Children are invited to celebrate Advent and Christmas by participating in the Brick Church Christmas Pageant! The pageant is an opportunity for children to offer worship leadership and be our Christmas storytellers.

Shared during Sunday Worship on October 11, 2026. God of life, you have formed us into a community of believers, who can love each other, because we have first been loved by you. ​We thank you for the myriad of ways in which you have blessed us. What do we have that you have not first given to us? You bless us with families and communities who love and support us. You give us this precious life – within which we may do your work. You cause the sun to rise and the flowers to bloom. For all you have given us, we give you thanks. Hear us now, O God, as in silence we give you thanks for all that brings us joy. ​Lord, we pray for our world today. We ask for safety and support for those who are living in places of deep conflict and upheaval and for those who have been affected by natural disasters. We pray for those affected by the attack on the airport in Riyadh. For those who have lost their homes or remain without power in the wake of Hurricane Isaias. And for safety for those in Panama during the aftereffects of the recent earthquake. Lord, please guide the hearts and minds of those with the power to give aide, and those who have been placed in positions of leadership. We pray for the concerns closer to home – for those who are sick, or grieving. For those facing uncertainty, financial hardships, relational difficulties, or other burdens that cannot be seen but are still felt. Lord, we ask you to form us into people who overflow with grace, as we work to become reflections of the grace you have given us. ​Loving and kind God, we thank you for knowing our hearts and minds, even when they are murky to ourselves. We offer these prayers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Brick Church and NY Common Pantry are working together to feed New York families this Thanksgiving. Your support is crucial! We are accepting canned foods (no glass please) or $50 Donations: Donate online here or submit a check made out to The Brick Presbyterian Church with memo "Thanksgiving Drive." Pre-labeled bags are available for pick up starting Sunday, October 18 in the Garden Room, and should be dropped off by Wednesday, November 11.

Deuteronomy 34:1-8, 10-12; Luke 2:25-32 ​"No one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel." This Deuteronomy quote shows us that Moses' relationship with God was unique in all of history. It is the conclusion of the Torah, the five books of the Hebrew Bible that form its core. Moses is the only person ever to relate to God face to face, so much so that it changed his appearance. At the end, Moses came to embody the faith of an elder. It is that stage that embraces "the life that really is life," as 1 Timothy 6:17-19 describes it. If the faith of a child is typified by trust, the faith of a teenager by gumption, and the faith of an adult by responsibility, the faith of an elder is marked by a serene wisdom. The elder is able to discern that which is truly valuable. This is our stewardship theme this year: Enduring Treasures. The need for a successful career and a big house and the approbation of society fades away. The elder is able to discern between the ephemeral trappings of life and that which endures: the beauty of creation, the simple moments with friends and family, holding hands with one you love. Sadly, these wise voices are being expunged from our culture through our obsession with youth. But the Bible tells us that gray hair is a crown of glory. And other cultures across the world, particularly many Asian and African cultures, have a strong tradition of valuing these voices. Surprisingly, in many ways, it is the faith of a child you return to. Explanations are no longer important, and you are willing to embrace the mystery of existence, but with a wider wonder; you know so much more the good and the bad, and yet you realize life is even more incredible than you ever could have imagined. I find myself here this morning, and at Brick in general, delighting in the faith of your children, who ask incredible questions in chapel, like "Is God real?" and whose eyes light up at Christmas when we sing those carols. With all the questions and study and painful experiences my fifty-nine years have brought, I find the enthusiasm of those bedrock things I was taught as a child coming back into my heart in a powerful way. Simple things, like: Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. The prayers have become more real to me, especially when we pray for the needs of the world. I relish those moments of fellowship, like the Fall Fling when we all saw each other again. And when I hear you all read Scripture—the holiness is more real than ever. But the journey of faith is not a linear one, and we seem to be tossed to and fro from one