The Celebration of the Gospel
February 9 , 2020 — Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine
that in the light of your good works others may see and glorify God.
—Matthew 5.14, 16
______We Are Received as Children of God____
GREETING
PRELUDE – Let Us Break Bread Together – Traditional, arr: Mark Hayes
[As we listen to the music we quiet our minds and bodies,
listen for our hearts’ deepest desires,
and become present to the Holy One who is lovingly present for us.]
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Reader: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and flowed from God.
All: And the Word is love.
Everything was made through the Word,
and what came into being through the Word is life.
And the life is the light of all people.
We worship in the light of God
Fill us with your light, O Love, that we may shine for the world. Alleluia!
* SONG – Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise – Blue hymnal #103, v. 1, 4
_____We Are Transformed by the Love of Christ____
(10:30) CHILDREN’S TIME
(10:30) THE WORD IN SONG – O For a Thousand Tongues – arr. Van Denman Thompson
PRAYER
God, speak your word to us, a lamp unto our feet, so we may know your ways. Shine your light upon us, so we can see your path. Shine your light within us so we can know your presence. Shine your light out through us, so we can help you bring your love into this world. Amen.
HEBREW BIBLE – Isaiah 58.1-12
[God criticizes religiosity that does not lead us to love our neighbor and care for the poor. “You serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress your workers. But real religious observance is to do justice and set people free.” In this your light will shine.]
Day after day my people seek me;
they ask of me righteous judgments:
“Why do we fast, but you do not see?
Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?”
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day,
and oppress all your workers.
Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high.
Is that the fast that I choose, just to grovel?
Will you call that a fast,
something God cares for?
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly.
If you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.
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GOSPEL – Matthew 5.13-16
[Jesus says we are light for the world, and calls us to live with righteousness¾ not legalistic conformity, but living by the light of God’s desire.]
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.
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your God in heaven
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SERMON
SONG – Light for the World – Steve G-H
Love, may we live by your light. Let us be light for the world.
Cantor:
You are the light, the light of the world. Let God’s light shine in you.
Let your light shine so that others may see, and glorify God.
Jesus, the light of your love shines warm in the dark of our suffering and struggles.
Fill us, we pray, with the light of your grace, that we may shine for others.
Those who do justice are light in the dark, light for the wand’ring, the poor.
Those who are generous shall not be moved, forever more.
“This is the fast that I choose,” says our God, “to loosen the bonds of injustice.
For then your light shall break forth like the dawn, rising in the darkness.”
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
_________We Share at Christ’s Table___________
OFFERING OUR GIFTS
8:15: – I Come With Joy – American Folk Hymn, arr: John Carter
10:30: Light of the World
* COMMUNION SONG – Be Present at Our Table, Lord – Blue hymnal #621
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Beloved, God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Faithful One, our God.
It is good to give God thanks and praise.
In the beginning you said, “Let there be light.”
Through your Word all things were created, and in them was the light of life.
In the light of the rainbow you made covenant with all Creation.
In the pillar of fire you led us and all people out of slavery to freedom.
With the light of your Word you guided us though law and prophets,
and in the fullness of time you sent Jesus, the light of the world.
Therefore with all who have been set free, all who shine with your light, we sing your praise.
[Sanctus]
Blessed are all who come in your name, and blessed is Jesus, your Christ.
He healed and fed people, he taught and forgave.
He saw your light in all people, and called us to shine with your grace.
He gathered a community of love and mercy, founded in your realm of justice.
For his resistance to oppression he was crucified, but you raised him from the dead.
[The Blessing and Covenant…]
Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
As often as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection until he comes again.
Remembering these, your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a living and holy sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
[Memorial Acclamation]
Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
redeemed by your grace, shining with your light,
for the sake of the wholeness of the world.
[Amen]
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
SHARING THE HOLY MEAL
[Everyone is welcome at the table of Christ’s self-giving love.
The bread is wheat-, soy- and dairy free. We dip the bread in the juice.]
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. You have filled us with your light. Send us into the world to shine with your love and mercy, to do justice, to embody your Word, in the name and Spirit of Christ. Amen.
___We Are Sent in the Power of the Holy Spirit___
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG – We Are Marching in the Light of God – Black hymnal #2235-b
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE We stand and sing to our neighbors:
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
POSTLUDE – Toccata In G Major – Wm. H. Pachelbel