SUNDAY, AUGUST 9TH, 2026​

11TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

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INTRODUCTION​

Elijah finds the presence of God not in earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the sound
     of sheer silence. When the disciples face a great storm on the sea, they cry out
     with fear. Jesus says: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Amid the storms of
     life, we gather to seek the calm presence of Christ that soothes our fears. In
     comforting words of scripture and in the refreshing bread and cup of the
     eucharist, God grants us peace and sends us forth to be a sign of God’s
     presence to others.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

O God our defender, storms rage around and within us and cause us to be afraid.
     Rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and
     preserve us in the faith of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.​

FIRST READING

1ST KINGS 19:9-18
On Mount Horeb, where God had appeared to Moses with typical signs of God’s
     presence—earthquake, wind, and fire—Elijah now experienced God in “sheer
     silence.” God assured Elijah that he is not the only faithful believer. Seven
     thousand Israelites are still loyal. God instructed Elijah to anoint two men as kings
     and to anoint Elisha as his own successor.

9 At [Horeb, the mount of God,][Elijah] came to a cave and spent the night there.
     Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here,
     Elijah?” 10 He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of
     hosts, for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars,
     and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my
     life, to take it away.”

     11 He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is
     about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting
     mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in
     the wind, and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the
     earthquake, 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire,
     and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped
     his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then
     there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He
     answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts, for the
     Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your
     prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it
     away.” 15 Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of
     Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16 Also
     you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel, and you shall anoint
     Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. 17 Whoever
     escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill, and whoever escapes from the
     sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the
     knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

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PSALM

PSALM 85:8-13
(Response) I will listen to what the Lord God is saying. (Ps. 85:8)

8 I will listen to what the Lord God is saying;
for you speak peace to your faithful people and to
        those who turn their hearts to you.
9 Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,
that your glory may dwell in our land.
(Response) I will listen to what the Lord God is saying. (Ps. 85:8)

10 Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Faithfulness shall spring up from the earth,
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed grant prosperity,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before the Lord
and shall prepare for God a pathway.
(Response) I will listen to what the Lord God is saying. (Ps. 85:8)

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SECOND READING

ROMANS 10:5-15
A right relationship with God is not something we achieve by heroic efforts. It is a
     gift received in the proclamation whose content is Jesus Christ. This proclaimed
     word creates our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence Christian proclamation is
     an indispensable component of God’s saving actions.

5 Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the
     person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that
     comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ”
     (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to
     bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say?
     “The word is near you,
     in your mouth and in your heart”
     (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim), 9 because if you confess with your
     mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the
     dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart, leading to
     righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, leading to salvation. 11 The
     scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is
     no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is
     generous to all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the
     Lord shall be saved.”

     14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are
     they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear
     without someone to proclaim him? 15 And how are they to proclaim him unless
     they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”​​

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​​​​GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. I wait for you, O Lord; in your word is my hope. Alleluia. (Ps. 130:5)

GOSPEL READING

MATTHEW 14:22-33
Matthew’s gospel typically portrays Jesus’ disciples as people of “little faith,” who
     fail despite their best intentions. In this story, Matthew shows how Jesus comes to
     the disciples when they are in trouble and sustains them in their time of fear and doubt.

22 [Jesus] made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side [of
     the Sea of Galilee,] while he dismissed the crowds.23 And after he had dismissed
     the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he
     was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from
     the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came
     walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on
     the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.
     27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

     28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the
     water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the
     water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he
     became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
     31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You
     of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
     33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

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BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 9TH, 2026