phase to the next, and Moses was no exception. His early years were no key to his later greatness. It took him a long time, longer than most, to get there. As a youth, he was pampered and privileged in Pharaoh's court. As a teenager, he was on fire for justice for his people. Unable to control himself because of his anger and his desire to protect a fellow Hebrew, he killed a taskmaster, and he had to flee. It was not until Moses was eighty years old that he entered into the faith of an adult. He was tending his flock on the hills when, off in the distance, he saw a bush that was burning but not consumed. He approached it and took off his shoes because God told him he was on holy ground. God charged him to deliver his people, but at first Moses balked. And so God promised, "I will be with you." This marked the moment in which Moses began his journey as a prophet, never to be equaled by anyone in the history of the world. The adult phase of faith frustrated him, especially the Israelite people. He was giving everything, and mostly all they could do was complain. The turning point came on one occasion when he was talking with God on top of Mount Sinai and, down below, the people were erecting a golden calf. Moses came down, and in his fury he smashed the stone tablets, this incredible gift from God. The teenage faith was welling back up within him, unable to control his anger and his actions. The danger of this phase of faith is being trapped in cynicism and becoming curmudgeonly, like one of those neighbors who is always yelling at the children, "Get off my lawn!" Moses easily could have become bitter, because he had seen the people fail so often. And far from supporting him, they were constantly pressing him, and pressing him, and pressing him. At one point, he was so afraid of them that he thought they were getting ready to stone him, simply because he didn't magically provide them with more water than ever, whenever they needed it. And yet, his love for his people was like a burning fire that consumed him. Right after he smashed the tablets, he was willing to be blotted out for their sake. You see, Moses wasn't the only one frustrated. Earlier, on the mountain, God had been ready to give up on the Israelite people, telling Moses, "Let me alone. Stand aside and I will blot out the people of Israel and make of you a great nation." Moses' faith had now deepened to the point that he was even willing to challenge God out of love for his people. He said, "Forgive their sin, or else blot me out of the book you have written." And indeed, God relented. Moses would have one last moment of weakness, and his old impulse would return. The people were pressing him for water once again. He went to the Lord asking for help. God instructed him to take the trusty staff and speak to the rock. But Moses let his anger take over and did not trust the Lord. He struck the rock twice. And God declared, "Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them." Less than a year later, Moses stands on Mount Nebo. You can see the Promised Land from there. And he pleads with God, "Let me cross over." But God does not relent. "Enough. Speak to me no more of this matter." But God gives him one mercy: "Go up to the top of Pisgah and look with your own eyes." And in the true faith of an elder, Moses accepts God's word and passes on the mantle of his leadership by blessing Joshua, trusting him for the final stage of this journey. It is the moment of acceptance. And so, standing on Mount Nebo, he looks down into the land of promise. I can't begin to conceive everything that Moses was feeling at seeing this glorious land. Perhaps he is thinking back to the 120 impossible years that brought him to that view, and not just his 120 years, but the hundreds of years of slavery that his people knew was finally coming to an end. His whole life was meant for this moment: the burning bush, the struggles against Pharaoh, the awful angel of death, the Red Sea, the 40 years in the wilderness. Moses, the greatest prophet ever, the servant of the people, the eternal bargainer, the talker who debates God, is at this moment surprisingly quiet. He is at peace. The journey was over. They made it. And Moses was ready. I believe that peace was echoed centuries later by Simeon, who saw the baby Jesus and declared, as we heard this morning, "O Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people, a light to the Gentiles, and glory to your people Israel." Deuteronomy tells us who buries Moses. There is no crowd, no monument, no marker. The Hebrew says simply, "he buried him," and ancient tradition says it was God. Moses spent forty years carrying a people. At the end, he is carried. The faith of an elder ends where the faith of a child began: in the arms of One who can be trusted. That is the life that really is life. It is not the career, the house, or the approval of the world, but to be known face to face, and carried home. Amen.

