Looking into the lectionary - The Olympia Overture returns as CON-04

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Sixth Sunday after Pentecost July 5, 2026 The Virginia Declaration of Rights, published in June 1776, declared, “that the people of this colony can no longer groan under the heavy yoke of British tyranny.” In his 1776 pamphlet Common Sense, Thomas Paine wrote, “’tis our duty to throw off the yoke of Britain.” Upon the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote to Abigail, “It has been a severe Trial, but the Yoke is broken and we are Free.” On this 4th of July weekend, as our nation celebrates 250 years of independence and the throwing off of the yoke of King George III, it is ironic and challenging to hear the words of King Jesus, “Take my yoke upon you.” However, a closer look at the differences between these two yokes will underscore the grace of Jesus’ invitation. The Declaration of Independence lists 27 grievances against King George as proof of “the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States,” which was a heavy yoke. At the conclusion of this catalog of complaints, Thomas Jefferson asserts, “In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.” Compare the character of Jesus who says, “Take my yoke upon you.” Instead of taking from the people, Jesus gives rest. Instead of acting as a tyrant, Jesus is gentle and humble in heart. Instead of “a history of repeated injuries and usurpations” (a charge against King George), Jesus offers rest for the soul. Instead of a yoke of oppression and tyranny, Jesus offers an easy yoke and a light burden.... Thank you to this week's writer, Philip Gladden Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for June 28, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — July 5, 2026 by Philip Gladden   Overture authors defend local mission by multiple authors More harm than good: Why CON-04 should be disapproved by Brian Ellison What if ministry didn't have to be this exhausting? by Lyndsey McCall-Gilliam Prayer for the Fourth of July by Jill Duffield   A pastoral safety net for all: Why we need CON-04 by Wesley Pak

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Theo of Golden Andrew Taylor-Troutman reflects on Allen Levi’s "Theo of Golden," a novel that reveals God’s love, grace, and the beauty of the divine image in the worn and ordinary faces around us. The curtain between us What happens when we truly listen to one another’s stories? Teri McDowell Ott considers how storytelling can dissolve barriers, challenge assumptions, and create space for transformation. Co-moderator candidates outline their hopes for the PC(USA) The four teams standing for election at GA227 discussed mission, church unity, Christian nationalism and the future of the denomination during a Presbyterian Outlook webinar. — Mary Mabry Columbia Theological Seminary announces organizational restructuring Columbia Theological Seminary has completed a significant organizational realignment designed to support sustainability, effectiveness and service. What GA227 can do for survivors Recent General Assemblies have strengthened policies on sexual misconduct. The church must now ask whether those reforms are consistently serving survivors. — JoAnne Sharp At Cleveland Pride, Presbyterians offered a different witness After encountering both condemnation and compassion at Cleveland Pride, Matthew Skolnik considers what faithful Christian witness looks like in the public square. Prep your congregation for GA with one click.

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The PC(USA) Store - Last Chance to Save on Books for Preachers!

In addition to saving up to 60% on best-selling books for preachers, we’re also offering a special 10% discount on the Book of Common Worship Book Set.   Sale ends tomorrow, June 23. Start Saving!

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WCC news: WCC invites churches around the world to pray for Colombia

As Colombia approaches the second round of its presidential elections, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is inviting its member churches and all people of goodwill to pray for peace in the nation.  Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 19 June 2026 The prayer asks for a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace for the people. “Be with the people and the churches of Colombia in their search for justice, human rights, and an end to the prolonged armed conflicts that have ravaged the country for more than seven decades,” the prayer reads. “We remember in prayer especially those who have been most disproportionately affected: vulnerable communities in border, rural, Indigenous, and Afro-Colombian areas, and women and children in the territories disputed by different armed actors.” The WCC executive committee, which convened earlier this month online, renewed its longstanding commitment for a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace for the people of Colombia. "The World Council of Churches has a long history of accompaniment and solidarity with the churches and people of Colombia in the search for justice, human rights, and an end to the prolonged armed conflicts that have ravaged the country for more than seven decades,” reads a minute published by the governing body. WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay underlined the urgency of prayer and the responsibility of the caring for the most vulnerable people in Colombia.  “Colombia is facing a crucial moment of political transition. We pray for compassionate hearts and for a path that walks toward peace and justice,” he said. Pillay reiterated the WCC’s calls for a permanent ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, along with an unrestricted commitment to the protection of the civilian population and of nature. Pillay continued: “We will pray that the incoming government of Colombia will continue the difficult search for peace through dialogue and social and economic justice, rather than resorting to military means,” he said. “Through our prayers and our actions, may we prioritize the common good and respect for life and human dignity.” An Ecumenical Prayer for Colombia WCC executive committee: Minute on the Future of the Peace Process in Colombia 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

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for June 21, 2026

Revised Common Lectionary Readings (Three-Year Cycle)

Lectionary Readings for Sunday, June 21, 2026

First Reading Genesis 21:8-21 8The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.9But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac.10So she said to Abraham, "Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac."11The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son.12But God said to Abraham, "Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you.13As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring."14So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. 15When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes.16Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, "Do not let me look on the death of the child." And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept.17And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.18Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him."19Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink. 20God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow.21He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Psalm Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 1Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;3be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long. 4Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 5For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. 6Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication. 7In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me. 8There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. 9All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. 16Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the child of your serving girl. 17Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame, because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. Second Reading Romans 6:1b-11 1bShould we continue in sin in order that grace may abound?2By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it?3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?4Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.6We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.7For whoever has died is freed from sin.8But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.9We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.10The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.11So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Gospel Matthew 10:24-39 24"A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master;25it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! 26"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known.27What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.28Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.30And even the hairs of your head are all counted.31So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32"Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven;33but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. 34"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.35For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;36and one's foes will be members of one's own household.37Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;38and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.39Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

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