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.

Sacrament Education through the World Communion Offering

Four-Part Communion Resource Deepen your experience of Communion through better understanding.  We have created a four-part series of resources that you can use with your congregation to help enhance your congregation’s understanding of communion. This series was created by the Rev. Dr. Eileen Lindner and the Rev. Jon Brown to use as part of the Season of Preparation, which is the time leading up to World Communion Sunday.

Part 1 — Take Offering — Gathering the gifts of God’s creation focuses on the rhythm of communion. Featuring a section of worship liturgy, different activity suggestions, fun facts and where to find additional resources.

Download Part — 1 Take

Part 2 — Bless Thanksgiving — Giving thanks for God’s grace focuses on what blessing means and reviews various examples from the Bible of God’s blessings. Liturgy to use in worship and activity suggestions are included.

Download Part 2 — Bless

Part 3 — Break Breaking bread — Lifting up the body of Christ focuses on what it means when we break bread during communion and Jesus’ first experience of this with his disciples. Liturgy to use in worship, activity suggestions and three bread recipes are included.

Download Part 3 — Break

Part 4 — Give Communion — Sharing the bread of life with all focuses on partaking of the elements and why this is an important communal act. Liturgy to use in worship, hymn suggestions and activities you can include are available in this session.

Download Part 4 — Give

We hope you find these resources helpful as you prepare for World Communion Sunday and receive the World Communion Offering. Thank you for supporting this Offering so that resources like these can be free for all.

If you have any questions, reply to this email or call us at (800) 728-7228, Ext. 5047.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for August 09, 2026

Revised Common Lectionary Readings (Three-Year Cycle)

Lectionary Readings for Sunday, August 9, 2026

First Reading Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 1Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. 2This is the story of the family of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. 4But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. 12Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. 13And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” He answered, “Here I am.” 14So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock; and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron. He came to Shechem, 15and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” 16“I am seeking my brothers,” he said; “tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” 17The man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. 18They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. 19They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 20Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” 21But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” 22Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him” — that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. 23So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; 24and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. 25Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers agreed. 28When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. Psalm Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b 1   O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,           make known his deeds among the peoples. 2   Sing to him, sing praises to him;           tell of all his wonderful works. 3   Glory in his holy name;           let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 4   Seek the Lord and his strength;           seek his presence continually. 5   Remember the wonderful works he has done,           his miracles, and the judgments he has uttered, 6   O offspring of his servant Abraham,           children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 16  When he summoned famine against the land,           and broke every staff of bread, 17  he had sent a man ahead of them,           Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 18  His feet were hurt with fetters,           his neck was put in a collar of iron; 19  until what he had said came to pass,           the word of the Lord kept testing him. 20  The king sent and released him;           the ruler of the peoples set him free. 21  He made him lord of his house,           and ruler of all his possessions, 22  to instruct his officials at his pleasure,           and to teach his elders wisdom. 45b  Praise the Lord! Second Reading Romans 10:5-15 5Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” 6But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7“or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 14But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Gospel Matthew 14:22-33 22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

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 10 and Sunday, August 16, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, August 10, 2026 - That we approach our differences with both faith and common sense.
• Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - That our leaders work for unity and cooperation.
• Wednesday, August 12, 2026 - That our public officials accept that great leaders are servants. 
• Thursday, August 13, 2026 - That families read their Bible and attend worship services together.
• Friday, August 14, 2026 - That our judges value the principles reflected in the Old and New Testaments.
• Saturday, August 15, 2026 - That doctors and nurses communicate compassion and concern to their patients. 
• Sunday, August 16, 2026 - That we respect and honor their parents and raise their children with compassion.

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, August 2, 2026

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service ...: On August 2, we gathered for our annual picnic, at the Sligo Pool. Even though the weather forced the picnic indoors, we still had a unique ...

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for August 02, 2026

Revised Common Lectionary Readings (Three-Year Cycle)

Lectionary Readings for Sunday, August 2, 2026

First Reading Genesis 32:22-31 22The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. 24Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” 27So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” 29Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” 31The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Psalm Psalm 17:1-7, 15 1   Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry;           give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit. 2   From you let my vindication come;           let your eyes see the right. 3   If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,           if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;           my mouth does not transgress. 4   As for what others do, by the word of your lips           I have avoided the ways of the violent. 5   My steps have held fast to your paths;           my feet have not slipped. 6   I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;           incline your ear to me, hear my words. 7   Wondrously show your steadfast love,           O savior of those who seek refuge           from their adversaries at your right hand. 15  As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;            when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness. Second Reading Romans 9:1-5 1I am speaking the truth in Christ — I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit — 2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Gospel Matthew 14:13-21 13Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” 18And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

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