Salt & Light

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship! Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact with this growing community of faith. And so, if you are joining us for the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday: You are welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye Heav'nly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

In a world of darkness that surrounds us — Jesus proclaims, “You are the light of the world.” Loving God, may your light shine through us as we are gathered here in your name. Amen.

Ever-present God, you called the first disciples of Jesus to live as a city upon a hill and a lamp on a stand that all may see the glory of God.

Grant that we, who claim the name of Jesus, may shine as light in this dark world.

Our brother Paul led the church, not by lofty words of human wisdom, but by wisdom born of your spirit. We pray for our world, for the governments and for its leaders. May all who rule honor justice and compassion, and serve the common good that the world may flourish.

Grant that we, who claim the name of Jesus, may shine as light in this dark world.

You teach us to offer food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted.

Grant that we, who claim the name of Jesus, may shine as light in this dark world.

We pray for the sick, the hungry, the poor, the unhoused, and those who are oppressed. Let your church minister to those in distress and bear witness to your abiding compassion for all who suffer. Through Christ, with Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Loving God, by the power and presence of your Holy Spirit, open the Scriptures to us this day that we may receive wisdom to understand the gifts you have bestowed upon us and the ways in which to best use these gifts. Amen.

Proclaiming Christ Crucified ¹ When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the testimony of God to you with superior speech or wisdom. ² For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³ And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. ⁴ My speech and my proclamation were made not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ⁵ so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. The True Wisdom of God ⁶ Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are being destroyed. ⁷ But we speak God’s wisdom, a hidden mystery, which God decreed before the ages for our glory ⁸ and which none of the rulers of this age understood, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him”— ¹⁰ God has revealed to us through the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. ¹¹ For what human knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. ¹³ And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. ¹⁴ Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵ Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny. ¹⁶ “For who has known the mind of God so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Salt and Light ¹³ “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. The Law and the Prophets ¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Salt is often described as bad for us, bad for our health, bad for our heart — and yet, in Matthew’s Gospel Jesus invites his followers to be salt and to be light. What does it mean to you to be salt? What does it mean to be light? Where do you find yourself being salt and light? Where do you find yourself trying not to be noticed?

Like a spring whose waters never fail, God calls us to share what we have received. Let us offer ourselves and our gifts to God.

Loving God, we give thanks for all you have given to us and praise you for your astounding goodness. Receive the dedication of our hearts, minds, bodies, and resources for the ministry of your church. Bless our offering for the work of your kindom, and give us wisdom for the right use of all you have provided, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus instructs all those who would follow him — Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God. May the true light, shine through you so that you may bring the transformative power of loving kindness to the world around us. Amen.