Memorial Presbyterian Church

08/23/2026

Greetings Friends. For the Sunday, August 30th, 2026, the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) the scripture readings from the lectionary are Exodus 3:1–15; Psalm 105:1–6, 23–26, 45c,
Romans 12:9–21; and Matthew 16:21–28 THEME - The economy of the kingdom may seem topsy-turvy to some. Something that is saved is claimed to be lost. What is forfeited on behalf of another is said to be found. What is given freely is said to be more credible than that which is earned. What is stored for tomorrow may be consumed overnight. Indeed, to follow Christ does tend to change perceptions. Reverend David Reed will be in the pulpit.

Notes:
• The MemPres Pantry program supports Atkins Schools by feeding into their Blessing Boxes. Bring in those boxed/canned items which we will provide to the school system.
• MemPres supports the Atkins Elementary/Middle School Backpack Program. In Pope County more than 1 in 4 children are dealing with poverty and food insecurity. During the school year, children have access to free breakfasts & lunches along with backpacks filled with food for weekends. Mem Pres has also committed to providing toiletry kits for the backpack program (Shampoo, Bars of Soap, Toothpaste/brush, Deodorant, Face Wipes.)

07/21/2026

For the 17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A) scripture readings are Genesis 29:15–28; Psalm 105:1–11, 45b or Psalm 128, Romans 8:26–39; Matthew 13:31–33, 44–52. THEME - The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure of great value. Much will be sacrificed in order to possess it. Its worth is so obvious that its presence is protected. In order to retain its purity the superfluous is cast aside. Christ died that all may have life. God sends the Spirit so that God’s truth may be known. When Jesus calls us to discipleship he bids us to forsake former ways.
Notes:
• The MemPres Pantry program supports Atkins Schools by feeding into their Blessing Boxes. Bring in those boxed/canned items which we will provide to the school system.
• MemPres supports the Atkins Elementary/Middle School Backpack Program. In Pope County more than 1 in 4 children are dealing with poverty and food insecurity. During the school year, children have access to free breakfasts & lunches along with backpacks filled with food for weekends. Mem Pres has also committed to providing toiletry kits for the backpack program (Shampoo, Bars of Soap, Toothpaste/brush, Deodorant, Face Wipes.)

07/13/2026

Greetings Friends. For the 16th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A) - July 19th, 2026 our lectionary scriptural Reading and resulting sermon (Simul Justus Et Peccator) are from Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. There are three parables that Jesus tells to the crowds and then explains to his disciples and all of them are in this chapter of Matthew. We considered the first one last week as we read about Jesus the sower of the seed of “the word of the Kingdom.” The last one is much shorter and will be part of next week’s lectionary selection. This week we continue with the soil and seeded plant imagery, but instead of a close focus in on the soil and the implantation of the Kingdom in each of us, our imaginations are drawn to the largest framing possible: the whole world—even to the future and the end of time as we know it. As discussed in the Textual Point below, a helpful way to make sense of the parable is to get to the implied question that undergirds it. To do so, we have to let the parable stand on its own for a moment and mine the depths of its imagery for what makes sense, what seems odd or surprising, what shocks us, upsets us, comforts us, etc. (This is what I meant last week when I talked about the imagery of parables bending our imaginations and challenging our ideas.) For those who understand how farming or gardening works, the most surprising aspect of this story is likely the fact that the weeds were not pulled sooner. The surprise to the fieldworkers in the story is that there are so many weeds and the farmer says to let them be until harvest time. The weeds, then, are a place for us to pay attention. Jesus tells us in the story itself that the weeds were an act of sabotage: an enemy came into the field while everyone else was sleeping and sowed them among the wheat seed. Later, to the disciples, Jesus explains it even more clearly: the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the Kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil.” (verses 38-39a) This people-first language is bound to make some of us very uncomfortable and confused. My Calvinist background raises the point that none of us are “good people” apart from the working presence of the Triune God in us… but the parable isn’t talking about good people versus evil people, it is talking about “children of the Kingdom” versus “children of the evil one” and “children” is another way that Jesus and the Scriptures speaks of fruit/identification/what results from a life lived in the character of… So those who have grown from the seed of God’s kingdom will have the character of the Kingdom and live Kingdom values, and those who have been shaped by the sabotaged-seed of the evil one will portray through action that same impetus to sabotage God’s goodness. And all of these kinds of people are standing, living, working, side-by-side in the world; God allowing it to be so. The devil doesn’t want God to allow it to be so, the intent of the sabotage plan was to get God to try to take vindictive action immediately and damage the Kingdom growth in the process. Instead, God, as the master farmer, trusts his long plan of redemption and will suffer the present sabotage efforts because his plan includes dealing with the bad seed, with finality, on judgement day. Notice these things about our wheat farmer and how he preserves the crop of his good seed. Notice how involved the farmer is in the whole process. The farmer did the sowing. The farmer knows that the enemy has been at work. The farmer chooses to not pull the weeds because he refuses to risk putting the wheat plants in danger: the roots of the two kinds of plants are entangled right now and pulling one will possibly pull the other along with it. The farmer says that at the harvest time, the reapers will be able to separate the wheat from the tares, bringing the wheat into the barn and destroying the tares—a reminder that the farmer has a plan and a method for dealing with the enemy’s sabotage attempt. The implied question seems to be about the juxtaposition of the presence of both the good Kingdom and evil. The intermingling makes us question whether God’s Kingdom has actually come, or even worse, whether it will be successful in rooting out that which does not belong. Where are the signs of the conquering power of the Kingdom of heaven against the forces of evil that are running amuck on this earth??? The answer is rooted in trusting the farmer who is the Triune Sovereign God. The sowing of the good seed continues alongside the subterfuge of the devil. But the harvest that ends this age is still to come, when all of the efforts of the evil one will be gathered up and destroyed as Jesus sends the angels to gather the causes of sin and those who purposefully do evil to face the cleansing judgement of Christ. Though evil will resist even this, weeping and gnashing, the Kingdom of the Father will be established and righteousness will shine like the sun. Commentary by Rev. Chelsey Harmon

Notes:
• The MemPres Pantry program supports Atkins Schools by feeding into their Blessing Boxes. Bring in those boxed/canned items which we will provide to the school system.
• MemPres supports the Atkins Elementary/Middle School Backpack Program. In Pope County more than 1 in 4 children are dealing with poverty and food insecurity. During the school year, children have access to free breakfasts & lunches along with backpacks filled with food for weekends. Mem Pres has also committed to providing toiletry kits for the backpack program (Shampoo, Bars of Soap, Toothpaste/brush, Deodorant, Face Wipes.)

06/22/2026

Greetings Friends. For the 13th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A) - June 28th, 2026 our scriptural Reading is from Exodus 20:8-11. This reading commands Israel to set apart the seventh day as holy to God by ceasing all work, grounding this obligation in God's own rest after creating the world in six days. The commandment extends the Sabbath blessing to all persons and animals within Israel's community, establishing a weekly sanctuary in time that prefigures eternal rest and equality before God. This reading poses a concrete and searching challenge. The commandment does not ask whether keeping Sunday holy is convenient; it asks whether God has sovereignty over our time — which is to say, over our lives. Several practical implications press themselves forward. First, Sunday Services are not optional devotion but covenantal obligation. This is not ecclesiastical legalism; it is fidelity to the pattern God has woven into creation itself. Second, the commandment's inclusion of servants and livestock is a call to examine what Sunday looks like for those who work for us or depend on us. Do our Sunday shopping habits, our demand for services and entertainment, effectively cancel the Sabbath rest for others? We consumers bear moral responsibility here. Third, the commandment resists the commodification of time. In an economy that treats every hour as monetizable, deliberately resting — not merely relaxing, but resting before God — is a radical counter-cultural act. It declares that human worth is not derived from productivity. Finally, Sunday rest should include time for the family, for works of mercy, for nature, and for genuine prayer — not passive screen consumption. We are urged to rediscover Sunday as "a day of joy, rest, and solidarity." The Key Insight is that God commands rest not as luxury but as sovereignty—to sanctify time itself is to declare that your life belongs to Him, not to the market. Commentary from https://www.sacredtextsguide.com/

From MWS Brenda this week’s sermon is titled God’s Church Triumphant

Notes:
• The MemPres Pantry program supports Atkins Schools by feeding into their Blessing Boxes. Bring in those boxed/canned items which we will provide to the school system.
• MemPres supports the Atkins Elementary/Middle School Backpack Program. In Pope County more than 1 in 4 children are dealing with poverty and food insecurity. During the school year, children have access to free breakfasts & lunches along with backpacks filled with food for weekends. Mem Pres has also committed to providing toiletry kits for the backpack program (Shampoo, Bars of Soap, Toothpaste/brush, Deodorant, Face Wipes.)

Our attendance on June 21 was 7.

