Sunday, October 2, 2022 - Facing Barriers-> Flourishing: Expectations
Online Playlist
Welcome
*Hymn 18 Hallelujah! Sing Praise to Your Creator (In Person Only)
(verse 1)
*Awakening to God’s Presence (In Person Only)
*Hymn 18 Hallelujah! Sing Praise to Your Creator (In Person Only)
(verses 2-3)
Prayer for God’s Guidance (responsive)
Matthew 12:1-5 Common English Bible Translation
At that time Jesus went through the wheat fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry so they were picking heads of wheat and eating them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are breaking the Sabbath law.” But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and those with him were hungry? He went into God’s house and broke the law by eating the bread of the presence, which only the priests were allowed to eat. Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple treat the Sabbath as any other day and are still innocent? (Question: What do you expect from God?)
Matthew 12:6-10
But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what this means, I want mercy and not sacrifice, you wouldn’t have condemned the innocent. The Human One is Lord of the Sabbath.” Jesus left that place and went into their synagogue. A man with a withered hand was there. Wanting to bring charges against Jesus, they asked, “Does the Law allow a person to heal on the Sabbath?” (Question: Have you ever found it hard to lead with mercy?)
Hymn 852 When the Lord Redeems the Very Least (In Person Only)
(verse 1)
Matthew 12:11-15
Jesus replied, “Who among you has a sheep that falls into a pit on the Sabbath and will not take hold of it and pull it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! So the Law allows a person to do what is good on the Sabbath.” Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he did and it was made healthy, just like the other one. The Pharisees went out and met in order to find a way to destroy Jesus. Jesus knew what they intended to do, so he went away from there. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them all. (Question: Do you think healing has to be earned? Why?)
Matthew 12:22-25
They brought to Jesus a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak. Jesus healed him so that he could both speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, “This man couldn’t be the Son of David, could he?” When the Pharisees heard, they said, “This man throws out demons only by the authority of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons.” Because Jesus knew what they were thinking, he replied, “Every kingdom involved in civil war becomes a wasteland. Every city or house torn by divisions will collapse. (Question: How have your expectations caused problems with others?)
Hymn 852 When the Lord Redeems the Very Least (In Person Only)
(verse 2)
Matthew 12:26-30
If Satan throws out Satan, he is at war with himself. How then can his kingdom endure? And if I throw out demons by the authority of Beelzebul, then by whose authority do your followers throw them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if I throw out demons by the power of God’s Spirit, then God’s kingdom has already overtaken you. Can people go into a house that belongs to a strong man and steal his possessions, unless they first tie up the strong man? Then they can rob his house. Whoever isn’t with me is against me, and whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters. (Question: What expectations help connect to the love of Christ?)
Anthem Remember, Remember Me (In Person Only)
Invitation to the Offering (In Person Only)
Offering Our Lives, Resources, Time to God
Offertory
*Doxology 606
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.
*Prayer of Gratitude (responsive)
*Hymn 509 All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly (In Person Only)
(verse 1)
The Lord’s Supper
Invitation
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May God be with you!
And also with you!
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory, forever. Amen
Words of Institution
Distribution of Elements
(The congregation is invited to eat the bread after the prayer and drink the cup when received. The cup can be placed in holders on the pew in front of you.)
Prayer after Communion (responsive)
*Closing Hymn 526 Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ (In Person Only)
*Benediction
Hymn List
18 Hallelujah! Sing Praise to Your Creator
509 All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly
526 Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
852 When the Lord Redeems the Very Least
Sermon Series
Facing Barriers Flourishing
October 9th – Situations
New Sermon Series Starting October 16th
Theme: Changed Heart – Changed Life