PAUSE FOR REFLECTION
“It’s not what you believe that counts;
it’s what you believe enough to do.”
― Richard Stearns
CALL TO WORSHIP
All are welcome to this common sacred space.
Common, because we are all welcome.
Sacred, because here we transform the ordinary
and attend to the profound.
We carry with us our regrets, doubts, fears, stories, laughter;
may they inspire our worship.
Above all, may we each meet what we need most to find,
On this day, in this common, sacred space.
OPENING HYMN Come, Live in the Light
CHRISTIAN READING Matthew 25:31-40
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
THEME VIDEO The Matthew 25 Pledge
ANOTHER VOICE
“For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank bottled water. I was a stranger, and you wanted me deported. I needed clothes, but you needed more clothes. I was sick, and you pointed out the behaviors that led to my sickness. I was in prison, and you said I was getting what I deserved.”
― Richard Stearns,
The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World.
SERMON: “The Faces of Jesus” Rev. Don Ludwig
Click here to read the sermon text.
SHARING THE PEACE Discussion Questions
- What person or persons has inspired the way you view Christianity?
- Where have you seen the faces of Jesus? Describe an experience or person.
- What can you do (or the church do) to better meet the human needs around us?
CORPORATE PRAYER The ‘Jesus’ Prayer written by Rev. Bret S. Myers, 2016
O God, our Divine Parent, may your presence be ever revered. May your peace and justice dwell among us. May your love and compassion live within and between us. Nourish us daily with the necessities of life; sustenance for our bodies, and inspiration for our spirits. And may the forgiveness we give be that which we receive; the kindness we show be that which we perceive. Lead us on virtuous paths, and distance us from evil. For your world is our world, and your reign our reign; then, now, and always. A-men.
RESPONSIVE HYMN “We Are One in the Spirit”
Minute for Mission, Offering & Announcements
As we reflect on all of our blessings, individually and as a community, may we consider how we may give of ourselves so that the work of Christ’s love and peace may continue throughout our world.
(Please contact staff@southmin.org, to discover simple ways you may give electronically or via mail. Thank you for supporting the staff and on-going ministries of Southminster Presbyterian Church).
DOXOLOGY
Through all our living, we our fruits must give.
Good works of service are for offering.
When we are giving, or when receiving,
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
Final Blessing & Benediction
In the words of John Lewis,
“Walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.” A-men.
