WCC News: Prayers for Ukraine affirm values of freedom, human dignity, peace

Prayers for Ukraine rang ’round the world on 24 August, from large ecumenical services to quiet reflections, all expressing solidarity and determination for justice and peace. The day also marked the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. Ecumenical prayer service at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv on 24 August 2026 marked the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence. Photo: Protodeacon Andriy Sydor/OCU 25 August 2026 An interfaith prayer service held at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv was attended by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska, as well as heads of various churches and leaders of religious organizations. After a chamber choir performed the Lord's Prayer, representatives from various churches and religious organizations took turns offering prayers for Ukraine. They called for an end to the war and for just peace, for protection for the Ukrainian people, for the return of children, prisoners, and those missing in action, for the healing of the wounded, and for unity. Prayers were offered by Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Epiphanius, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Sviatoslav, Head of the Kyiv-Zhytomyr Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine Vitalii Kryvytskyi, Head of the All-Ukrainian Union of the Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists Valerii Antoniuk, President of the Union of Jewish Religious Organizations of Ukraine Yaakov Dov Bleich, Supreme Mufti of Ukraine Sheikh Ahmed Tamim, Bishop of the Transcarpathian Reformed Church Sándor Zán Fábián, and Senior Bishop of the Ukrainian Pentecostal Church Anatoliy Kozachok. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, representing the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, expressed gratitude to God for “the gift of freedom, for the gift of a free, united, and independent Ukrainian state.” He appealed to Christ, the King of Peace, asking for “an end to the war, victory over the unjust aggressor, and the gift of just, heavenly peace for our homeland and for our people”. He implored to God for unity among the Ukrainian people. “Grant that we have unity and freedom, and that Your eternal divine love may reign in all things,” he prayed.  The ecumenical prayer took place as part of the World Day of Prayer for Peace in Ukraine, which the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations had called for. The gathering concluded with a joint performance of Ukraine’s spiritual anthem, "Prayer for Ukraine.” Metropolitan Epiphany, Orthodox Church of Ukraine, reflected on how Ukraine has fought for the truth, for language, for faith, for freedom, and for the right to freely make choices. “And for the last 12-and-a-half years, we have been forced to fight for the right to live on our own, God-given land, for the right not to depend on anyone and to be the masters of our own home, to determine the fate of our state, our people, our Church,” he said. "Therefore, the word ‘independence’ is inseparable to the words ‘struggle,’ ‘dignity,’ ‘freedom.’” The metropolitan noted that Ukrainian people are worthy of their independence. “Thirty-five years is a long time by human standards, but relatively short for the history of a nation,” he said. “However, we know that we have a glorious 1,000-year history of Ukraine-Rus’; we have strong roots and an ancient faith, our own culture and traditions, our native church, numerous saints.” He reflected that all the people, like cells in the body, make up the "body" of the state. “And as long as we hold together, as long as we care for each other, protect and defend, as long as we preserve the ‘soul’ of our people, our Ukrainian Church - the Ukrainian people will live, have the strength to fight and, with God's help, will prevail,” he said. “Great and One God, protect Ukraine!” Ukrainian churches appeal for Worldwide prayer as expression of solidarity (WCC news release, 13 August 2026) Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations: Prayer for Ukraine held at Saint Sophia of Kyiv PHOTO GALLERY: Ecumenical Prayer for Ukraine at St. Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv An interfaith prayer service held at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv was attended by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska, as well as heads of Ukraine's churches and religious organizations. Photo: Protodeacon Andriy Sydor/OCU See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

Looking into the lectionary - Prayers for the fall 🍎

Matthew 18:15-20 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time September 6, 2026 What if we actually did what Jesus teaches his disciples about handling conflict? This teaching on “dealing with sin in the church” immediately follows the parable of the lost sheep. In Luke, that parable is part of a “lost things” parables collection, alongside the lost coin and lost son(s), told strategically and deliberately to tax collectors and sinners who were open and eager and leaning in, and to grumbling Pharisees and scribes (Luke 15:1-2). Matthew only includes the parable of the lost sheep, and he uses it as a bridge connecting warnings to the disciples about the consequences of their sin and instruction on how they should respond when someone sins against them. Remember, you are sinful, and God pursues you when you are lost. Remember, when others sin and harm you, God loves and pursues them. And … be wise. In the simplicity of the teaching, Jesus corrects some of the most common behaviors of “good Christian people” when it comes to conflict. Some of the more unconfrontational among us focus on the passage that immediately follows this one – forgive not seven but 77 (or 70 times seven) times – and spend our days attempting (and encouraging others) to “forgive and forget,” “love overlooks wrongs,” as though it is better not to acknowledge injustice or wrongdoing at all. The teaching in Matthew 18:15-20 does not ignore the sin that harms you, but addresses it head on, out of love. Some of the more people-pleasing among us muster what feels like superhuman strength to tolerate wrong so severe that it can be rightly named abuse, effectively becoming doormats on which others may walk and wipe their boots. Jesus does not give a minimum bar for a sin that meets a standard of worthiness to address, but simply tells his disciples to address the one who has wronged you, and Jesus does not seem hesitant about getting others involved. Safe boundaries of increasing distance between someone who has been harmed and the offender is what Jesus is laying out, not shrugging harm away nor inviting the harmed to return for more. What Jesus teaches, with such succinct clarity, is a pathway toward reconciliation and restoration. It isn’t easy, but it is clear. Had Scripture included pictures or images, I think Jesus would get credit for inventing what we now know as flow charts. Here’s how it lays it out: ... Thank you to this week's writer, David Germer. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for August 30, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — September 6, 2026 by David Germer    Columbia Theological Seminary President Victor Aoloyo, Jr. to retire — Press Release A prayer for college students beginning a new school year by Caroline Garcia Blessing of the backpacks by Jess Rigel

