Practicing the Presence

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.

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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.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kindom 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; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kindom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

God of mystery and might, whose wonderful works are to be remembered, move in our lives, change our minds, soften our hearts, direct our feet, that we may follow you more faithfully.

For the church gathered here and gathered around the world.

Merciful God hear our prayer …

Bless the church, that all people may see your way of living beyond ourselves through our faithful witness.

For the world and for its leaders,

Merciful God hear our prayer …

Arouse our leaders to sound judgement and merciful hearts. Help them to proclaim your justice fiercely, to embody your kindness sincerely, and to practice mercy selflessly.

For the good earth,

Merciful God hear our prayer …

Let earth be a gentle home for us. Subdue the violence of storm and earthquake, and heal the destruction of flood and drought, that life may flourish and every creature rejoice in the goodness of creation.

For those in need of care,

Merciful God hear our prayer …

Bless those in need and their caregivers. Defend and enable them to thrive in mind and body. Give them guardians who are faithful in their duty to provide for their needs and guard them from danger.

For the sick and those in distress,

Merciful God hear our prayer …

Heal those who are sick in body, mind, or spirit. And uphold those who are able to support them in their need. These prayers we offer through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

By the power of your Spirit, loving God, make your word become a joy to us and the delight of our hearts. Amen.

⁹ Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; ¹⁰ love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

²¹ From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised. ²² And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” ²³ But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” ²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. ²⁶ For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? ²⁷ “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. ²⁸ Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Knowing what we know now, about the construction of the Bible over time and the additions and “corrections” that were made over time to better fit a specific understanding of Christianity, what are we to make of this instruction to take up our cross to follow Jesus?

Let us give as God has abundantly given to us.

Ever-Present God, receive these gifts that we offer with grateful hearts and use us for your ministry in the world. Amen.

The love of God be with you, the way of Jesus guide you and the power of the Spirit sustain you, now and forever more. Amen.

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