 |
Daily Lectionary Readings |
 |
Lectionary Readings forFriday, May 15, 2026 |
|
|
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202 |
Friday, May 15, 2026
Daily Lectionary Readings for May 15, 2026
Regarding Ruling Elders: Ordered Ministries
Sam, after worship one Sunday: Pastor, I read something in the presbytery’s newsletter that mentioned a gathering for people in ordered ministries. At first, I thought, “Does the presbytery order people into ministry?” Can you explain this term?
Pastor: Sam, let’s get our coffee and sit down to talk.
In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), ordered ministries refers to those offices in the church into which people are ordained and set apart to provide ordered leadership and service, “so that the ministry of the whole people of God may flourish” (Book of Order, G-2.0102). “The Church’s ordered ministries described in the New Testament and maintained by this church are deacons and presbyters (ministers of the Word and Sacrament and ruling elders)” (G-2.0102).
People who are elected to these ordered ministries are ordained. “In ordination the church sets apart with prayer and the laying on of hands those who have been called by God through the voice of the church to serve as deacons, ruling elders, and ministers of the Word and Sacrament” (W-4.0401). Ordination is an act of a council of the church, such as a presbytery or session. The constitutional questions found in W-4.0404 are asked and answered at ordination and each time a person is installed for a new term of service, but the laying on of hands takes place only at ordination, once for each office (W-4.0403). The constitutional questions asked at ordination and installation are the same for all ordered ministries, except for the last question, which is specifically about the duties of the particular ministry.
We believe that people are called to these ministries. The call has three components: an individual’s sense that the Holy Spirit is moving him or her to such service; “the approval of a community of God’s people” (such as election by a congregation); “and the concurring judgment of a council of the Church” (G-2.0103).
For ruling elders and deacons, after election by the congregation, the session provides a “period of study and preparation, after which the session shall examine them as to their personal faith; knowledge of the doctrine, government, and discipline contained in the Constitution of the church; and the duties of the ministry” (G-2.0402). That may seem daunting, but many sessions conduct these examinations in a spirit of collegiality. When the examination is approved, then the candidate(s) are ordained and/or installed.
The process is lengthier for those seeking ordination as a teaching elder (minister of the Word and Sacrament) and usually includes achieving a seminary education, passing standard ordination exams and supervision of the presbytery of membership.
“Ministers of the Word and Sacrament (also called teaching elders and pastors) shall in all things be committed to teaching the faith in word and deed and equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). They may serve in a variety of ministries,” and are under the oversight of the presbytery of which they are a member” (G-2.0501).
Ruling elders are people “with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people.” Ruling elders are initially elected to serve on the session of their congregation. “Ruling” does not mean that these elders wield a crown and scepter but rather a measuring tape, as the session measures the spiritual health and growth and seeks to “strengthen and nurture [the] faith and life” of the congregation entrusted to its care (G-2.0301). Ruling elders may also participate in the life of the larger church as commissioners to other councils. Some are called and prepared to serve in limited pastoral service (G-2.1001).
“The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ …” (G-2.0201). The session maintains oversight of the deacons, who may be individuals commissioned to specific work or may be organized as a board. Not all congregations choose to have the ordered ministry of deacon but the function of this ministry is always preserved and falls to the ruling elders and the session (G-2.0202).
Deacons and ruling elders are elected for terms, usually three years, and may not serve an aggregate of terms equaling more than six years, unless an exemption has been granted by the presbytery upon request of the congregation (G-2.0404).
Ordinarily, when one enters an ordered ministry, it is for life, though not always in active service. If you have been ordained as a deacon or ruling elder, you are always one, though you may not currently be serving on the respective board, although there are provisions for leaving or being removed from ordered ministry. Whether in active service or not, ruling elders may be elected to serve as commissioners and may be elected by the more inclusive councils to serve on committees, commissions or as officers, and as such, “ruling elders participate and vote with the same authority as teaching elders, and they are eligible for any office” (G-2.0401).
For Reflection:
- How have you experienced a sense of call to serve in the ministry of ruling elder?
- What decisions/oversight reflect the session’s duty to measure the health of the congregation and “strengthen and nurture [its] faith and life?”
- In what ways have you seen the work of deacons as a ministry of “compassion, witness and service” in your congregation?
