The Celebration of the Gospel
February 16 , 2020 — Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.
—Matthew 5.44
_____We Are Received as Children of God_____
GREETING
PRELUDE – Thy Word – Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith, arr: Fred Bock
[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
Leader: God of all Creation, beauty surrounds us.
All: We thank you.
Jesus, compassion of God, you reach out to the wounded and the abused.
We join you.
Holy Spirit, you give us love, wisdom and courage.
We open ourselves to your grace.
Shape us by your power as vessels of your mercy.
* SONG – Your Love, O God – Blue hymnal #120
_____ We Are Transformed by the Love of Christ____
(10:30) CHILDREN’S TIME
THE WORD IN SONG – Ceremony for Peace – Nancy Faber. Arranged for piano and bells by Susan Zuckerman, Carol Storrs, Mary Sherrill & Sue Lee
PRAYER
God of grace and mercy, you call us to love. Our hearts swirl with many feelings; our hands tremble with many fears and desires. Receive all our emotions, calm our wandering minds, and settle us in your love. Shape us with the gentle hands of your grace as vessels of your mercy, in the name and spirit of Christ. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT – Romans 12.14-21
[Paul asks us to practice the kind of radical love Jesus taught: to pitch our fate with others, to “weep with those who weep,” to care for enemies, to overcome evil with good.]
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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.” No, 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. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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(10:30) PSALTER Psalm 119.41-48
[We ask God to lead us in God’s way. God’s Word assists us even to fearlessly confront the powerful. Each verse refers to God’s way with a different figure of speech: law, ordinances, precepts, statutes, commandments, etc. ]
Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation according to your promise.
Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,
for I trust in your word.
Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your ordinances.
I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever.
I shall walk at liberty,
for I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your decrees before rulers,
and shall not be put to shame;
I find my delight in your commandments,
because I love them.
I revere your commandments, which I love.
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GOSPEL Matthew 5.21-26, 38-48
[Jesus examines the laws of God not as legal requirements, but as guides to love. The point of the law is not to technically avoid wrongdoing, but to actually love people—even those who hurt us—a love that is perfectly pure, even as God’s love is.]
You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder’; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so it is clear you are children of God; for God makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Abba is perfect.
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RESPONSE: The Gospel of the Beloved, Jesus Christ. All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON – Love and anger
SONG – Ubi Caritas
Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas Deus ibi est.
(English translation of the Latin: Where there is love and compassion, there is God.)
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, whose judgment is mercy, who created the light in all people, who looks upon us all with love.
We follow Jesus, the Appointed One, who honored the sacred in all, even his enemies; who fed and healed, who taught the way of love, who sought to free the holy in each of us. He entered into the suffering of the world, and revealed God’s heart most clearly in his passion for our wholeness. For his resistance to injustice he was crucified; but he was raised from the dead.
We live by the Holy Spirit, the love of God in us, empowering us with courage to love the world, to love through our anger and sorrow, to love at all costs, to do justice, and to work for the healing of the world in the name of Christ.
SONG – Give us eyes – Steve G-H
Give us eyes, O God of justice, to see clearly as you see:
not to turn away but bravely face oppression’s misery.
Steel our hearts to see injustice, and to feel our siblings’ pain.
Give us sorrow; give us rage; but let our anger be humane.
Give us eyes, O God of mercy, to see evil as you see:
holding victim and oppressor in its jaws, and neither free.
God, refine our wrath and grief with yours ‘till only love remains.
Give us loving rage and courage to step up and break the chains.
Give us eyes, O God of wholeness, to see all the love you sow,
and by grace to set it free: in every person let it flow.
Let our wrath be flames of love and not the fire of power denied,
till we gently, firmly, mightily pry the gates of justice wide.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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 PEACE OF CHRIST
___ We Are Sent in the Power of the Holy Spirit___
OFFERING OUR GIFTS
8:15: “There is a Fountain”— arr Sandra Eithun (Ringtones)
10:30: Lento Espressivo César Franck
* OFFERING SONG – Goodness is Stronger than Evil – Black hymnal #2219
* PRAYER
Gracious God, we give you our lives, symbolized in these gifts. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. May your love transform our hearts for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name of Christ. Amen.
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG – Make me a Channel of Your Peace Black hymnal #2171
* 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 – Voluntary In F – George Blake