Who Is My Neighbor?
Children's sermon
Illustration
Preaching
Sermon
Worship
For July 6, 2025:
Who Is My Neighbor?
by Tom Willadsen
2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20; Psalm 30
A new creation is everything!
His flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Who gets all these terrific things? Our vice-president says this:
There’s this old school — and I think it’s a very Christian concept, by the way — that you love your family and then you love your neighbor and then you love your community and then you love your fellow citizens and your own country, and then after that you can focus and prioritize the rest of the world.
Is that what Jesus said?
In the Scriptures
2 Kings 5:1-14
There are a lot of moving parts in today’s lesson from 2 Kings. Elisha has literally taken up the mantle of his mentor, Elijah, and is the Lord’s go-to prophet now. The passage starts in Syria, where Naaman, a well-regarded military leader, suffers from leprosy. There has been conflict between Israel and Syria. We know this because there’s an Israelite slave girl serving Naaman’s wife. She was plunder from a recent war. The slave girl tells her mistress that there’s a prophet in Samaria who can heal leprosy. The mistress tells her husband, who goes to King Aram. Aram writes a letter to the king of Israel and also loads Naaman down with a lot of swag: around 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of fine clothes.
The size of the gift and the expectation of healing made the Samarian king suspect treachery. Elisha hears that the king has torn his clothes, but Elisha sees an opportunity to show Naaman there really is a prophet in Samaria.
Naaman and his entourage arrive at Elisha’s house and Elisha sends a messenger with his Rx. Naaman thought he should get personal attention and has a hissy fit. His servants talk him into following the prophet’s instructions and his leprosy is cured! Praise be!
Elisha’s plan worked; Naaman realized that the only god is the God of Israel. He wants to pay Elisha, but Elisha comps him. Elisha even gives Naaman some dirt so he can offer sacrifices back in Syria. Naaman also “pre-confesses” that he’s going to the house of Rimmon with his master, who will worship Rimmon there. Elisha says, “Don’t sweat it.”
Psalm 30
It’s easy to imagine Naaman reciting Psalm 30, especially if one substitutes “leprosy” for sackcloth in v. 11.
Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16
This is the end of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. He started out on fire, but he’s simmered down by the sixth chapter. He’s even picked up a pen and written in his own handwriting, thus authenticating his message.
Verse 6 is a non sequitur, but worth lifting up: “Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.” I like to lift it up at salary negotiation time.
Paul concludes his missive to the Galatians reminding them to look out for the common good. The kindness they extend to others will return to them. You reap what you sow.
Jesus foreshadows Paul’s instruction to accept pay in verse 7. “Classical rabbis were not paid for teaching.” (The Jewish Annotated New Testament, New Revised Standard Version, edited by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler, New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, p. 122n.)
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
The mission of the seventy was only to Jews, so the seventy did not need to worry about eating non-kosher food.
In the News
Naaman is a powerful, wealthy, privileged man and he is insulted that Elisha doesn’t see him personally. He even throws shade on Samaria’s Jordan river! He’s used to being first in line; he’s got a huge wad of cash and a letter from the king, surely he’s due for Red Carpet treatment!
The letter of James warned Christians about behaving this way:
My brothers and sisters, do not claim the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory while showing partiality. For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here in a good place, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4, NRSV)
Shortly after his inauguration as vice-president, J.D. Vance, an adult convert to Roman Catholicism, was interviewed by Fox News and took “charity begins at home” to a new extreme:
There’s this old school — and I think it’s a very Christian concept, by the way — that you love your family and then you love your neighbor and then you love your community and then you love your fellow citizens and your own country, and then after that you can focus and prioritize the rest of the world.
A lot of the far left has completely inverted that. They seem to hate the citizens of their own country and care more about people outside their own borders. (“Theologians push back on JD Vance’s view of ‘ordered love,” Baptist News, Mark Wingfield | January 30, 2025)
Responses to Vance were swift and direct. The Reverend James Martin wrote, “Actually, no. This misses the point of Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10: 25-37). [Head’s up, preachers! That’s next week’s gospel lesson!] After Jesus tells a lawyer that you should ‘love your neighbor as yourself,’ the lawyer asks him, ‘And who is my neighbor?’
“In response, Jesus tells the story of a Jewish man who has been beaten by robbers and is lying by the side of the road. The man is helped not by those closest to him (a ‘priest’ and a ‘Levite’), but rather by a Samaritan. At the time, Jews and Samaritans would have considered one another enemies.”
Joash Thomas, author of The Justice of Jesus, wrote, “So Jesus’ fundamental message is that everyone is your neighbor, and that it is not about helping just your family or those closest to you. It’s specifically about helping those who seem different, foreign, other. They are all our ‘neighbors.’” (Ibid.)
In the Sermon
In Jesus’ first sermon at his hometown synagogue, recorded in Luke 4, he cites Elijah’s stay in Ephrathah, from last week’s texts, and Elisha’s healing of Naaman, this week’s reading. Jesus was a faithful Jew; he taught from the stories that he had grown up hearing. He read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, telling the people who had watched him grow up:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
They are elated and proud.
Then he points out that this good news isn’t only for them. In fact, it’s for their bitter enemies, too.
The ladies in the kitchen who are getting Oneg Shabbat ready start to waive their punch ladles menacingly and gladly join the lynch mob that escorts Jesus to the cliff to toss him to his death. Spoiler alert: He gets away.
Jesus used today’s lesson from 2 Kings to point to God’s all-embracing love for humanity. In a moment when those wielding political power are putting America first, Christians who act as though everyone is our neighbor and cherished by the living God are outliers.
And the time may soon come when we are criminals.
SECOND THOUGHTS
A Guest Among Strangers: Reflections on Naaman’s Healing
by Nazish Naseem
2 Kings 5:1-14
Naaman’s journey in 2 Kings 5:1-14 is a testament to courage that resonates deeply with me. As a woman with roots in another country, I often feel like a guest in unfamiliar places. Naaman’s struggle with leprosy and his quest for healing mirror my own experiences of facing personal challenges and seeking growth. His bravery in navigating foreign customs is genuinely inspiring, reflecting my journey through the complexities of cultural adaptation.
