Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2025: Oct 19, 2025

Join us on October 19, 2025, for Morning Prayer at 9:00 AM for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2025, at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 216 E Chandler Blvd, Burlington, WI.

Join us for worship in the way that suits you best! You can worship with us in person, via Live Stream, through Video Replay, or as a Podcast.

Join us Electronically For The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2025

As not everyone can attend in person, we provide several options for you to worship with us remotely.

Live Stream / Video Replay

Let us worship together at 9:00 AM. A livestream will be available, and a video replay will be posted for later viewing.

Podcast

The sermon and the first half of the service will be available in audio format on our podcast platforms, typically within hours; however, it may take up to 24 hours or more for it to become available.

Feel free to listen to more of our podcast episodes anytime!

The Collect for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2025

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Readings for Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2025

Proper 24, Track 2

Old Testament: Genesis 32:22-31

The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had.

Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come?

My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.

Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep;

The LORD himself watches over you; the LORD is your shade at your right hand,

So that the sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; it is he who shall keep you safe.

The LORD shall watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore.

Epistle: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.

For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

Gospel: Luke 18:1-8

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’

For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'”

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Reflection on the Reading for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2025

A Brief Study of Today’s Readings

Genesis 32:22-31: Jacob wrestles with God through the night, refusing to let go until he receives a blessing. His name is changed to Israel, which means “one who strives with God.” Although he is wounded in the struggle, he prevails and sees God face to face.

Psalm 121: A psalm expressing trust and assurance in God as our constant protector. The LORD watches over us day and night, shielding us from evil and guarding our comings and goings forever.

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5: Paul encourages Timothy to stay committed to Scripture, which prepares believers for all good works. He urges Timothy to share the message persistently, even when people prefer teachers who tell them what they want to hear instead of the truth.

Luke 18:1-8: Jesus teaches the importance of persistent prayer in the parable of the persistent widow. If an unjust judge is willing to grant justice to someone who continually asks, how much more will God provide justice to His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night?

These readings urge us to have persistent faith and to wrestle with God in prayer. Like Jacob, we are invited to hold on to God and not let go until we receive the blessings we seek. Similarly, like the widow, we are encouraged to pray continually and not lose heart, trusting that God hears and answers the prayers of His people. God is our constant protector, watching over us at all times.

📍 216 E Chandler Blvd, Burlington, WI 🕘 9:00 AM — Holy Eucharist Rite II 🎥 Live Stream • Video Replay • Podcast

All are welcome. Come as you are, beloved of God.