The church confesses the Scriptures to be the Word of God written, witnessing to God's self-revelation. Where that Word is read and proclaimed, Jesus Christ the Living Word is present by the inward witness of the Holy Spirit. For this reason the reading, preaching, and confessing of the Word are central to Christian worship. ...

The preached Word or sermon is to be based upon the written Word. It is a proclamation of Scripture in the conviction that through the Holy Spirit Jesus Christ is present to the gathered people, offering grace and calling for obedience. Preaching requires diligence and discernment in the study of Scripture, the discipline of daily prayer, cultivated sensitivity to events and issues affecting the lives of the people, and a consistent and personal obedience to Jesus Christ. ...

The people's participation in the proclamation of the Word is above all to hear:

a. to discern Jesus Christ,
b. to receive his offered grace,
c. to respond to his call with obedience.

Such participation depends upon the illumination of the Holy Spirit, which is to be sought earnestly in prayer. The words, "hearing" and "heard" are not intended exclusively to mean acts of sensory perception.

— Book of Order W-2.2000

9th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 1, 2008 Lectionary: Deut. 11:18-21, 26-28, Ps. 31:1-5, 19-24; Rom. 1:16-17, 3:22b-28 (29-31); Matt. 7:21-29 Sermon Title: Faith Taking Flesh
10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 8, 2008 Lectionary: Hos. 5:15-6:6; Ps. 50:7-15; Rom. 4:13-25; Matt. 9:9-13, 18-26 Sermon Title: Confounded by Grace
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 15, 2008 Lectionary: Exodus 19:2-8a; Ps. 100; Rom. 5:1-8; Matt. 9:35-10:8, (9-23) Guest Preacher: Matt Calvert, "Boasting our Faith"
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 22, 2008 Lectionary: Jeremiah 20:7-13; Ps. 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18; Rom. 6:1b-11; Matt. 10:24-39 Guest Preacher: The Rev. Polly Williams, "The One"