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Paxton, Talarico tap contrary versions of God and Christianity in appeal to Texas voters In a state where two-thirds of the adult population identifies as Christian and 45% say religion is 'very important' in their life, the candidates are asking voters to choose between two dramatically different views of Christianity. — Religion News Service Beyond capitalism vs. socialism Scott Anderson argues that Christianity offers a way to think about markets, government and economic justice beyond the tired binary of capitalism and socialism. Faith leaders return home equipped to transform their communities More than 300 clergy and lay leaders from across the country gathered for the DART Network's annual Justice Ministry Conference to strengthen congregations and organize for lasting community change. — Press Releases Sixteen PC(USA) young adults attend United Nations’ annual High Level Political Forum Delegates attended UN meetings on global sustainable development goals, held vigils and discussed vocational discernment. — Presbyterian News Service Christian universities pull together during Spokane wildfires As wildfires devastated northern Spokane, Gonzaga and Whitworth universities joined forces to shelter evacuees, support displaced communities and raise emergency funds. — FāVS News Registration for the Atwood Institute gun violence prevention training extended to Aug. 30 The Sept. 15-18 event at Heartland Retreat Center near Kansas City is offered by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. — Press Releases Now loaded with disaster kits, Boxanne heads home to Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center Synod School’s 650 participants sort and box hygiene kits, period packs, kids’ kits and school bags. — Presbyterian News Service

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Revised Common Lectionary Readings for August 23, 2026

Revised Common Lectionary Readings (Three-Year Cycle)

Lectionary Readings for Sunday, August 23, 2026

First Reading Exodus 1:8-2:10 8Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9He said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. 10Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” 11Therefore they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor. They built supply cities, Pithom and Rameses, for Pharaoh. 12But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. 13The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites. 14and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labor. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them. 15The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16“When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.” 17But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. 18So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?” 19The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” 20So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. 21And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. 22Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every boy that is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every girl live.” 1Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman.2The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. 3When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. 4His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him. 5The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. 6When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him, “This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,” she said. 7Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” 8Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed it. 10When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, “because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.” Psalm Psalm 124:1-8 1   If it had not been the LORD who was on our side           — let Israel now say — 2   if it had not been the LORD who was on our side,           when our enemies attacked us, 3   then they would have swallowed us up alive,           when their anger was kindled against us; 4   then the flood would have swept us away,           the torrent would have gone over us; 5   then over us would have gone           the raging waters. 6   Blessed be the LORD,           who has not given us           as prey to their teeth. 7   We have escaped like a bird           from the snare of the fowlers;      the snare is broken,           and we have escaped. 8   Our help is in the name of the LORD,           who made heaven and earth. Second Reading Romans 12:1-8 1I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Gospel Matthew 16:13-20 13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, August 24 and Sunday, August 30, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, August 24, 2026 - That we look past their differences and unite as a country.
• Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - That we have the courage to confront the violence within our society.
• Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - That police officers remember they are servants of their communities.
• Thursday, August 27, 2026 - That parents and communities would teach young people the importance of love and compassion.
• Friday, August 28, 2026 - That those in national authority receive godly counsel and God-fearing advisors.
• Saturday, August 29, 2026 - That we condemn racism in all of its forms.
• Sunday, August 30, 2026 - That we be thankful for the blessings we've received.

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, August 16, 2026

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service ...: Jesus reframes the ten commandments from a list of external rules into matters of the heart. He taught that true righteousness is not merely...

Sunday's Message (The 10 Commandments Through the Eyes of Jesus: Honor Your Father and Mother)

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Sunday's Message (The 10 Commandments Through the ...: Jesus reframes the ten commandments from a list of external rules into matters of the heart. He taught that true righteousness is not merely...

WCC news: WCC joins Zimbabwe churches in prayer after ferry tragedy

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, in a letter to the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and WCC member churches in Zimbabwe, expressed heartfelt solidarity to the people of Zimbabwe, and especially to the families and communities affected by the tragic ferry disaster on Lake Kariba.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 18 August 2026 “We have learned with profound sadness that the death toll from the capsizing of the ferry has risen to at least 92 people, with search and recovery operations continuing,” wrote Pillay. “Among those who have lost their lives are 18 children.” Behind these numbers, Pillay noted, are mothers and fathers, children and young people, relatives, friends, neighbours and members of communities whose lives have been changed forever.  “At this painful moment, we stand alongside the churches and people of Zimbabwe,” Pillay wrote. “We join you in prayer, mourning, and compassion.” He prayed that the churches may be places of refuge, consolation, and practical support for all those affected.  “We also hope and pray that an official inquiry will be undertaken, that justice and accountability will be pursued for the victims and their families, and that a comprehensive review of the policies and safety measures governing the protection of civilians will follow, so that such a tragedy may not be repeated,” Pillay urged. “May the God of compassion draw near to all who mourn.” Read the full letter See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland