Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6: 35

In our Sunday morning readings from John’s Gospel, Jesus feeds five thousand and is followed by the crowd. Jesus has a spiritual teaching for them, and for us. Just as our bodies need food and water, our spirits need food and water. Christians are fed through the word of God. The written word in the scripture, the living word in Jesus Christ, who is with us through the assembly of the church and in the sacraments.

Spiritual malnourishment leads to spiritual suffering and to disorder in families and in society. When we are not fed with the bread of life, we fill our lives with junk food of pop culture, with material things, with strange and socially destructive political ideas. We chew on grudges, complain about the weather, etc.

Sunday we will talk about our spiritual diets. What is your normal spiritual diet? Who feeds you? Are there authors, musicians, poets, artists who feed your spirit? Are you disciplined about our spiritual diets (as a disciple) or do you scrounge around to fill your life with activities and addictions to try to satisfy your hunger for God?

Sometimes human spirits are so undernourished and shriveled that they do not feel their need for spiritual food.

Come on Sunday and be fed with the bread of life.

Kathryn is away. Bob Holmgren will play the liturgy and the hymns.

Summer musicians are Steve and Nancy Meshon.

Bring in an offering of food for our neighbors who come to A Place to Turn, the food pantry in Natick.

In these summer weeks think of a family with children that you would like to invite to faith formation classes in the fall. Invite a friend to come to church with you.

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The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord,
you give them their food in due season.
You open wide your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing. Psalm 145: 15

These lines from the Psalm for Sunday are used by some people as a table prayer, a little statement of gratitude before a meal. In the Gospel for Sunday, from John 6, we read that “Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated…” John 6:11.

In the learning season of Pentecost we are talking about spiritual fundamentals within a Christian’s life. Last week we talked about compassion. This week we will think about the Christian fundamental of gratitude. Christians are thankful people. It seems to me that gratitude is even harder for some Christians to muster than compassion. Jesus was consistently thankful. His heart was open to God in gratitude. We’ll talk about gratitude Sunday, and we’ll practice saying, singing and praying thank-you.

The bulletin cover for Sunday was drawn by Maddie Lutz.

In these summer weeks, if you know of someone who might be looking for a church home, invite them to church. If you know parents who are looking for Christian education for the children, invite them to Peace, and have them contact one of our teachers or Kim Canning our coordinator of faith formation.

Sign up to play golf. If the golfers are in church Sunday we will decide together on a date and time to play together.

Summer volunteer opportunities: 1.) install two bulletin boards 2.) install another section of picture frame moulding in the narthex 3.) create chronological albums with newspaper clippings.

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The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Psalm 21:12

Trees that thrive and grow tall and straight in an arid climate are remarkable. They are inspiring and admirable for their resilience and toughness. Sometimes trees that grow strong in severe climates seem like miracle plants.

The psalm for Sunday calls to mind big, healthy trees that last longer than the course of an individual human life and therefore represent continuity, spiritual rootedness, tradition and ancestral relationships. Sunday we will think about trees, and faith that is passed on through generations.

We’ll think of our fathers, honor them and pray for them as we all celebrate father’s day.

The choir rehearses at 8:45 am. This is the last choir rehearsal before the summer recess. Thank you to Kathryn and the choir for their holy discipline of rehearsing and singing a song of faith every week.

Summer soloists: if you are willing to sing or play a musical instrument for a summer service, write back with a date that works for you.

The Sunday school classes meet for the last time this Sunday. Following an abbreviated class time, everyone will go into the church for a closing prayer and blessings.

Bring in cake and pancake mixes for A Place to Turn in Natick.

There is a link on our website to the service schedule for the second half of the year. Go to the second page of the website and look for the link to the schedule.

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I wait for you, O Lord; my soul waits;
in your word is my hope. Psalm 130:5

Sunday morning we will focus our hearts and minds on the Psalm for the day. The psalmist helps us understand waiting as a spiritual fundamental.

“My soul waits.” We’ll think about the impatience that characterizes so much of our lives. We need to hurry, get things done, not waste time. The psalmist’s poem about waiting is related to last Sunday’s reflection about sabbath. Quieting ourselves is the beginning of wisdom. Silence is the ground of faith.

The choir rehearses at 8:45 am.

Faith formation at 11 am.

The summer meeting of the congregation is Sunday at 11 am. All adult members of the church (adult means confirmed) are expected to attend. We will hear reports and elect members to the council. Please make an effort to attend. Your presence is supportive.

The council will meet briefly after the meeting.

Bring in non-perishables for A Place to Turn in Natick. Last year a full basket of food was delivered to A Place to Turn, along with a bag of early potatoes from our garden.

Milly Engberg’s knitted caps were brought to the oncology department of Harvard Vanguard, Kenmore, Boston. The patient navigator was very pleased to have them. She will give them away to cancer patients who are receiving treatment there.

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The first reading for Sunday is the commandment to the Israelites about sabbath. They are to receive the gift of holiness in time. The commandments remain at the center of our Christian tradition, even if we ignore them in our so-called Protestant freedom.

In the Gospel Jesus shows a new vision of sabbath, not as a restriction but as vessel of God’s word and God’s healing love.

The choir rehearses at 9:30 am.

Faith formation at 11 am.

Adult forum at 11 am will be a discussion of the upcoming New England Synod assembly. Kim Canning and Libby Jonczyk will be voting members from Peace.

Next Sunday is our semiannual meeting at Peace. Area leaders are invited to write brief reports for the historical record. Outgoing council members will be thanked and new members will be elected to the council. Financial reports will be given, including a report on the Peace Forever campaign.