Fifth Sunday After Pentecost At-Home Service for July 5

July 5 is the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost. Instead of worldly expectations shaping how one viewed God, it is really the expectations of God and His will that should shape the world and how we view everything that happens in it. 

Perhaps it is for this reason that the weary and those carrying heavy burdens have more easily recognized the presence of the kingdom Jesus brings. The weary and the burdened are not normally as adept at imposing their own will on the world.  Generally, they have not been the ones to force their way to the top.  And yet, they are the ones Jesus invited.  He said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart,…”

Follow along with the the At-home printed version of the Fifth Sunday After Pentecost service.  Click here or on the image below to view the at-home version of the service.

Pastor Rike’s Sermon

To take the yoke of Jesus upon ourselves is to repent.  To take the yoke of Jesus is to be joined to the joys of heaven.  True freedom means bearing some burdens with Jesus instead of dreaming about ways to escape into some imagined and illusory future that only brings more bondage to our individual selfishness. By his resurrection Jesus has already displayed the future. All that God expects or desires is to share fellowship – to be joined to humanity through Jesus. 
Click here to read the complete sermon.

Video Options

Follow along with the service on video led by Pastor David Rike with music performed by Randy Broker. 

Click on the image below to view the video.

The Fifth Sunday After Pentecost Service for July 5 includes: Hymn: Before You, Lord, We Bow performed by Randy Broker, First Reading Zechariah 9:9-12, Holy Gospel Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, Sermon by Pastor David Rike, Hymn: Day by Day performed by Randy Broker, Prayers and Lord’s Prayer, Blessing