Looking into the lectionary - Small churches + adaptation

Matthew 9:35-10:8 Third Sunday after Pentecost June 14, 2026 Church membership is shrinking across mainline protestant denominations. The reported number of U.S. adults who claim to be religiously unaffiliated is growing rapidly. Faced with these statistics, many within the church throw up their hands and wonder what will become of the church. Yet, research shows that while many are done with the institution of the church, they are not done with spirituality. Many believe in a higher power. Some are seeking ways to be grounded in something larger than themselves. In a world where so many are starving, where financial stability is increasingly hard to find, where gun violence and mass shootings are ever more frequent, where war rages around the world, and where political discourse is increasingly divisive, people remain hungry for good news. It appears that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Jesus looked out on the crowds and saw a group of people who were tired and overwhelmed, harassed and helpless. They, too, faced a world where political violence was at a high, where people could be killed because they disagreed with the powers that be, where families struggled to put food on the table, where religious leaders seemed to champion rules over people, and the division between the haves and have-nots was increasingly great. The people around Jesus yearned for good news. They hoped for the end of suffering from disease and physical impairment. They dreamed of a world that was just. They grasped at the hope that all could be fed. Jesus’s message was compelling, and so they crowded around him. As Jesus notes in Matthew 9:35-10:8, “The harvest is plentiful …” (v. 37). But, he continues, “the laborers are few” (v. 37). It was not a lack of people who yearned for the good news; it was a lack of people to do the work of proclamation and healing in a hurting world. And it is not a lack of people seeking some hope and good news today. Jesus sent his disciples out, out of their comfort zone, out of the safety of their community, out among the crowds. I wonder how many of our churches still hope that if they build it, people will come? They remain within the walls and the traditions of the church. They remain in their comfort zone and hope for someone who will shepherd them in comfort. ... Thank you to this week's writer, Rae Watson. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for June 7, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — June 14, 2026 by Rae Watson   Braving the Truth by Rachel Held Evans, reviewed by Amy Pagliarella Adapting together: A small church and Buddhist monks by David Williams Presbyterian Outlook wins five honors at Associated Church Press awards by Rose Schrott Taylor

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... How the Board of Pensions prices the Medical Plan Two principles guide the approach to pricing. — Todd Ingves The Presbytery of Milwaukee is just about set to host the 227th General Assembly The Committee on Local Arrangements practices its warm welcome on PC(USA) national staff. — Mike Ferguson Thinking about prayer and posture In this reflection, Brenda Moten explores how posture, humility and memory shape the way we pray. Beyond the altar: Prayer as devotion, discipline and public witness Winterbourne Harrison-Jones reimagines prayer as activism, insisting that true communion with God must move beyond the sanctuary and into the streets. Order the chaos Artist and mother Merideth Hite Estevez discovers that creativity — and grace — are often born in life’s glitter-covered chaos, where God meets us in the messy work of mending. Choosing between the banquets of the empire and the kingdom Quincy Worthington recounts witnessing protest and brutality outside an ICE detention center in Broadview, Illinois — and how that moment reshaped his understanding of faith, power and public discipleship. Why this Presbyterian pastor still knows the Hail Mary by heart Brittany Porch reflects on her Catholic roots, the comfort of inherited prayer and the words that return to us in moments of grief.

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

WCC NEWS: Ecumenical organizations launch “Fasting and Prayer to Awaken Consciences” campaign across Argentina

The Ecumenical Roundtable for Democracy, Life, and the Common Good, joined by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, is promoting a nationwide campaign in Argentina entitled “Fasting and Prayer to Awaken Consciences,” from 2 to 9 June. Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires, Argentine. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 3 June 2026 Centered in Buenos Aires’ historic Plaza de Mayo and replicated in public squares across Argentina, the initiative seeks to draw public attention to the growing challenges of hunger, social exclusion, violence, and widening inequality. Organizers describe the campaign as a collective call for reflection, solidarity, and renewed commitment to the common good. Many Argentines continue to face economic hardship, as cuts to public spending have affected social programs, health, education, and pensions. Poverty remains widespread, especially among children and vulnerable households. Over eight days, participants will engage in fasting, prayer, public dialogue, cultural activities, and community gatherings designed to foster discussion about the country’s social realities and the urgent need for peace, justice, and inclusion. The campaign emphasizes both social justice and environmental justice as essential foundations for a more equitable society. According to organizers, the initiative is intended not only as a symbolic act but also as a practical demonstration of civic and community engagement. Local organizations, faith communities, and citizens are being encouraged to organize parallel events in cities and towns throughout Argentina, creating a nationwide network of participation and solidarity. “We fast to denounce hunger. We gather to defend life. We pray to sustain hope,” organizers said in a statement announcing the campaign. Members of the Ecumenical Roundtable include: Argentine Federation of Evangelical Churches; Service for Peace and Justice; Ecumenical Movement for Human Rights; Evangelical Social Ministry; Priests from Urban Settlements; Priests for the Option for the Poor; Argentine Commission for Refugees and Migrants; Buenos Aires Anabaptist Mennonite Church; Hora de Obrar Foundation; National Network of Argentine Women Building Community; Sorority & Faith; and Grupo La Tranquera. WCC member churches in Argentina 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, June 1 and Sunday, June 7, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, June 1, 2026 - That artists and entertainers avoid debauchery, pornography, perversion, and drunkenness in their craft.
• Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - That the racial, ethnic, religious, and political divisions within the United States be healed.
• Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - That the Ukrainian refugees are protected and sheltered.
• Thursday, June 4, 2026 - That we reject the politics of division and hatred and join together as we work to solve the problems we face.
• Friday, June 5, 2026 - That the body of Christ would fervently pray for our nation and its leaders.
• Saturday, June 6, 2026 - That people put the needs of others before their own wants.
• Sunday, June 7, 2026 - That we unite to deal with the gun violence within our society.