Naaman, respected as a commander in the Syrian army, hides a heavy burden beneath his esteemed exterior: leprosy. This duality strikes me. We often present masks of success while grappling with vulnerabilities. Like Naaman, I balance a dance between two worlds — my heart anchored in the traditions of my homeland while my feet navigate foreign terrain.
His life is woven with threads of pride and desperation. When he learns of a possible cure from a captive Israelite girl, he initially dismisses her humble suggestion. It’s striking that a child’s voice prompts a man of valor to seek healing, a moment I can relate to. In my life, simple acts of kindness or words from strangers have opened my eyes to overlooked possibilities.
The young girl symbolizes resilience and faith. Taken from her homeland, she embodies the essence of her culture and urges Naaman to seek the prophet Elisha. Her unwavering belief sharply contrasts with Naaman’s skepticism, reminding us of the strength found in often-unheard voices. This resonates with my struggles to preserve my cultural heritage while adapting to foreign norms. It serves as a reminder of the power that comes from being heard and understood.
I am reminded of a woman in my life who embodies struggle and resilience. Much like Naaman’s servant, she faces immense challenges, from being a Christian in a Muslim country to grappling with infertility, thyroid cancer, and stroke-related fears. Living within the confines of her circumstances, she stands at the crossroads of hope and despair but remains determined to carve out a meaningful existence.
As a chaplain, she guides others spiritually while wrestling with her doubts. Her role mirrors the young servant’s commitment to offer compassion and faith despite personal pain. She inspires me, showcasing the power of resilience in her healing journey.
When Naaman seeks Elisha, he encounters unfamiliar customs. The prophet sends a directive — to wash in the Jordan River without face-to-face interaction. Imagine the inner turmoil! This respected warrior is instructed to immerse himself in a muddy river, revealing the humility that characterizes healing journeys. Navigating new cultural norms often leaves me feeling uncomfortable, yet it reminds me of the need for humility and open-mindedness in our experiences.
The Jordan, often overlooked when compared to grander rivers, serves as a reminder that transformation can arise from the most unexpected sources. Embracing humility can reveal profound truths, reminding us to find significance in the seemingly insignificant. This is a powerful lesson that makes us feel valued and essential in our journeys. Naaman’s initial anger reflects our instinctive hesitance to embrace change. Yet, it is within the discomfort of change that healing occurs. His eventual surrender, spurred by gentle encouragement from his servants, symbolizes empowerment through vulnerability.
Emerging from the Jordan, Naaman finds not just physical healing but spiritual renewal. His transformation teaches me that healing encompasses more than physical restoration; it invites us to embrace humility, recognize resilience, and draw strength from our journeys. In my own life, these lessons shine through each moment of struggle, urging me onward in my quest for growth and healing among strangers.
ILLUSTRATIONS
From team member Dean Feldmeyer:
2 Kings 5:1-14
Naaman is the classic example of a privileged white man who demands that he be treated by everyone as a superior person with superior needs and privileges. The prophet Elisha puts the lie to that notion.
You May Be A “Karen”, If…
In popular culture, a “Karen” is an obnoxious person, male or female, who thinks that their money, race, class, or some other thing about them gives them special privileges.
You may be a Karen if:
* * *
Galatians 6:1-16
Paul admonishes the Christians in the Galatian church to “work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith.”
Famous People Whose Good Deeds Aren’t Famous
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
In this passage, Luke tells of Jesus’ instructions to his disciples when he sends them out into the world to spread the gospel. Among the instructions are the admonition to “travel light” taking no more than is necessary, and instructions on how to be a good guest.
Good Host/Good Guest
When our kids were little, we would always remind them when their friends came to our house to play or have an overnight sleepover, that they were hosts, and being a good host was a big responsibility.
Good hosts don’t: correct their guests table manners or other behaviors; take the biggest portion, interrupt or talk over their guests, go first, etc. Good hosts always: put the needs and desires of their guests first, offer the best portion to their guests, ask their guests what games they want to play.
When they were going to someone else’s house we reminded them that there were responsibilities that went with being a good guest.
Good guests always: are polite, pick up after themselves, eat what is put before them (if only a little), compliment the cook, say please and thank you, play what the host wants to play. Good guests never: are rude, whine or complain, insult the cook or the host, leave a mess behind, pout, cheat, or brag.
One day our kids came to us with a question: So, when we go somewhere, we have to be good guests, and when someone comes here, we have to be good hosts, right? (Right) Okay, when do we get to be like our friends and not do any of those things?
My wife smiled and gently patted them on the back. “Well, honey, never. We’re Feldmeyers, and we are always good guests and good hosts.”
* * *
Traveling Light
The REI Co-op Expert Advice website offers the following advice for traveling light when you travel:
They suggest you consider the 1-2-3-4-5-6 Rule: One hat, two pairs of shoes, three bottoms, four tops (short or long-sleeve or outer layer), five pairs of socks, six pairs of underwear. This should be enough to last you for two weeks. Beyond that, customize your pack list to include swimwear, rainwear, or other specific items related to your trip. You may not need all of it (pack even less if you can), but this would get you through six days before you must do laundry. No matter how long your trip is, try to limit yourself to no more than seven days worth of clothing. Get used to wearing clothing more than once (no one really notices or cares). Also, plan to do laundry on the road.
* * * * * *
From team member Mary Austin:
Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16
Vision Loss and the Message of Paul
As Paul writes to the churches in Galatia, he adds, “See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand!” His addition suggests that someone else wrote the rest of the letter for him, and that he suffered from some vision loss, if he needed such large letters.
In God’s Ghostwriters: Enslaved Christians and the Making of the Bible, Dr. Candida Moss notes that vision loss was common in the ancient world. She writes, “For Paul, imprisoned in a series of damp, cold prisons in Asia Minor, the darkness may not have been the only reason he used a scribe: he lived in a world without glasses. Today, roughly a third of the global population have some form of visual impairment. In antiquity, where treatments for eye infections, river blindness, congenital cataracts, diabetes, and many other conditions did not exist, the number was likely comparable. Archaeological and literary sources refer to congenital vision loss, temporary conditions, age-related vision loss, and accidental eye loss in the workplace or on the battlefield. Archaeologists who excavated the ancient healing shrines in Greece or Turkey found dismembered clay limbs, heads, and torsos dedicated as offerings to the god Asclepius, and noted that there were twice as many eyes as any other body part. Their number offers tangible evidence of the desperation of sufferers and the widespread nature of eye complaints. Paul, who by his own account wrote in oversized “large letters” (v. 11), would not have been alone in experiencing some vision loss. In the absence of corrective lenses and pharmaceuticals, people — often children, whose vision was superior — did the work of accommodative devices.”
