Opening Prayer: Almighty God, You have made a way for me to experience Your kingdom, help me to learn to die to myself so that I may live more and more in the reality of Your rule. Amen.

Read: Matthew 13:1-23
Reflect: What do you think it means to sow the message of the kingdom of heaven? What is the message being sown, and what is the fruit the sower expects? What ways can we increase the yield of the kingdom in our lives?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “Lead On, O King Eternal”
Lead on, O King Eternal.
The day of march is come.
Hence-forth in fields of conquest
Thy tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation
Thy grace has made us strong;
And now, O King Eternal,
We lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King Eternal,
Till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper
The sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords’ loud crashing,
Nor roll of stirring drums;
With deeds of love and mercy,
The heavenly kingdom comes.

Lead on, O King Eternal.
We follow, not with fears;
For gladness breaks like morning
Wherever Thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted over us;
We journey in its light.
The crown awaits the conquest;
Lead on, O God of might.

Closing Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hollowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  Lead us not into temptation, but delver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.