Blog Posts - Elim Lutheran Church

8th Sunday after Pentecost July 19, 2026

7/19/2026

Readings: Isaiah 44:6-8 / Psalm 86:11-17/ Romans 8:12-25 / Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Introduction: It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest. With Paul, we long for the day that all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering. Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope in the promises of God, and from the Lord’s table we go forth to bear the fruit of justice and mercy.

Sermon:

Worship Bulletin
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Children's Bulletin
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©2026 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Copyright Information
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7th Sunday after Pentecost July 12, 2026

7/12/2026

Readings: Isaiah 55:10-13 / Psalm 65:[1-8]9-13 / Romans 8:1-11 / Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Introduction: God’s word is like the rain that waters the earth and brings forth vegetation. It is also like the sower who scatters seed indiscriminately. Our lives are like seeds sown in the earth. Even from what appears to be little, dormant, or dead, God promises a harvest. At the Lord’s table we are fed with the bread of life, that we may bear fruit in the world.

Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

Worship Bulletin
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Children's Bulletin
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©2026 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Copyright Information
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6th Sunday after Pentecost July 5, 2026

7/5/2026

Readings: Zechariah 9:9-12 / Psalm 145:8-14 / Romans 7:15-25a / Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Introduction: The mystery of God’s ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent. Jesus associates with those often excluded from the religious community. Like Paul, we struggle with our own selfish desires and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. We gather to be refreshed by Christ’s invitation: “Come to me, all you that are weary.” Gathered around word, water, and meal, we find rest for our souls.

Worship Bulletin
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Children's Bulletin
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©2026 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Copyright Information
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5th Sunday after Pentecost June 28, 2026

6/28/2026

Readings: Jeremiah 28:5-9 / Psalm 89:1-4,15-18 / Romans 6:12-23 / Matthew 10:40-42

Introduction: The welcome of baptism is for all God’s children. This baptismal gift sets us free from the power of sin and death. In today’s gospel, Christ promises that the disciple who gives a cup of cold water to the little ones serves Christ himself. From worship we are sent on our baptismal mission: to serve the little ones of this world and to be a sign of God’s merciful welcome.

Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

Worship Bulletin
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Children's Bulletin
File Size:	1008 kb
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©2026 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Copyright Information
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4th Sunday after Pentecost June 21, 2026

6/21/2026

Introduction: The book of Romans tells us in baptism we were incorporated into the reality of Christ’s death and resurrection. We have been made new in Christ through his death and resurrection to live freed from sin.

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus warns his disciples that their ministry in his name will meet with opposition. However, he assures them that they need not fear for the truth will come to light. Life is found in Christ.Readings: Romans 6:1b-11 / Matthew 10:24-39

Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

Worship Bulletin
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File Type:	pdf

Children's Bulletin
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©2026 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Copyright Information
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3rd Sunday after Pentecost June 14, 2026

6/14/2026

Readings: Exodus 19:2-8a / Psalm 100 / Romans 5:1-8 / Matthew 9:35-10:8[9-23]

Introduction: Moses tells the Israelites that they are called to be a priestly kingdom and a holy people. Jesus sends out the disciples as laborers into the harvest. In baptism we too are anointed for ministry, sharing God’s compassion with our needy world. From the Lord’s table we go forth to proclaim the good news, to heal the sick, and to share our bread with the hungry.

Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

Worship Bulletin
File Size:	1494 kb
File Type:	pdf

Children's Bulletin
File Size:	1495 kb
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©2026 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Copyright Information
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2nd Sunday after Pentecost June 7, 2026

6/7/2026

Readings: Hosea 5:15-6:6 / Psalm 50:7-15 / Romans 4:13-25 / Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Introduction: Though Jesus was a devout Jew who practiced his faith, he was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners—the religiously nonobservant. Jesus criticizes the self-righteous and reminds us that mercy is to be at the heart of our religious practices. God continues to be made known in those on the margins of society, like Matthew the tax collector and the hemorrhaging woman. As we gather each Lord’s day we receive the healing that makes us well and sends us forth to be signs of God’s mercy for the world.

Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

Worship Bulletin
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File Type:	pdf

Children's Bulletin
File Size:	861 kb
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©2026 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Copyright Information
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The Holy Trinity (Festival Choir) May 31, 2026

5/31/2026

Readings: Genesis 1:1—2:4a / Psalm 8 / 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 / Matthew 28:16-20

Introduction: Though the word trinity is not found in the scriptures, today’s second reading includes the apostolic greeting that begins the liturgy: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In the gospel Jesus sends his disciples forth to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. More than a doctrine, the Trinity expresses the heart of our faith: we have experienced the God of creation made known in Jesus Christ and with us always through the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity in word and sacrament, as we profess the creed, and as we are sent into the world to bear witness to our faith.

Worship Bulletin.pdf
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Children's Bulletin
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File Type:	pdf

©2026 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Copyright Information.pdf
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Day of Pentecost May 24, 2026

5/24/2026

Readings: Acts 2:1-21 / Psalm 104:24-34, 35b / 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 / John 20:19-23

Introduction: Pentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God’s presence within and among us. In Acts the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing God’s presence to all people. Paul reminds us that though we each have different capacities, we are unified in the Spirit that equips us with these gifts. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on his disciples, empowering them to forgive sin. We celebrate that we too are given the breath of the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim God’s redeeming love to all the world.

Sermon: Pr. Kathryn Gulbranson

Worship Bulletin
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File Type:	pdf

Children's Bulletin
File Size:	2538 kb
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©2026 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Copyright Information
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Ascension of Our Lord May 17, 2026

5/17/2026

Readings: Acts:1:1-11 / Psalm 47 / Ephesians 1:15-23 / Luke 24:44-53
Introduction: In today’s readings the risen Christ ascends into heaven and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples were told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus (Acts 1:11); we find his presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. We too long for the Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission.

Sermon: Pr. Kathryn Gulbranson

Audio version

Worship Bulletin
File Size:	1502 kb
File Type:	pdf

Children's Bulletin
File Size:	804 kb
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©2026 Elim Lutheran Church of Petaluma, California. All rights reserved. Portions used by permission.

Copyright Information
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