Looking into the lectionary - An update from General Assembly

Genesis 25:19-34; Romans 8:1-11 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost July 12, 2026 In professional wrestling, matches are typically fought between a “heel” and a “face.” A “heel” is the bad guy, the villain of the match, who may or may not be defeated by the good guy, the innocent “babyface” (or “face,” for short). The black-and-white morality play is an essential part of this sport/performance; yet there is also significant fluidity to the roles for specific wrestlers. For instance, Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson, arguably the most famous professional wrestler alive, has been both a face and a heel at various times over his nearly three-decade wrestling career. “Do you smell what the Rock is cooking” – his famous catchphrase – was debuted during his first heel phrase in 1998. He continued to use it when he turned face in 1999 — and when he turned heel again in 2004. The story of God’s chosen family is a lot like the world of professional wrestling: there are a lot of characters, who seem constantly to turn face to heel or heel to face. Abraham, the “father of the faith,” repeatedly cuts shady deals to pimp out his beautiful wife Sarah. Isaac and Rebekah pray together for her barrenness to be overcome – and it is! – only to have Rebekah cry out in complaint that God has “blessed her” with a painful pregnancy. Then there are the two main characters of this Sunday’s text: Esau and Jacob. Esau is born feral and strong, and Jacob is, well, a heel-grabber. It seems pretty clear who ought to be the face and the heel; yet the prophetic word of God calls for a role reversal! It is Jacob who comes out on top in the end, according to God’s promised plan (turns out the fight was fixed all along). Yet it seems to me that Jacob, though the victor, remains the heel in this story. What are we to make of the fact that God chooses the heel to win? .... Thank you to this week's writer, Aaron Pratt Shepherd. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for July 5, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — July 12, 2026 by Aaron Pratt Shepherd GA227 clears 64 items by consent, confirms four entity leaders on opening night in Milwaukee by Eric Ledermann   Town Square brings exhibits and connections back to General Assembly by Greg Allen-Pickett Spread of White Christian nationalism scuttles idea for Presbyterian celebration of July Fourth by John Bolt Beyond thoughts and prayers: A walk against gun violence by Caroline Garcia Theologians and religious leaders say the Reformed tradition speaks against transactional concepts of covenant by multiple authors A look into the Presbyterian churches of Milwaukee by Outlook staff   Documents contradict PL&W testimony on covenant given to terminated mission co-workers by Eric Ledermann

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Coalition celebrates PC(USA)’s approval of fossil fuel divestment overture Press release: Supporters of CLJ-02 call the General Assembly's approval of a plan to divest most fossil fuel investments by 2030 a historic milestone after 12 years of advocacy. Krysten Carter Holloway confirmed as President and CEO of the Board of Pensions Press release: The 227th General Assembly confirmed Krysten Carter Holloway as president and CEO of the Board of Pensions, making her its first African American woman and first person of color in the role. PC(USA) agency urged to quickly fill immigration attorney vacancy The “matter requires immediate institutional attention,” writes the General Assembly Operations Committee. — John Bolt Committee approves call for U.S. embargo and sanctions on Cuba to be lifted Commissioners voted to express solidarity with the PC(USA)'s long-time Cuban partner church and urged U.S. advocacy staff to push for diplomatic relief. — Eric Ledermann Committee approves naming Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide, calls for arms embargo After nearly four hours of discussion, commissioners approved a measure that PC(USA) staff said would free them to advocate ‘in a much stronger way.’ — Eric Ledermann

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