July 12, 2026
7th Sunday after Pentecost
Introduction
God’s word is like the rain that waters the earth and brings forth vegetation. It is also like the sower who scatters seed indiscriminately. Our lives are like seeds sown in the earth. Even from what appears to be little, dormant, or dead, God promises a harvest. At the Lord’s table we are fed with the bread of life, that we may bear fruit in the world.
Lessons
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Isaiah 55:10-13
The growth of the word to accomplish God’s purpose
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Psalm 65:[1-8] 9-13
Your paths overflow with plenty. (Ps. 65:11)
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Romans 8:1-11
Live according to the Spirit
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Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The parable of the sower and the seed
Hymns:
524 What Is this Place
508 As Rain from the Clouds
681 We Plow the Fields and Scatter
Communion Hymn:
512 Let My Heart be Good Soil
Life in Every Direction
We can identify death in every direction. We see war, hunger, addiction, poverty, a dying planet, and broken hearts. This is not a new story. The children of Israel surely saw death in every direction, wandering in the desert and at least occasionally wondering about their next meal. Paul looks at his own life and, at first, sees nothing beyond spiritual death. He reminds us that death is not just physical, but also spiritual. Then, in the parable of the sower, three-fourths of the seeds die and three-fourths of the sections of the field are inhospitable to flourishing life. Sometimes, life isn’t even given a chance. We might look at the world and ourselves and only see the places that are inhospitable to God’s love.
Today’s texts all go a step further, however, to articulate or reveal God bringing forth life where there is only death in every direction. Cypress and myrtle trees rise up in the place of thorns and briars (Isa. 55:13). “Christ Jesus has set [us] free from the law of sin and of death,” and the life-giving Spirit dwells in us (Rom. 8:2, 10).The parable of the sower elicits reflection, repentance, and, ultimately, new life from its readers and hearers in considering the sort of spiritual life they practice. Are we hospitable or inhospitable to God’s word? This parable is a vivid reminder of all God has overcome—rocks, scorching sun, thorns, and snatching—to bring life to the world. God brings forth life in places where people see only death.
A Prayer for Trinity and the Season of Pentecost
Triune God, we bring our prayers to you this day—
our joys and our concerns,
our sorrows and our rejoicings,
our despairs and our hopes.
We trust that you listen to us
and that you care for us.
Hear us now, O Lord, as we pray,
offering to you these prayers for all your people.
Be near to all who are in need this day,
whatever their need may be—
we entrust them to your care.
We look to you, Holy God, to be a mender of our nets.
We come to you as people with broken hearts,
broken relationships, broken dreams.
Remind us that you, who knit us together into one in you,
are more than able to stitch us back together.
Mend our hearts;
mend our relationships; mend our dreams.
O God, may our weaknesses become like glittering golden seams in mended cloth
so that your glory might be made known throughout the earth.
We look to you, Holy Spirit, to be a comforter and encourager to us.
We come to you as discouraged people, frustrated people, and as sorrowful people.
Remind us that you, who was sent to us by Jesus to be our advocate,
are more than able to inspire us on our life’s journeys.
Lift our spirits, transform our frustration into action,
and soothe our sorrows.
Holy Spirit, may your comfort and consolation overflow in us
so that we might comfort and console all those you place in our paths.
We look to you, Holy Jesus, to lead us in your ways of love, sacrifice,
and service.
We come to you as people who so often look to our own ways
rather than your ways.
Remind us that you, who freely poured yourself out for the world,
are more than able to renew our minds and unite us as we follow in the way of the cross.
O Lord, may we be one in mind, love, and voice.
Amen.