Sixth Sunday after Pentecost 2025: July 20, 2025

Join us at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, Burlington, WI (216 E Chandler Blvd) for Morning Prayer at 9:00 AM for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost 2025.

Today, we reflect on the power of God’s Word to dwell in us, shape us, and bear fruit. If you can’t attend in person, we warmly invite you to worship with us via live stream, podcast, or replay video.

Join us electronically for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost 2025!

We understand that not everyone can join us in person, but we still want you to participate! There are several ways to do so.

Live Streaming and Replay Options

Our live stream will begin a few minutes before the service at 9:00 a.m. Central Time; however, you are welcome to join at your convenience. If you can’t attend the live stream, you can always watch the replay, which is available right after the service concludes.

Podcast

If you prefer to join us on the go or enjoy audio content, we also offer that option.

The St. John the Divine Podcast is accessible on all major podcast platforms. Be sure to find us and follow or subscribe so you’ll be notified when the latest episode is released.

Here are some of our podcasts for you to check out.

Collect of the Day for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost 2025

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask
and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Track Two Readings for Proper 11C: Sixth Sunday after Pentecost 2025

Old Testament: Genesis 18:1–10a

Abraham extends hospitality to three mysterious visitors under the shade of the oaks of Mamre. In return, one of them promises that Sarah will bear a child. God’s promise overcomes disbelief, bringing new life and unexpected joy.

1The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. 3He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” 7Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it.8Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. 

9They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” 10Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.”

Psalm 15

A psalm that describes the qualities of those who may dwell in God’s presence: righteousness, truthfulness, integrity, and compassion. “Those who practice these virtues shall never be overthrown.”

1 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *
        who may abide upon your holy hill?
2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *
        who speaks the truth from his heart.
3 There is no guile upon his tongue;
   he does no evil to his friend; *
        he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.
4 In his sight the wicked is rejected, *
        but he honors those who fear the Lord.
5 He has sworn to do no wrong *
        and does not take back his word.
6 He does not give his money in hope of gain, *
        nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
7 Whoever does these things *
        shall never be overthrown.

Epistle: Colossians 1:15–28

Paul presents Christ as the visible image of the invisible God, the one through whom all things were created and reconciled. Christ dwells within us—a mystery now revealed—and we are called to proclaim and grow into his fullness.

15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. 21And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him— 23provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. 24I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. 25I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Gospel: Luke 10:38–42

Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary. While Martha is busy with various tasks, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to him. Jesus gently reminds Martha that Mary has chosen “the better part,” which will not be taken away from her.

38Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 41But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things;42there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Get a PDF of readings for Proper 11C, Track 2.

Reflection

This Sunday invites us to reflect on welcoming God’s presence and Word into our lives.

• Abraham welcomes strangers and receives a divine promise.
• The psalmist teaches us that holiness originates from our actions and the way we treat others.
• Paul directs us to recognize Christ as the central figure of both creation and our lives.
• Jesus honors Mary’s attentiveness, inviting us to slow down and sit with the Word that gives life.

As we gather, let us open our hearts, create space for Christ, and grow together in hope, peace, and joy.

Join Us!

📍 216 E Chandler Blvd, Burlington, WI
📺 Live Stream & Replay Available on YouTube
🎙️ Podcast on All Major Platforms

All are welcome—come as you are and be nourished by God’s Word, worship, and community.