Looking into the lectionary - Prep for Presbyterian Heritage Sunday

Matthew 28:16-20 Trinity Sunday May 31, 2026 There is a story in Robert Caro’s book The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson, where Caro recounts that when a friend warned Lyndon Johnson not to trade in the Senate majority leader's power for the vice presidency because he'd have no power there, Johnson replied, "Power is where power goes.” I like to imagine LBJ saying that with his deep Texas accent and swagger. Johnson believed that, as he held power as the Senate majority leader, he would carry that power into the vice presidency. The office would become powerful because he was. On this Trinity Sunday, Matthew 28:16-20 has something to say about the power by which the church will do its work of making disciples of all nations. Matthew’s Gospel was written after the chaos of the Jewish Revolt and the destruction of the Temple had passed. For the author of Matthew’s Gospel, the concern of his narrative now lies in the future of the church and what it will need for its mission and ministry. The gospel, compared to Mark’s gospel, is expanded with more of Jesus’ teachings, his birth narrative, and a longer discourse in Galilee after the resurrection. It is this discourse in Galilee from which our passage today comes. We are told in the passage that the 11 disciples meet with Jesus on the mountain and worship him there. But some doubted. Who can blame them? It seems deeply human and understandable to have doubts after all that has occurred. But perhaps the more interesting thing to note is that, despite their doubts, Jesus commissions them. He tells them that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him; surely the resurrection is proof of that! As he has all authority, he commissions them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them everything he has commanded. ... Thank you to this week's writer, Tara W. Bulger Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for May 24, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — May 31, 2026 by Tara W. Bulger   What counts as a disruption in worship? by Katrina Pekich-Bundy A prayer for Presbyterian Heritage Sunday by Rachel Sutfin A fourth set of General Assembly Co-Moderator candidates announces they will stand by Presbyterian News Service

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... What is the E.T. Thompson Award? On May 20, the Outlook will announce the 2026 recipient of the E.T. Thompson Award, a biennial honor recognizing leaders whose scholarship, ministry and public witness have shaped the church. The Gospel of Salome In "The Gospel of Salome," Kaethe Schwehn gives voice to an overlooked female disciple to craft a vivid, humanizing portrait of the historical Jesus. Ross Fogg offers a review. Little birds of prayer Andrew Taylor-Troutman invites readers into a gentle practice of prayer shaped by rhythm, imagination and praise. Krysten Carter Holloway is president-elect of Board of Pensions Holloway will be presented to the 227th General Assembly (2026) and will formally assume the role upon confirmation by the General Assembly on or about July 1. — Board of Pensions 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 A pair of prodigious scholars to receive Excellence in Theological Education awards The Rev. Dr. Frances Taylor Gench and Dr. James Hudnut-Beumler will be honored during the 227th General Assembly. — Presbyterian News Service GA227’s Financial Stewardship and Witness Committee will consider the 2027-28 unified budget and the Funding Model Development Team report The committee will also mull an agency pay equity proposal as part of its 11-item docket. — Mike Ferguson MRTI defends engagement over categorical fossil fuel divestment Compared with broad fossil fuel divestment, MRTI’s long-standing approach to shareholder advocacy better supports frontline communities and a just energy transition, write Kerri Allen and Mark Douglas.

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