Looking into the lectionary - Edits coming to the Book of Order

June 1, 2025 Seventh Sunday of Easter  Acts 16:16-34 When your personhood and sense of truth are counter to the prevailing opinions of your time and place, it can be tempting to hide the fullness of yourself. Perhaps you hope you can maintain safety by flying under the radar, not calling attention to yourself. And if someone follows behind you, loudly pointing you out, it might bring about stress, trouble, or annoyance. The NSRV tells us that Paul was “very much annoyed” (v. 18) by the girl who follows behind him in Acts 16, publicly naming him as the slave of the Most High and preacher of salvation. The word used in verse 18, διαπονηθεὶς, can be translated as “distressed” or “deeply troubled,” indicating that Paul didn’t respond in petty annoyance, but in frustrated concern. She didn’t wear on his patience. She threatened to call him out for who and what he truly was before he was ready to make it known. And Paul’s worry seems to be justified because when he does live into his full God-given identity and frees the girl from the spirit of divination that held her captive, the public response is not good. He had the power to save this girl and this town from the demons that held them captive. But those who sought to benefit from the girl’s captivity did not delight in her release. In fact, they were angry. Choosing greed over human dignity, they only saw what Paul had cost them. Turning Paul and Silas over to the authorities, they complained that their teaching went against the customs of the empire, and they must be silenced. The people respond quickly, seeking to protect the ways of the world against those who would preach God’s way and upset the status quo. As Christians, we are called to live as citizens of the kindom of heaven amid the kingdoms of this world. Often, our responsibility to act as disciples of a loving God puts us in direct contrast with a culture that worships power, wealth, and greed. Championing the poor, the captive, the lonely and the marginalized in our society might be what Christ preaches, but it earns us no points with the powers that be here and now. Instead, it may put us in peril. When we choose to love loudly, when we seek to free the downtrodden from their captivity, when we lift up those that society despises, we meet resistance. Does this justify us ignoring the plight of another to make ourselves comfortable? Does this mean we should deny who we are if who we are is messy and annoying to the world around us? In the face of resistance, Paul and Silas say no. When the empire shows them a terrifying display of force, they do not hide. ... Thank you to this week's writer, Rae Watson. Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Want to do a sermon series on nonviolent resistance?  This webinar offers biblical insight, stories, and tools to preach peace in a violent world. Purchase the recording now! Learn more Order of worship — June 1, 2025, by Rae Watson All Book of Order amendments recommended by GA 226 pass by Gregg Brekke By electing Pope Leo XIV, some see Vatican making very American political play by Jack Jenkins Blessed Minds: Breaking the Silence about Neurodiversity by Jo Wiersema Join Dr. Lakisha R. Lockhart-Rusch for an interactive webinar that invites you to move, reflect, and reimagine what it means to play with intention. Learn more IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... In response to the lion’s rampage: The political, symbolic and actual strength of nonviolence Strength means leaning in, even when you're uncertain of the outcome and real consequences are on the line, writes Alejandra Oliva. The Affections of Christ Jesus: Love at the Heart of Paul’s Theology New Testament professor Nijay Gupta argues that Paul’s theology centers on love, nodding to significant debates within Pauline studies without falling down the rabbit hole. — Samuel McCann I am a witness Wade Burns holds a vault of personal insights gleaned from a lifetime of friendship with Civil Rights icons. — Dartinia Hull The Rev. Dr. Dan Ott will be Union Presbyterian Seminary’s next Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean He begins a five-year term on July 1. — Union Presbyterian Seminary What a pope from Chicago means for the world of Catholicism As Catholics, our arms will be wide open to the world. We will accompany the world. We will live in the world. — Steven P. Millies Church-led initiative offers housing for childcare teachers Groundspring, an initiative of First Presbyterian Church (FPC) of LaGrange, Georgia, aims to provide free housing for teachers who serve at the church’s childcare center. Want the worship resources for May 25, 2025? You can find them here.