9th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

Embracing God’s Guidance: Morning Prayer Service on the 9th Sunday after Pentecost

Welcome to St. John the Divine Episcopal Church! On July 21, 2024, we will meet for a Morning Prayer service to observe the 9th Sunday after Pentecost. We will reflect on the scriptures, seek God’s guidance, and grow in our faith as a community. See below how you can worship with us!

Readings for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost

Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord. The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

Psalm: Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Epistle: Ephesians 2:11-22

So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision”—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands—remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

The apostles gathered around Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

Reflection on the Readings

This Sunday’s readings invite us to contemplate God’s role as our shepherd and guide. In Jeremiah, we hear God’s promise to gather His scattered flock and raise a righteous leader. This theme of divine shepherding is beautifully echoed in Psalm 23, where we find comfort in God’s provision, guidance, and protection.

The Epistle to the Ephesians speaks to the unity and peace brought about by Christ, breaking down barriers and reconciling us to God. This passage reminds us that in Christ, we are no longer strangers but members of God’s household, built together into a spiritual dwelling place for the Lord.

In Mark’s Gospel, we witness Jesus’ compassion for the crowd, likening them to sheep without a shepherd. His healing and teaching demonstrate His deep care and concern for our well-being.

As we reflect on these scriptures, let us find assurance in God’s unwavering presence and guidance. May we embrace our identity as members of God’s family and extend Christ’s peace and compassion to those around us.

Hymn

537 Christ for the world we sing!

Join Us in Worship

We invite you to join us for Morning Prayer at 9 am in person at 116 E Chandler Blvd or through our live stream. Let us gather as a community to worship, reflect, and be nourished by God’s Word. Whether a long-time member or a first-time visitor, you are welcome at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church.

Let us seek the Lord’s guidance and draw closer to Him. See you on Sunday!