Special music by Barb Jonson and Sheryl Clifton.

Prayers of the People by Rev. Katie Fuchs.

Sometimes people seem surprised that although I am a member of two church staff teams, I don't always know everything about either congregation or building. No, I didn't know Mrs. X was going to have surgery. Oh, the back porch lightbulb has been burned out for a month? The most fun is when it involves somehow knowing a future event - why didn't I plan on the hallway flooding and have a bunch of extra mops available, or call the plumber last week? (These are generalizations, not specific incidents, by the way.) And when these things come up, I have to remind people (and most often myself) that the Bishop did not hand me a crystal ball when I was ordained a deacon! The only way I can know about something is if I experience it or someone tells me about it. And I certainly can't predict the future!  This week's passage from Luke contains some statements from Jesus we often find troubling or intimidating. Jesus seems to be telling his followers to give up many important things and near-future plans in order to be true disciples. However, a common theme connects the sayings - a reminder that life will not - cannot - always be everything we predicted or expected. What's the surest way to get God to laugh, after all? Tell God your plans! Jesus reminds us that if we take up a life preparing for and spreading God's kin-dom, we should be prepared to give up our fixed expectations and be open to the greater work - and greater reward - God has in store for us. 

Prayers of the People by Rev. Mike Wilkerson.

Special music by Jon and Sylvia Flint.

This Sunday, we have a couple of significant celebrations to look forward to. One of them is Juneteenth, the day we commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19th of 1865 General Gordon Granger of the Union Army declared all enslaved people were free in the state of Texas, the last state of the confederacy to abolish institutional slavery. This was the culmination of a long effort by President Abraham Lincoln to end slavery in America, his primary campaign issue in the 1860 US presidential election. Throughout his presidency, Lincoln remained dedicated to the principles of freedom for enslaved people, despite the experiences of exhaustion and isolation which came with leading the union states through the American Civil War.

In this week’s passage from 1 Kings, we read of another leader who fully devoted himself to principles that resulted in experiences of exhaustion and isolation, the prophet Elijah. Elijah was inspired by God to rebel against King Ahab and Queen Jezebel and was threatened with execution when he was successful. Elijah ran from Jezebel, eventually finding himself deep in the wilderness. It was in the midst of this wilderness experience that he had a unique encounter with God that gave him the strength to return and continue in service. Join us this Sunday as we reflect on the challenges of being devoted to serving Christ when it causes us discomfort, and how we can find an abiding peace through acknowledging God’s presence in our lives.

Special music by the chancel choir.

Prayers of the People by Brandon Coz.

At least two examples of building the Lord's House: the first, as written, were instructions from God to Moses during the wandering.  The next Temple was built by Solomon.

Each were built to fill the purpose of a particular time and circumstances.  Moses' House of the Lord was a tent; Solomon’s was a stone structure.

God gave Moses the blueprint; Solomon’s seemingly followed tradition.

Both were elaborate. One had to be disassembled frequently and moved; the other was designed to be permanent.

Trends today seem to be minimalistic in design, but is that necessary?

What type of structure would you be attracted to?

My forbearers were of the opinion to spend little on the building but instead use money for local altruistic projects. (Remember Jesus said the poor will always be with you.) This is spite of President LBJ's War on Poverty.

Are we justified in spending the Lord's money in beautifying our building?

How do we get the monies?  How we spend the monies?  Are we justified in how we are spending it?

What will your part be?

Prayers of the People by Pastor Jon Flint.