Verse-by-verse Bible commentary on every book of Scripture. Deep explanation, historical context, and what each passage means for today. Free to read.

06/09/2026

Greetings Friends. For the 11th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A) - June 14th, 2026 our lectionary scriptural Reading is from Romans 5:1–8. Romans 5 teaches that believers are justified by faith, granting peace with God and access to His grace through Jesus Christ. Romans 5 begins by declaring that being justified by faith brings peace with God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
Justification is a legal term meaning that God declares a sinner righteous, not based on works or adherence to the law, but through faith in Christ’s sacrificial death (Romans 5:9). This declaration restores the believer’s relationship with God, ending enmity caused by sin and establishing reconciliation. Through justification, believers gain access to God’s grace, standing in it confidently and rejoicing in the hope of sharing in God’s glory (Romans 5:2). Paul emphasizes that even suffering has a purpose, producing perseverance, character, and hope, which is sustained by the love of God poured into believers’ hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:3-5). Paul highlights that Christ died for the ungodly while we were still sinners (Romans 5:6-8), demonstrating God’s unconditional love. This sacrificial act ensures that believers are not only justified but also saved from God’s wrath, emphasizing the superabundance of grace compared to the consequences of sin (Romans 5:9-10). Romans 5 contrasts Adam’s trespass, which brought sin and death to all humanity, with Christ’s obedience, which brings justification and life (Romans 5:12-19). While Adam’s disobedience resulted in condemnation, Christ’s righteous act provides a free gift of justification, allowing believers to reign in life through Him (Romans 5:16-17). Paul underscores that grace abounds even where sin increased, highlighting the transformative power of God’s righteousness (Romans 5:20-21). Being justified by faith has several practical benefits:
Peace with God: The believer’s relationship with God is restored, ending spiritual hostility (Romans 5:1).
Reconciliation: Believers are reconciled to God through Christ, enabling a life of hope and joy (Romans 5:11).
Assurance of Salvation: Justification is secure through faith, independent of human merit (Romans 5:9).
Spiritual Growth: Suffering and trials contribute to perseverance, character, and hope, deepening the believer’s faith (Romans 5:3-5).
In summary, Romans 5 presents justification by faith as the foundation of Christian salvation, linking it to God’s love, Christ’s sacrificial death, and the believer’s hope and reconciliation. It contrasts the consequences of Adam’s sin with the redemptive work of Christ, emphasizing that grace triumphs over sin and leads to eternal life.r! Commentary by the Rev. Porter C. Taylor

From MWS Brenda this week’s sermon is titled It Took a Miracle .- scripture reference is Joshua 3: 11-17 which recounts the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, where the waters were stopped to allow the Israelites to pass on dry ground, led by the Ark of the Covenant.

Notes:
• The MemPres Pantry program supports Atkins Schools by feeding into their Blessing Boxes. Bring in those boxed/canned items which we will provide to the school system.
• MemPres supports the Atkins Elementary/Middle School Backpack Program. In Pope County more than 1 in 4 children are dealing with poverty and food insecurity. During the school year, children have access to free breakfasts & lunches along with backpacks filled with food for weekends. Mem Pres has also committed to providing toiletry kits for the backpack program (Shampoo, Bars of Soap, Toothpaste/brush, Deodorant, Face Wipes.)