Alyson Janke is a sixth-generation Presbyterian. A ruling elder, she has served as the Stated Clerk in John Knox Presbytery for 31 years and been commissioned to limited pastoral service at Wild Rose Presbyterian Church in Winnebago Presbytery for 25 years. She served on the PC(USA) Advisory Committee on the Constitution and taught Presbyterian Polity at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. She and her husband have retired from dairy farming.
Throughout 2026, monthly Regarding Ruling Elders articles will focus on some of the foundational aspects of ruling elder service and spiritual leadership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Subscribe to receive notifications of monthly Regarding Ruling Elders articles. Visit the PC(USA) Leader Formation website for more resources for ruling elders and deacons. For more information, email Martha Miller, editor of Regarding Ruling Elders.
You're Invited to an Everyday ABC Conversation: God's Grace
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Bible Readings for May 18-24, 2026
Let’s read the Bible together during the next year. For the week of Monday May 18 through Sunday, May 24, the daily readings are below:
- Monday, May 18, 2026 - 1 Sam. 22:1–23:29, John 10:1-21, Psalm 115:1-18, Prov. 15:18-19
- Tuesday, May 19, 2026 - 1 Sam. 24:1–25:44, John 10:22-42, Psalm 116:1-19, Prov. 15:20-21
- Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - 1 Sam. 26:1–28:25, John 11:1-53, Psalm 117:1-2, Prov. 15:22-23
- Thursday, May 21, 2026 - 1 Sam. 29:1–31:13, John 11:54–12:19, Psalm 118:1-18, Prov. 15:24-26
- Friday, May 22, 2026 - 2 Sam. 1:1–2:11, John 12:20-50, Psalm 118:19-29, Prov. 15:27-28
- Saturday, May 23, 2026 - 2 Sam. 2:12–3:39, John 13:1-30, Psalm 119:1-16, Prov. 15:29-30
- Sunday, May 24, 2026 - 2 Sam. 4:1–6:23, John 13:31–14:14, Psalm 119:17-32, Prov. 15:31-32
Bible Readings for May 15, 2026
Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today, our passages are 1 Samuel 17:1–18:4; John 8:21-30; Psalm 111:1-10; and Proverbs 15:11. The readings are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson.
1 Samuel 17-18:4 (The Message)
1 Samuel 17
Goliath
1-3 The Philistines drew up their troops for battle. They deployed them at Socoh in Judah, and set up camp between Socoh and Azekah at Ephes Dammim. Saul and the Israelites came together, camped at Oak Valley, and spread out their troops in battle readiness for the Philistines. The Philistines were on one hill, the Israelites on the opposing hill, with the valley between them. 4-7 A giant nearly ten feet tall stepped out from the Philistine line into the open, Goliath from Gath. He had a bronze helmet on his head and was dressed in armor—126 pounds of it! He wore bronze shin guards and carried a bronze sword. His spear was like a fence rail—the spear tip alone weighed over fifteen pounds. His shield bearer walked ahead of him.
8-10 Goliath stood there and called out to the Israelite troops, "Why bother using your whole army? Am I not Philistine enough for you? And you're all committed to Saul, aren't you? So pick your best fighter and pit him against me. If he gets the upper hand and kills me, the Philistines will all become your slaves. But if I get the upper hand and kill him, you'll all become our slaves and serve us. I challenge the troops of Israel this day. Give me a man. Let us fight it out together!"
11 When Saul and his troops heard the Philistine's challenge, they were terrified and lost all hope.
12-15 Enter David. He was the son of Jesse the Ephrathite from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse, the father of eight sons, was himself too old to join Saul's army. Jesse's three oldest sons had followed Saul to war. The names of the three sons who had joined up with Saul were Eliab, the firstborn; next, Abinadab; and third, Shammah. David was the youngest son. While his three oldest brothers went to war with Saul, David went back and forth from attending to Saul to tending his father's sheep in Bethlehem.
16 Each morning and evening for forty days, Goliath took his stand and made his speech.
17-19 One day, Jesse told David his son, "Take this sack of cracked wheat and these ten loaves of bread and run them down to your brothers in the camp. And take these ten wedges of cheese to the captain of their division. Check in on your brothers to see whether they are getting along all right, and let me know how they're doing—Saul and your brothers, and all the Israelites in their war with the Philistines in the Oak Valley."
