Sundays at the Chapel

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Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost

HOMECOMING SUNDAY

10 a.m. October 6, 2024

Our theme: Today’s gospel combines a saying that makes many of us uncomfortable with a story we find comforting. Jesus’ saying on divorce is another of his rejections of human legislation in favor of the original intent of God’s law. Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples who are fending off the children should challenge us as well. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a child does?

Rev. Katherine Museus, University Pastor, preaches and presides

Have questions about what worship on Sunday morning is like at the Chapel? Read more here!

Find previous services on our YouTube channel. You may also hear recordings of sermons here.

Please email prayer requests to prayer@valpo.edu.

Our pastoral staff will continue to be available and encourage you to use their “You Can Book Me” contacts for appointments.

This Sunday’s Readings

Genesis 2 stresses that people are not meant to live in isolation but in relationship. Out of love for humanity, God creates them male and female, to provide companionship for each other and to become with each other “one flesh.” The Hebrew words used here are ish (man) and ishshah (woman).

¹⁸The Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” ¹⁹So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. ²⁰The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. ²¹So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. ²²And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. ²³Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called Woman,
for out of Man this one was taken.”
²⁴Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Quoting from the psalms, this passage from Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus, the one through whom God created everything and who sits at God’s right hand, is also the one who experienced human suffering and death in order to blaze the path of salvation for us.

¹Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. ³He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
^2:5Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. ⁶But someone has testified somewhere,
“What are human beings that you are mindful of them,
or mortals, that you care for them?
⁷You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned them with glory and honor,
⁸subjecting all things under their feet.”
Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them,⁹but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
¹⁰It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ¹¹For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, ¹²saying,
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”

Jesus announced and enacted in history the new reality of God’s surprising activity. These two stories demonstrate this new reality: Women and children are accepted and valued, not dismissed as inferior to adult men.

²Some Pharisees came, and to test [Jesus] they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” ³He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” ⁴They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” ⁵But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. ⁶But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ⁷‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, ⁸and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ⁹Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
¹⁰Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. ¹¹He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; ¹²and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

¹³People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. ¹⁴But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. ¹⁵Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Upcoming at the Chapel:

The Chapel of the Resurrection invites you to worship with us in person or online at 10 a.m. for Sunday mornings when classes are in session during the regular school year.

Join us for Homecoming Sunday on October 6, 2024.

Have questions about what Sunday morning worship is like at the Chapel? Look here!

Recordings of the sermons from various services can be found on our sermons page.

Pastor Kate and Pastor Jim, our university pastors, take turns preaching week to week.

Mon., May 6, 2024 – Monday Morning Prayer – Dr. Kevin Gary – View the livestream

Sun., May 5, 2024 – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Fri., May 3, 2024 – Friday Morning Prayer – Hope Biermann “On Hope” – View the livestream

Mon., Apr. 29, 2024 – Monday Morning Prayer – Brother James Dixon – View the livestream

Sun., Apr. 28, 2024 – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Fri., Apr. 26, 2024 – Friday Morning Prayer – Brynn Conway “Grief & Growth when Pruning” – View the livestream

Wed., Apr. 24, 2024 – Celebrate! Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Mon., Apr. 22, 2024 – Monday Morning Prayer – Dr. Lara Pudwell – View the livestream

Sun., Apr. 21, 2024 – Rev. James Wetzstein, – View the livestream

Fri., Apr. 19, 2024 – Friday Morning Prayer – Lee Ross “Living and Loving Authentically” – View the livestream

Wed., Apr. 17, 2024 – Celebrate! Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Mon., Apr. 15, 2024 – Monday Morning Prayer – Eli Owen – View the livestream

Sun., Apr. 14, 2024 – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Fri., Apr. 12, 2024 – Friday Morning Prayer – O. P. Kretzmann’s “The Brave Road” – View the livestream

