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Notable Feast Days this Week:

July 10 - Rufina and Secunda, Rome, 257
July 11 - Benedict of Nursia, 550 (Western)
July 11 - Olga of Kiev, 969
July 12 - John the Iberian, 1002
July 13 - Mildred, Isle of Thanet, c. 700
July 14 - Aquila and Prisca, Acts 18:2 (Eastern)
July 14 - Kateri Tekakwitha, 1680 (Roman Catholic)
July 15 - Bonaventure, 1274 (Roman Catholic)
July 16 - Ruth of Moab (Lutheran)
July 16 - Athenogenes, Armenia, 305

Revised Common Lectionary

Genesis 25:19-34
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 119:105-112
Psalm 65:1-13
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Daily Readings (RCL)
Liturgical Color - Green

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- The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost - July 16, 2017 (Year A)

Almost Thew It All Away

Like Esau, our unrestrained appetites can lead us to throw away the things that are most important (Genesis 25:19-34). God calls us to be formed according to the desires of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-11). Our affections and will are softened by the word of God (Isaiah 55:10-13) and become fertile soil for life and joy (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23) as we train ourselves to desire God's ways (Psalm 119:105-112) and acknowledge our need for His forgiveness and blessing (Psalm 65:1-13).

Psalm of the Week

Scripture Readings

Psalm 65:1-13

Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion...You who answer prayer...you forgave our transgressions...You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth...The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders...

Psalm 119:105-112

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, Lord, according to your word...Your statutes...they are the joy of my heart.

Commentary on Psalm 119:105-112:
Augustine, Calvin, Spurgeon,
John Paul II

Genesis 25:19-34
Esau sells his birthright to Jacob

Isaiah 55:10-13
The growth of God's word

Romans 8:1-11
Living according to the Spirit

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The parable of the sower

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year

Chronological

Prayer

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
-The Book of Common Prayer

Holy God your ways are just and your commandments are true. Help us to understand your law, and when understanding fails, inspire us to follow you in joyful obedience, so that we may faithfully serve you, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-from Psalms for All Seasons

Contemplative Prayer (Click to View)

Daily Prayer (Click to View)

Audio Prayer Meditation - Pray As You Go

Spotify Playlist

Singing Psalms and Hymns

You Crown the Year (Psalm 65:11) | by Reuben Morgan and Brooke Ligertwood (Hillsong) | Leadsheet | Chord Chart and Lyrics

Man of Sorrows | Lyrics and Tune by Philip P. Bliss / Arr. Jody Killingsworth and Philip Moyer | Leadsheets

Thy Word | By Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant | Leadsheet

Speak O Lord | by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty| Leadsheet | Guitar Chart

We Are Listening | by Sojourn Music | Chord Chart

Let All Things Now Living | Traditional Welsh melody / Text by Katherine Davis, 1939| Leadsheet

Now Thank We All Our God | Lyrics by Martin Rinkart, tr. Catherine Winkworth / Tune by Johann Crüger, arr. Jody Killingsworth and Philip Moyer | Leadsheets

Psalm 65 and 119 Anglican Chant | Music on pgs. 127 and 263 of Anglican Chant Psalter

Psalm 65 Metrical Options

Psalm 119 Metrical Options

Hymn Suggestions for The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost from Hymnary.org

Commentary on Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

"Now though sinful desires exert their power on the hearts of men, before the word of the Lord springs up into the blade, yet, at first, their influence is not perceived, and it is only when the corn has grown up and given promise of fruit, that they gradually make their appearance. Each of us ought to endeavor to tear the thorns out of his heart, if we do not choose that the word of God should be choked; for there is not one of us whose heart is not filled with a vast quantity, and, as I may say, a thick forest, of thorns...The deceitfulness of riches. Christ employs this phrase to denote covetousness He expressly says, that riches are imposing or deceitful, in order that men may be more desirous to guard against falling into their snares. Let us remember that the affections of our flesh, the number, and variety of which are incalculable, are so many injurious influences to corrupt the seed of life." - John Calvin

More Historical Commentary
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Music for Listening

Thematic Art

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