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

July 8 – 14, 2026

This Week @ First Church

Wednesday July 8

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 12

Worship Service – 10 a.m.

Worship Service In-Person and on Facebook

SERMON: “Spiritual Gardening” by Tom Seeberger

Based on Psalm 65:9-13 and Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Notes for Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Our gospel reading is from Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. Jesus has attracted a large crowd and he is sharing with them The Parable of the Sower. Jesus spoke in parables to teach people the mysteries of the Kingdom. The humble-hearted got curious and wanted to know more while the self-righteous would leave getting nothing from them. The Parable of the Sower shows how abundant God’s love for us is and it also illustrates that we as human beings must tend to our hearts so we can receive the Word and let it nourish us well , so we may in turn nourish and support others.

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  2  Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  3  Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.  4  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  5  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  6  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  7  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  8  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  9  Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

18  “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:  19  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  20  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  21  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  22  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this
life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.  23  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”