Edition 2026, Volume 28

In Matthew 13, Jesus tells a story every Midwestern farmer understands, a story about seed and soil. The seed is the Word of God. The Sower is God Himself. The field is the human heart. And though the seed never changes, the results do. The difference isn’t the seed… it’s the soil.

Jesus describes four kinds of soil, four kinds of hearts and somewhere in this story, we find ourselves.

The Footpath: A Crowded Heart

Some hearts have too much traffic: noise, schedules, stress, opinions. The Word lands, but it can’t sink in. Not because people reject God, but because life is simply too crowded to receive Him.

The Rocky Ground: A Shallow Heart

Some hearts respond quickly and joyfully, but without depth. Inspiration comes easily; commitment does not. When pressure rises, faith withers.

The Thorny Ground: A Distracted Heart

Some hearts are choked by worries, wants, and the weight of everyday life. Not sinful things, just crowded things.

The Good Soil: A Surrendered Heart This soil isn’t perfect; it’s prepared. Softened by humility, deepened by consistency, cleared by repentance, ready for obedience. And when the Word lands here, the harvest is supernatural, thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold.

The hope of the parable is simple: the Word works, the Sower is faithful, and the seed is powerful. The question is not about God’s ability; it’s about our availability.

What is the condition of your soil today? Crowded? Shallow? Distracted? Or, by God’s grace, surrendered?

May the Lord soften what is hard, deepen what is shallow, clear what is crowded, and prepare our hearts to receive His Word, so He may produce a harvest in us that only He can grow.

Peace and blessings,

Pastor Eddie

(From Sunday’s sermon, July 12, 2026)

Weekly Prayer

Lord, Prepare the soil of our hearts. Soften what has grown hard, deepen what is shallow, and clear what is crowded or distracted. Plant Your Word in us and let it take root in a way that transforms our lives. Make us good soil — surrendered, ready, and willing — so that Your Spirit may produce a harvest far beyond what we could ever grow on our own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Weekly Prayer Request

Greg Barger, The Family of Michael Cade, Winne Gill, Kim McMillan, Garry Wilson and Jane Ziehmke.

* If you would like to add someone to the weekly prayer list please reply or send an email to tuxedo.park@sbcglobal.net

Announcements

Grace Tuxedo Park Neighborhood Organization: will be meeting here on July 13^th @ 6:30 p.m. Please see Oma Barger for more details.

Church Picnic: Join us next Sunday, July 19, immediately after worship for our Church Picnic. Pastor Eddie will be slow‑smoking fall‑off‑the‑bone baby back ribs, and we’ll enjoy sides and desserts together. Bring your appetite and a friend. A great day of fellowship awaits.

Bread & Word: (Food Pantry and Clothing Center) will be open on the following Thursdays: 7/30/26, 8/13/26, 8/27/26, 9/10/26, 9/24/26, 10/8/26, 10/29/26, 11/12/25, 12/3/26 and 12/17/26.

Interested in Visiting the Ark Encounter?: In the interest of time, we are adjusting our late‑summer trip. We will now be visiting the Ark Encounter only on September 11–12. We will arrive in Kentucky on Friday night (Sept. 11), spend Saturday (Sept. 12) exploring the Ark, and return home Saturday evening after dinner.

We need a preliminary head count so we can reserve hotel rooms and transportation. If you are interested in being part of this weekend’s experience, please let Pam M. or Tammy O. know.

Do you have an idea for our monthly church Fellowship event?: Whether it’s places to go, trips to take, or a fun activity our church family would enjoy, we’d love to hear your suggestions. Please share your ideas with Harold H., Pam M., or Tammy O. A sign‑up sheet is also available at the Fellowship Desk if you’d like to get involved.