Enslaved people were often the unseen eyes and hands that spread God’s message.
* * *
Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16
Reacting With Mercy
Paul reminds the believers in the Galatian churches that even followers of Jesus are going to make mistakes. Here’s how to handle it, he says, “if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.”
Barbara Brown Taylor says this kind of gentleness is part of the flow of being human. “To become fully human means learning to turn my gratitude for being alive into some concrete common good. It means growing gentler toward human weakness. It means practicing forgiveness of my and everyone else’s hourly failures to live up to divine standards. It means learning to forget myself on a regular basis in order to attend to the other selves in my vicinity. It means living so that “I’m only human” does not become an excuse for anything. It means receiving the human condition as blessing and not a curse, in all its achingly frail and redemptive reality.
“The glory of God is a human being fully alive,” wrote Irenaeus of Lyons some two thousand years ago. “One of the reasons I remain a Christian-in-progress is the peculiar Christian insistence that God is revealed in humankind — not just in human form but also in human being.”
We’re all “Christians in progress,” and can follow Paul’s word to meet each other (and ourselves) with gentleness. (from An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith)
* * *
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Being at Home
As the disciples travel around on Jesus’ mission, they have to make themselves at home with the host who will receive them. Writer Sue Bender finds an echo of their experience in a story from a friend:
A friend once told me about the “home” he and his father had as refugees in Europe during World War II. He, his mother, and his younger brother moved constantly from place to place… Each time they arrived in a new place, his mother would open the small suitcase that held all their belongings and bring out the lace tablecloth she had used for their Friday night meals in Poland, before they were forced to leave and begin their flight. In each place the ritual was exactly the same. She would place the suitcase on a table, carefully drape the tablecloth over the suitcase, light a candle, and in that moment, wherever it was became home. This ritual was their prayer.
Perhaps the disciples do the same in each home where they stay.
* * *
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Hospitality
Jesus sends his followers out to rely on the hospitality offered to them, “like lambs into the midst of wolves.” He knows that not everyone will receive them and so any hospitality they receive will be a precious gift.
After taking a long trip, Christine Sine reflected on the many ways she was received as a guest. “So many provided hospitality for us along the way that we, like Celtic Christians before us, felt like guests of the world.”
Another layer of hospitality came from the people in previous generations, she says.
As I reflected on our experiences I was most aware of those who have gone before us and made possible all that we did. I felt that they too were our hosts as we travelled and we were guests of their welcoming presence. We so rarely acknowledge them and yet their lives and sacrifices gave all of us the luxuries we so take for granted — luxuries of clean waterways, electricity, toilets, running water, good and abundant food. Finally, I remember my parents whose frugality provided us with the resources that we were able to spend on that trip. They too are our hosts. I particularly felt my mother’s welcoming presence beside me as we travelled. I was her guest on this trip just as much as I was when I stayed in her house in Australia. (from Celtic Advent: Following an Unfamiliar Path)
In a similar way, these early followers of Jesus have crafted a path for us and we build on their journeys.
* * *
2 Kings 5:1-14
Looking for a Wise Person
When Naaman gets angry about Elisha telling him to bathe in the Jordan, his servants are the ones who calm him down, probably not for the first time. They speak a word of wisdom to him.
Spiritual writer Mirabai Starr says that we, like Naaman, often look for wisdom in the wrong places. She writes:
Have you been scanning the horizon for an enlightened being to come rescue humanity from the mess we’ve made? Someone with the perfect blend of spiritual insight and political savvy, who effortlessly sacrifices themselves for the rest of us? Someone who speaks well and looks good? If so, it’s not your fault. You’ve been conditioned to expect this. Every spiritual tradition I know of promises some version of a savior, a redeemer, a second coming. But stop it. Stop waiting for the lone prophet, the singular sage.
She shares what the unnamed servants in the story already know.
Give up the never-ending self-improvement project. It’s futile and beside the point. We need each other. We belong to each other. We stretch and grow each other. Sometimes you are the seeker, sometimes the teacher. Each of us has something essential to contribute, inextricably bound with our individual quirks and gifts. Quit dividing up the world into those who have the magical qualities to fix what is broken and the rest of us, all the broken ones. The servants and the served are one glorious, messy human family, of which you are a beloved member. (from Ordinary Mysticism: Your Life as Sacred Ground)
* * *
2 Kings 5:1-14
Taking the Waters
When Elisha tells Naaman to bathe in the Jordan, he’s drawing on ancient wisdom about the healing power of water. Writer Lori Erickson, who explore the spiritual power of places, calls on the wisdom of marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols, who explores the reasons why water is good for us in his book Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do.
For Nichols, “Blue Mind” is a state bordering on meditation, “characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment. His book is full of examples of its effects. Writes Nichols:
From the early Greek and Roman physicians who recognized the healing waters of nature and bathing; to stressed-out industrial workers in nineteenth-century England and the United States who were advised to “take the waters” by the seaside or at natural springs to recover; to men and women today who treat their drug and alcohol addictions or PTSD with the dopamine rush of surfing or with the endorphin serenity produced by long, calm hours with a fishing rod in their hands; to patients who stare at aquariums in dental waiting rooms and feel reduced anxiety after watching the fish; to the millions who step into a hot bath or shower at the end of a long day and emerge relaxed, refreshed, and renewed — all of these are examples of how water can help us transition from the Red Mind of stress or the Gray Mind of numbed-out depression to the healthier Blue Mind state of calm centeredness. (from Every Step Is Home: A Spiritual Geography from Appalachia to Alaska)
Naaman joins the long list of people who have been healed by proximity to water.
* * * * * *
WORSHIP
by George Reed
Call to Worship
One: Sing praises to the LORD, O you faithful ones.
All: We will give thanks to God’s holy name.
One: By your favor, O LORD, you had established us.
All: When you hide your face; we are dismayed.
