Last weekend's message focused on the first part of Romans 12 and talked about what is Church. The Church is God’s people who through the power of the Holy Spirit live with Christ, respond to His love, and are blessed to be a blessing. So what exactly does that look like (or not look like)?

"If you don't use it, you'll lose it." If you once studied another language and haven't used it for years, or used to know how to solve complicated math equations but have not had to for years, you know it is true.

This weekend's Gospel account is about someone else who was waiting on the Lord --the Canaanite woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon and who came to Jesus on her behalf, only to have Jesus give her the silent treatment. When Jesus did speak, He seemed to give her no hope. But the woman did not give up. She came to Jesus for help and does not give up. Prayerful persistence rather than giving up will not be disappointed.

This week's Gospel account records an event that happened right after Jesus miraculously provided enough food for over 5,000 people. Jesus sent the disciples away in a boat while He went by Himself to pray. The disciples' boat got caught in the wind, and in the midst of their struggle Jesus came to them walking on the water.

Have you ever had to plan for a large family gathering? One of the challenges is preparing a menu that will satisfy everyone. And with preparing the menu comes the challenge of making sure there will be enough food. No one wants to run out.

He was surrounded by loving family members. That's a phrase that is often used in obituaries. I would like to add to that. He was also surrounded by Jesus who, through His Spirit, was truly there as that Good Shepherd leading him through the valley of the shadow of death to the House of the Lord and the place prepared for him.

This weekend's Gospel reading from Matthew 13 is a parable that Jesus told about how an enemy came at night and tried to mess up a farmer's field by planting weeds in the midst of the good wheat. What he planted was something called darnel which looks like wheat as it is growing and, as it matures, distinguishes itself from the good wheat. The owner of the field instructs the laborers not to take out the weeds until the final harvest, lest some of the good wheat is also uprooted.

At our July 6 Board of Directors meeting, our treasurermentioned something about online giving that I'm guilty of. The issue? I have not regularly thought about it like I would when Ellen and I wrote out a weekly check and put it in the offering envelope. I've just let it go on as I originally set it up.

Imagine if I did that with other things in life... just start it and let it go.

According to Google AI, the "American experiment" is the foundational idea that a diverse society can govern itself successfully as a democracy without a monarch or a ruling class. It treats the establishment and evolution of the United States as an ongoing test of whether liberty, equality, and self-rule can endure over time.

So what has made the "experiment" successful for 250 years?

In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 10:34-.39, Jesus speaks some of His most challenging words. He reminds us that true discipleship is not about comfort or ease. He calls us to take up our cross, surrender control, and put Him first - even when it costs us.

This coming Sunday, June 21, is Father's Day. We have adjusted the Scripture readings during the worship services to reflect Scriptural teaching on parenting. The Gospel reading will be Jesus' parable we often call "The Prodigal Son," which perhaps would better be called "The Forgiving Father."

How easily do you get distracted? I have to admit that my phone and tablet make it really easy to get off task as I check emails and respond to messages. And then, of course, there is always the temptation to research a question that pops into my head. As has been noted by many, we are in an era of “information overload.”

This weekend's Gospel reading is about Jesus calling the tax collector Matthew to follow Him (which Matthew gladly does immediately). We then hear about Jesus going to Matthew's house for dinner with him and other tax collectors and "sinners." Some Pharisees who see this criticize Jesus for eating with what some might call "those sort of people." In response to their criticism, Jesus reminds them that God desires mercy.

This weekend, our worship services will celebrate the wonder of the Holy Trinity. Trying to fully comprehend the wonder of three distinct Persons yet one Godhead is beyond human reason.

This weekend, we will be celebrating an important birthday -- that of the Christian Church.

We celebrate that all Jesus came to accomplish as Savior is complete. There need be no fear that something else yet has to be done.