06/02/2026

Greetings Friends. For Pentecost 2(A) - June 7th, 2026 our lectionary scriptural Reading is from Mark 3:20-35. This is one of the classically “tough” passages from Mark’s gospel where we have to really wrestle with what is being said and what is definitely not being said. The image of the strong man and Jesus’ comments about his family have long confused many commentators and preachers. That we find these statements to be confusing simply proves the point that Mark’s Jesus is “unknown” before the resurrection, that his identity is kept secret. The structure of the text is actually quite simple. The whole of Mark 3:20-35 takes place in a house—possibly the house of Simon and Andrew—before moving on to a new scene in 4:1. Jesus retires to the house but is followed by two groups of people: the teachers of the law and his family. And both groups accuse Jesus! The teachers of the law accuse Jesus of being in league with Satan and his family accuses him of being crazy. Lamar Williamson, Jr. makes the argument that Mark’s Jesus “subjects himself to the possibility of being misunderstood.” In fact, Jesus’ main line of “defense” throughout Mark is simply to heal, cast out demons and perform good deeds; he spends very little time verbally defending his actions or identity. Let us treat the two claims made against Jesus individually. First, it is laughable that Jesus could somehow be in cahoots with Satan! Jesus is the offspring of Genesis 3:15 who will strike the serpent’s head! Jesus responds to this accusation with three “If…then” statements to show how a Kingdom, a house and Satan cannot stand while divided. Why was Jesus accused this way? It was due to his miraculous signs and wonders! That which could not be understood by the teachers of the law had to be explained away religiously in order to keep with the status quo. It would have been all too simple—despite the Messianic Secret in Mark—for the teachers to see in Jesus the fulfillment of Isaiah and other prophets who foretold of the healing and liberation that would come with God’s kingdom; it would have been too easy to see in Jesus the Holy Spirit promised throughout Ezekiel, Joel, and others. No, the teachers were confronted with something and someone who was removing their power bit by bit and the natural respond was to defend. Jesus offers his comments here on the unpardonable sin: grieving the Holy Spirit. Jesus doesn’t spend too much time defining this sin or even accusing the teachers of committing it, per se. Rather, Jesus makes is clear that the unforgivable sin is recognizing the work of the Holy Spirit and attributing it to demons and Satan. It is to stand oneself against forgiveness habitually. The verb tense in v. 30 is imperfect and suggests that those who “were saying” were doing so regularly, habitually. Doubt and inquiry is celebrated throughout Mark’s gospel and through the whole of the New Testament. A firm conviction against the work of the Holy Spirit is not to be celebrated; it is in fact the unpardonable sin. Perhaps the work of we in “the priesthood of all believers” is to steer clear of judgment or stone throwing and to offer others the hope that doubt at times is ok and that instances of failure to believe does not result in such a sin. Second, Jesus’ family accuses him of being crazy; literally to be “outside of one self.” Jesus’ response is difficult to grasp but please here that he is not doing away with the family structure of his day or ours. Jesus is not rendering some harsh verdict on the meaning of family but expanding our traditional meaning beyond the biological, nuclear family in order to include the family of God. To be a relative of Jesus is to hear and do what the Father is saying through him. Our real family—the communion of all the saints, the church vigilant and militant—is made up of all the men and women who have gone before and who have obeyed and followed the Lord. The great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11-12 is our family; the disciples and their companions were part of Jesus’ family; and those whom we are ministering to in the faith are part of our family. That being said, we are still responsible for loving, caring for, and causing our biological family to grow and to draw closer to Christ. Do not abandon one for the other! Commentary by the Rev. Porter C. Taylor

From MWS Brenda this week’s sermon is titled The Root of Bitterness .- scripture reference is Hebrews 12:12-15 – which encourages believers to strengthen themselves spiritually, pursue holiness and peace, and guard against bitterness that can harm themselves and others.

Notes:
• The MemPres Pantry program supports Atkins Schools by feeding into their Blessing Boxes. Bring in those boxed/canned items which we will provide to the school system.
• MemPres supports the Atkins Elementary/Middle School Backpack Program. In Pope County more than 1 in 4 children are dealing with poverty and food insecurity. During the school year, children have access to free breakfasts & lunches along with backpacks filled with food for weekends. Mem Pres has also committed to providing toiletry kits for the backpack program (Shampoo, Bars of Soap, Toothpaste/brush, Deodorant, Face Wipes.)

05/24/2026

Greetings Friends. For Trinity Sunday (A) – May 31st, 2026 our scriptural Reading is from John’s Gospel – John 7:37-39. Today’s scripture reading describes Jesus offering “living water” to all who believe, symbolizing the coming of the Holy Spirit to empower and satisfy believers. These verses occur during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, a Jewish harvest festival that included a daily water-drawing ceremony at the temple. On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and proclaimed, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37-38 NIV). This public declaration highlighted Jesus as the ultimate source of spiritual fulfillment. The term “living water” symbolizes the Holy Spirit, who would later be given to believers after Jesus’ glorification (John 7:39). Just as water sustains physical life, the Spirit sustains spiritual life, bringing renewal, guidance, and empowerment. The imagery of rivers flowing from within emphasizes that the Spirit’s presence is not external but indwelling, continuously nourishing and overflowing in the believer’s life. Today Jesus extends an open invitation to all who are spiritually thirsty, emphasizing faith in Him as the pathway to receiving the Spirit. The passage anticipates the coming of the Holy Spirit, which would occur after Jesus’ resurrection and glorification, marking a new era of God’s presence dwelling within believers. Jesus’ words echo Old Testament promises of abundant life and salvation, such as Isaiah 12:3 and Isaiah 55:1, where God’s provision is likened to water drawn joyfully from the wells of salvation. *For Christians, John 7:37-39 serves as a reminder that spiritual thirst is satisfied through faith in Christ, and that the Holy Spirit is the source of ongoing spiritual vitality, guidance, and empowerment. Believers are encouraged to seek this “living water” daily, allowing it to flow through their lives to bless others. In summary, John 7:37-39 portrays Jesus as the source of eternal spiritual life, offering the Holy Spirit to all who believe, fulfilling God’s promises and transforming the believer from within. Commentary by godbless.org
From MWS Brenda this week’s sermon is titled “What is our Living Water?”.

