What's the Story?

Stories matter. This Sunday, I'll invite you to consider that statement as we look at the stories that Jesus tells.

We've been reading through the story of the Gospel of Matthew. It tells us how a small, rag-tag group of those labelled "rejects" become the focus of God's movement on the earth. This group attracts all kinds and brings healing.

But no story would be complete without some conflict. So in Matthew 12, there's a significant break with the very religious people who aren't happy with this new upstart group gaining so much recognition. They condemn them and throw them out. Like so many who've "lost" faith, it's not because we stop experiencing God, but because those who claim to speak for God can be a little much sometimes.  
This week starts the second half of the story, a half that includes focusing on what causes harm, opening this small group up to the world, and what we do with betrayal.

Jesus starts to tell new stories called parables. He'll tell them for nearly 12 more chapters in the Gospel of Matthew. [With some breaks in between!] This week, it's the first of those quasi-stories called the Parable of the Sower. We'll explore how a story like this helps us understand our own life and who we are.

It's the first Sunday in a series that will include the stories that try to answer what we talk about all the time: "why are there 'bad' people in the world?" and "What's my goal?"  Come and join us!

Worship 10am

Check out the results below.

Starting July 19th and 26th, we'll have gatherings after church to process the results and to continue to be in conversation with you about where we are being led as God's people. If you are able, please join us!

Treasurer's Report

1.  We continue to have a healthy cash balance for General Operating funds for    
     $117,434.62 (CD included) as of June 30, 2026.

2.  We continue to have a net income of $20,781.93 for the year ended June 30,
     2026.

3.  Apportionment paid is now at 50%. Qtr2 payment was made in June for
     $9,209.35, funded from the Apportionment and Auction Funds.

4.  Besides all the regular payments, we had a big-ticket payment of $1,725.00 for
     the electrical repair of the parsonage, paid to John Pedersen in June.

5.  We have a few line items which are currently over the budgeted amount for the
     year, but overall, in total we are still under the budget.  At the end of June 30,
     2026, we should have spent 50% of the year's budget, actual is at 48.08%.