No Service at Trinity this Sunday due to COVID-19 restrictions
Sunday, July 12, 2020
Sixth Sunday of Pentecost
The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy. Psalm 65:12–13
Plants in God’s good earth respond to the showers He sends, producing plants for pasture and crops for harvest. In the psalm, David says it is as if “the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.” It is all natural, and so is our producing fruit for God as His Word works through us. That God works through us sinners is all grace; if we but hear the Word and let the Spirit give us understanding, a bountiful harvest will follow. Jesus likens it to seeds producing yields of up to a hundredfold. But we are no mere plants, as Paul points out in the Epistle. Because we have been adopted by our heavenly Father, we are brothers and sisters of Christ, the children of God, calling out to Him, “Abba! Father!” Our growth in faith is indeed by the grace of God, and to Him belongs all the credit for the bountiful harvest He reaps through us.
READINGS
Old Testament:
Psalm:
Epistle:
Gospel:
Isaiah 55:10–13
God’s Word accomplishes His plans as surely as rain gives growth to plants
Psalm 65
Romans 8:12–17
Because the Spirit leads us, we know we are children of God
Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23
Whoever hears the Word and understands it will produce a great harvest for God in spite of worldly opposition
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 death destroyed death and whose glorious resurrection opened to us the way to Your gracious presence, where we pray, “Abba! Father!” Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name.
