Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 2025: July 6, 2025

Join us at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Burlington, Wisconsin, for our 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist service as we celebrate the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 2025.

This week’s readings highlight God’s comfort, invite us to joyful service, and remind us that we are sent into the world as bearers of peace.

“Rejoice, Be Sent, and Do Not Grow Weary”

Join us for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 2025 Electronically

We understand that you may not always be able to worship with us in our historic sanctuary, but you are still welcome to join us. We offer live streams of our services that instantly become replays after each service. Another way to listen to the sermon again or worship with us on the go is through our podcast.

Live Stream/Replay

You are welcome to join us at 9:00 a.m. Central Time on July 6, 2025, or at any time thereafter.

Podcast

Our podcast is usually released by Sunday afternoon, but sometimes it is delayed until Monday.

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Collect of the Day for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 2025

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor:
Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart,
and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Readings for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 2025 (Track II)

Old Testament: Isaiah 66:10-14

A beautiful and comforting image of God as a nurturing mother:

“As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.”
God promises restoration and prosperity to Jerusalem. Her people will be carried, comforted, and made to flourish.

¹⁰Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her— ¹¹that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom. ¹²For thus says the Lord: I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees. ¹³As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. ¹⁴You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bodies shall flourish like the grass; and it shall be known that the hand of the Lord is with his servants, and his indignation is against his enemies.

Psalm: Psalm 66:1-8

A joyful and reverent song praising God’s awesome deeds:

“Be joyful in God, all you lands… Come now and see the works of God.”
It celebrates God’s power in creation and salvation, calling all people to lift their voices in thanksgiving.

¹ Be joyful in God, all you lands; *
        sing the glory of his Name;
        sing the glory of his praise.
² Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! *
        because of your great strength your enemies
                                cringe before you.
³ All the earth bows down before you, *
        sings to you, sings out your Name.”
⁴ Come now and see the works of God, *
        how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people.
⁵ He turned the sea into dry land,
  so that they went through the water on foot, *
        and there we rejoiced in him.
⁶ In his might he rules for ever;
  his eyes keep watch over the nations; *
        let no rebel rise up against him.
⁷ Bless our God, you peoples; *
        make the voice of his praise to be heard;
⁸ Who holds our souls in life, *
        and will not allow our feet to slip.

Epistle: Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16

Paul encourages the faithful to live in the Spirit:

“Let us not grow weary in doing what is right… a new creation is everything!”
He reminds us that life in Christ is about bearing one another’s burdens, sowing spiritual fruit, and finding our true identity in God’s grace—not in outward signs or religious status.

[¹My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. ²Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. ⁴All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. ⁵For all must carry their own loads. ⁶Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.] ⁷Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. ⁸If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. ⁹So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. ¹⁰So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

¹¹See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! ¹²It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. ¹⁴May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.¹⁵For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! ¹⁶As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Gospel: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Jesus sends out seventy followers to prepare the way for him:

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
They are told to bring peace, heal the sick, and proclaim God’s nearness. Upon their return, they rejoice in their spiritual authority—but Jesus redirects their joy: “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

¹After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. ²He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ³Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. ⁴Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. ⁵Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ ⁶And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. ⁷Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. ⁸Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you;⁹cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ ¹⁰But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ¹¹‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ ¹⁶“Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

¹⁷The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” ¹⁸He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. ¹⁹See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. ²⁰Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Reflection

This Sunday’s scriptures offer a message of both comfort and a call to action:

• Isaiah reassures us of God’s close care and healing presence.
• The Psalm encourages us to praise God for His mighty acts joyfully.
• Paul encourages us to live with perseverance and integrity as part of a new creation.
• Jesus sends us out not in fear, but with peace, reminding us that our identity and joy are rooted in God’s love.

As we gather for worship, may we find strength in God’s comfort, be renewed in our purpose, and rejoice that we are called and claimed by name.

All Are Welcome To Worship With Us For the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 2025

Whether in person or online, you are invited to worship with us as we grow in faith, serve our community, and walk in love.

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