Looking into the lectionary - Back-to-school faith resources

Isaiah 51:1-6, Psalm 138, Romans 12 and Matthew 16:13-20 13th Sunday after Pentecost August 23, 2026 A folk adage describes how our prayer lives develop over time: First, you talk and God listens. Then God talks and you listen. Finally, no one talks, and you both listen. Isaiah 51:1-6, Psalm 138, Romans 12 and Matthew 16:13-20 speak to the ways God is revealed to us and to God’s desire for us to connect deeply enough to hear what God is trying to tell us. Learning to discern God’s voice is one of the greatest challenges of a faithful life because God communicates in so many ways: through prayer and inspiration, through Scripture and through our fellow human beings — often those we would least expect to serve as God’s messengers. In Isaiah 51, the prophet shares God’s profound encouragement, reminding the people who they are and what God has promised them. Three times the people are charged: “Listen to me, you who pursue justice” (v. 1); “Listen to me, my people” (v. 4); and “Listen to me, you who know righteousness” (v. 7). Each charge is followed by examples of God’s guidance, justice and deliverance. It is understandable that the people, suffering near the end of the Babylonian exile, might feel that God had stopped listening. Through the prophet, however, God calls out, assuring them that God has never stopped hearing their cries. In fact, God yearns for them to listen in return. In Psalm 138, the psalmist echoes the benefits of remaining in conversation with God: “On the day I called, you answered me; you increased my strength of soul” (v. 3). Amid our praise and thanksgiving, God not only hears but responds, drawing close to those who are at their lowest and most in need of reassurance and grace. Paul reminds us in Romans 12 that God also communicates through our gifts and callings. Each of us is meant to grow into the fullness of who God created us to be: “We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us” (v. 6). Vocational discernment is another challenge of faith because our call may lead us to a particular career or a specific way of serving our community. Sometimes we are invited to take on more than we can handle, especially in churches, where there always seems to be a need for more volunteers, deacons and elders. Yet God does not desire our exhaustion or burnout. Faithful discernment requires us to listen carefully for God’s call so we know when to say “no.” ... Thank you to this week's writer, Jeny Carlson. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for August 16, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — August 23, 2026 by Jeny Carlson   Board of Pensions approves 2027 benefits changes by BOP The patron saint of wholesome by Brittany Harrold Porch PC(USA) membership decline slows, but congregations continue to close by John Bolt 10 things ruling elders should know by Alyson Janke Reclaiming Sabbath in a culture of striving by Katy Shevel

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