These first weeks of the Season after Pentecost focus on leadership.  Pastors and other church leaders are leading in politically and socially uncertain times.  Leading God’s people is controversial and complicated.  This week’s scripture readings are an encouragement for empowering authentic leadership.

A psalmist puts trust in God, praising God for standing with and on behalf of the oppressed, Paul teaches us to persevere in faith even through times of trial and difficulty, Jesus brings calm to a storm with words of peace, and David discards Saul’s armor and stands before Goliath as his authentic self.

Where and in what situations are you, individually and as the church, called to be an authentic-self leader for God?

Personal Reflection:

When we feel threatened, attacked, or bullied, scripture reminds us that with trust and faith in god and the example of Jesus, we have the tools to defuse these challenges.

This week, imagine ways you will use the gifts of God to diffuse a difficult situation.

Reading for 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time

1 Samuel 17 🙁 1, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49           Psalms 9:9-20

2 Corinthians 6:1-13                                      Mark 4:35-41

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

The peoples of Malawi & Zambia

Prayer for the week

Holy God, open our hearts and minds, guide our ways.  Build our trust in your strength and vision, and guide us as active participants in and for your realm.  Amen.

As the old saying goes: God does not call those who are equipped to lead; God equips those who are called.  We often remind parishioners of this old axiom when encouraging them to become Bible study teachers, worship leaders, capital campaign managers, or other roles in the church.  This assumes we are capable of clearly identifying those who will, with the proper support, become good leaders.  The story of David’s anointing suggests that the qualities that constitute a good leader are sometimes apparent to God, but not always obvious to nominating committees, vestries or other decision-making councils.  Yet, scripture reveals to us the surprising nature of god, calling to unexpected leadership those whom god sees more clearly than we do.  The parable of the mustard seed also invites us to look beyond appearances to potential.  How might worship, learning and serving this week help us to see as the potential God sees?

Personal Reflection:

Often, we can be quick to judge others based on appearance.  Reflect on times when you make assumptions about someone based on how they sound or dress and had your assumptions proven wrong.  How did it feel?

This week, try to look beyond appearances and into hearts.

Reading for 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time

1 Samuel 15:34-16:13                                    Psalms 20

2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17             Mark 4:26-34

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

The peoples of Botswana & Zimbabwe

Prayer for the week

Yes, no, maybe, not now, who –me?  How will we answer when you call us to leadership, Holy One?  Whatever our answer may be, may we come to it knowing you will equip us and guide us through every step of the journey.  Amen.

Zion participates in several mission opportunities throughout each month. Here are the ways you can make a difference during the upcoming weeks.

• June 6 –Food Pantry Collection
• June 13 -Heifer International Collection

We like control.  For most, this simply means that we like having direct oversight of our bank accounts, deciding what to eat for lunch, what clothes to wear, even selecting which book to read or what to listen to on the radio.  Bottom line: we crave choice and freedom.  If any of the previously listed things are removed from our lives, it ranges from a minor annoyance to a serious problem.

When our choices are limited, our freedom removed, it can be a real problem.  This is experienced on a daily basis by people with limited income, people who are ill, and people as they age.  Loss of freedom is also experienced by people who are imprisoned.  God wants us to be free and even allows freedom of choice when our choices do not align with God’s.

To follow God is to relinquish some of our freedom.  We do not become imprisoned or pinned down by following God, though.  When we choose to follow God’s lead in our lives, we become vulnerable in some ways because we are no longer our own, but God’s.  There are many examples in scripture that speak of this.  Why does it seem that God requires some vulnerability in us?  What does this look like for your congregation?

Personal Reflection:

Sometimes we want something so we can be like others.  This can be true for individuals, churches, communities, or nations.  Sometimes it can get us into trouble.  Think of times in history where this has happened.  What about you?

This week, consider ways and times you look to God’s leading.

Readings for 2nd Sunday after Pentecost
1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15)            Psalms 138
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1                                                          Mark 3:20-35

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
The peoples of Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa & Swaziland

Prayer for the week
Almighty God, help us to follow you more closely.  Grant us patience, grace, and mercy, and grant that we extend the same.  In your Holy Spirit that lights the rockiest of paths, we pray.  Amen.

Trinity Sunday is often ignored by the intimated pastor or embraced by the zealous theologian-in-residence to the boredom of many sitting in the pews.  Instead of seeking to explain this complex idea, how might you use the scriptures this week to describe God in all of God’s divine unity and diversity, and then allow for space to sit in the mystery?

Many who gather for worship this week will share Isaiah’s doubt about their ability to serve or lead.  It is easy to see our inadequacies and faults, and yet God sees us as able and calls us to lead.  God’s grace makes up for our weakness and empowers us to accomplish what is set before us.  How might you in worship, learning and serving, encourage and affirm the potential of others and help them se and express that potential in themselves?

Personal Reflection:

We encounter God in many ways.  God’s love is constant, but different times and moods cause us to connect with God differently from time to time.

This week, recall some of the ways you have encountered God.  What has been your response each time?

Reading for the Trinity Sunday
Isaiah 6:1-8                                                    Psalms 29
Romans 8:12-17                                             John 3:1-17

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
The peoples of Angola & Mozambique

Prayer for the week
Triune God, we know you in your unity, we see you in your diversity, and we experience you in your mystery.  We are drawn into the intimacy of your love and by your Spirit granted a “spirit of adoption.”  We give glory to you, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.  Amen.

The events of Pentecost show that the Spirit comes and speaks into the heart in our natural, intuitive “tongue”.  The Spirit does not speak in a learned or exclusive or elusive way that puts us in a place of inferiority, but in a way that is accessible to all.  This is a precious indication of God’s desire for nothing to get in the way or our relationship with God.  God calls us to be a visionary, prophetic people, active in bringing about God’s realm of compassion and justice in the world so that all may flourish.

Personal Reflection:
The challenge of Pentecost is in remembering the power of the Spirit is at work every day of the year.
Celebrate Pentecost by doing something that reminds you of your resurrection into a new life.