18th Sunday after Pentecost
INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY
Someone is casting out demons in the name of Jesus who isn’t part of the inner circle of Jesus, and the disciples want him stopped. They appeal to Jesus, as Joshua did to Moses about the elders who prophesied without official authorization. Like Moses, Jesus refuses to see this as a threat. Jesus welcomes good being done in his name, even when it is not under his control. The circle we form around the word of Jesus must be able to value good being done in ways we wouldn’t do it, by people we can’t keep tabs on.
FIRST READING: Numbers 11: 4-6, 10-29
What constitutes legitimate need and legitimate leadership is the focus of this reading. God provides manna in the wilderness, yet the people crave meat. What is truly needful? God bestows the spirit of seventy elders, yet two men not designated as leaders prophesy in the power of God’s spirit. What constitutes real leadership?
PSALM: Psalm 19: 7-14
SECOND READING: James 5: 13-27
Marks of the Christian community include praying for those who are sick and in need, celebrating with those in good health, restoring those who have strayed, confessing sins to one another, and offering forgiveness to each other.
GOSPEL: Mark 9: 38-50
On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus teaches his disciples about ministry that involves service and sacrifice. His disciples are slow to realize that these words apply to them as well as to others.
Announcements!
PRAYERS
Please keep these people in your prayers: Michael Koch, Wesley and JoAnne Porter, Nicole Biler Robinette, the family of infant Ruth Doran, Dick Stelz, and Derek Taylor, who is in Marine Basic Training Parris Island, S.C.; and all of those who are still suffering from COVID 19 and their families.
Please remember all of our shut ins and sick: Arlene Castor and Nancy Hoene. (Also, pray for the families and caretakers of those on the prayer list.)
GOD'S WORK. OUR HANDS.
“Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life.
Whoever comes to me
will never be hungry,
and whoever believes in me
will never be thirsty’” (John 6:35)
Jesus’ offer of himself as the bread of life is an invitation into deep relationship with God and with all of creation.
You’re invited to join Bread for the World staff at 12 p.m. (ET) on Fridays for our weekly Friday prayers. We will gather to pray for a World where malnutrition no longer exists, particularly for women and children during the 1,000 days between a woman’s pregnancy and a child’s second birthday.
Let us pray:
God of life, You are the source of our life, and we give you thanks. You gift us with our Earth. You gift us with one another. You gift us with our call to be Christ to one another. Through your loving heart, O God, you offer the opportunity to continue to feed and nourish one another. Marking the 1,000 days between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday, you call us into deeper measure and hope to provide for all.
May we be emboldened in our YES! to provide nourishment for all children in need. May our YES! call us into deeper relationship with one another, protect those of us that are vulnerable, and allow us to be a true reflection of your Son’s love. Amen
Many thanks to Genevieve Mougey, M.Div., for contributing to this prayer. She is director of the Office of Social Concerns for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. Thank you for your steadfast commitment in praying to end hunger.
FUNDS FOR ZION
Please check the bulletin board behind the office door for all of the sign-up sheets for this year. Communion, birthday Sundays, and Worship Assistants/helpers. Thank you so much!
You can also remember special occasions or special people by contributing money that would normally be used for altar flowers. Instead the donation goes to our local food pantry.
