Sermon Preview for June 14th

June 14, 2026 - Third Sunday after Pentecost

Preacher:  Rev. Anne J. Scalfaro

Scriptures:  Psalm 30:5b, 11, 12a; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Luke 24:36-53

Old Testament Reading                                     Habakkuk 3:17-18                                                     Cindy DeHate

¹⁷Though the fig tree does not blossom
    and no fruit is on the vines;
though the produce of the olive fails
    and the fields yield no food;
though the flock is cut off from the fold
    and there is no herd in the stalls,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
    I will exult in the God of my salvation.

+ Gospel Reading                                                     Luke 24:36-43                                                           Ken DeHate                                                                                                                                                                        

³⁶ While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ³⁷ They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. ³⁸ He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” ⁴⁰ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹ Yet for all their joy they were still disbelieving and wondering, and he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he took it and ate in their presence.

Scripture at top of OOW: 

“Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning…” - Psalm 30:5b

Sermon Title:

“_____ AND Joy”

Second Sermon in Cultivating the Fruit of Joy

Part of Abide & Grow: Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit

Sermon Blurb:

Because Joy is a Fruit of the Spirit (and not an emotion), it has the unique ability to co-exist alongside any emotion—even difficult ones like anger, grief, despair, or anxiety. We do not have to wait until “life is good” to feel Joy; we just need to give ourselves permission to feel it.

Sunday’s sermon will look at three texts that illustrate the powerful truth of how Joy serves as a counterweight to help us endure and find our balance through even the hardest times of our lives:

• Mourning, weeping AND Joy (the Psalmist)
• Famine, hardship, struggle AND Joy (the Prophet Habakkuk)
• Disbelief, fear AND Joy (the Gospel of Luke; Jesus appearing post-resurrection to the disciples)

Come as you are on Sunday—with all you are carrying—and discover some Joy with God and with us.