Plan of Redemption Trumps Earthly Destruction and Violence
There are signs of the Lord’s coming all around: the cross that marks His Church, the violence and death of the sinful world, and the shaking of the natural order.
“There will be great distress upon the earth” (Luke 21:23), but the faithful know that “the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 21:31). Therefore, “straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). Be awake and alert, and heed the words of Christ, which “will not pass away” (Luke 21:33).
For you, “the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2).He sends His preachers of repentance in the spirit and power of Elijah “before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes” (Malachi 4:5), in order to “direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5).
Although you are often faithless, “the Lord is faithful,” and by the preaching of His Word “he will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Therefore, “do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13). In the midst of calamity, believe upon the Lord, Jesus Christ.
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Life Thoughts for the Week
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost - “When life around us is dark and despairing, when troubles are real and overwhelming, when our hurts outweigh our joys, take a moment to think about God’s beautiful creation given for us as a ‘good and perfect gift.’
Take a moment to remember that we have another Light in our world—our Lord Jesus Who is the Creator of all things and is the light of men.”
Barbara Lane Geistfeld, DVM, Lutherans For Life – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
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