“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” —Matthew 6:20 This year’s stewardship theme, Enduring Treasures, invites us to consider what it means to “take hold of the life that really is life.” In 1 Timothy 6:17–19, we are called to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, “thus storing up for [ourselves] the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that [we] may take hold of the life that really is life.” This is the work of investing ourselves—our time, talents, treasure, and all that we are—not in the fleeting things that reflect the values of this world, but in the enduring things that reflect the values of heaven. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a similar challenge: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes” (Matthew 6:20). So often, we become distracted by what is immediately before us. We may come to believe that our careers, possessions, or standing in society are what create a fulfilling life. But within the life of the church, we glimpse the truth of Jesus’ words. We find enduring treasure in the blessing of our children—in hearing their laughter and listening as they ask profound questions such as, “Who is God?” These moments remind us that passing on the faith is one of the fundamental gifts God entrusts to us. The fellowship we share at The Brick Church is also a reflection of the kingdom of God. Our eternal joy is to gather with all the faithful before the throne of heaven. Each time we come together as a congregation, we experience a glimpse of that heavenly life. We carry these memories and sacred moments with us, both at church and at home. A child is baptized. Two people are joined in marriage. A beloved member is commended to the Church Triumphant. In these moments, we gain greater clarity about what we truly desire from life—and what God desires for us. The first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of humankind?” The answer is: “To glorify God and enjoy God forever.” This disposition helps us focus on what truly matters. As Christians, we find joy in God through serving others and giving ourselves away. Jesus teaches that those who seek to preserve their lives will lose them, but those who give their lives for his sake will find them. One of the great gifts of The Brick Church is the opportunity to serve one another within this congregation and then to go beyond these walls to serve a hungry and hurting world. In doing so, we reflect the life Jesus led. As we become more like him, the image of God within each of us shines more brightly. Storing up treasures in heaven means developing habits and practices that create opportunities for us to see heavenly light shining through the ordinary moments of our lives. Through worship, fellowship, generosity, service, and love, we take hold of the life that really is life.

Romans 5:1-5; Ephesians 4:11-14 ​"Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace – but there is no peace. The war is actually begun!" These words from Patrick Henry, spoken on the precipice of the Revolutionary War, were suggesting that there was a battle, a severe unease that already existed, even though the guns had yet to be fired. And it feels exactly the same way today. No, I don't think a war is coming to engulf us. But I do think there is a war within us, a deep anxiety and unease that feels like it's growing stronger and stronger. The American Psychologycal Association this year told us that more than half of Americans are more anxious than they were the year before — over the economy, political division, finances, food insecurity, affordable housing, a lack of safety, and the looming, uncertain power of artificial intelligence. To find our way through this mire, as Christians, we turn to faith. And this week we find that the faith of a child or the faith of a teenager will not carry us through. We need to move beyond the innocent faith of a child, past the gumption of a teenager, and into the full maturity of Christ. The reward is found in Paul's letter to the Romans — peace with God. If the war has already begun, more than anything, we need this peace. And Paul doesn't just tell us that we need it. He gives us a roadmap, a very practical path. "Suffering produces endurance. Endurance produces character. Character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint us." Suffering Will Come "Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something." This marvelous quote from that fantastic book, The Princess Bride, tells a profound truth. No life is promised a bed of roses. It's going to be hard. And inconveniently, there are only two choices before us: to wither and atrophy in the face of that suffering, becoming broken people, or to gird your loins and face life with courage. Nietzsche understood it this way: "To live is to suffer. To survive is to find meaning in the suffering." The Apostle Peter believed deep in his heart that he was a man of indomitable will who would not bend under pressure. In his eyes, it was what made Peter, Peter. So at the Last Supper, when Jesus warns all the disciples, "You will abandon me, all of you," Peter refuses to believe it. "Not I, Lord. Surely not I. Even if all of these others fall away, I will remain by your side." But Jesus was not going to pull any punches. He tells Peter the hard truth he needs to hear: "Truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows three times, you will deny me three times." We all know what happened. Peter lurks at a distance, as they are leading Jesus to die. Peter sits down with a group of strangers around a fire. And a servant girl