O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

This Sunday is the fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost. We have returned to our regular schedule with Holy Eucharist at 8:00 and 10:00 am, and our choir has returned to lead music at the 10:00 Eucharist.

Adult Forum returns this Sunday. We begin a four-week series called "God's Biography." We will look at the evolution of divine understanding in and before the Monotheistic Tradition, best helping to understand how we came from a "God of vengeance" to a "God of love." This week we will look at the emergence of monotheism in a polytheistic world, and how this did not happen overnight. Join us at 11:45 in the Loring Room. 

In the Hebrew Scriptures, we read from the prophet Jeremiah. Our reading takes us backwards in Jeremiah's narrative, almost to the beginning of his prophecy. He sees the coming of Jerusalem's destruction, yet he believes what he will later come to see, that despite the destruction God is not making a full end.   

In the New Testament, we begin reading I Timothy. Paul's first letter to Timothy has a "father to son" or "mentor to mentee" quality to it. Timothy was a part of the second, post-Apostolic, generation of Christianity, and he was molded in order to lead the Christian community. As you can imagine, there was no blueprint for this role, and so I Timothy serves to communicate the basics of Christian understanding and pastoral identity.

In Luke's gospel, Jesus offers three parables about lostness. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son all tell the story of a God who is not satisfied with incompleteness, especially when it comes to God's relationship to humanity. Our lectionary divides these three parables (the Prodigal Son is much longer), so this Sunday we will read the first two. 

We are excited to announce new leadership in our music ministry. Kristina Jackson, a member of our choir for over three years and a talented Soprano, will begin this Sunday as our Acting Choirmaster. Suzanne McAllister, an experienced church musician and Wellesley alumna, will begin next Sunday as our Acting Organist. More news about leadership in music will be announced in the coming week. Please see the biographical information about Kristina and Suzanne below.

We are 93% in our fundraising goal Building on the Sure Foundation. If you have not yet given, please consider your contribution soon so that we can complete the effort and celebrate the improvements that your generosity has brought.

See you Sunday!


peace, Jay+