Wed., Apr. 10, 2024 – Celebrate! Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Mon., Apr. 8, 2024 – Monday Morning Prayer – Dr. Todd Hillwig – View the livestream

Sun., Apr. 7, 2024 – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Fri., Apr. 5, 2024 – Friday Morning Prayer – Logan Albright “Learning from Others” – View the livestream

Wed., Apr. 3, 2024 – Celebrate! Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Mon., Apr. 1, 2024 – Monday Morning Prayer – Rev. Jack Franicevich – View the livestream

Sun., Mar. 31, 2024 – Easter Sunday – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Fri., Mar. 29, 2024 – Good Friday – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Thurs., Mar. 28, 2024 – Maundy – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Wed., Mar. 27, 2024 – Celebrate! Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Sun., Mar. 24, 2024 – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Mon., Mar. 18, 2024 – Monday Morning Prayer – Grace E. Biermann – View the livestream

Fri., Mar. 1, 2024 – Friday Morning Prayer – Nathan Janke “Service as Jab Cross Combo” – View the livestream

Wed., Feb. 28, 2024 – Celebrate! Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Mon, Feb. 26, 2024 – Monday Morning Prayer – Deaconess Kristin Lewis – View the livestream

Sun., Feb. 25, 2024 – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Fri., Feb. 23, 2024 – Friday Morning Prayer – Anna Speckhard “Living a Life of Love.” – View the livestream

Wed., Feb. 21, 2024 – Celebrate! Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Mon, Feb. 19, 2024 – Monday Morning Prayer – Dr. Julien C. H. Smith – View the livestream

Sun., Feb. 18, 2024 – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Fri., Feb. 16, 2024 – Friday Morning Prayer – Mary Emma Zimmerman “Finding Peace in an Extraordinary, Ordinary Life” – View the livestream

Wed., Feb. 14, 2024 – Celebrate! Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Wed., Feb. 14, 2024 – Ash Wednesday Morning Prayer – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Mon, Feb. 12, 2024 – Monday Morning Prayer – Fr. Jacob McDaniel – View the livestream

Sun., Feb. 11, 2024 – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Fri., Feb. 9, 2024 – Friday Morning Prayer – Carolina Bowen “A Thank You Note for the Chapel” – View the livestream

Wed., Feb. 7, 2024 – Celebrate! Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Mon, Feb. 5, 2024 – Monday Morning Prayer – Rev. Dr. Amanda Brobst-Renaud – View the livestream

Sun., Feb. 4, 2024 – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Fri., Feb. 2, 2024 – Friday Morning Prayer – Hannah Bhakta “Novel Methodology of Loving Yourself in College” – View the livestream

Wed., Jan. 31, 2024 – Celebrate! Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Mon, Jan. 29, 2024 – Monday Morning Prayer – Professor Caroline Ban – View the livestream

Sun., Jan. 28, 2024 – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Fri., Jan. 26, 2024 – Friday Morning Prayer – Rev. Katherine Museus “Life’s Seasons” – View the livestream

Wed., Jan. 24, 2024 – Celebrate! Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Mon, Jan. 22, 2024 – Monday Morning Prayer – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Sun., Jan. 21, 2024 – Rev. James Wetzstein – No livestream

Wed., Jan. 17, 2024 – Celebrate! Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Sun., Jan. 14, 2024 – MLK Sunday – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Wed., Jan. 10, 2024 – Celebrate! Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Fri., Nov. 17, 2023 – Friday Morning Prayer – Frank Maldonado Colon “Thankful” – View the livestream

Mon, Nov. 27, 2023 – Monday Morning Prayer – Dcs Karen Hernes – View the livestream

Wed., Nov. 15, 2023 – Celebrate! Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Mon. Nov. 13, 2023 – Monday Morning Prayer – Dr. Karen Allen “Stories you don’t hear – reflections on travel to Israel” – View the livestream

