Seventh Sunday after Trinity and a Pastoral Letter - 2026

 

The Seventh Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.97-112

xiii. Quomodo dilexi!

LORD, what love have I unto thy law! * all the day long is my study in it.

98 Thou, through thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies; * for they are ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than my teachers; * for thy testimonies are my study.

100 I am wiser than the aged; * because I keep thy commandments.

101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, * that I may keep thy word.

102 I have not shrunk from thy judgments; * for thou teachest me.

103 O how sweet are thy words unto my throat; * yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth!

104 Through thy commandments I get understanding: * therefore I hate all evil ways.

xiv. Lucerna pedibus meis.

THY word is a lantern unto my feet, * and a light unto my paths.

106 I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed, * to keep thy righteous judgments.

107 I am troubled above measure: * quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word.

108 Let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee, O Lord; * and teach me thy judgments.

109 My soul is alway in my hand; * yet do I not forget thy law.

110 The ungodly have laid a snare for me; * but yet I swerved not from thy commandments.

111 Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever; * and why? they are the very joy of my heart.

112 I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway, * even unto the end.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

LORD of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Hosea 14:1-9

Psalter: Psalm 32, 36 | 33, 34

Epistle Reading: Romans 6:19-23

Gospel Reading: St. Mark 8:1-9 

Homily

 

From my letter to my congregation this week:

While I was at General Assembly in late June, I was given a book that was a pleasure to read. It’s written by two brothers, one a Pastor and one a Ruling Elder. It’s about the importance of the local church; “Together: Why We Need the Local Church” by Gabriel and Isaac Wingfield. 

Here are two quotations to give you a little flavor for the book: 

“Members of the body have a lasting connection to Jesus, and so we have a lasting connection to each other…The unity of members of the church is a beacon of hope for the world. Jesus told his disciples that our loving unity actually makes the church distinct: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). In the world, people only value each other because of what they can get from each other. By contrast, in the body of Christ, we value others not because of what they can do for us, but because God values and loves each of us, in spite of our weakness and sin. Since each of us has been known and loved by God, we in turn seek to love and know each other” (pg. 99). 

“Maybe we’re attracted to a church for the wrong reasons: we share the same socio-economic class, political views, or ethnic or racial background with the congregation. The world believes that these are the things that create ultimate unity (or division). However, it is God’s love for us, in Christ, that unites us into a shared life of love (1 John 4:9-12). This compels us to love each other across differences that the world finds insurmountable” (pg. 102). 

If you know me well, then you know well why these paragraphs stick out to me. 

The authors cover many things regarding the church in this handy manual. The church as a society, membership, church discipline, leadership, sacraments, and so much more. All the things that go into what it means to be a member of a church. The reason they do this is because, “to the extent that the church stays on the edges of your daily life, you are missing out on a gift from God” (pg. 1). It is easy to read and digest and would be good for you to pick up and pour over. 

 

Pastor Mike