One: You have turned our mourning into dancing.
All: You have taken off our sackcloth and clothed us with joy.
OR
One: God comes to dwell among the peoples of the earth.
All: We welcome God into this time of worship.
One: God desires to be with all of us, all the time.
All: We will invite God into all of our life.
One: God wants to be known by all through you.
All: We will act in love so others know God’s love.
Hymns and Songs
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
UMH: 127
H82: 690
PH: 281
GTG: 65
AAHH: 138/139/140
NNBH: 232
NCH: 18/19
CH: 622
LBW: 343
ELW: 618
W&P: 501
AMEC: 52/53/65
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
UMH: 140
GTG: 39
AAHH: 158
NNBH: 45
NCH: 423
CH: 86
ELW: 733
W&P: 72
AMEC: 84
Renew: 249
The Gift of Love
UMH: 408
GTG: 693
AAHH: 522
CH: 526
W&P: 397
Renew: 155
This Is My Song
UMH: 437
GTG: 340
NCH: 591
CH: 722
ELW: 887
STLT: 159
O Zion/Christian, Haste
UMH: 573
H82: 539
NNBH: 422
CH: 482
LBW: 397
ELW: 668
AMEC: 566
Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word
UMH: 596
H82: 440
PH: 454
GTG: 395
LBW: 248
Bread of the World
UMH: 624
H82: 301
PH: 502
GTG: 499
NCH: 346
CH: 387
W&P: 693
It’s Me, It’s Me, O Lord
UMH: 352
NNBH: 496
CH: 579
O God of Every Nation
UMH: 435
H82: 607
PH: 289
GTG: 756
CH: 680
LBW: 416
ELW: 713
W&P: 626
From the Rising of the Sun
CCB: 4
I Am Loved
CCB: 80
Music Resources Key
UMH: United Methodist Hymnal
H82: The Hymnal 1982
PH: Presbyterian Hymnal
GTG: Glory to God, The Presbyterian Hymnal
AAHH: African American Heritage Hymnal
NNBH: The New National Baptist Hymnal
NCH: The New Century Hymnal
CH: Chalice Hymnal
LBW: Lutheran Book of Worship
ELW: Evangelical Lutheran Worship
W&P: Worship & Praise
AMEC: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal
STLT: Singing the Living Tradition
CCB: Cokesbury Chorus Book
Renew: Renew! Songs & Hymns for Blended Worship
Prayer for the Day/Collect
O God who loves all of your creation:
Grant us the wisdom open our hearts to all
that your family’s rifts might be healed;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
OR
We praise you, O God, because your love extends out to all that you created. Every plant, animal, and human you have declared good. Help us to join with all you people as one family. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
One: Let us confess to God and before one another our sins and especially when we place ourselves above others.
All: We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. We look at others and judge whether they are worthy or not of our love. We forget that we were all made out of the same clay and contain your breath of life. We forget Jesus’ words that tell us not to judge others. We take our place of privilege whenever we can. Forgive us and fill us once again with your Spirit of love so that we might reach out to others in mutual affection. Amen.
One: God rejoices when we unite as one family who take care of each other. Receive God’s forgiveness and share that love with all.
Prayers of the People
We bring you our praise, O God, because you are the one whose love knows no bounds. Out of love you created all that is and you found it good in your sight.
(The following paragraph may be used if a separate prayer of confession has not been used.)
We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. We look at others and judge whether they are worthy or not of our love. We forget that we were all made out of the same clay and contain your breath of life. We forget Jesus’ words that tell us not to judge others. We take our place of privilege whenever we can. Forgive us and fill us once again with your Spirit of love so that we might reach out to others in mutual affection.
We give you thanks for all the ways in which you express your love for your creation. We are blessed at the beauty of the cosmos that stretches out beyond our understanding. We are grateful for your love that is boundless as it embraces us all. We thank you for Jesus who taught us to love you and to love one another.
(Other thanksgivings may be offered.)
We pray for the needs of all creation. We lift up to you those who been been cast aside by others. We pray for those who suffer violence because of the greed of others for power and wealth. We pray for the wisdom and courage we need to be disciples who share good news with all.
(Other intercessions may be offered.)
Hear us as we pray for others: (Time for silent or spoken prayer.)
All these things we ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ who taught us to pray saying:
Our Father....Amen.
(Or if the Our Father is not used at this point in the service.)
All this we ask in the name of the blessed and Holy Trinity. Amen.
* * * * * *
CHILDREN’S SERMON
Packing for a Trip
by Katy Stenta
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Here we have Jesus talking about what the disciples need for ministry.
What do you pack when you go on a trip?
(Wait for answers)
Here Jesus says that the disciples do not need to worry about packing extra clothes or money.
They do not even need to worry about staying in the best house in town.
Instead he says what they need is each other.
Jesus is sure to send the disciples out in pairs, so that each person has a partner when they are traveling to do ministry.
Why do you think it’s easier to do ministry with someone else?
(Wait for answers.)
Why is it important to do ministry in community?
(Wait for answers.)
How can we support one another when we feel alone?
(Wait for answers.)
Let’s pray
Dear God
Thank you
For equipping us
To do ministry
By sending us
Together.
Amen.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Immediate Word, July 6, 2025 issue.
Copyright 2025 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to The Immediate Word service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons and in worship and classroom settings only. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
- Who Is My Neighbor? by Tom Willadsen based on 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20; Psalm 30.
- Second Thoughts: A Guest Among Strangers: Reflections on Naaman’s Healing by Nazish Naseem based on 2 Kings 5:1-14.
- Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer.
- Worship resources by George Reed.
- Children’s Sermon:Packing for a Trip by Katy Stenta based on Luke 10:1-11, 16-20.
Who Is My Neighbor?by Tom Willadsen
2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20; Psalm 30
A new creation is everything!
His flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Who gets all these terrific things? Our vice-president says this:
There’s this old school — and I think it’s a very Christian concept, by the way — that you love your family and then you love your neighbor and then you love your community and then you love your fellow citizens and your own country, and then after that you can focus and prioritize the rest of the world.
Is that what Jesus said?
