Simply the Sermon for June 28, 2026: Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

Our Bible texts for June 28, the 5th Sunday after Pentecost are: Jeremiah 28:5-9;
Romans 6:12-23; and Matthew 10:40-42.

How do we know the way of welcome? How can we tell the true prophet from the false? The true prophecy doesn't give us all our wants and desires, instead it gives us guidance and hope and a welcoming seat at the table. In today’s gospel, Christ promises that the disciple who gives a cup of cold water to the little ones serves Christ himself. From worship we are sent on our baptismal mission: to both serve and be served by the little ones of this world and to be a sign of God’s merciful welcome.

June 28, 2026: Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

The Bethel Worship Team

Photo by Rikonavt on Unsplash

Simply the Sermon for June 21, 2026: Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

Our Bible texts for June 22, the 4th Sunday after Pentecost are: Jeremiah 20:7-13; Romans 6:1b-11; and Matthew 10:24-39.

God does not promise that the path of the disciple will be easy. Jeremiah feels the pain of rejection from those who do not want to hear what he has to say and yet he knows that God is with him and is encouraging him and giving him strength to go on. Jesus declares that his words may bring stark division. Even so, we need not be afraid, for God accounts for each hair on our heads. Though we may experience rejection, frustration, division, and death, God’s grace and love make us a new creation each day. Marked with the cross and filled with holy food, we are sent from worship to witness to Christ in the world.

June 21, 2026: Gospel Reading

The Bethel Worship Team

June 21, 2026: Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

The Bethel Worship Team

Photo by David Becker on Unsplash

Simply the Sermon for June 14, 2026: Third Sunday After Pentecost

Our texts for Sunday, June 14, the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost are: Exodus 19:2-8a; Psalm 100; Romans 5:1-8, and Matthew 9:35—10:23

Moses tells the Israelites that they are called to be a priestly kingdom and a holy people. Jesus sends out the disciples as laborers into the harvest. In baptism we too are anointed for ministry, sharing God’s compassion with our needy world. From the Lord’s table we go forth to proclaim the good news, to heal the sick, and to share our bread with the hungry, remembering all the while that we are held in the palm of God's hand.

June 14, 2026: Third Sunday After Pentecost

The Bethel Worship Team

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Simply the Sermon for June 7, 2026: Second Sunday After Pentecost

Our Bible readings for the 2nd Sunday in Pentecost (the Affirmation of Faith for Lolia) are Hosea 5:15—6:6; Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 9:9-13,

Though Jesus was a devout Jew who practiced his faith, he was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners—the religiously non-observant. Jesus criticizes the self-righteous and reminds us that mercy is to be at the heart of our religious practices. God continues to be made known in those on the margins of society, like Matthew the tax collector and the hemorrhaging woman. As we gather each Lord’s day we receive the healing that makes us well and sends us forth to be signs of God’s mercy for the world.

Jesus calls us and we can come running. No fear!

June 7, 2026: Second Sunday After Pentecost

The Bethel Worship Team

Photo by Dejan Zakic on Unsplash