Looking into the lectionary - New week, new worship resources

June 23, 2024 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost  Job 38:1-11 When I entered seminary, I had no idea what I was in for intellectually. I knew learning the material would be hard, but I didn’t expect to have all my comfortable beliefs about God and Jesus – inherited, tacitly held beliefs – challenged and questioned. My seminary professors not only expected me to read and regurgitate Calvin, Barth, Niebuhr and Tillich, but also to say whether I agreed with their theology. I remember one of my professors asking, “Teri, you’re looking thoughtful, tell us what you think about this passage,” when (embarrassingly) my mind had just given up and gone out the window. The sparrow who sat on a tree branch outside that window felt more in my mind’s range than anything Tillich would ever write. This was just one of many humbling moments where I learned how much I didn’t know and couldn’t grasp of God. I consider this humbling a great gift. There is wisdom in knowing our limits, in knowing what we don’t know. In this Sunday’s lectionary text from the Hebrew Bible, Job has suffered terribly, and he wants to know why. He’s demanded an explanation, and God shows up to respond. What Job gets, though, is an excoriating speech reminding him how small he is before God. One commentator on this passage described God’s tone as “invitational.” But God’s speech to Job, which runs for two full chapters, reads more like a theological smackdown. In a whirlwind of words, God accuses Job of “darken[ing] counsel by words without knowledge,” then says, “Gird up your loins” — get ready, this is going to be difficult. In the next 11 verses, God reminds Job of the boundaries of their relationship: God does not answer to humanity. Humanity answers to God. “Thus far you shall come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stopped.” (Job 38:11) Job is overwhelmed. His mind has given up and gone out the window. But now he understands his place and position, responding when God finishes, “I am of small account.” (Job 40:4) It’s hard to be humbled. ... Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Order of worship for June 23, 2024. These liturgies are free to use. Peace! Be still! — Weekly Christian ed lesson by Joelle Brummit-Yale Throw the anchor (June 23, 2024) by Amanda Shanks Hybrid format + condensed schedule = no exhibit hall at #GA226 by Greg Allen-Pickett Want the worship resources for June 16, 2024? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Discussion on non-discrimination overture POL-01 heats up ahead of GA committee meetings Some say the changes challenge ‘freedom of conscience.’ Others feel the overture offers clarity to the PC(USA)’s stand against discrimination. — Gregg Brekke Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy provides new mental health guide The ‘2024 Guide for Mental Health Ministry’ can help churches offer mental health outreach. — PNS PPF to offer churches practical training for Gun Violence prevention Join the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship at the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage at Ghost Ranch Aug. 22-25, 2024. — PPF Presbyterian Outlook board honors Brian K. Blount with E.T. Thompson award Brian K. Blount, a New Testament scholar, preacher, teacher, and leader, was honored with the lifetime achievement award during the Outlook’s webinar on June 6. MRTI advocates for meaningfully addressing climate change MRTI, a PC(USA) faith-based investment committee, is not overlooking pressing issues or grappling with analysis paralysis; we are living into the pivotal yet limited role of our committee, write Kerri N. Allen and Mark Douglas. Embracing Queer Family: Learning to Live Authentically in Our Families and Communities Read this book if the transgender community is unfamiliar, and you are seeking understanding. Read it if you want to be a better friend to the trans community. And add it your library of resources for church members who may be wrestling with this reality. — Amy Pagliarella Ordination Committee to address a host of issues related to the ‘ordered ministries’ of the Church Proposals call for greater clarity around 'shared ministry.' — PNS Pre-GA bulletins now available...