Looking Into the Lectionary — Worship resources for 6/12

June 12, 2022 Trinity Sunday Psalm 8:1-9 COMMENTARY What are the essential tenets of the Reformed faith? This question can strike fear in the hearts of many Presbyterians because these tenets are, perhaps needfully, loosely defined. When I have faced this type of question, I often speak of the agency of God in choosing human beings first, of being created in God’s image, of human tendencies toward idolatry and tyranny. I speak of God’s grace. And mostly, in what seems in my mind to be a benchmark of Reformed (and Presbyterian) identity, I speak of the sovereignty of God. For roughly 35 years of my life as a cradle Presbyterian, God’s sovereignty felt like a cozy blanket: well-worn, secure, and comforting. God is in charge, and that is good news. And then, during coursework for my doctorate in theology, I took a class on the history of sovereignty. I wanted to learn more about this word, and how it connects to colonialism and power. There, I learned about Hugo Grotius, who is often called the “father of international law.” Hugo’s most important work was his anonymously published book in 1609, The Free Sea. Here, he argued that law was founded upon God’s sovereignty. There was, at this time, a dispute (putting it mildly) between the Dutch and the Portuguese because the Dutch stole a Portuguese ship off the coast of Singapore in 1603. Hugo wrote to defend the right of that seizure by the Dutch East India Company because it occurred during a “just war.” Thanks to guest author Whitney Wilkinson Arreche. You can find the rest of the commentary on our website. An order of worship for June 12, 2022. This liturgy is free to use. The Uniform Lesson for June 12, 2022, by Richard Boyce. Meet those standing for moderator of the 225th General Assembly Preview of the Rules of Discipline Task Force’s work for GA225 by Jerry Van Marter IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... An argument to add “truth” to the proposed Rules of Discipline edits James S. Evinger reviewed the proposed changes to the Rules of Discipline, which will be presented at the 225th General Assembly, and found that something important was missing: an explicit reference to "truth." There’s a committee for that: Why I’m Presbyterian Victoria Alexander, a PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer in Scotland, shares what gives her hope in the PC(USA) as a denomination. Gun violence and GA225 'Addressing Violence in the USA' committee to examine links between guns, inequality, advocacy — PNS I see the moon. The moon sees me. God bless the moon. And God bless me. A poem by Karie Charlton.  GA round up: What to expect out of this year’s General Assembly Outlook national reporter Leslie Scanlon reports on what you need to know about General Assembly. Order extra issues of the #TrustBlackWomen special issue In April, Presbyterian Outlook turned over an entire issue to Black women to highlight and center the voices of these trustworthy leaders, scholars, theologians, writers and artists. Order extra copies today for just $2 per copy while supplies last. Did you hear? Do you have a retirement, celebration, memorial or other news you want to share with the church? Leave a free post on our online bulletin board.

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