17th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

Welcome to St. John the Divine Episcopal Church! On September 15, 2024, we will celebrate the 17th Sunday after Pentecost 2024 with a Morning Prayer service.

This Sunday, we reflect on the power of words, the call to discipleship, and the faithfulness of God, who sustains us through all challenges.

Join Us in Worship

We invite you to attend the Morning Prayer service at 9 a.m. at 116 E Chandler Blvd, Burlington, WI. This service provides a peaceful and reflective time to engage with God’s Word and be inspired for the week ahead. Whether you are a regular attendee or new to our community, you are welcome at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church.

If you cannot attend in person, we offer alternative ways to worship from home or at your convenience. See below.

If you want to receive service reminders in your email, sign up for our free email list to stay updated!

Readings for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

Old Testament: Isaiah 50:4-9a

4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. 5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. 6 I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. 7 The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 8 he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. 9 It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

Psalm: Psalm 116:1-8

1 I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *
because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.
2 The cords of death entangled me;
the grip of the grave took hold of me; *
I came to grief and sorrow.
3 Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: *
“O Lord, I pray you, save my life.”
4 Gracious is the Lord and righteous; *
our God is full of compassion.
5 The Lord watches over the innocent; *
I was brought very low, and he helped me.
6 Turn again to your rest, O my soul, *
for the Lord has treated you well.
7 For you have rescued my life from death, *
my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
8 I will walk in the presence of the Lord *
in the land of the living.

Epistle: James 3:1-12

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Gospel: Mark 8:27-38

27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. 31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Reflection on the Readings

The readings for this Sunday invite us to reflect on the power of words, both divine and human, and the call to follow Christ with unwavering commitment. Isaiah’s faithfulness in the face of suffering, the psalmist’s gratitude for God’s deliverance, James’s warning about the tongue’s power, and Jesus’ call to take up our cross all point to the seriousness and depth of our faith journey.

We are reminded that our words and actions should align with our faith and that following Christ may require us to endure challenges and make sacrifices. Yet, we do so with the assurance that God is with us, sustaining and guiding us every step of the way.

Hymn for the Service

The singing of this hymn will enrich our worship:

• Hymn: “Before Thy Throne, O God, We Kneel” (574)

This hymn invites us to come before God with humility and reverence, seeking His guidance and grace as we strive to live out our faith.

Let us come together in prayer, reflection, and song, opening our hearts to God’s presence and His call on our lives. See you on Sunday!

If you want to receive service reminders in your email, sign up for our free email list to stay updated! If you want and can, please see how you can support us as we spread the love of Christ.