05/17/2026

Greetings Friends. For Pentecost – May 24th, 2026 our sermon (Pentecost and Spiritual Gifts”) is derived from our scriptural reading - 1 Corinthians 12:3-13 which is about the varied spiritual gifts given by God to believers to build up the body of Christ, emphasizing the unity and diversity of the church as each member plays a unique and important role in the functioning of the whole body. The scene is set in the city of Corinth, where the apostle Paul is writing a letter to the church he founded there. The believers in Corinth were facing issues of division and pride, particularly concerning spiritual gifts. Paul, in his letter, addresses these issues and emphasizes the importance of unity in diversity within the body of Christ. The scene unfolds in a gathering of believers in Corinth, where individuals from various backgrounds and with different spiritual gifts have come together. Among them are individuals with the gift of prophecy, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues. The atmosphere is charged with a sense of anticipation and curiosity as the believers seek to understand and navigate the complexities of spiritual gifts. As Paul’s letter is read aloud to the group, there is a palpable sense of conviction and reflection among the believers. They are challenged to embrace their unique gifts and roles within the body of Christ, recognizing that each member is essential for the functioning of the whole. The scene is one of unity in diversity, as the believers come to understand the beauty and necessity of different spiritual gifts working together for the common good. This passage from Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, delves into the intricate tapestry of spiritual gifts and the unifying essence of the body of Christ. Paul stresses that all spiritual gifts emanate from the same Spirit and are bestowed for the collective benefit of the community. The phrase “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit” underscores the pivotal role of the Holy Spirit in acknowledging and professing Jesus as Lord, emphasizing the divine empowerment necessary for genuine faith. Furthermore, the assertion that “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them” highlights the diverse array of spiritual gifts present in the Christian assembly, all originating from the unified source of the Holy Spirit, fostering cohesion amidst diversity. “To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” elucidates that spiritual gifts are not for personal acclaim but for the enhancement and upliftment of the entire body. The analogy of the body, with its many parts forming a cohesive whole, mirrors the unity and interdependence among believers, each fulfilling distinct roles and functions that contribute to the vitality and mission of the church. In Romans 12:4-8, Paul similarly discusses the multiplicity of gifts and the significance of utilizing them harmoniously for the betterment of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 expounds on different roles within the church and their purpose in fortifying the body of Christ, while Galatians 5:22-23, discussing the fruit of the Spirit, complements the discourse on spiritual gifts by showcasing the virtues that should accompany their utilization. beckons us to discern the origin of our spiritual gifts, to utilize them for the common good, and to exult in the unity and diversity present within the body of Christ. It challenges us to transcend self-absorption and actively partake in the betterment of our community, embodying the love and unity that Christ envisions for His church. This passage shows us that the presence of the Holy Spirit can be discerned through the acknowledgment and confession of Jesus Christ as Lord. It is by this recognition that we come to understand the working of the Holy Spirit within us. The Holy Spirit reveals and affirms the divinity and lordship of Jesus Christ, leading us to a deeper relationship with Him. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit manifests through the various gifts and abilities bestowed upon believers. These gifts are given for the common good of the church and serve as a tangible demonstration of the Spirit’s presence and work among believers. Believers can discern the presence of the Holy Spirit at work as they see these gifts being used in love and unity within the body of Christ, empowering and equipping them for service. The Holy Spirit ultimately unites believers into one body, the body of Christ. Through the indwelling of the Spirit, believers are connected in a profound spiritual bond, regardless of differences in background, culture, or abilities. This unity, characterized by love, mutual support, and cooperation, testifies to the presence of the Holy Spirit among believers. Commentary by Reverend Michael Johnson

