With the beginning of the Fourth of July weekend, the homily dealt with the fact that the mysteries of God’s ways are sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent, as spoken by the Rev. David W. Collins III, pastor of Karnes City’s St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, on the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost.

We struggle with our own selfish desires and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. We gather with our congregations everywhere to be refreshed by God’s invitation: “Come to me, all you that are weary.” Gathered around word, water, and meal, we find rest for our souls.

When Jesus was speaking to a crowd gathered to hear him, he chides the people who find fault with both his ministry and previously that of John the Baptist. Jesus associated mostly with the lowly and outcast of society. He thanks God that wisdom and intelligence are not needed t receive what God has to offer. He compares those who understand his words as infants. He relays to all that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, he can give them rest if only they learn from the ways he teaches them. Our prayer is that God will empower this congregation to take Christ’s yoke, serving one another with gentle and humble hearts, that this community may witness the strength of God’s love.

The Holy Scriptures, read by Dorothy Myers, were taken from Zechariah, Psalm 145, Romans, and the Gospel of Matthew 11:16-30.

Prayers were given for all who are weary or burdened, poor or hungry, oppressed, ill, or grieving, and all who are in medical facilities or home-shut-ins. We are grateful for our countries freedoms and our prayers are with those from our community who work to bring peace around the globe; especially Justin Chandler, John Vasquez, Taylor Griffin, James Skinner, Jess Arredondo, Delmiro Villanueva Jr., Jamacia Goodhue, Michael Rosales, Dusty Culpepper, Kassie Villanueva, Russell Huebner, Jason Kotzur, Brian and Rache Whitley, Derrick Black, Felipe Leal Jr., Garrett Peterson, and Alex Kotara. Continued prayers come from all individuals across our area for refreshing rains to break the drought.

Scheduled calendar events include: at 9am on Wednesday, July 6 the Quilters meet to work on items fro Lutheran Church Relief and at 2:30pm Bingo at KCHR; on Thursday, July 7 at 2:30pm KCHR Devotions and at 3pm BBM Devotions, during the week of July 24-29 Vacation Bible School, and on Sunday, July 31 Bishop Ray Tiemann will deliver the sermon, after which the July potluck luncheon will be observed.