The Scripture Lessons for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost are:
 
Exodus 17:1-7 and Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 or
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 and Psalm 25:1-9
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32
 
The passages this week share a theme of conflict among God’s faithful people. The passages from Exodus and Psalms remind us when God provided water from a solid rock at a time when the people were rebelling against their spiritual leaders. Both detail God’s dramatic response, reminding the people of God’s authority over everything. To the Philippians, Paul stresses the avoidance of conflict, using a hymn of recalling the authority of Christ as God’s beloved son. Matthew tells about Jesus’ conflict with the religious leaders of the Temple. They questioned his authority, but he turned their questions back on them, indicting them for their hypocrisy. In all these passages, we are reminded that God is the ultimate authority who loves us even when we are rebellious.
 
This Sunday at Pilgrim Church, the Rev. Jamie Faile will be preaching.
 
This is the season of Ordinary Time. “Ordinary” doesn’t mean typical or humdrum. Rather, it comes from the word “ordinal,” meaning “related to a series.” Think of Ordinary Time as an ordered, deliberate, six-month step-by-step pilgrimage through the story of Jesus’ life. This year, Matthew is our guide. The liturgical color for the pastor's stole and paraments (cloth hanging from the pulpit and lectern) is green. This symbolizes growth in the church.

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May you be blessed,
Rev. Amie