Matthew 13: 10-17

The Purpose of the Parables

10 Then the disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ 11 He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 13 The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.” 14 With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:

“You will indeed listen, but never understand,

and you will indeed look, but never perceive.

15 For this people’s heart has grown dull,

and their ears are hard of hearing,

and they have shut their eyes;

so that they might not look with their eyes,

and listen with their ears,

and understand with their heart and turn—

and I would heal them.”

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

The Tuesday Lectionary Group invites you to share some of your favorite scriptures, which we will then share with all members.

Please email them to:

maryann13fenstermacher@gmail.com.

Here are this week's scriptures for study and meditation:

Proverbs 8:1-8 Doesn't Wisdom cry out and Understanding shout? Atop the heights along the path, at the crossroads she takes her stand. By the gate before the city, at the crossroads she takes her stand. By the gate before the city, at the entrance she shouts: I cry out to you, people; my voice goes out to all humanity. Understand skill, you who are naive. Take this to heart, you fools. Listen, for I speak things that are correct; from my lips comes what is right. My mouth utters the truth; my lips despise wickedness. All the words of my mouth are righteous; nothing in them is twisted or crooked.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength because he has considered me faithful. So he appointed me to ministry even though I used to speak against him, attack his people, and I was proud. But I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance without faith. Our Lord's favor poured all over me along with faithfulness and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is reliable and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”--and I'm the biggest sinner of all. But this is why I was shown mercy, so that Christ Jesus could show his endless patience to me first of all. So I'm an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. Now to the king of ages, to the immortal, invisible, and only God, may honor and glory be given to him forever and always! Amen.

Matthew 12:33-37 “...Either consider the tree good and its fruit good, or consider the tree rotten and its fruit rotten. A tree is known by its fruit. Children of snakes! How can you speak good things while you are evil? What fills the heart comes out of the mouth. Good people bring out good things from their good treasure. But evil people bring out evil things from their evil treasure. I tell you that people will have to answer on Judgment Day for every useless word they speak. By your words you will either be judged innocent or condemned guilty.”

Psalm 86:8-13 My Lord! There is no one like you among the gods! There is nothing that can compare with your works! All the nations that you've made will come and bow down before you, Lord; they will glorify your name, because you are awesome and a wonder-worker. You are God. Just you. Teach me your way, Lord, so that I can walk in your truth. Make my heart focused only on honoring your name. I give thanks to you, my Lord, my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify your name forever, because your faithful love toward me is awesome and because you've rescued my life from the lowest part of hell.

PRAYER REQUESTS

If you would like the prayer team to pray for you or anyone you have concerns for, please email Julie Italiano at

jbitaliano4@gmail.com. She will send it on to the prayer team.

You may also send prayer requests to Connie Perry in the office at connie@shawneeumc.org, or call the office at (913) 631-2280.

You may also pick up a paper copy of the prayer list at the church.

SPRC Committee News

Pastor-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) is the committee that connects the relationship with the Pastor, Staff and Congregation. Our members are appointed and approved by the Church Council. We serve for 3 years. We have quarterly responsibilities which include Establishing relationships, building communication, identify the Vitality of our church, monitor and develop strategies, Staff job descriptions, performance, salary and benefit reviews, Pastor change, parsonage and housing, legal responsibilities, church policies and charge conference reporting.

Committee members are Pastor Kim, Ophelia Behee, Roger Chalk, Warren Livingston, Eric de la Pena, Mary McCoy, Nancy Bloom, Leah Brown, Joe Shank and Lynn Wren.

We encourage you to communicate with us your cares and concerns. It is necessary that we know what is working for our church and needed improvement. We’re here to support you as a church family. Watch for one of us over the next months in the Narthex area available to share your thoughts with us.

Blessings, Ophelia Behee, SPRC Chair

LECTIONARY NEWS

Lectionary readings for

June 4, 2024

1 Samuel 8:4-20, 11:14-15

2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

Mark 3:20-35

Psalm 138

Zoom ID 991 9640 5385

password 061620

Old Shawnee Days is fast approaching! The City’s theme this year is “A Day in Shawnee”. We are tying into that theme with a salute to the men and women of the armed forces. As Shawnee welcomed our troops home, so does SUMC.

We will be decorating our float on Friday, June 7^thstarting at 6:00pm. We encourage members to join us to help and have fun and fellowship.

For those who want to walk in the parade – meet us as we line up (likely along frontage road by KFC on Shawnee Mission Parkway) anytime between 9:30 and 10:00.

If you are a Veteran, we need you to ride in the parade – either on the float or on Bill Bloom’s military vehicle. You would meet us at the Church House/Annex on Saturday morning between 8:45 and 9:00. No walking needed!

Please reach out to a member of the Parade Committee – Mary McCoy, Nancy or Bill Bloom, Kevin or Christine Schneier, or Cindy or Shane Gentry so we know who is coming.