20-23 David was up at the crack of dawn and, having arranged for someone to tend his flock, took the food and was on his way just as Jesse had directed him. He arrived at the camp just as the army was moving into battle formation, shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines moved into position, facing each other, battle-ready. David left his bundles of food in the care of a sentry, ran to the troops who were deployed, and greeted his brothers. While they were talking together, the Philistine champion, Goliath of Gath, stepped out from the front lines of the Philistines, and gave his usual challenge. David heard him.
24-25 The Israelites, to a man, fell back the moment they saw the giant— totally frightened. The talk among the troops was, "Have you ever seen anything like this, this man openly and defiantly challenging Israel? The man who kills the giant will have it made. The king will give him a huge reward, offer his daughter as a bride, and give his entire family a free ride."
8-10 Goliath stood there and called out to the Israelite troops, "Why bother using your whole army? Am I not Philistine enough for you? And you're all committed to Saul, aren't you? So pick your best fighter and pit him against me. If he gets the upper hand and kills me, the Philistines will all become your slaves. But if I get the upper hand and kill him, you'll all become our slaves and serve us. I challenge the troops of Israel this day. Give me a man. Let us fight it out together!"
11 When Saul and his troops heard the Philistine's challenge, they were terrified and lost all hope.
12-15 Enter David. He was the son of Jesse the Ephrathite from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse, the father of eight sons, was himself too old to join Saul's army. Jesse's three oldest sons had followed Saul to war. The names of the three sons who had joined up with Saul were Eliab, the firstborn; next, Abinadab; and third, Shammah. David was the youngest son. While his three oldest brothers went to war with Saul, David went back and forth from attending to Saul to tending his father's sheep in Bethlehem.
16 Each morning and evening for forty days, Goliath took his stand and made his speech.
17-19 One day, Jesse told David his son, "Take this sack of cracked wheat and these ten loaves of bread and run them down to your brothers in the camp. And take these ten wedges of cheese to the captain of their division. Check in on your brothers to see whether they are getting along all right, and let me know how they're doing—Saul and your brothers, and all the Israelites in their war with the Philistines in the Oak Valley."
20-23 David was up at the crack of dawn and, having arranged for someone to tend his flock, took the food and was on his way just as Jesse had directed him. He arrived at the camp just as the army was moving into battle formation, shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines moved into position, facing each other, battle-ready. David left his bundles of food in the care of a sentry, ran to the troops who were deployed, and greeted his brothers. While they were talking together, the Philistine champion, Goliath of Gath, stepped out from the front lines of the Philistines, and gave his usual challenge. David heard him.
24-25 The Israelites, to a man, fell back the moment they saw the giant— totally frightened. The talk among the troops was, "Have you ever seen anything like this, this man openly and defiantly challenging Israel? The man who kills the giant will have it made. The king will give him a huge reward, offer his daughter as a bride, and give his entire family a free ride."
Five Smooth Stones
26 David, who was talking to the men standing around him, asked, "What's in it for the man who kills that Philistine and gets rid of this ugly blot on Israel's honor? Who does he think he is, anyway, this uncircumcised Philistine, taunting the armies of God-Alive?" 27 They told him what everyone was saying about what the king would do for the man who killed the Philistine.
28 Eliab, his older brother, heard David fraternizing with the men and lost his temper: "What are you doing here! Why aren't you minding your own business, tending that scrawny flock of sheep? I know what you're up to. You've come down here to see the sights, hoping for a ringside seat at a bloody battle!"
29-30 "What is it with you?" replied David. "All I did was ask a question." Ignoring his brother, he turned to someone else, asked the same question, and got the same answer as before.
31 The things David was saying were picked up and reported to Saul. Saul sent for him.
32 "Master," said David, "don't give up hope. I'm ready to go and fight this Philistine."
33 Saul answered David, "You can't go and fight this Philistine. You're too young and inexperienced—and he's been at this fighting business since before you were born."
34-37 David said, "I've been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I'd go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I'd grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I'll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine."
Saul said, "Go. And God help you!"
38-39 Then Saul outfitted David as a soldier in armor. He put his bronze helmet on his head and belted his sword on him over the armor. David tried to walk but he could hardly budge.
David told Saul, "I can't even move with all this stuff on me. I'm not used to this." And he took it all off.
40 Then David took his shepherd's staff, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's pack, and with his sling in his hand approached Goliath.
41-42 As the Philistine paced back and forth, his shield bearer in front of him, he noticed David. He took one look down on him and sneered—a mere youngster, apple-cheeked and peach-fuzzed.