05/11/2026

Greetings Friends. For the 7th SUNDAY OF EASTER (A) – Ascension Sunday our scriptural Reading is from John’s Gospel – Luke 24:44–53. With this reading we find a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jesus’ life and ministry. This passage marks the culmination of Jesus’ earthly journey and the beginning of a new era for his followers. This post explores the historical context and contemporary relevance of these verses, we uncover the profound impact they have on our understanding of faith, mission, and the promise of the Holy Spirit. Historically, this moment is significant as it bridges the gap between the Old Testament prophecies and their fulfillment in the New Testament. Jesus explains to his disciples that everything written about him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled. This assertion underscores the continuity of God’s plan throughout the scriptures and affirms Jesus’ role as the Messiah and marks a pivotal transition in Christian history. As Jesus is taken up into heaven, he blesses his disciples, signifying the transfer of his earthly ministry to them. This event is not just a miraculous occurrence but a symbolic act that empowers the disciples of sharing His message. It also foreshadows the coming of the Holy Spirit, which would equip them for the challenges ahead. The promise of the Holy Spirit is as relevant today as it was for the early disciples. As we await the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives, we can trust that the Holy Spirit will guide, comfort, and empower us to fulfill our divine purpose. Commentary by The Narrow Road
2026 Calendar of Events
May 14th – Ascension Day AKA Holy Thursday
May 17th - Ascension Sunday
May 24th - Pentecost – the birth of the Church – Communion
May 25th - Memorial Day
May 31st - Trinity Sunday
June 13th – 162nd Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Arkansas @ First Pres Conway
June 21st - Fathers’ Day
July 8th – Third Quarter Session Meeting
August 2nd - Communion
September 13th – Grandparents Day
October 4th - World Communion Sunday – Communion – World Communion Offering
October 2nd/3rd– 163rd Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Arkansas @ First Pres Springdale October 7th – Fourth Quarter Session Meeting
October 31st – Reformation Day
November 1st – All Saints Day - Daylight Savings Time – set clocks back
November 2nd – Reformation Sunday
November 11th – Veterans Day
November 22nd – Christ the King Sunday
November 29th – First Sunday of Advent– Hanging of the Greens
December 6th – Second Sunday of Advent - Communion - Christmas Joy Offering
December 13th – Third Sunday of Advent
December 20th – Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 24th – (Thursday) Christmas Eve Service
December 25th – (Friday) Christmas

05/03/2026

Greetings Friends. For the SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (A) – May 10TH, 2026 our scriptural Reading is from John’s Gospel – John 14:15-21. This reading is about Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit to be with his disciples, guiding them into truth and continuing to dwell within them after his departure, as a way for believers to experience the presence of God in their lives. The verse from the Bible, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever,” speaks to the deep connection between love for Jesus and obedience to His teachings. It emphasizes that these two aspects are intricately linked. The promise of the Holy Spirit as an advocate and helper is given to those who truly love Jesus and seek to live out His commandments in their daily lives. Imagine being offered a constant companion, a guiding force, and a source of strength at all times. This is the promise of the Holy Spirit to those who love and follow Jesus. The verse encourages believers to not only profess their love for Christ but also demonstrate it through their actions by obeying His teachings. It reminds us that love is not just a feeling but a commitment to live out our faith in a tangible way. When we love Jesus and keep His commands, we open ourselves up to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who will walk with us on our spiritual journey and empower us to live a life that is pleasing to God. Today, this passage holds relevance in reminding us that true love for Jesus is displayed through our obedience to His commands, challenging the notion that love is merely a feeling. The promise of the Holy Spirit offers comfort and guidance in times of uncertainty, while Jesus’ assurance of His presence reassures us of His care even in our darkest moments. Reflecting on stories of individuals finding solace and direction through the Holy Spirit can illustrate the practical application of Jesus’ promises in our lives. In conclusion, John 14:15-21 invites us to ponder our relationship with Jesus, the significance of obedience as an expression of love, and the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Let us consider how we can demonstrate our love for Christ through our actions and seek the guidance and comfort of the Holy Spirit in our daily walk with Him. To show love and obedience to God, we must follow His commandments. This demonstrates our love for Him by aligning our actions with His will. Obedience to God is not merely following a set of rules, but rather a heartfelt response out of love and reverence for Him. We show that we trust in His wisdom and goodness by walking in obedience to His teachings. Furthermore, as believers, we are called to abide in God’s presence and cling to Him through prayer, worship, and studying His Word. This intimate relationship with God strengthens our faith and allows His love to flow through us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to live in a way that reflects God’s character, showing love to others and shining His light in a world that is in need of His grace and truth. Commentary by Reverend Michael Johnson
From MWS Brenda this week’s sermon is titled “What do we know of the Holy Spirit?”. The scripture reference is John 14:15-21.