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, May 24, 2026

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service ...: On July 4, we'll celebrate our 250th anniversary as a country. And even though we haven’t been perfect, we’ve served as an example of fr...

Sunday's Message (Freedom in Christ: Freedom That’s Empowered)

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Sunday's Message (Freedom in Christ: Freedom That’...: On July 4, we'll celebrate our 250th anniversary as a country. And even though we haven’t been perfect, we’ve served as an example of fr...

WCC NEWS: Pentecost Festival in Norway brings together migrant congregations, local churches

A Pentecost Festival held in Grorud Church in Groruddalen, Oslo, Norway on 25 May celebrated the theme “Together as God’s Family.” Pentecost festival in Oslo, Norway, 2026. Photo: Christian Council of Norway 28 May 2026 The festival, organized by the Christian Council of Norway, was developed to nurture trust, social cohesion, and unity across cultural and religious diversity. Those gathered enjoyed food from different traditions, musical performances and speeches, a bouncy castle, face painting, quiz activities, games, community-building activities, and exhibitions. The festival brought together migrant congregations and local churches in one of Oslo’s most diverse areas, home to people from over 140 countries. Rooted in the message of Pentecost in Acts 2, the event embodied a living expression of unity in diversity—where language, culture, and tradition are not erased, but woven together into a shared witness of faith, fellowship, and community. The program included multicultural and ecumenical worship; scripture, prayer, music, and testimonies across traditions; shared meals that brought people together across cultural boundaries; and activities that fostered relationships, belonging, and mutual understanding. “I feel humbled, blessed, inspired, and grateful after this year’s Pentecost festival,” said Rev. Henrik Erhard Hermansen, general secretary of the Christian Council of Norway. “Since 2014, the annual Pentecost festival has been a testimony to the unity of the Spirit and a confirmation of Jesus’ prayer: ‘May they all be one.’” Hermansen further noted that this year’s Pentecost festival was once again a powerful testimony to unity in diversity — a festival of Christians from different nations and church denominations, bringing with them rich and exciting variations in everything from traditional clothing and musical expressions to the food that was served. “The church was packed, and around the stage and the booths outside the church, there were crowds of people everywhere,” said Hermansen. “It was an absolutely wonderful sense of fellowship and celebration.” Citing Paul’s writing—“May you, together with all the saints, be able to grasp the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge”— Hermansen concluded: “This is what we experienced together during the Pentecost festival.” 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 - Prayer and the problem of evil

Genesis 12:1-9; Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 9:9-13,18-26 Second Sunday after Pentecost June 7, 2026 By faith, by faith, by faith … From the story of Abram’s faith in God’s promises in Genesis 12, to Paul’s reflection on Abraham’s faith in Romans 4, to Matthew’s accounts of healing that arise from faith, our passages in today’s lectionary are all about faith. This kind of faith believes in the impossible, like an elderly man becoming a father to many or a young girl being raised from the dead. Faith in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles? In these difficult days, that’ll preach. Genesis 12:1-9 and Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 show us faith in action, so the preacher may look to contemporary examples of the same to offer encouragement. Or maybe the need is to mine the depths of despair, to find glimmers of faith and hope even in those times and places where they are utterly imperceivable. Paul’s letter to the church in Rome wrestles with faith on a more theological level. He looks at the relationship between grace and the law, an apparent dichotomy often used interchangeably with faith and works. At the heart of that tension is the question of righteousness. What is righteousness, and how do we attain it? .... Thank you to this week's writer, Stephanie Sorge. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for May 31, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — June 7, 2026 by Stephanie Sorge   Presbyterian Outlook board honors Jimmie R. Hawkins with E.T. Thompson Award by Teri McDowell Ott Overture requiring PC(USA) ministers to be monogamous generates debate, confusion by Gregg Brekke Prayer and the problem of evil by Tara W. Bulger

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Horizon — United through Christ, Bound to Each Other Rosalind Banbury previews the 2026-27 Presbyterian Women/Horizons Bible Study, "United through Christ, Bound to Each Other." — Rosalind Banbury  Braving the Truth: Essential Essays for Reckoning With and Reimagining Faith In "Braving the Truth," Rachel Held Evans’ essays continue to guide doubters, seekers and exvangelicals toward hope-filled faith. — Amy Pagliarella Prayer and poetry: Proclamation and pause Poetry is not proclaimed in a vacuum. Neither is prayer. Both teach us to construct our words with care and intention. — Kathryn Lester-Bacon Choosing between the banquets of the empire and the kingdom Quincy Worthington recounts witnessing protest and brutality outside an ICE detention center in Broadview, Illinois — and how that moment reshaped his understanding of faith, power and public discipleship. Overtures seek Israel embargo, genocide declaration Proposals would be the denomination's most forceful statement in more than 75 years of engagement with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. — Eric Ledermann Why this Presbyterian pastor still knows the Hail Mary by heart Brittany Porch reflects on her Catholic roots, the comfort of inherited prayer and the words that return to us in moments of grief. What counts as a disruption in worship? Katrina Pekich-Bundy reflects on neurodiversity, children in worship and the assumptions congregations make about who belongs in the sanctuary.   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.