43 The Philistine ridiculed David. "Am I a dog that you come after me with a stick?" And he cursed him by his gods.
44 "Come on," said the Philistine. "I'll make roadkill of you for the buzzards. I'll turn you into a tasty morsel for the field mice."
45-47 David answered, "You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel's troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over to me. I'm about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes. The whole earth will know that there's an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn't save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God—he's handing you to us on a platter!"
48-49 That roused the Philistine, and he started toward David. David took off from the front line, running toward the Philistine. David reached into his pocket for a stone, slung it, and hit the Philistine hard in the forehead, embedding the stone deeply. The Philistine crashed, facedown in the dirt.
50 That's how David beat the Philistine—with a sling and a stone. He hit him and killed him. No sword for David!
51 Then David ran up to the Philistine and stood over him, pulled the giant's sword from its sheath, and finished the job by cutting off his head. When the Philistines saw that their great champion was dead, they scattered, running for their lives.
52-54 The men of Israel and Judah were up on their feet, shouting! They chased the Philistines all the way to the outskirts of Gath and the gates of Ekron. Wounded Philistines were strewn along the Shaaraim road all the way to Gath and Ekron. After chasing the Philistines, the Israelites came back and looted their camp. David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem. But the giant's weapons he placed in his own tent.
55 When Saul saw David go out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, "Tell me about this young man's family."
Abner said, "For the life of me, O King, I don't know."
56 The king said, "Well, find out the lineage of this raw youth."
57 As soon as David came back from killing the Philistine, Abner brought him, the Philistine's head still in his hand, straight to Saul.
58 Saul asked him, "Young man, whose son are you?"
"I'm the son of your servant Jesse," said David, "the one who lives in Bethlehem."
28 Eliab, his older brother, heard David fraternizing with the men and lost his temper: "What are you doing here! Why aren't you minding your own business, tending that scrawny flock of sheep? I know what you're up to. You've come down here to see the sights, hoping for a ringside seat at a bloody battle!"
29-30 "What is it with you?" replied David. "All I did was ask a question." Ignoring his brother, he turned to someone else, asked the same question, and got the same answer as before.
31 The things David was saying were picked up and reported to Saul. Saul sent for him.
32 "Master," said David, "don't give up hope. I'm ready to go and fight this Philistine."
33 Saul answered David, "You can't go and fight this Philistine. You're too young and inexperienced—and he's been at this fighting business since before you were born."
34-37 David said, "I've been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I'd go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I'd grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I'll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine."
Saul said, "Go. And God help you!"
38-39 Then Saul outfitted David as a soldier in armor. He put his bronze helmet on his head and belted his sword on him over the armor. David tried to walk but he could hardly budge.
David told Saul, "I can't even move with all this stuff on me. I'm not used to this." And he took it all off.
40 Then David took his shepherd's staff, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's pack, and with his sling in his hand approached Goliath.
41-42 As the Philistine paced back and forth, his shield bearer in front of him, he noticed David. He took one look down on him and sneered—a mere youngster, apple-cheeked and peach-fuzzed.
43 The Philistine ridiculed David. "Am I a dog that you come after me with a stick?" And he cursed him by his gods.
44 "Come on," said the Philistine. "I'll make roadkill of you for the buzzards. I'll turn you into a tasty morsel for the field mice."
45-47 David answered, "You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel's troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over to me. I'm about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes. The whole earth will know that there's an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn't save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God—he's handing you to us on a platter!"
48-49 That roused the Philistine, and he started toward David. David took off from the front line, running toward the Philistine. David reached into his pocket for a stone, slung it, and hit the Philistine hard in the forehead, embedding the stone deeply. The Philistine crashed, facedown in the dirt.
50 That's how David beat the Philistine—with a sling and a stone. He hit him and killed him. No sword for David!
51 Then David ran up to the Philistine and stood over him, pulled the giant's sword from its sheath, and finished the job by cutting off his head. When the Philistines saw that their great champion was dead, they scattered, running for their lives.
52-54 The men of Israel and Judah were up on their feet, shouting! They chased the Philistines all the way to the outskirts of Gath and the gates of Ekron. Wounded Philistines were strewn along the Shaaraim road all the way to Gath and Ekron. After chasing the Philistines, the Israelites came back and looted their camp. David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem. But the giant's weapons he placed in his own tent.
55 When Saul saw David go out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, "Tell me about this young man's family."
Abner said, "For the life of me, O King, I don't know."
