Looking into the lectionary - Nominate a faith leader we should know

Exodus 3:1-15 14th Sunday after Pentecost 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time August 30, 2026 The bush was burning but not burned up. That is the hook of this famous story. It is the scientific impossibility that causes Moses to turn aside and look. It is the image that has captured the faithful imagination for centuries. There are certainly many threads in this passage for a faithful preacher to follow; but at this moment, having just celebrated my 10th year as an ordained pastor, I am as amazed as Moses was at the idea of a bush – or a person – burning but not burnt up. Burning but not, to use the parlance of our day, burnt out. It’s no secret that the pastoral profession suffers heavily from burnout. Fewer studies focus on congregation members, but I suspect any faithful, committed member of the body of Christ sometimes flirts with exhaustion of the soul. There is so much we are called to do by God, by our families, by our workplaces, and by our churches, that even the most energetic volunteer is in danger of running out of fuel. Burnout – showing up as apathy, rage, cynicism, and withdrawal – haunts our pulpits and our pews. And yet God appears to Moses as a fire that burns but does not consume. God’s nature is not to destroy. God does not demand, applaud or admire our slow self-destruction, either. It sounds obvious, but the church has such a long tradition of asking folks to sacrifice themselves to God’s service that I think it needs to be said. God is the fire that burns in us, that animates us, that gives us heat and strength and power. God is not the fire that leaves us dry and brittle and empty inside. I am not about to propose a cure, antidote or vaccine for burnout. But I do think there are instructive lessons in this ancient call story to help us stay connected to the holiness that does not destroy what it inhabits. The first lesson: know what your call is. God is beautifully specific about Moses’ call. “I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” True, it is an overwhelming, near-impossible, potentially deadly job, but at least Moses knows what he’ll be doing. He is not called to save everyone who suffers across the world. God sends him to this one people.... Thank you to this week's writer, Carol Holbrook Prickett. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for August 23, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — August 30, 2026 by Carol Holbrook Prickett A prayer for parents who are afraid by Naomi McQuiller   Can attending a school board meeting be an act of ministry? by Owen Gray A case for the title 'commissioned pastor' by Janet Benson Nominate a faith leader we should know by Teri McDowell Ott Remembering the Rev. Dr. Joanna Moseley Adams by McKenna Britton

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... A prayer for seminarians Naomi McQuiller offers a prayer for seminarians entering a new academic year with curiosity, uncertainty and hope, asking God for peace, endurance and moments of joy. Blessed are the peacemakers in a militarized world Mihee Kim-Kort shares what remembering the Korean War, American militarism and the church’s witness can teach us. Shadows of the Republic: The Rebirth of Fascism in America and How to Defeat It for Good Amy Pagliarella reviews Omer Aziz's "Shadows of the Republic," tracing America's fascist roots and offering a local-action playbook for fighting back. The garden of a PC(USA) church in Georgia feeds the community and earns an Earth Care Congregation certification Kevin’s Garden began in 2011 as a way to remember a young church member who passed away. — Presbyterian News Service  Discussion guide for July/August 2026 issue In each issue of the Outlook, we include a discussion guide to further reflect on the issue. We recommend using this guide in your Bible study, small group or book club. It's our invitation into a faithful conversation. — Donald L. Griggs Three PC(USA) pastors discuss the joy of working toward their certificate in older adult ministry Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network and Columbia Seminary’s Center for Lifelong Learning have partnered to train more than 175 people to date. — Mike Ferguson

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

WCC News: Ukrainian churches appeal for Worldwide prayer as expression of solidarity

The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations is appealing for churches everywhere to join a Worldwide Prayer for Ukraine on 24 August, which also marks the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence. Prayer during the 30th anniversary commemoration of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations on 16 July 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine, attended by the ecumenical delegation from the World Council of Churches. Photo: Deacon Andrii Sydor/Orthodox Church of Ukraine 13 August 2026   The prayer will serve “not only as a spiritual expression of solidarity with Ukraine but also as an affirmation of the values of freedom, human dignity, peace, and the right of peoples to determine their own future,” reads the appeal. World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay invited WCC member churches and all people of good will to join in the prayer.  “United through prayer, we stand in hope that the pain, trauma, and suffering of innocent people will at last come to an end,” said Pillay. “As we said in June, at our previous Global Prayer for Ukraine, light always triumphs over darkness.”  A WCC delegation visited Ukraine from 14-17 July, witnessing the unity and dedication of religious leaders from different churches and faiths as they minister with and serve  the people of Ukraine in a time of war. Pillay reiterated that the WCC remains committed to journeying with the faith communities and people of Ukraine in their struggle against an illegal and immoral war. We pray that the war will end and peace will return and lives will be saved from further deaths and destruction.  Information and materials related to the Worldwide Prayer for Ukraine are available at www.prayforukraine.org.ua. Appeal of the UCCRO concerning the Worldwide Prayer for Ukraine on 24 August 2026 WCC delegation makes solidarity visit to Ukraine (WCC news release, 17 July 2026) In Ukraine, churches “sustain hope when hope has been tested” (WCC news release, 17 July 2026) Global Prayer for Peace in Ukraine: “Light always triumphs over darkness” (WCC news release, 11 June 2026) 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

