Sunday, August 18, 2019

God’s Hope for Us -Aug 18,2019

Worship on Sunday, August 18 …

As surely as we hope and dream of a better tomorrow, Scripture teaches us that God does, too!   

We delve into our focus on the Language of Belief, engaging the word “Faith!”




╬  God’s Hope for Us

 “My hope is in the Lord,” the Psalmist says.  But what of God’s hope?  What of God’s dream of a whole, vital natural world, of a unity among people, of shalom prevailing everywhere?  We make much of our hopes and visions, but in the same way Scripture makes plain the hopes of God.  Hope is the nature of God and God’s hopes become a vision of restoration and redemption for us.  Jesus called it the Kingdom of Heaven.

 Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings.   

 Let’s dream together the dreams that God dreams … of a future filled with hope!

 - Pr. Brad Highum
bhighum@abidinglove.org

  PRAYER OF THE DAY ---------------

 God of life, bring your hopes and dreams to fruition in us.  Let your hope for a unified humanity and a whole creation become the mission of your people everywhere.  Fan to a flame the embers of hope you kindle in each of us.  Amen.

 READINGS --------------------------
First Reading:  Genesis 2:4-9,15-17
4 In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, 5 when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up — for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; 6 but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground — 7 then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, "You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die."

 Psalm 62:1-2,5-8
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.

 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.

 5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.

 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

 7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

 Second Reading:  Romans 8:18-25
18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

 Gospel:  John 3:11-21
11 "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.  17 "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God."
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Sunday, August 11, 2019

Hope in Go August 11, 2019

Worship on Sunday, August 11 …
As we continue our focus on the Language of Belief, we turn our attention to another of Paul’s words of great promise … “HOPE”!


We delve into our focus on the Language of Belief, engaging the word “Faith!”




╬  Hope in God “My hope is in the Lord,” the Psalmist says, “in God who created the heavens and the earth.”  Hope is aspirational.  It is the patient longing for an outcome, both the design and fulfillment of desire. Hope is the companion of faith, and its fuel. The invitation of Scripture is for our hope to be placed in the One who is grace and goodness.  The history of relationship between God and humanity teaches us our hope is well-placed.

 Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings.  

Blessings to you all as we bear witness together to the hope that is in us!

 - Pr. Brad Highum
bhighum@abidinglove.org

  PRAYER OF THE DAY -------------------
God of life, as surely as there is one Body into which you have formed us, and one Spirit by which you call us, unite is in the one hope that is your grace and goodness made manifest, your Kingdom come on earth, for your glory and for the sake of the world you love.  Amen.

 READINGS --------------------------------
First Reading:  1 Chronicles 29:13-19
13 Now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your glorious name.  14 "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to make this freewill offering? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are aliens and transients before you, as were all our ancestors; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. 16 O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 17 I know, my God, that you search the heart, and take pleasure in uprightness; in the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 18 O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.

 Psalm 33:12-22

 12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.
13 The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind.
14 From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth —
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.
16 A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.
18 Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield.
21 Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

 Second Reading:  Acts 2:22-28
22 "You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know — 23 this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24 But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25 For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope.

 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades or let your Holy One experience corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'

 Gospel:  Matthew 12:15-21
Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, 16 warning them not to tell who he was. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:  18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.  19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.  20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.  21 In his name the nations will put their hope.
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Sunday, August 4, 2019

Faith that Moves Mountains August 4, 2019

Worship on Sunday, August 4 …

 In this second part of our focus on “Faith,” we engage Jesus’ astounding statement about Faith’s power …  


We delve into our focus on the Language of Belief, engaging the word “Faith!”


╬ Faith that Moves Mountains

 Luther called it “A living, daring confidence in God’s grace!”  Faith is a force that, in the extreme, confronts the impossible with possibility.  It has the power to lift us from resignation to what is, to the expectation of what can be.  Faith sustains, faith guides and raises our eyes to the horizon.  By faith we enter into the realm of the miraculous.

  Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. 
Blessings to you all as we grow in faith together!

 - Pr. Brad Highum
bhighum@abidinglove.org

  PRAYER OF THE DAY ----------------
God of life, teach us the power of faith to confront the challenges and seeming impossibilities of life.  Teach us to wield this power that you plant within each one of us for good:  for the well-being of others and your creation, for the sake of your Kingdom that is seeking to break free in the midst of the world.  Amen.

 READINGS ------------------------------
First Reading:  Habakuk 2:1-5
1 I will stand at my watchpost, and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint.  2 Then the Lord answered me and said:  Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.  3 For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end and does not lie.  If it seems to tarry, wait for it;

 it will surely come it will not delay.  4 Look at the proud!  Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.  5 Moreover, wealth is treacherous; the arrogant do not endure.  They open their throats wide as Sheol; like Death they never have enough.  They gather all nations for themselves and collect all peoples as their own.

 Psalm 146
1 Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long.
3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.
4 When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.
5 Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God,
6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever;
7 who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.  The Lord sets the prisoners free;
8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.  The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10 The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.  Praise the Lord!

 Second Reading:  Romans1:8-17

 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. 9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, 10 asking that by God's will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you — 12 or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 13 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish 15 — hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome.  16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, "The one who is righteous will live by faith."

 Gospel:  Matthew 17:20,21:21

 17:20 He said to them, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."  21:21 Even if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' it will be done. 22 Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive."
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Sunday, July 28, 2019

Language of Belief, July 28, 2019

Worship on Sunday, July 28 … “Faith, hope and love abide!”


