Sunday, February 20, 2022 - What does it mean to follow Jesus?
Theme: Exploring the Seismic Questions –What does it mean to follow Jesus?
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)
Hymn Guide My Feet (In Person Only)
Welcome
Awakening to God’s Presence (In Person Only)
Hymn I Will Call Upon the Lord (In Person Only)
Prayer for God’s Guidance
Luke 6:27-31 Common English Bible Translation
“But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t withhold your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks and don’t demand your things back from those who take them. Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.
(Question: What is unsettling about Jesus teaching of loving our enemies?)
Luke 6:32-36
“If you love those who love you, why should you be commended? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, why should you be commended? Even sinners do that. If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, why should you be commended? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be paid back in full. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend expecting nothing in return. If you do, you will have a great reward. You will be acting the way children of the Most High act, for he is kind to ungrateful and wicked people. Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.
(Question: What are the risks we take carrying out this type of love?)
Hymn Called as Partners in Christ’s Service (In Person Only)
Luke 6:37-38
“Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion – packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing-will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.” (Question: What are the hardest parts about being nonjudgmental?)
Luke 6:39-42
Jesus also told them a riddle. “A blind person can’t lead another blind person, right? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? Disciples aren’t greater than their teacher, but whoever is fully prepared will be like their teacher. Why do you see the splinter in your brother’s or sister’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother or sister, ‘Brother, Sister, let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when you don’t see the log in your own eye? You deceive yourselves! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye. (Question: What gets in the way of us helping others?)
Hymn We All Are One in Mission (In Person Only)
Luke 6:43-47
“A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit, nor does a bad tree produce good fruit. Each tree is known by its own fruit. People don’t gather figs from thorny plants, nor do they pick grapes from prickly bushes. A good person produces good from the good treasury of the inner self, while an evil person produces evil from the evil treasury of the inner self. The inner self overflows with words that are spoken. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and don’t do what I say? I’ll show what it’s like when someone comes to me, hears my words, and puts them into practice. (Question: What are the things your life produces that is directly connected to the life of 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
In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Hymn For Everyone Born (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 Live into Hope (In Person Only)
Hymn List
621 I Will Call upon the Lord
733 We All Are One in Mission
741 Guide My Feet
761 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
769 For Everyone Born
772 Live into Hope
Sermon Series: Exploring the Seismic Questions
February 27th – What is our purpose?