In the Scriptures
2 Kings 5:1-14
There are a lot of moving parts in today’s lesson from 2 Kings. Elisha has literally taken up the mantle of his mentor, Elijah, and is the Lord’s go-to prophet now. The passage starts in Syria, where Naaman, a well-regarded military leader, suffers from leprosy. There has been conflict between Israel and Syria. We know this because there’s an Israelite slave girl serving Naaman’s wife. She was plunder from a recent war. The slave girl tells her mistress that there’s a prophet in Samaria who can heal leprosy. The mistress tells her husband, who goes to King Aram. Aram writes a letter to the king of Israel and also loads Naaman down with a lot of swag: around 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of fine clothes.
The size of the gift and the expectation of healing made the Samarian king suspect treachery. Elisha hears that the king has torn his clothes, but Elisha sees an opportunity to show Naaman there really is a prophet in Samaria.
Naaman and his entourage arrive at Elisha’s house and Elisha sends a messenger with his Rx. Naaman thought he should get personal attention and has a hissy fit. His servants talk him into following the prophet’s instructions and his leprosy is cured! Praise be!
Elisha’s plan worked; Naaman realized that the only god is the God of Israel. He wants to pay Elisha, but Elisha comps him. Elisha even gives Naaman some dirt so he can offer sacrifices back in Syria. Naaman also “pre-confesses” that he’s going to the house of Rimmon with his master, who will worship Rimmon there. Elisha says, “Don’t sweat it.”
Psalm 30
It’s easy to imagine Naaman reciting Psalm 30, especially if one substitutes “leprosy” for sackcloth in v. 11.
Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16
This is the end of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. He started out on fire, but he’s simmered down by the sixth chapter. He’s even picked up a pen and written in his own handwriting, thus authenticating his message.
Verse 6 is a non sequitur, but worth lifting up: “Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.” I like to lift it up at salary negotiation time.
Paul concludes his missive to the Galatians reminding them to look out for the common good. The kindness they extend to others will return to them. You reap what you sow.
Jesus foreshadows Paul’s instruction to accept pay in verse 7. “Classical rabbis were not paid for teaching.” (The Jewish Annotated New Testament, New Revised Standard Version, edited by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler, New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, p. 122n.)
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
The mission of the seventy was only to Jews, so the seventy did not need to worry about eating non-kosher food.
In the News
Naaman is a powerful, wealthy, privileged man and he is insulted that Elisha doesn’t see him personally. He even throws shade on Samaria’s Jordan river! He’s used to being first in line; he’s got a huge wad of cash and a letter from the king, surely he’s due for Red Carpet treatment!
The letter of James warned Christians about behaving this way:
My brothers and sisters, do not claim the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory while showing partiality. For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here in a good place, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4, NRSV)
Shortly after his inauguration as vice-president, J.D. Vance, an adult convert to Roman Catholicism, was interviewed by Fox News and took “charity begins at home” to a new extreme:
There’s this old school — and I think it’s a very Christian concept, by the way — that you love your family and then you love your neighbor and then you love your community and then you love your fellow citizens and your own country, and then after that you can focus and prioritize the rest of the world.
A lot of the far left has completely inverted that. They seem to hate the citizens of their own country and care more about people outside their own borders. (“Theologians push back on JD Vance’s view of ‘ordered love,” Baptist News, Mark Wingfield | January 30, 2025)
Responses to Vance were swift and direct. The Reverend James Martin wrote, “Actually, no. This misses the point of Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10: 25-37). [Head’s up, preachers! That’s next week’s gospel lesson!] After Jesus tells a lawyer that you should ‘love your neighbor as yourself,’ the lawyer asks him, ‘And who is my neighbor?’
“In response, Jesus tells the story of a Jewish man who has been beaten by robbers and is lying by the side of the road. The man is helped not by those closest to him (a ‘priest’ and a ‘Levite’), but rather by a Samaritan. At the time, Jews and Samaritans would have considered one another enemies.”
Joash Thomas, author of The Justice of Jesus, wrote, “So Jesus’ fundamental message is that everyone is your neighbor, and that it is not about helping just your family or those closest to you. It’s specifically about helping those who seem different, foreign, other. They are all our ‘neighbors.’” (Ibid.)
In the Sermon
In Jesus’ first sermon at his hometown synagogue, recorded in Luke 4, he cites Elijah’s stay in Ephrathah, from last week’s texts, and Elisha’s healing of Naaman, this week’s reading. Jesus was a faithful Jew; he taught from the stories that he had grown up hearing. He read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, telling the people who had watched him grow up:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
They are elated and proud.
Then he points out that this good news isn’t only for them. In fact, it’s for their bitter enemies, too.
The ladies in the kitchen who are getting Oneg Shabbat ready start to waive their punch ladles menacingly and gladly join the lynch mob that escorts Jesus to the cliff to toss him to his death. Spoiler alert: He gets away.
Jesus used today’s lesson from 2 Kings to point to God’s all-embracing love for humanity. In a moment when those wielding political power are putting America first, Christians who act as though everyone is our neighbor and cherished by the living God are outliers.
And the time may soon come when we are criminals.
SECOND THOUGHTSA Guest Among Strangers: Reflections on Naaman’s Healing
by Nazish Naseem
2 Kings 5:1-14
Naaman’s journey in 2 Kings 5:1-14 is a testament to courage that resonates deeply with me. As a woman with roots in another country, I often feel like a guest in unfamiliar places. Naaman’s struggle with leprosy and his quest for healing mirror my own experiences of facing personal challenges and seeking growth. His bravery in navigating foreign customs is genuinely inspiring, reflecting my journey through the complexities of cultural adaptation.
Naaman, respected as a commander in the Syrian army, hides a heavy burden beneath his esteemed exterior: leprosy. This duality strikes me. We often present masks of success while grappling with vulnerabilities. Like Naaman, I balance a dance between two worlds — my heart anchored in the traditions of my homeland while my feet navigate foreign terrain.
His life is woven with threads of pride and desperation. When he learns of a possible cure from a captive Israelite girl, he initially dismisses her humble suggestion. It’s striking that a child’s voice prompts a man of valor to seek healing, a moment I can relate to. In my life, simple acts of kindness or words from strangers have opened my eyes to overlooked possibilities.
