Church Festivals in July
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July 3: Thomas, Apostle

Thomas is perhaps best remembered as “Doubting Thomas.” But alongside this doubt, the Gospel of John shows Thomas as fiercely loyal: “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). And John’s gospel shows Thomas moving from doubt to deep faith. Thomas makes one of the strongest confessions of faith in the New Testament, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). From this confession of faith, ancient stories tell of Thomas’ missionary work to India, where Christian communities were flourishing a thousand years before the arrival of sixteenth century missionaries. The feast of St. Thomas is observed on various dates, and a long tradition in the West placed it on December 21. In 1969, however, the Roman Catholic calendar moved it to July 3 in agreement with the Syrian Church. Evangelical Lutheran Worship follows this ecumenical trend.

July 22: Mary Magdalene, Apostle

Bernard of Clairvaux affectionately called Mary of Magdala “the apostle to the apostles,” because she was sent on Easter to bring them the good news from Jesus’ open tomb. Today we remember her with thanksgiving and recall other women of faith who by their actions and words gave witness to God’s powerful new life.

July 26: James, Apostle (transferred from July 25)

James is one of the sons of Zebedee and is counted as one of the twelve disciples. Together with his brother John they had the nickname of “sons of thunder.” One of the stories in the New Testament tells of their request for Jesus to grant them places of honor in the kingdom. They re also reported to have asked Jesus for permission to send down fire on a Samaritan village that had not welcomed them. James was the first of the Twelve to suffer martyrdom and is the only apostle whose martyrdom is recorded in scripture. He is sometimes called James the Elder to distinguish him from James the Less, commemorated with Philip on May 1, and James of Jerusalem, commemorated on Oct 23. James is frequently pictured with a scallop shell. It recalls his life as a fisherman, his call to fish for people, and the gift of our baptism into Christ.

  Lessons for July

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost July 4, 2010
Isaiah 66:10-14
Psalm 66:1-9
Galatians 6:[1-6] 7-16
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost July 11, 2010
Deuteronomy 30:9-14
Psalm 25:1-10
Colossians 1:1-14
Luke 10:25-37

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost July 18, 2010
Genesis 18:1-10a
Psalm 15
Colossians 1:15-28
Luke 10:38-42

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost July 25, 2010
Genesis 18:20-32
Psalm 138
Colossians 2:6-15 [16-19]
Luke 11:1-13

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost August 1, 2010
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
Psalm 49:1-12
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21