Sun., Nov. 12, 2023 – Rev. Katherine Museus

Fri., Nov. 10, 2023 – Friday Morning Prayer – Christian Koppang “A Faithful Warrior” – View the livestream

Wed., Nov. 8, 2023 – Celebrate! Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Mon, Nov. 6, 2023 – Monday Morning Prayer – Morgan Folgers, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship – View the livestream

Sun., Nov. 5, 2023 – All Saints Sunday – View the livestream

Fri., Nov. 3, 2023 – Student Reflection: Micah Koppang – View the livestream

Wed., Nov. 1, 2023 – Celebrate! with Pastor Jim “All the Saints!” – View the livestream

Mon., Oct. 30, 2023 – Dr. Anna Stewart, Director, Institute for Leadership and Service – View the livestream

Sun., Oct. 29, 2023 – Reformation Sunday – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Fri., Oct. 27, 2023 – Senior Allison Plachta – View the livestream

Wed., Oct. 25, 2023 – Celebrate! Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Mon, Oct. 23, 2023 – Dr. Susan R. Holman, John R. Eckrich Chair and Professor, Religion and the Healing Arts

Sun., Oct. 22, 2023 – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Fri., Oct. 20, 2023 – “Do You Want to Get Well?” by Eli Conklin, student reflection – View the livestream

Wed., Oct 18, 2023 – Celebrate! Rev. James Wetzstein

Mon. Oct. 16, 2023 – Day of Prayers for Israel and Palestine: Reflection from Valpo students – View the livestream

Mon., Oct. 9, 2023 – Rev. Dr. Brian Beckstrom, Asst. Vice President for Mission “It’s Not About You” – View the livestream

Sun., Oct. 8, 2023 – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Fri., Oct. 6, 2023 – Friday Morning Prayer – selections from Oscar Romero – View the livestream

Wed., Oct. 4, 2023 – Celebrate! Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Mon., Oct. 2, 2023 – Kim Boone, Director of Counseling Services – View the livestream

Sun., Oct. 1, 2023 – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Fri., Sept. 29, 2023 – Friday Morning Prayer – selections from Dr. John Nunes – View the livestream

Wed. Sept. 27, 2023 – Celebrate! Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Mon, Sept. 25, 2023 – Deaconess Kat Peters – “Just Breathe” – View the livestream

Sun., Sept. 24, 2023 – Homecoming Sunday – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Fri., Sept. 22, 2023 – Friday Morning Prayer – Senior Steven Engel – View the livestream

Wed., Sept. 20, 2023 – Celebrate! “Wrestling a Blessing Out of Life” – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Mon., Sept. 18, 2023 – Dr. Kevin Gary, Professor of Education – View the livestream

Sun., Sept. 17, 2023 – Rev. Katherine Museus – Read the manuscript

Fri., Sept. 15, 2023 – “Imposter Syndrome,” from the writings of Rev. James Wetzstein, read by Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Mon., Sept. 11, 2023 – Natalie Muskin-Press, Assistant Director for Prevention and Wellness Education – View the livestream

Sun., Sept. 10, 2023 – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Fri., Sept. 8, 2023 – senior Sophia Ullery – View the livestream

Wed., Sept. 6, 2023 – Celebrate! – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Sun., Sept. 3, 2023 – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Friday, Sept. 1, 2023 – “God Meets You Where You Are” – from the writings of Jesuit priest James Martin, SJ

Wed., Aug. 30, 2023 – Celebrate! – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Mon, Aug, 28, 2023 – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023 – Rev. James Wetzstein – View the livestream

Friday, Aug. 25, 2023 – Reflection from writings of N.T. Wright – View the livestream

Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023 – Welcome Sunday – Rev. Katherine Museus – View the livestream

Agnus Day

Agnus Day is a weekly cartoon drawn by Pr. James Wetzstein, usually based on Sunday’s gospel reading. It is normally updated on this site on Wednesdays.

Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:2-15

BIBLE PASSAGE — Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact […]
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