The young girl symbolizes resilience and faith. Taken from her homeland, she embodies the essence of her culture and urges Naaman to seek the prophet Elisha. Her unwavering belief sharply contrasts with Naaman’s skepticism, reminding us of the strength found in often-unheard voices. This resonates with my struggles to preserve my cultural heritage while adapting to foreign norms. It serves as a reminder of the power that comes from being heard and understood.
I am reminded of a woman in my life who embodies struggle and resilience. Much like Naaman’s servant, she faces immense challenges, from being a Christian in a Muslim country to grappling with infertility, thyroid cancer, and stroke-related fears. Living within the confines of her circumstances, she stands at the crossroads of hope and despair but remains determined to carve out a meaningful existence.
As a chaplain, she guides others spiritually while wrestling with her doubts. Her role mirrors the young servant’s commitment to offer compassion and faith despite personal pain. She inspires me, showcasing the power of resilience in her healing journey.
When Naaman seeks Elisha, he encounters unfamiliar customs. The prophet sends a directive — to wash in the Jordan River without face-to-face interaction. Imagine the inner turmoil! This respected warrior is instructed to immerse himself in a muddy river, revealing the humility that characterizes healing journeys. Navigating new cultural norms often leaves me feeling uncomfortable, yet it reminds me of the need for humility and open-mindedness in our experiences.
The Jordan, often overlooked when compared to grander rivers, serves as a reminder that transformation can arise from the most unexpected sources. Embracing humility can reveal profound truths, reminding us to find significance in the seemingly insignificant. This is a powerful lesson that makes us feel valued and essential in our journeys. Naaman’s initial anger reflects our instinctive hesitance to embrace change. Yet, it is within the discomfort of change that healing occurs. His eventual surrender, spurred by gentle encouragement from his servants, symbolizes empowerment through vulnerability.
Emerging from the Jordan, Naaman finds not just physical healing but spiritual renewal. His transformation teaches me that healing encompasses more than physical restoration; it invites us to embrace humility, recognize resilience, and draw strength from our journeys. In my own life, these lessons shine through each moment of struggle, urging me onward in my quest for growth and healing among strangers.
ILLUSTRATIONS
From team member Dean Feldmeyer:2 Kings 5:1-14
Naaman is the classic example of a privileged white man who demands that he be treated by everyone as a superior person with superior needs and privileges. The prophet Elisha puts the lie to that notion.
You May Be A “Karen”, If…
In popular culture, a “Karen” is an obnoxious person, male or female, who thinks that their money, race, class, or some other thing about them gives them special privileges.
You may be a Karen if:
- You demand exceptional service from everyone.
- You enjoy leaving negative reviews online for every service you receive.
- You’ve ever asked someone “Do you know who I am?”
- You’ve reminded a police officer who is giving you a ticket that your tax dollars pay their salary.
- You’ve asked to “speak to the manager” more than three times in one week.
- You take up two parking spaces in the parking lot because you drive an expensive car.
- You are always willing to make a scene.
- You never apologize when you’re wrong.
- You think of yourself as a victim who deserves better.
- You specialize in back-handed compliments.
* * *
Galatians 6:1-16
Paul admonishes the Christians in the Galatian church to “work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith.”
Famous People Whose Good Deeds Aren’t Famous
- NBA Star LeBron James opened the I Promise Elementary School in Akron, Ohio, for at-risk students in conjunction with the LeBron James Family Foundation and the Akron Public Schools. The moment — a decade in the making — was “one of the greatest moments (if not the greatest) of my life,” James said on Twitter.
- Rocker Brendon Urie, frontman for Panic! at the Disco, pledged a $1 million gift through his Highest Hopes Foundation to GLSEN to provide resources, training, and support to LGBTQ students in need. GLSEN’s mission is to create inclusive and safe schools and educational environments for LGBTQ youth.
- George and Amal Clooney donated $500,000 to the March for Our Lives following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Flordia, that left 17 dead.
- Chrissy Teigen and John Legend donated $200,000 to Times Up on behalf of the US women’s gymnastics team and the number of female athletes sexually abused by medical doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to 40-75 years in prison.
- Taylor Swift, during a stop in Massachusetts on her Reputation tour, provided hundreds of free concert tickets to members of the Weymouth police department after one of their own, Sgt. Michael Chesna, was shot and killed while investigating a car crash.
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
In this passage, Luke tells of Jesus’ instructions to his disciples when he sends them out into the world to spread the gospel. Among the instructions are the admonition to “travel light” taking no more than is necessary, and instructions on how to be a good guest.
Good Host/Good Guest
When our kids were little, we would always remind them when their friends came to our house to play or have an overnight sleepover, that they were hosts, and being a good host was a big responsibility.
Good hosts don’t: correct their guests table manners or other behaviors; take the biggest portion, interrupt or talk over their guests, go first, etc. Good hosts always: put the needs and desires of their guests first, offer the best portion to their guests, ask their guests what games they want to play.
When they were going to someone else’s house we reminded them that there were responsibilities that went with being a good guest.
Good guests always: are polite, pick up after themselves, eat what is put before them (if only a little), compliment the cook, say please and thank you, play what the host wants to play. Good guests never: are rude, whine or complain, insult the cook or the host, leave a mess behind, pout, cheat, or brag.
One day our kids came to us with a question: So, when we go somewhere, we have to be good guests, and when someone comes here, we have to be good hosts, right? (Right) Okay, when do we get to be like our friends and not do any of those things?
My wife smiled and gently patted them on the back. “Well, honey, never. We’re Feldmeyers, and we are always good guests and good hosts.”
* * *
Traveling Light
The REI Co-op Expert Advice website offers the following advice for traveling light when you travel:
They suggest you consider the 1-2-3-4-5-6 Rule: One hat, two pairs of shoes, three bottoms, four tops (short or long-sleeve or outer layer), five pairs of socks, six pairs of underwear. This should be enough to last you for two weeks. Beyond that, customize your pack list to include swimwear, rainwear, or other specific items related to your trip. You may not need all of it (pack even less if you can), but this would get you through six days before you must do laundry. No matter how long your trip is, try to limit yourself to no more than seven days worth of clothing. Get used to wearing clothing more than once (no one really notices or cares). Also, plan to do laundry on the road.
