Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, July 29 and Sunday, July 26, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, July 20, 2026 - That people stop expressing their frustration through violence.
• Tuesday, July 21, 2026 - That we put aside partisan differences so that we can address the problem of gun-violence.
• Wednesday, July 22, 2026 - That doctors and nurses claim and use the skills given to them by God.
• Thursday, July 23, 2026 - That Americans celebrate the values on which our nation was founded.
• Friday, July 24, 2026 - That God would protect our servicemen and women both home and abroad.
• Saturday, July 25, 2026 - That international tensions decrease and all nations learn to live in peace with one another.
• Sunday, July 26, 2026 - That we put aside our self-interest for the sake of our neighbors.

The PC(USA) Store - Save 20% on the Glory to God Hymnal!

Pew editions of the Glory to God hymnal are now available* at 20% off for a limited time, bringing each pew edition to only $20. This price will never be lower, so adopt the hymnal today for your church and find renewal and unity through worshiping together with both new songs and old favorites.   For more information or to place an order, please visit our website or call our customer service team at 800-533-4371. * Promotional price applies to red and purple pew editions of the Presbyterian edition (with the PC(USA) seal on the spine) and the ecumenical edition (without the seal), while supplies last. Actual shipping costs will be charged for hymnal orders and shipping is only available in the contiguous US. Promotion ends December 31, 2026.

Copyright © 2026 PC(USA) Store, All rights reserved.

Looking into the lectionary - The new confession is delayed. Why?

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time July 26, 2026 After last week’s parable about a master who shows remarkable patience with the weeds in his field, this week the lectionary brings preachers and teachers five additional parables, each introduced by “the kingdom of heaven is like …”. Throughout the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus describes the alternative vision of what God intends life to be as “the kingdom of heaven.” Not merely some distant place we might go after death, the kingdom has drawn near in Jesus’ own life and ministry, in what he teaches and preaches, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount. Through his healing of the sick and comfort for those who grieve, through the disciples he invites to follow him and the tax collectors and sinners he chooses to hang around with, we see what life in the kingdom of heaven is supposed to be. This kingdom first perplexes the political and religious authorities and then is perceived to be a threat, ultimately leading to Jesus’ death on a cross. As we read the parables in Matthew 13, we need to look for what is odd or out of place. What seems strange or leads to deeper questions? Parables are designed to intentionally puzzle us and keep working on us, leading us to discover more and more about Christ and the kingdom. So while a single sermon would be hard-pressed to address each of these five parables with the depth they deserve, perhaps we might consider some of the questions they raise. For example, the parable of the mustard seed appears to be a simple story about how something small can produce a big outcome. And yet, we might ask, “Why is this person planting a mustard seed in the first place?” In first-century Palestine, mustard had some medicinal value as a spice, but the plant was considered an invasive weed — something like kudzu or crab grass. Who intentionally plants that in their garden? It will take over everything as it grows into a glorified shrub. Jesus’ original hearers expected the reign of God to be like a cedar of Lebanon standing tall on a mountain, not some unwanted shrub that might get about head high if it was lucky. How is the kingdom of heaven like this?... Thank you to this week's writer, Matthew A. Rich. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for July 19, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — July 26, 2026 by Matthew A. Rich   As commissioners debated fossil fuels, Milwaukee’s streets carried a different kind of climate protest by Eric Ledermann Assembly declines to send proposed confession to presbyteries by John Bolt A hopeful vision for global mission by Britanny Porch

Help your congregation understand what matters at the 227th General Assembly — and why it matters for your church. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... PC(USA) Young Adult Advisory Delegates struggle to reconcile differences YAADs described sharply different experiences of a reconciliation gathering, with some appreciating the effort and others saying key concerns went unaddressed — Gregg Brekke & Mary Mabry So Jung Kim: Remember her name Whitney Wilkinson Arreche remembers the Rev. Dr. So Jung Kim as a holy agitator whose passion for ecumenism and everyday theology left ongoing ripples. Summer reads for weary souls seeking meaning and renewal From birdwatching as prayer to resisting smartphone distraction, these new books invite readers into deeper spiritual practices, resilience and renewed attention to God’s presence — Amy Pagliarella A service of lament and hope First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, Texas, worships one year after the devastating Hill Country floods — Mike Ferguson From relief to renewal: What the Jinishian Memorial Program teaches the church about mission As the Jinishian Memorial Program marks 60 years, Greg Allen Pickett explores what its long commitment to local leadership and civic formation can teach the church about mission. Faithful witness in divided times: New books on justice, church and public life These authors wrestle with polarization, climate change, racism, incarceration and community — asking what faithful Christian witness looks like in a fractured world — Amy Pagliarella

