The challenge of living according to God’s guidelines.

Collect: Proper 17

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.  Amen

Song of Solomon 2:8-13. . . celebrates human love in light of God’s love. Moses

Psalm 45:1-2, 7-10 . . . the love that exist in divine-human relationship

or

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 and Psalm 15  . . . teaches that the law of the Lord is a gracious gift to God’s people.

and

James 1:17-27 . . .  the word planted within us can save us as we do what it says.

with

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 . . . right relationship is based on obedience to God, not in compliance with human traditions.

Sermon by The Rev. Dr. Judy Kincaid,  Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Escanaba, Michigan, and a graduate of the preaching program at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. For this sermon, she preaches on Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, and 21-23. Scandal alert!