* * * * * *
From team member Mary Austin:Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16
Vision Loss and the Message of Paul
As Paul writes to the churches in Galatia, he adds, “See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand!” His addition suggests that someone else wrote the rest of the letter for him, and that he suffered from some vision loss, if he needed such large letters.
In God’s Ghostwriters: Enslaved Christians and the Making of the Bible, Dr. Candida Moss notes that vision loss was common in the ancient world. She writes, “For Paul, imprisoned in a series of damp, cold prisons in Asia Minor, the darkness may not have been the only reason he used a scribe: he lived in a world without glasses. Today, roughly a third of the global population have some form of visual impairment. In antiquity, where treatments for eye infections, river blindness, congenital cataracts, diabetes, and many other conditions did not exist, the number was likely comparable. Archaeological and literary sources refer to congenital vision loss, temporary conditions, age-related vision loss, and accidental eye loss in the workplace or on the battlefield. Archaeologists who excavated the ancient healing shrines in Greece or Turkey found dismembered clay limbs, heads, and torsos dedicated as offerings to the god Asclepius, and noted that there were twice as many eyes as any other body part. Their number offers tangible evidence of the desperation of sufferers and the widespread nature of eye complaints. Paul, who by his own account wrote in oversized “large letters” (v. 11), would not have been alone in experiencing some vision loss. In the absence of corrective lenses and pharmaceuticals, people — often children, whose vision was superior — did the work of accommodative devices.”
Enslaved people were often the unseen eyes and hands that spread God’s message.
* * *
Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16
Reacting With Mercy
Paul reminds the believers in the Galatian churches that even followers of Jesus are going to make mistakes. Here’s how to handle it, he says, “if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.”
Barbara Brown Taylor says this kind of gentleness is part of the flow of being human. “To become fully human means learning to turn my gratitude for being alive into some concrete common good. It means growing gentler toward human weakness. It means practicing forgiveness of my and everyone else’s hourly failures to live up to divine standards. It means learning to forget myself on a regular basis in order to attend to the other selves in my vicinity. It means living so that “I’m only human” does not become an excuse for anything. It means receiving the human condition as blessing and not a curse, in all its achingly frail and redemptive reality.
“The glory of God is a human being fully alive,” wrote Irenaeus of Lyons some two thousand years ago. “One of the reasons I remain a Christian-in-progress is the peculiar Christian insistence that God is revealed in humankind — not just in human form but also in human being.”
We’re all “Christians in progress,” and can follow Paul’s word to meet each other (and ourselves) with gentleness. (from An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith)
* * *
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Being at Home
As the disciples travel around on Jesus’ mission, they have to make themselves at home with the host who will receive them. Writer Sue Bender finds an echo of their experience in a story from a friend:
A friend once told me about the “home” he and his father had as refugees in Europe during World War II. He, his mother, and his younger brother moved constantly from place to place… Each time they arrived in a new place, his mother would open the small suitcase that held all their belongings and bring out the lace tablecloth she had used for their Friday night meals in Poland, before they were forced to leave and begin their flight. In each place the ritual was exactly the same. She would place the suitcase on a table, carefully drape the tablecloth over the suitcase, light a candle, and in that moment, wherever it was became home. This ritual was their prayer.
Perhaps the disciples do the same in each home where they stay.
* * *
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Hospitality
Jesus sends his followers out to rely on the hospitality offered to them, “like lambs into the midst of wolves.” He knows that not everyone will receive them and so any hospitality they receive will be a precious gift.
After taking a long trip, Christine Sine reflected on the many ways she was received as a guest. “So many provided hospitality for us along the way that we, like Celtic Christians before us, felt like guests of the world.”
Another layer of hospitality came from the people in previous generations, she says.
As I reflected on our experiences I was most aware of those who have gone before us and made possible all that we did. I felt that they too were our hosts as we travelled and we were guests of their welcoming presence. We so rarely acknowledge them and yet their lives and sacrifices gave all of us the luxuries we so take for granted — luxuries of clean waterways, electricity, toilets, running water, good and abundant food. Finally, I remember my parents whose frugality provided us with the resources that we were able to spend on that trip. They too are our hosts. I particularly felt my mother’s welcoming presence beside me as we travelled. I was her guest on this trip just as much as I was when I stayed in her house in Australia. (from Celtic Advent: Following an Unfamiliar Path)
In a similar way, these early followers of Jesus have crafted a path for us and we build on their journeys.
* * *
2 Kings 5:1-14
Looking for a Wise Person
When Naaman gets angry about Elisha telling him to bathe in the Jordan, his servants are the ones who calm him down, probably not for the first time. They speak a word of wisdom to him.
Spiritual writer Mirabai Starr says that we, like Naaman, often look for wisdom in the wrong places. She writes:
Have you been scanning the horizon for an enlightened being to come rescue humanity from the mess we’ve made? Someone with the perfect blend of spiritual insight and political savvy, who effortlessly sacrifices themselves for the rest of us? Someone who speaks well and looks good? If so, it’s not your fault. You’ve been conditioned to expect this. Every spiritual tradition I know of promises some version of a savior, a redeemer, a second coming. But stop it. Stop waiting for the lone prophet, the singular sage.
She shares what the unnamed servants in the story already know.
Give up the never-ending self-improvement project. It’s futile and beside the point. We need each other. We belong to each other. We stretch and grow each other. Sometimes you are the seeker, sometimes the teacher. Each of us has something essential to contribute, inextricably bound with our individual quirks and gifts. Quit dividing up the world into those who have the magical qualities to fix what is broken and the rest of us, all the broken ones. The servants and the served are one glorious, messy human family, of which you are a beloved member. (from Ordinary Mysticism: Your Life as Sacred Ground)
* * *
2 Kings 5:1-14
Taking the Waters
When Elisha tells Naaman to bathe in the Jordan, he’s drawing on ancient wisdom about the healing power of water. Writer Lori Erickson, who explore the spiritual power of places, calls on the wisdom of marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols, who explores the reasons why water is good for us in his book Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do.