looks at him: "This man was with Jesus." "Woman, I do not know him," Peter said. Three times he was asked. Three times he denied it — to the servant girl, to a stranger who insisted he was one of them, to someone who recognized his Galilean accent. And then the rooster crows. And from a distance, Jesus turns and looks at Peter. It was at that point that Peter suffered more than he ever would for the rest of his life. He wept bitterly. Suffering Produces Endurance His belief that he was strong enough, faithful enough, self-reliant enough, was completely shattered. And this is exactly what was needed. Now he understood the truth about himself, and he was ready to trust — not in his own ability to follow Jesus, but in Jesus himself. He was ready to become the rock, ready to endure any trial, because he was finally trusting in God rather than his own strength. After the resurrection, Jesus and Peter are together, sitting by a fire, sharing a piece of fish — the most normal thing they could have been doing. And Peter is finally ready to hear what Jesus is saying. He has been broken down enough that his pride is gone. His heart is open, and he is eager to listen. This is the shift from a conventional faith to a reflective one — the most disruptive shift a faith can make. A loss of conventional faith may feel like deprivation, but with perseverance, it's actually a deepening: a mature faith has sufficient character to respect people you disagree with, because you can see that the intention of their heart is pure, even when you don't think their conclusions are the most effective way to achieve their aims. It relies less on our own wisdom, our own ability to understand the faith, and more on God's promises. I have seen the remarkable power of such a faith in some of the most difficult of circumstances. When a debilitating disease strikes a person in the prime of life, it's absolutely devastating. It can crush everything inside of you. Some years ago, I remember visiting a member in the hospital. They had learned in their mid-40s that they had contracted a cancer that would end their life sooner rather than later. There are several paths that most of us, myself included, would take. One might be to rail at God: "Why me, God? Why did you allow this to happen?" God can work with that response, but that path can be bitter, long, and hard. Another response might be to abandon belief in God altogether. This also can be terribly difficult, because the person feels like they've been lied to all of their lives by people they love and respect, and they feel like they've been duped and fooled into believing a fantasy. Often this person has a hard time trusting for the rest of their life — not only God, but others around them. And these two very human, very understandable responses are how most of us might react. And this is why I was not only confounded, but in awe, in that hospital room. And the woman very simply said to me, "At first I did ask, why me, God? Why? Why me? But something helped that perspective change. And it was only a very small change. She began asking, 'Why not me, God? I have friends and family to help me through this time. I have a church and I have good health care. And yes, I know this will be awful, terrible for me and for my loved ones. But I also know that this will not be the end of my story.'" Endurance Produces Character It was her very suffering that produced such powerful character. Jesus shows us the type of character we should strive toward. He suffered the scorn of his people, the judgment of the religious authorities, the pain of crucifixion — but it did not change him. He did not stoop to their level, compromise the truth, or become bitter and hateful. He remained a person of mercy and compassion, and as a result he has inspired the world; even those who don't believe in him as Lord have a profound respect for his character. An adult faith treats a trial as something to be examined, not simply survived — willing to be reshaped by Christ through the hardship, rather than clinging to old, simplistic pictures of God. The immature Peter denied Jesus. Pulled out a sword at Jesus' arrest. Sank on the water. Misunderstood the Messiah so profoundly that Jesus called him Satan. This man of sinking sand did become the rock. And his character reflected that of his Lord. He found that last stage that Paul talks about: hope. He has gone through suffering. He has endured. His character has changed. And he not only knows hope, but he gave it to so many people. There is a tender account of Peter outside of the Bible, from Clement of Alexandria around 200 AD. Some years after the death of Jesus, Peter's wife has become a believer, and she would die for her faith. And Peter was there to see it. He didn't run away. He did not deny. And in the midst of his own personal agony at his loss, he knew that peace of God, because he knew where she was headed — not in the next few hours, but for eternity. And so he calls out to her, "Remember the Lord." Character Produces Hope "The war is actually begun," Henry said — and he was right, not just about muskets and redcoats, but about the private battle each of us carries. But unlike Henry, we are not left only with a call to arms. We are left with a promise: the suffering we are fighting through is the very road God uses to bring us to peace. Peter's wife did not go into her death with a call to arms either. She went with three words: "Remember the Lord." And with it she found peace. We may still cry peace, peace, and find none. But if we walk this road, we will find the war within us has already been won. Amen.