56 The king said, "Well, find out the lineage of this raw youth."
57 As soon as David came back from killing the Philistine, Abner brought him, the Philistine's head still in his hand, straight to Saul.
58 Saul asked him, "Young man, whose son are you?"
"I'm the son of your servant Jesse," said David, "the one who lives in Bethlehem."
1 Samuel 18
Jonathan and David—Soul Friends
1 By the time David had finished reporting to Saul, Jonathan was deeply impressed with David—an immediate bond was forged between them. He became totally committed to David. From that point on he would be David's number-one advocate and friend. 2 Saul received David into his own household that day, no more to return to the home of his father.
3-4 Jonathan, out of his deep love for David, made a covenant with him. He formalized it with solemn gifts: his own royal robe and weapons—armor, sword, bow, and belt.
3-4 Jonathan, out of his deep love for David, made a covenant with him. He formalized it with solemn gifts: his own royal robe and weapons—armor, sword, bow, and belt.
John 8:21-30 (The Message)
21Then he went over the same ground again. "I'm leaving and you are going to look for me, but you're missing God in this and are headed for a dead end. There is no way you can come with me." 22The Jews said, "So, is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by 'You can't come with me'?" 23-24Jesus said, "You're tied down to the mundane; I'm in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I'm living on other terms. I told you that you were missing God in all this. You're at a dead end. If you won't believe I am who I say I am, you're at the dead end of sins. You're missing God in your lives." 25-26They said to him, "Just who are you anyway?" Jesus said, "What I've said from the start. I have so many things to say that concern you, judgments to make that affect you, but if you don't accept the trustworthiness of the One who commanded my words and acts, none of it matters. That is who you are questioning—not me but the One who sent me." 27-29They still didn't get it, didn't realize that he was referring to the Father. So Jesus tried again. "When you raise up the Son of Man, then you will know who I am—that I'm not making this up, but speaking only what the Father taught me. The One who sent me stays with me. He doesn't abandon me. He sees how much joy I take in pleasing him." 30When he put it in these terms, many people decided to believe.
Psalm 111:1-10 (The Message)
Psalm 111
Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got—
Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.
God's works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out.
His miracles are his memorial—
This God of Grace, this God of Love.
He gave food to those who fear him,
He remembered to keep his ancient promise.
He proved to his people that he could do what he said:
Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift!
He manufactures truth and justice;
All his products are guaranteed to last—
Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true:
He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his Covenant kept forever.
He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
The good life begins in the fear of God—
Do that and you'll know the blessing of God.
His Hallelujah lasts forever!
Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.
God's works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out.
His miracles are his memorial—
This God of Grace, this God of Love.
He gave food to those who fear him,
He remembered to keep his ancient promise.
He proved to his people that he could do what he said:
Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift!
He manufactures truth and justice;
All his products are guaranteed to last—
Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true:
He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his Covenant kept forever.
He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
The good life begins in the fear of God—
Do that and you'll know the blessing of God.
His Hallelujah lasts forever!
Proverbs 15:11 (The Message)
11 Even hell holds no secrets from God—
do you think he can't read human hearts?
11 Even hell holds no secrets from God—
do you think he can't read human hearts?
Thought for the Day
“No one can explain how a baby breathes before it is born. So how can anyone explain what God does? After all, he created everything.” (Ecclesiastes 11:5 - Contemporary English Version) As with every other aspect of our humanity, our knowledge and understanding are limited. And for that reason, we need to live with mystery and trust in the one who's greater than we can imagine.
Quote for the Day
English playwright, screenwriter, and novelist, Peter Shaffer wrote, “A part of me is always envious of people who live in the present and are sustained by a sense of spontaneity. Even dogs have that capacity: they're always wanting to participate in something, and I don't often have that element in me.”
Joke for Today
TOP TEN SIGNS YOU HIRED THE WRONG KID TO MOW YOUR LAWN
10.He shows up with a pair of nail clippers and a Ziploc bag
9. On the side of his mower you notice the stenciled silhouettes of thirteen cats
8. Stops frequently to nap inside the grass-catcher
7. Always trying to impress you by stopping the mower blades with his head
6. You notice him shoving the last of his clothes into the mulcher
5. He's fascinated by the details of you home security system
4. Stops every couple of minutes to smoke some clippings
3. Somehow manages to mow the hood ornament off your Lexus
2. Turns a goat loose and says he'll be back in three weeks
1. No toes