No Service at Trinity this Sunday due to COVID-19 restrictions
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Fourth Sunday of Pentecost
: [Jesus said:] “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34
Without the truly good news of the Gospel we cannot see the hard truth that we and all people are poor sinners who deserve nothing but punishment from almighty God. It takes the Gospel to open our eyes wide to the severity of God’s Law, which our Savior took on Himself in our stead. In Jeremiah’s day, and our own, false prophets proclaim an easy peace that requires little change in our daily living. Now, as when Paul was writing, some people in the Church think the freedom Christ won for us can mean a disregard for God’s Law. And when Jesus was calling disciples, He had to warn them (and us) that some of their own family members would actively oppose their following the Lord. But the Gospel announces what is real and good: God has kept all His promises in our Savior Jesus Christ. His death shows the enormity of the punishment we deserve, and His resurrection assures us of eternal life. Because our Lord gave His life for us, with eyes wide open we can lose ourselves in service to Him and with the psalmist “sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever” (Psalm 89:1).
READINGS
Old Testament Reading
Psalm
Epistle:
Gospel:
Jeremiah 28:5–9
Jeremiah condemns Hananiah for preaching peace while God has exiled most of the people to Babylon
Psalm 119:153–154
Romans 7:1–13
The purpose of the Law is to show the gravity of our sin
Matthew 10:34–42
Jesus warns that following Him must take precedence over every relationship
COLLECT
It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose victorious resurrection has opened wide our eyes to see the way of everlasting life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You.