2026-06-24
Brooke Strong
A Cup of Cold Water
Thursday, June 25, 2026
The Federated Church of Chagrin Falls
One of my hopes for our congregation is that Sunday morning becomes more than a time to hear a sermon. I hope it becomes a conversation with Scripture—a conversation we begin before we ever gather in worship.
This week, I invite you to spend a few quiet moments with Matthew 10:40–42.
Read it slowly. Read it twice. Perhaps even read it aloud.
Then sit with one question:
Why does Jesus end such an important teaching with something as ordinary as a cup of cold water?
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus has a remarkable way of placing the greatest truths inside the smallest things: a child, a seed, a loaf of bread, a shared meal, and even a cup of water.
This Sunday, we’ll baptize Henry and Grace Eastman. We’ll celebrate God’s welcome in ordinary water. We’ll teach our children to sing about the fruit of the Spirit. And together we’ll discover that God often chooses ordinary things to bear extraordinary love.
As you prepare for worship, don’t rush to find the “right” interpretation of the passage. Instead, ask where you’ve already seen it.
When has someone made room for you?
When has a simple act of kindness changed your life?
When have you discovered that the smallest welcome carried the greatest weight?
I look forward to exploring this passage together.
Grace and peace,
—Pastor Michael
Read Before Sunday
Matthew 10:40–42
Questions for Reflection
1. What surprises you as you read Matthew 10:40–42 slowly?
2. Why do you think Jesus chooses something as ordinary as a cup of cold water to conclude his teaching?
3. Where have you experienced a “small welcome” that made a lasting difference in your life?
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