Let Us Pray Our dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear your Holy Word. We pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to make these ancient words of Scripture relevant and near to each of us today. Shine your light in our hearts so that we may share it with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. From Paul’s Letter to the Philippians - Chapter 3:1-11 Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. 2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh![a] 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God[b] and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh— 4 even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but one that comes through faith in Christ,[c] the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 I want to know Christ[d] and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. The surpassing value of knowing Christ In Philippians 3, Paul asks us to consider what we count as valuable. He had credentials, accomplishments, and a record of observing religious rules. Yet he came to regard them as nothing compared with knowing Christ. Paul warns the Philippians against placing their confidence in outward achievements or rituals. His hope rests instead in Christ and in the grace received through faith. What might we be tempted to rely on for our standing before God? Paul invites us to place our trust in Jesus. Continuing the journey Paul does not claim to have reached the end of his spiritual journey. He presses on to know Christ more fully and to live the life to which Christ has called him. That can encourage us when growth feels slow. We are still learning, and we do not walk alone. The same Holy Spirit strengthens us as we continue toward Christ. Paul closes this section with a loving call to “stand firm in the Lord” (Philippians 4:1). May we keep pressing on and stand firm in him. Peace be with you.

Let Us Pray Our dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear your Holy Word. We pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to make these ancient words of Scripture relevant and near to each of us today. Shine your light in our hearts so that we may share it with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. From Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, Chapter 4: 4-9 4 Rejoice[b] in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.[c] 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[d] these things. 9 As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you. The Lord is near Philippians 4 contains some of my favorite verses in the Bible. Paul reminds us that the Lord is near. He calls us to rejoice, to bring our requests to God in prayer, and to give thanks. Paul does not promise that every prayer will be answered in the way we expect. He offers this promise: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). For me, this means surrendering my desire for control to my Savior. It means slowing down, making room for Sabbath rest, praying, and reading God’s Word. When I become still enough to remember that God is with me, I can begin to trust God’s strength more than my own abilities. The secret of contentment In Philippians 4:10–13, Paul speaks of learning to be content in very different circumstances. His strength comes from Christ. Can we find joy amid the small demands of daily life? Can we offer them to Jesus and let him reign in our hearts? We each have different work to do, and with the Spirit’s help, we can seek to do it faithfully while trusting our Savior to guide us. Peace be with you.

Let Us Pray Our dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear your Holy Word. We pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to make these ancient words of Scripture relevant and near to each of us today. Shine your light in our hearts so that we may share it with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. From Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, Chapter 2, vs. 1-17 If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was[a] in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God exalted him even more highly and gave him the name that is above every other name, 10 so that at the name given to Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmuring and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world, 16 holding forth the word of life so that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the service of your faith, I rejoice, and I rejoice together with all of you; 18 in the same way also you should rejoice and rejoice together with me. A call to humility Paul sets a high bar for followers of Jesus. He asks the Philippians to share the same love, be united in spirit, and consider the interests of others alongside their own. Can we live this way through our own strength? Paul begins with the encouragement, love, compassion, and fellowship we receive in Christ. He then points us to Jesus as our example. Jesus came to serve and humbled himself, becoming obedient even to death on a cross. God exalted him. Humility makes room for unity. When we attend to the needs of others rather than being driven by selfish ambition, our relationships and communities can begin to look different. Shining in the world Later in the chapter, Paul calls believers to live without complaining or arguing and to hold fast to the word of life. How can we shine in a broken world? We begin by recognizing that God is at work in us. The Holy Spirit helps us serve God’s purposes with love in our hearts, even as we keep learning how to live faithfully with one another. Peace be with you.

