12th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

Welcome to St. John the Divine Episcopal Church! On August 11, 2024, at 9 am, we will celebrate the 12th Sunday after Pentecost with Morning Prayer. This service is a moment for us to gather, reflect on God’s Word, and worship together as a faith community.

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Readings for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

Old Testament: 1 Kings 19:4-8

But Elijah went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly, an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. He ate and drank and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” He got up and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

Psalm: Psalm 34:1-8

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.

Epistle: Ephesians 4:25-5:2

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Gospel: John 6:35, 41-51

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Reflection on the Readings

This Sunday’s readings invite us to explore the themes of spiritual nourishment, faith, and God’s sustaining presence. In 1 Kings, we witness Elijah’s encounter with God’s provision in the wilderness, where an angel brings him food and drink to strengthen him for his journey. This story reminds us that God sustains us even in our despair.

Psalm 34 is a beautiful song of praise. It encourages us to taste and see the goodness of the Lord and calls us to trust in God’s deliverance and seek refuge in Him.

In Ephesians, Paul calls us to a life of truth, kindness, and love, urging us to imitate God and live as Christ did—selflessly and sacrificially. This passage challenges us to reflect on our interactions with others and embody Christ’s love daily.

The Gospel of John continues the theme of Jesus as the “bread of life.” Here, Jesus emphasizes that He is the source of eternal life, offering us spiritual nourishment that sustains us beyond the physical. His words invite us to a deeper relationship with Him, one that transcends the temporary and leads to everlasting life.

Hymns for the Service

The singing of these hymns will enrich our worship:

• Opening/Closing Hymn: God of Grace, God of Glory

These hymns reflect our shared journey of faith, our hunger for God’s presence, and the transformative power of baptism.

Join Us in Worship

We invite you to attend Rite 2 Mass at 9 a.m. in person at 116 E Chandler Blvd or through our live stream. Let us gather to worship, sing, and reflect on the profound messages of the scriptures. Whether a long-time member or a first-time visitor, you are welcome at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church.

Come, taste, see the Lord’s goodness, and be nourished by the bread of life. See you on Sunday!