Welcome to worship at Mount Olivet! We hope that you feel the presence of Christ and a deep peace as you worship with us today. Our scripture today focuses on that deep love, joy, and peace of Christ. We are observing the one year anniversary of the building fire that has not consumed us, but has altered so many of the ways that the life of the church functions. We are celebrating the

Jesus tells a story of a landowner and a vineyard, field hands and fruit. This is one of those hard parables that leaves us wondering a bit about destruction as judgment or consequence. This reminds us of the messengers throughout the centuries, who, like Jesus and the first disciples, risked violence in order to share this message of justice, mercy, and sacrificial love.

In Jesus, we see a glimpse of the kingdom of God: not so much a place as an action—a way of living that lifts up those who have been laid low; that brings to “the front of the line” those who have been shoved to the back; that exalts the undervalued and remembers those who are forgotten. May we enter God’s kingdom here and now.

The United Methodist Church realizes and affirms the responsibility of every United Methodist to care for God’s creation. We are called to participate in the redemption of individuals and all of humanity and the healing of the Creation itself. Therefore, ministries encouraging care for God’s creation are significant in our mission as United Methodists. The Virginia Annual Conference began a Green Church Initiative Program in 2009. MountOlivet was one of the first Green Churches in the Conference. As part of the Initiative, Green Churches are urged to celebrate Caring For God's Creation in worship at least once a year.

Jesus was a talker, there’s no getting around that. As he traveled with his disciples, he taught about the Kingdom of God and how this kingdom would be different from the kingdom of Caesar. Through conversations with His disciples, parables, and even confrontations with the chief priest and elders of the temple, Jesus was constantly proclaiming that the Kingdom of God had arrived. Much of what Jesus said can leave us scratching our heads, but it is in these confusing moments that we find the good in the Good News of the Gospel.

Jesus was a talker, there’s no getting around that. As he traveled with his disciples, he taught about the Kingdom of God and how this kingdom would be different from the kingdom of Caesar. Through conversations with His disciples, parables, and even confrontations with the chief priest and elders of the temple, Jesus was constantly proclaiming that the Kingdom of God had arrived. Much of what Jesus said can leave us scratching our heads, but it is in these confusing moments that we find the good in the Good News of the Gospel.

Welcome to worship at Mount Olivet, we are so glad you are here. This season we have been exploring the language and teaching of Jesus throughout the Gospel of Matthew. This morning we encounter the stern and challenging rebuke towards Peter and the call from Jesus to take up our cross and follow him. Whether you are a new visitor or a long-term member we pray that through worship, fellowship, and the hearing of God’s Word, you come to know the peace that comes from finding your life in Christ.

This morning we will be exploring the story of Jesus walking on the sea and calming the storms. What storms are currently raging in your life? Do you have the courage to trust that Jesus can calm them?

Whether you are visiting from out of town, resting amidst the heat, or about to set off on another summer vacation we are glad you are here. This morning we will be exploring the story of the feeding of the 5,000. Asking what we are to bring when we have nothing to provide, and experiencing what God provides in Christ in response.

Today we are continuing the readings from the gospel of Matthew. Jesus is