2nd Sunday After Pentecost CALL TO WORSHIP P: We gather in the name of the Triune God: Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. C: Amen. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS based on Matthew 9 P: Jesus tells us, it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Let us confess the afflictions that separate us from God so that we can receive the care of the ultimate physician. Silence for reflection P: Today we’ll hear the call story of Matthew, C: You also call us. But sometimes we prefer to close our eyes, cover our ears, and turn our backs to your will. Forgive us, O God, and grant us the confidence and the hope that we need to follow when you call. Amen. P: In the name of the God who raised Jesus from the dead, + your sins are forgiven. Walk in the way of faith, that you may have abundance and joy. C: Amen. HYMN “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” Flashback to the early 90s and Sister Act 2 PRAYER OF THE DAY Matt. 9:9–13 P: Merciful God, you tell us in Scripture that you desire mercy and not sacrifice. You showed us an example of your mercy in the life and actions of Jesus Christ. Let your church live out that mercy for others, as the healing and compassionate presence that Jesus was in the world. In his name we pray. C: Amen. Hosea 6:6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Psalm 50:7-15 7“Listen, my people, and I will speak: Israel, I will bear witness against you; for I am God, your God. 8I do not accuse you because of your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are always before me. 9I will not accept a calf from your stalls, nor goats from your pens; 10for all the wild animals of the forest are mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11I know every bird of the mountains, and the creatures of the fields are mine. 12If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the whole world is mine and all that is in it. 13Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 14Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and make good your vows to the Most High. 15Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor me. Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 9As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 10And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” 18While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. 20Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” 22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26And the report of this spread throughout that district. SERMON HYMN “Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Trusting in God’s abundant mercy, let us offer our prayers for a world in need. P: We pray, O God, for the church. Unite us with any on the margins, that the whole world recognizes that your mercy is greater than our human capacity to restrict it. God, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray, O God, for creation. Tend forests and fields and safeguard all cattle, birds, and wild animals. Preserve lakes, rivers, and oceans and send rains to water the earth. Revive lands recovering from natural disasters. God, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray, O God, for the nations. Awaken in our leaders compassion for people who have too often felt forgotten or neglected, and inspire policy solutions that promote equity and inclusion. God, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray, O God, for all who are in need. Accompany anyone enduring chronic illness, any who suffer in secret, and those grieving a loved one’s death. Send healing for all who plead for relief from sickness or pain (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Donald, Dale, and Jim). God, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray, O God, for the eradication of racial hatred. On this week when we commemorate the Emanuel Nine, we implore you to cast out the demons of white supremacy that make us believe lies about ourselves and our neighbors. God, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: We give thanks, O God, for Barnabas and all the saints. Renew our faith that you can do what you have promised and raise us, with all our beloved dead, to new life. God, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Receive our prayers and answer us, O God, in the name of Jesus Christ. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER P: God, who knows our needs and our wants, gives us all we have and invites us to give in gratitude and joy so that we can bless others as we have been blessed. Let us worship God through our offerings, in thankfulness and love. Financial gifts may be sent to the church. P: Loving God, you call us not just to give us the blessing of being called your people, but also to be a blessing for all people on this earth. Give us the wisdom and the courage to be a blessing to this community and to this world. Through these offerings may we be channels of your compassion and healing to others, for the sake of Jesus, in whose name we pray. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Bryan Fowler BENEDICTION P: May God our Father bless you so that you can be a blessing to others. May Christ + bless you so that you can be healers of a world that is hurting. May the Holy Spirit bless you so that you can spread the hope that only the triune God can inspire and give to this world. C: Amen. HYMN “O Jesus, I Have Promised” CHARGE P: Go in peace to love to serve the Lord and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495
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AuthorRev. Lori E.L. Kitzing Archives
April 2024
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