For Nichols, “Blue Mind” is a state bordering on meditation, “characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment. His book is full of examples of its effects. Writes Nichols:
From the early Greek and Roman physicians who recognized the healing waters of nature and bathing; to stressed-out industrial workers in nineteenth-century England and the United States who were advised to “take the waters” by the seaside or at natural springs to recover; to men and women today who treat their drug and alcohol addictions or PTSD with the dopamine rush of surfing or with the endorphin serenity produced by long, calm hours with a fishing rod in their hands; to patients who stare at aquariums in dental waiting rooms and feel reduced anxiety after watching the fish; to the millions who step into a hot bath or shower at the end of a long day and emerge relaxed, refreshed, and renewed — all of these are examples of how water can help us transition from the Red Mind of stress or the Gray Mind of numbed-out depression to the healthier Blue Mind state of calm centeredness. (from Every Step Is Home: A Spiritual Geography from Appalachia to Alaska)
Naaman joins the long list of people who have been healed by proximity to water.
* * * * * *
WORSHIPby George Reed
Call to Worship
One: Sing praises to the LORD, O you faithful ones.
All: We will give thanks to God’s holy name.
One: By your favor, O LORD, you had established us.
All: When you hide your face; we are dismayed.
One: You have turned our mourning into dancing.
All: You have taken off our sackcloth and clothed us with joy.
OR
One: God comes to dwell among the peoples of the earth.
All: We welcome God into this time of worship.
One: God desires to be with all of us, all the time.
All: We will invite God into all of our life.
One: God wants to be known by all through you.
All: We will act in love so others know God’s love.
Hymns and Songs
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
UMH: 127
H82: 690
PH: 281
GTG: 65
AAHH: 138/139/140
NNBH: 232
NCH: 18/19
CH: 622
LBW: 343
ELW: 618
W&P: 501
AMEC: 52/53/65
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
UMH: 140
GTG: 39
AAHH: 158
NNBH: 45
NCH: 423
CH: 86
ELW: 733
W&P: 72
AMEC: 84
Renew: 249
The Gift of Love
UMH: 408
GTG: 693
AAHH: 522
CH: 526
W&P: 397
Renew: 155
This Is My Song
UMH: 437
GTG: 340
NCH: 591
CH: 722
ELW: 887
STLT: 159
O Zion/Christian, Haste
UMH: 573
H82: 539
NNBH: 422
CH: 482
LBW: 397
ELW: 668
AMEC: 566
Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word
UMH: 596
H82: 440
PH: 454
GTG: 395
LBW: 248
Bread of the World
UMH: 624
H82: 301
PH: 502
GTG: 499
NCH: 346
CH: 387
W&P: 693
It’s Me, It’s Me, O Lord
UMH: 352
NNBH: 496
CH: 579
O God of Every Nation
UMH: 435
H82: 607
PH: 289
GTG: 756
CH: 680
LBW: 416
ELW: 713
W&P: 626
From the Rising of the Sun
CCB: 4
I Am Loved
CCB: 80
Music Resources Key
UMH: United Methodist Hymnal
H82: The Hymnal 1982
PH: Presbyterian Hymnal
GTG: Glory to God, The Presbyterian Hymnal
AAHH: African American Heritage Hymnal
NNBH: The New National Baptist Hymnal
NCH: The New Century Hymnal
CH: Chalice Hymnal
LBW: Lutheran Book of Worship
ELW: Evangelical Lutheran Worship
W&P: Worship & Praise
AMEC: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal
STLT: Singing the Living Tradition
CCB: Cokesbury Chorus Book
Renew: Renew! Songs & Hymns for Blended Worship
Prayer for the Day/Collect
O God who loves all of your creation:
Grant us the wisdom open our hearts to all
that your family’s rifts might be healed;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
OR
We praise you, O God, because your love extends out to all that you created. Every plant, animal, and human you have declared good. Help us to join with all you people as one family. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
One: Let us confess to God and before one another our sins and especially when we place ourselves above others.
All: We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. We look at others and judge whether they are worthy or not of our love. We forget that we were all made out of the same clay and contain your breath of life. We forget Jesus’ words that tell us not to judge others. We take our place of privilege whenever we can. Forgive us and fill us once again with your Spirit of love so that we might reach out to others in mutual affection. Amen.
One: God rejoices when we unite as one family who take care of each other. Receive God’s forgiveness and share that love with all.
Prayers of the People
We bring you our praise, O God, because you are the one whose love knows no bounds. Out of love you created all that is and you found it good in your sight.
(The following paragraph may be used if a separate prayer of confession has not been used.)
We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. We look at others and judge whether they are worthy or not of our love. We forget that we were all made out of the same clay and contain your breath of life. We forget Jesus’ words that tell us not to judge others. We take our place of privilege whenever we can. Forgive us and fill us once again with your Spirit of love so that we might reach out to others in mutual affection.
We give you thanks for all the ways in which you express your love for your creation. We are blessed at the beauty of the cosmos that stretches out beyond our understanding. We are grateful for your love that is boundless as it embraces us all. We thank you for Jesus who taught us to love you and to love one another.
(Other thanksgivings may be offered.)
We pray for the needs of all creation. We lift up to you those who been been cast aside by others. We pray for those who suffer violence because of the greed of others for power and wealth. We pray for the wisdom and courage we need to be disciples who share good news with all.
(Other intercessions may be offered.)
Hear us as we pray for others: (Time for silent or spoken prayer.)
All these things we ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ who taught us to pray saying:
Our Father....Amen.
(Or if the Our Father is not used at this point in the service.)
All this we ask in the name of the blessed and Holy Trinity. Amen.
* * * * * *
CHILDREN’S SERMONPacking for a Trip
by Katy Stenta
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Here we have Jesus talking about what the disciples need for ministry.
What do you pack when you go on a trip?
(Wait for answers)
Here Jesus says that the disciples do not need to worry about packing extra clothes or money.
They do not even need to worry about staying in the best house in town.
Instead he says what they need is each other.
Jesus is sure to send the disciples out in pairs, so that each person has a partner when they are traveling to do ministry.
Why do you think it’s easier to do ministry with someone else?
(Wait for answers.)
Why is it important to do ministry in community?
(Wait for answers.)
How can we support one another when we feel alone?
(Wait for answers.)
Let’s pray
Dear God
Thank you
For equipping us
To do ministry
By sending us
Together.
Amen.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Immediate Word, July 6, 2025 issue.
Copyright 2025 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to The Immediate Word service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons and in worship and classroom settings only. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
