Welcome

Good morning, and welcome! What a blessing to take time away from life’s busyness to rest in God’s presence.

Preparation for Worship

“This is my Father’s world; he shines in all that’s fair …” (Maltbie Babcock, 1901). Thank you, Father, for this glorious morning!

Prayer Ventures

(Matthew 9:9)-  “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection station, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him”

Pray for the Spirit to strengthen our trust in God’s ability to see in us special qualities and gifts valuable for doing God’s work in the world.

Second Sunday after Pentecost

Though Jesus was a devout Jew who practiced his faith, he was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners—the religiously nonobservant. Jesus criticizes the self-righteous and reminds us that mercy is to be at the heart of our religious practices. God continues to be made known in those on the margins of society, like Matthew the tax collector and the hemorrhaging woman. As we gather each Lord’s day we receive the healing that makes us well and sends us forth to be signs of God’s mercy for the world.

A Quote From Fr. Richard Rohr

You are created in the image of God from the very beginning. This is the basis for God’s justice: Since everyone is made in the image of God, then we need to recognize, honor, and respect the image of God in everyone.
No exceptions.