We mean it when we say, “Everyone is Welcome here!”

July 22 – 28, 2026

This Week @ First Church

Wednesday July 22

Mindful Meditation – 6 p.m.

Come every Wednesday evening and leave the troubles of the world outside as you spend an hour in meditation. Enter the church through the Delaware Street entrance.

Sunday July 26

Worship Service – 10 a.m.

Worship Service In-Person and on Facebook

SERMON: “The Kingdom of Heaven” by Tom Seeberger

Based on Romans 8:26-39 and Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Note for Romans 8:26-39

Paul has written the church in Corinth which is fractured and facing a lot of political and local persecutions. He is
assuring everyone that even in times of chaos and challenges, times when we feel so weak as human beings, the Holy Spirit is with us and helping us. God knows our hearts and Paul assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Romans 8:26-39

26  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  27  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in
accordance with the will of God.

28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who [a]  have been called according to his purpose.  29  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  30  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31  What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  32  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.  34  Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised
to life—is at the right hand of Godand is also interceding for us.  35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  36  As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [b]
37  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  38  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, [c]  neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  39  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Note for Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Jesus shares five parables, each further describing and clarifying the Kingdom of Heaven.

.Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

31  He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  32  Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

33  He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds [a]  of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

44  “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

45  “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46  When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

47  “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.  48  When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.  49  This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50  and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.

51  “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

52  He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”