Choice

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

God of blessing, you call us to be one with you and your creation in love, faithfulness, and truth. Help us to carry out the vows we make: to adore you with our whole heart, to live in mutual support of one another, and to love as if your reign has fully come. Amen.

We pray for the health and vitality of the church: You command us to

honor you by loving one another, yet all too often there is quarreling

and jealousy among us. Help us to live your law of love as we seek to

grow into the full stature of Christ.

Loving God, help us to turn our hearts toward you.

We pray for the welfare of the world: You have blessed us with every

skill and gift for nurturing the common good, yet our self-centered

ways incline our hearts toward evil. Strengthen us to work together

for the mutual benefit of neighbors near and far and for the life and

prosperity of your reign on earth.

Loving God, help us to turn our hearts toward you.

We pray for the well-being of your creation: Our choices wreak havoc

on the world you have made and put your planet in peril. Guide our

patterns of consumption for the flourishing of all creation and for

generations yet unborn.

Loving God, help us to turn our hearts toward you.

We pray for all who suffer and are in need: You call us to care for one

other with compassion and steadfast love, yet we wither in the face of

anguish and brokenness. Equip us for the work of reconciliation, that

we might offer hope and healing in the power of your name.

Loving God, help us to turn our hearts toward you.

We pray for all who are sick and are dying: May your will for them be

fulfilled. Fill us with your mercy and kindness that we may care for

them with loving hearts as you bring them to the wholeness of your

peace.

Loving God, help us to turn our hearts toward you. We commend all of life to you, O God, knowing that you hear our

prayers and answer them according to your will; through Jesus Christ

we pray.

Amen.

Loving God, anoint us with your Holy Spirit, as we hear your Word this day. Fill us with your truth that we may walk in the ways of God and to the glory of your realm. Amen.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 15 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. ¹⁶ If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. ¹⁷ But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, ¹⁸ I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. ¹⁹ I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, ²⁰ loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Matthew 5:21-37 21 ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder’; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” 22But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool’, you will be liable to the hell of fire. ²³ So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. 27 ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” 28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ lf your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. 31'It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” ³² But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33‘Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.” ³⁴ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷ Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Questions for Reflection: Rev. Johan Dodge

Today’s readings speak of blessings and curses, life and death, good

relationships and those that are broken. Moreover, the texts suggest

that we have a choice in these matters. Where do you find life, and

where do you not—and what role do your choices play? Where have

you experienced broken relationships in your own life or in the

church? How do Christ and the reign of heaven enable us to move

beyond brokenness and live in mutual support?

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING — Jeanette Williams

Jesus said, if you remember that if a brother or sister has something

against you, first be reconciled to them, and then come and offer your

gift. In peace, let us bring our offerings to God.

Holy God, we offer you these gifts with thanks, so that together we may plant and water the seeds of your new world. May we be your faithful servants as we cultivate your love, knowing that in all we accomplish, it is you who gives the growth. Amen.

May the wisdom of God, the love of Christ, and the peace of the Spirit illumine your choices and may your choices reflect the love of God for the world in your lives this day and always. Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.