“I bring you news of a living reality that changes everything. Jesus has come; Jesus will come. Whatever your own personal darkness, it has been and will be overcome.”

Means of Grace is a weekly devotional culled from the sermons of beloved pastor and theologian Fleming Rutledge, organized according to the framework of the liturgical calendar. Each entry, compiled and edited by Rutledge’s friend Laura Bardolph Hubers, begins with a biblical passage and ends with a short prayer.

Those familiar with Rutledge’s work will recognize both her genuine empathy for human experience and her deep reverence for God. Anyone longing for the wise pastoral guidance of an adept veteran preacher—one who views Scripture not as bland “life lessons” or “timeless teaching” but as “the living God present and acting in the story of redemption”—will find here a meaningful companion through the seasons of their spiritual journey that they can return to year after year.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Advent

     First Sunday of Advent: Mark 13:33–37

     Second Sunday of Advent: Matthew 3:1, 7–10

     Third Sunday of Advent: John 1:19–34

     Fourth Sunday of Advent: 2 Peter 3: 8–15a

Christmas

     Christmas Eve: Luke 1:26–38

     First Sunday after Christmas Day: Matthew 2:13–23

     Second Sunday after Christmas Day: Ephesians 2:1–10

Epiphany

     Epiphany: Judges 6:1–23; Psalm 111:10; Luke 5:1–11

     Baptism of the Lord (First Sunday after the Epiphany): Isaiah 42:1–9

     Second Sunday after the Epiphany: John 2:1–11

     Third Sunday after the Epiphany: 1 Kings 18:20–19:18

     Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany: Isaiah 28

     Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: Romans 4

     Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany: Jeremiah 17:5–10; 31:31–33

     Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany: Romans 1:18–3:31

     Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany: Romans 11:25–36

     Transfiguration Sunday (Last Sunday before Lent): 1 Corinthians 13; Luke 9:28–36

Lent

     Ash Wednesday: Psalm 51

     First Sunday in Lent: Psalm 19

     Second Sunday in Lent: John 4:1–42; Romans 5:6–8

     Third Sunday in Lent: Mark 10:45

     Fourth Sunday in Lent: Jeremiah 33:1–3; Romans 4:13–25

     Fifth Sunday in Lent: Romans 3:9–25

     Liturgy of the Palms (Sixth Sunday in Lent): Luke 19:28–44; Luke 23:1–49

Holy Week

     Maundy Thursday: Luke 22:39–46

     Good Friday: John 18:1–19:42

Easter

     Easter Day: John 20:1–18

     Second Sunday of Easter: John 20:19–31

     Third Sunday of Easter: Job 38; 42:1–6

     Fourth Sunday of Easter: John 10:11–30

     Fifth Sunday of Easter: 1 Corinthians 15

     Sixth Sunday of Easter: Psalm 16; John 10:1–18

     Seventh Sunday of Easter: 1 John 1

     Day of Pentecost: Isaiah 32

Season after Pentecost

     Trinity Sunday: 2 Corinthians 13

     Second Sunday after Pentecost: Psalm 130

     Third Sunday after Pentecost: Romans 1:1–7

     Fourth Sunday after Pentecost: Genesis 22

     Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: John 6:22–71

     Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: Psalm 145; Deuteronomy 26:6–11

     Seventh Sunday after Pentecost: Ecclesiastes; 1 Samuel 16:7

     Eighth Sunday after Pentecost: Genesis 15

     Ninth Sunday after Pentecost: Romans 6:1–14

     Tenth Sunday after Pentecost: Genesis 2–3

     Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: Romans 8

     Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Hebrews 12

     Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Romans 3:9; 7:15–20

     Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Romans 5

     Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Ephesians 4:1–16

     Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Mark 9:14–29

     Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: Romans 1:16; 8:1–4

     Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43; Romans 8:12–25

     Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost: 2 Kings 5:1–19

     Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost: Isaiah 45

     Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost: Daniel 3

     Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost: Revelation 7:9–17

     Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost: Romans 12

     Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost: 1 Peter 4:12–19; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

     Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: Mark 13

     Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: Matthew 25:31–46