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, August 17 and Sunday, August 23, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, August 17, 2026 - That we all recognize that our actions impact others.
• Tuesday, August 18, 2026 - That the world unites in care for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
• Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - That workers be paid a living wage.
• Thursday, August 20, 2026 - That youth value honesty and respect in all their relationships.
• Friday, August 21, 2026 - That those who have power address that humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
• Saturday, August 22, 2026 - That leaders put aside their pride and ambition for the good of their country.
• Sunday, August 23, 2026 - That the leaders of the church maintain their focus on Jesus Christ and his teachings. 

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, August 9, 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: Keep the Sabbath Holy)

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...

Looking into the lectionary - Back-to-school faith resources

Isaiah 51:1-6, Psalm 138, Romans 12 and Matthew 16:13-20 13th Sunday after Pentecost August 23, 2026 A folk adage describes how our prayer lives develop over time: First, you talk and God listens. Then God talks and you listen. Finally, no one talks, and you both listen. Isaiah 51:1-6, Psalm 138, Romans 12 and Matthew 16:13-20 speak to the ways God is revealed to us and to God’s desire for us to connect deeply enough to hear what God is trying to tell us. Learning to discern God’s voice is one of the greatest challenges of a faithful life because God communicates in so many ways: through prayer and inspiration, through Scripture and through our fellow human beings — often those we would least expect to serve as God’s messengers. In Isaiah 51, the prophet shares God’s profound encouragement, reminding the people who they are and what God has promised them. Three times the people are charged: “Listen to me, you who pursue justice” (v. 1); “Listen to me, my people” (v. 4); and “Listen to me, you who know righteousness” (v. 7). Each charge is followed by examples of God’s guidance, justice and deliverance. It is understandable that the people, suffering near the end of the Babylonian exile, might feel that God had stopped listening. Through the prophet, however, God calls out, assuring them that God has never stopped hearing their cries. In fact, God yearns for them to listen in return. In Psalm 138, the psalmist echoes the benefits of remaining in conversation with God: “On the day I called, you answered me; you increased my strength of soul” (v. 3). Amid our praise and thanksgiving, God not only hears but responds, drawing close to those who are at their lowest and most in need of reassurance and grace. Paul reminds us in Romans 12 that God also communicates through our gifts and callings. Each of us is meant to grow into the fullness of who God created us to be: “We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us” (v. 6). Vocational discernment is another challenge of faith because our call may lead us to a particular career or a specific way of serving our community. Sometimes we are invited to take on more than we can handle, especially in churches, where there always seems to be a need for more volunteers, deacons and elders. Yet God does not desire our exhaustion or burnout. Faithful discernment requires us to listen carefully for God’s call so we know when to say “no.” ... Thank you to this week's writer, Jeny Carlson. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for August 16, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — August 23, 2026 by Jeny Carlson   Board of Pensions approves 2027 benefits changes by BOP The patron saint of wholesome by Brittany Harrold Porch PC(USA) membership decline slows, but congregations continue to close by John Bolt 10 things ruling elders should know by Alyson Janke Reclaiming Sabbath in a culture of striving by Katy Shevel

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Director of development The Presbyterian Outlook is hiring a part-time, remote position. How Spider-Man shaped my Christian ethics Brendan McLean explores how Spider-Man taught him lessons about responsibility, service and loving his neighbor long before he recognized them as Christian morals. Presbytery of San José raises more than $30,000 for immigrant legal aid Gifts are being made to partner organizations that work with immigrants and asylum seekers. — Presbytery of San José Religious leaders travel to the Arctic to advocate for protection of sacred public lands Presbyterian leaders joined an interfaith delegation to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to support Indigenous communities and advocate for protecting sacred lands. — EarthKeepers 360 You’re Not the Only One Amy Pagliarella reviews Megan LeCluyse's "You're Not the Only One," a compassionate guide helping isolated college students feel less alone. Kate Bowler on unexpected joy, even in the midst of pain In the midst of a devastating cancer diagnosis, Kate Bowler also found experiences of joy. Now she's written a book about it. — Yonat Shimron Presbyterian response to gun violence across the decades General Assembly overtures, magazine articles and interviews, special action alerts and more illustrate a history of activism. — McKenna Britton When the church chooses to wait Following the General Assembly's referral of a proposed monogamy requirement, Jacob Douylliez reflects on why patient discernment has long been central to the church's search for truth. Help your congregation understand what matters at the 227th General Assembly — and why it matters for your church.

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.