Let Us Pray Our dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear your Holy Word. We pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to make these ancient words of Scripture relevant and near to each of us today. Shine your light in our hearts so that we may share it with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. From the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 13:24-30 and vs. 36-43 The Parable of Weeds among the Wheat 24 He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while everybody was asleep an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ 28 He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he replied, ‘No, for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ” Jesus Explains the Parable of the Weeds 36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin[a] and all evildoers, 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears[b] listen! A field of wheat and weeds Jesus often used familiar images to teach about the kingdom of God. To listeners who knew the rhythms of sowing and harvesting, a field threatened by weeds would have been easy to picture. But this parable is more than a story about farming. It invites us to consider evil, judgment, God’s patience, and the right time for the harvest. The weeds in the story may have resembled wheat while both plants were young. Pulling them up too soon could have destroyed the wheat as well. The landowner therefore tells his workers to let both grow until the harvest, when they can be separated. Three questions help us look more closely at what Jesus is teaching. 1) Did God do this? The workers ask whether the landowner sowed good seed. If he did, where did the weeds come from? It is a question we may recognize in our own lives: If God is good, why is there evil in the world? The landowner answers that an enemy has done this. The sower did not plant bad seed. As followers of Jesus, we hold on to the hope that evil and death do not have the final word. Christ has overcome them through his work on the cross. 2) Do you want us to fix it? The workers offer to gather the weeds. The landowner refuses because they would uproot the wheat along with them. They cannot yet separate the plants without causing harm. We, too, are called to respond to evil, but we do not have the wisdom or power to eliminate it from the world. We must take care when we assume we can see clearly enough to do God’s work of final judgment. 3) Will it always be this way? Does waiting for the harvest mean doing nothing now? No. Jesus calls his disciples to be peacemakers and to act with justice, love, and mercy toward their neighbors. This parable reminds us that our efforts cannot bring about the final purification of the world. That belongs to God. Why does the landowner wait? What might God’s patience reveal about his grace toward us? The promise of a harvest in God’s time gives us hope as we seek to live faithfully today. Peace be with you.

Let Us Pray Our dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear your Holy Word. We pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to make these ancient words of Scripture relevant and near to each of us today. Shine your light in our hearts so that we may share it with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Faith within hardship When we began Philippians, we met a letter full of joy, written by a man in prison. Now Paul shows us more of what that joy looks like when circumstances are difficult. Paul has not been forsaken by God. Even in confinement, he sees opportunities for the gospel to be shared. He relies on God’s strength and purpose, trusting that God can work through circumstances he would never have chosen. Paul writes, “For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain” (Philippians 1:21). His words reveal a profound confidence in Jesus’ victory over death. His life belongs to Christ, whatever happens next. From Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, Chapter 1, vs. 12-14; 19-24; 27-30 12 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the progress of the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[a] and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ, 14 and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word[b] with greater boldness and without fear. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my salvation. 20 It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way but that by my speaking with all boldness Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me, yet I cannot say which I will choose. 23 I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better, 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel 28 and in no way frightened by those opposing you. For them, this is evidence of their destruction but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. 29 For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ but of suffering for him as well, 30 since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. Standing together Paul also asks the Philippians to live in a manner worthy of the gospel, “standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). It is a picture of believers supporting one another through uncertainty. The early Christians faced opposition for their faith. Our trials may look different, but hardship can still leave us frightened or cause us to question where we belong. Paul encourages us to stand firm together and remember that our ultimate hope rests in Christ and in what he has already done for us. That hope is a gift of God’s grace. Peace be with you.

Let Us Pray Our dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear your Holy Word. We pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to make these ancient words of Scripture relevant and near to each of us today. Shine your light in our hearts so that we may share it with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. A letter filled with joy In this episode, we begin exploring Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. Paul writes with warmth and affection, even though he is a prisoner under Roman guard. His letter returns again and again to joy while also calling believers to humility, unity, and a life shaped by Christ. That raises a question for us: How can we rejoice when life is uncertain or painful? In Philippians 1:1–11, Paul greets the church with thanksgiving and prayer. His words are confident and full of love. Yet his confidence does not rest on comfortable circumstances or on his own strength. It comes from his trust in Christ. From Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, Chapter 1, vs. 1-11 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, for all of you are my partners in God’s grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the tender affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what really matters, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. A prayer for growing love Paul prays that the Philippians’ love will overflow with knowledge and insight, helping them discern what is best. He looks toward a life that bears the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ. This is a prayer we can receive for ourselves. Selfish ambition, arguments, complaints, anxiety, and negative thoughts can draw our attention away from joy. Paul points us back to the source of a deeper confidence: placing our trust in Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our lives. As we continue through Philippians, let us keep asking how joy and hardship can coexist. Paul’s letter will help us explore that question. Peace be with you.