Sunday, February 13, 2022 - Who is Jesus?
Theme: Exploring the Seismic Questions –Who is Jesus?
Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will call him, Emmanuel. (Emanuel means “God with us.”) (Matthew 1:23)
Hymn All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name! (In Person Only)
Welcome
Awakening to God’s Presence (In Person Only)
Hymn Come, Thou Found of Every Blessing (In Person Only)
Prayer for God’s Guidance
Luke 9:18-19 Common English Bible Translation
Once when Jesus was praying by himself, the disciples joined him, and he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others that one of the ancient prophets has come back to life.” (Mt 25:37-40) “Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’
(Question: What resonates with you about these stories of Jesus?)
Hymn I Danced in the Morning. (In Person Only)
Luke 9:20-21
He asked them, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ sent from God.” Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell this to anyone. (Jn 6:26-27) Jesus replied, “I assure you that you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate all the food you wanted. Don’t work for the food that doesn’t last but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Human One will give you. God the Father has confirmed him as his agent to give life.” (Question: What is difficult to understand about who Jesus is?)
Luke 9:22
He said, “The Human One must suffer many things and be rejected – by the elders, chief priests, and the legal experts – and be killed and be raised on the third day.” (Jn 13:34-35) “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.” (Question: How do you notice this tension of suffering and love impacting your life?)
Hymn Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosana! (In Person Only)
John 7:14-23
Halfway through the festival, Jesus went up to the temple and started to teach. Astonished, the Jewish leaders asked, “He’s never been taught! How has he mastered the Law?” Jesus responded, “My teaching isn’t mine but comes from the one who sent me. Whoever wants to do God’s will can tell whether my teaching is from God or whether I speak on my own. Those who speak on their own seek glory for themselves. Those who seek the glory of him who sent me are people of truth; there’s no falsehood in them. Didn’t Moses give you the Law? Yet none of you keep the Law. Why do you want to kill me?” The crowd answered, “You have a demon. Who wants to kill you?” Jesus replied, “I did one work, and you were astonished. Because Moses gave you the commandment about circumcision (although it wasn’t Moses but the patriarchs), you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If a man can be circumcised on the Sabbath without breaking Moses’ Law, why are you angry with me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath? (Question: What surprises you about Jesus’ life?)
Luke 9:23-24
Jesus said to everyone, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me. All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me will save them. (Mt 11:28-30) “Come to me, all who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”
(Question: How do you feel connected to Jesus?)
Reflection Together (In Person Only)
Offering Ourselves to God
During this time let us reflect upon the words from the Brief Statement of Faith
We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.
Hymn Lord, the Light of Your Love Is Shining (In Person Only)
Prayers of the People and 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
Benediction
Closing Hymn Standing on the Promises (In Person Only)
Hymn List
157 I Danced in the Morning
192 Lord, the Light of Your Love Is Shining
248 Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna!
263 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
475 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
745 Standing on the Promises
Sermon Series: Exploring the Seismic Questions
February 20th – What does it mean to follow Jesus?
February 27th–What is our purpose?