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, July 13 and Sunday, July 19, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, July 13, 2026 - That we remember those who died in service to their country.
• Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - That we remember the dedication shown by our teachers. 
• Wednesday, July 15, 2026 - That we live our daily lives with both faith and focus.
• Thursday, July 16, 2026 - That our leaders have the courage and wisdom to confront the racial divisions within our country.
• Friday, July 17, 2026 - That we renew our commitment to life.
• Saturday, July 18, 2026 - That our leaders would be honest, humble and God-fearing men and women who recognize that they are accountable to God for each decision and action.
• Sunday, July 19, 2026 - That God bring peace to the Middle East.

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, July 5, 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: he Ultimate Summary)

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 - YAADs struggle to reconcile differences

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 and Genesis 28:10-19a Eighth Sunday after Pentecost 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time July 19, 2026 Sometimes, I delude myself into thinking I know the difference between the wheat and the weeds. This can happen in my own backyard. Some weeds are obvious, like the ever-present tumbleweeds and those horrible goatheads. When I see them pop up, I pull them out faster than you can say “An enemy has done this!” Other times, I’m not so sure. Are the volunteer bushes that spring up next to my door every year decorative bits of green offering relief from the desert brown, or are they opportunist pests leeching precious water that might otherwise nourish my few brave trees? Or how about the musk thistle? Those pink blossoms are beautiful and great for pollinators, but a sign at the local land trust identifies them as a highly invasive noxious weed. Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares asks a similar question: Who and what in the church are good, intentionally cultivated plants, and who and what are weeds? Perhaps more importantly, the parable also asks who gets to decide the difference. First things first: If you are teaching or preaching this passage, I encourage you to take some time to distinguish between the parable itself (vv. 24-30) and the allegorical explanation (vv. 36-43). Many scholars argue that this second part was likely concocted by Matthew as he tried to apply Jesus’ parable to the troublingly mixed state of the church in his day. While it may offer a satisfying apocalyptic ending (with a furnace of fire and gnashing of teeth!), it can also obscure the sense of what Jesus is trying to convey in the original parable. Because the problem is this: Everyone thinks they can tell the difference between the wheat and the weeds. .... Thank you to this week's writer, Ginna Bairby. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for July 12, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — July 19, 2026 by Ginna Bairby   At Milwaukee’s Big Red Church, the elders are the ministers by Greg Allen-Pickett     World Mission closure will be investigated by Eric Ledermann Changes coming to ministry preparation and ordination by Gregg Brekke Young Adult Advisory Delegates struggle to reconcile differences by Gregg Brekke and Mary Mabry Assembly declares Israel’s war in Gaza a genocide by Eric Ledermann

Help your congregation understand what matters at the 227th General Assembly — and why it matters for your church. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Columbia Seminary addresses restructuring at GA227 luncheon President acknowledges 'profound human cost' of cuts; board chair denies race was a factor. Enrollment data shows incoming class is 60 percent people of color. — Eric Ledermann GA votes to hold its next assembly in Puerto Rico The 227th General Assembly approved plans to hold the denomination's first assembly outside the continental United States, adding cultural competency training ahead of the 2028 gathering in Puerto Rico. — Gregg Brekke A full house honors Diane Moffett for a life of ministry and service At GA227, Moffett said she is not retiring after the elimination of the agency she led for six years — and that she knows 'restructuring is hard.' — Eric Ledermann Three honored with Women of Faith Awards The Rev. Adele Langworthy and the Rev. Blanca Estrella Otaño-Rivera and Ruling Elder Selma Jackson are celebrated at biennial breakfast. — Emily Enders Odom GA elects Pumroy-Cordero, Schondelmeyer as co-moderators Commissioners elected the pair on the first ballot after participating in a lengthy question-and-answer session with the full slate of candidates. — Eric Ledermann Spielberg’s Disclosure Day offers wonder — and questions for faith The acclaimed director pairs suspense with reflections on God, empathy and humanity's place in a universe that may be more populated than we imagined, writes Alfred Walker.  Approved PC(USA) budget for ’27-’28 increased $5.8 million Commissioners approved a $188.4 million budget for 2027–28, raised General Assembly per capita rates, and extended work on a new denominational funding model. — John Bolt PC(USA) labels White Christian nationalism “Theological Error” Calling White Christian nationalism incompatible with the teachings of Jesus, commissioners approved a proposed constitutional amendment and a new policy statement opposing the ideology. — John Bolt

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.