We delve into our focus on the Language of Belief, engaging the word “Faith!”
╬ Faith that Works

 “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)  It is the cry of the heart that seeks to be faithful in a world too often faithless.  We seek a faith that is genuine, that honors the God in whom we have our being, but that goes with us supporting us in the changing fortunes of life.  We look to the One God sends for the example of a faith that works. 

 Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings.  

It is a great blessing to worship with you all!

 - Pr. Brad Highum
bhighum@abidinglove.org

  PRAYER OF THE DAY ------------------
God of life, teach us the deeper meanings of faith.  Guide as we seek to grow in a faith that works in the shifting currents and fortunes of life. Help us to rely on your goodness and wisdom, to have faith in you, beyond our own understandings.  Amen.

 READINGS ----------------------

 First Reading:  Deuteronomy 32:48-52

 48 On that very day the Lord addressed Moses as follows: 49 "Ascend this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, across from Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites for a possession; 50 you shall die there on the mountain that you ascend and shall be gathered to your kin, as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his kin; 51 because both of you broke faith with me among the Israelites at the waters of Meribath-kadesh in the wilderness of Zin, by failing to maintain my holiness among the Israelites. 52 Although you may view the land from a distance, you shall not enter it — the land that I am giving to the Israelites."

 Psalm 78:1-8
1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
5 He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children;
6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children,
7 so that they should set their faith in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;
8 and that they should not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

 Second Reading:  James 2:14-26
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.  18 But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder. 20 Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is barren? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. 23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.

 Gospel:  Matthew 8:5-13

 5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him 6 and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress." 7 And he said to him, "I will come and cure him." 8 The centurion answered, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." 10 When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, "Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you according to your faith." And the servant was healed in that hour.
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Sunday, July 21, 2019

Language of Belief 7-21-2019

Worship on Sunday, July 21 … “Faith, hope and love abide!”



We begin a new series, focusing on the language we use as people of faith! 
╬ A Language of Belief Too often, we speak in a coded language, all our own.  The Christian vernacular is opaque to many who look in from outside the traditions of the church.  What is “gospel?”  What do we mean by “salvation” and what does it mean to be “righteous,” “redeemed?”  What is the Kingdom of God, and just where is it to be found?  Let’s unpack some of our language of belief, for our own understanding and for the sake of a world open to hearing.

  Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. 

 I will be back this Sunday and looking very much forward to worshiping with you all!

 Blessings to you,
- Pr. Brad Highum
bhighum@abidinglove.org

  PRAYER OF THE DAY -----------------------
God of life and all creation, teach us the language of your truth.  By the power of your Spirit, instill in us a language of belief that we may speak meaningfully to the wider world of your grace, your goodness and love.  Amen.

 READINGS ----------------------------------

 First Reading:  Genesis 11:1-9

 11 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." 5 The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. 6 And the Lord said, "Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another's speech." 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

 Psalm 119:125-135
125 I am your servant; give me understanding, so that I may know your decrees.

 126 It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken.

 127 Truly I love your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold.

 128 Truly I direct my steps by all your precepts; I hate every false way.

 129 Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.

 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

 131 With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments.

 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom toward those who love your name.

 133 Keep my steps steady according to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me.

 134 Redeem me from human oppression, that I may keep your precepts.

 135 Make your face shine upon your servant.

 Second Reading:  Acts 2:1-9
2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.  5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?

 Gospel:  Mark 1:1-11,14
1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'"  4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."  Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
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Monday, July 15, 2019

Mercy as the Way of Christ


Worship on Sunday, July 14 …



We awaken to mercy as the Way of Christ, to be embraced by all who would follow him!
╬ Mercy!   The way of Jesus is a way of mercy. The cry for mercy caused Jesus to stand still, and motivated him to respond to the outcasts whom society attempted to silence. As followers of Jesus in the way of mercy, we are called not only to respond to the needs of others, but to be motivated by a new kind of vision, one that recognizes all people as worthy of compassion, love, dignity and hope.

 Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings.

 Julia Miller will preach at both services.
Reggie Kikta, a Synodically Authorized Minister will preside in Communion.

Blessings to you all in Pentecost worship!
- Pr. Brad Highum
bhighum@abidinglove.org

PRAYER OF THE DAY ---------------------------

 God of life, in the face of harshness and disregard, teach us the way of your Christ, the way of mercy and empathy, caring and self-giving love.  Bless us to bless your world with mercy.  Amen.

READINGS --------------------------------------------
First Reading:  Micah 6:1-8

 6 Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.  2 Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.  3 "O my people, what have I done to you?  In what have I wearied you? Answer me!  4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.  5 O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the Lord."  6 "With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high?  Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?  7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil?  Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"  8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

 Psalm 86:1-13
1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

 2 Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you.  You are my God;

 3 be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long.

 4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

 5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.

 6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication.

 7 In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me.

 8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.

 9 All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.

 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.

 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.

 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

 13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

 Second Reading:  1 Timothy 1:12-17
12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the foremost. 16 But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

 Gospel:  Matthew 20:29-34
29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 31 The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, "Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!" 32 Jesus stood still and called them, saying, "What do you want me to do for you?" 33 They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him
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Sunday, July 7, 2019

Restorative Justice July 7, 2019

Worship on Sunday, July 7 …

We deepen our focus on justice as the Way of Christ as we embraced the power of Restorative Justice! 
Pr. Tim Anderson will preach and preside in Communion at both services.
╬ Restorative Justice!   Retributive or punitive justice has come to characterize much of our legal process today.  But there is another understanding of justice that is rooted in the Christian calling to reconciliation and redemption.  "Repairing the harm done by crime - beyond what happens in the courtroom" is a good working definition of restorative justice. The term and its various practices are Biblical, and they're not just for soothing the pain caused by crime. Restorative practices help us move forward in our day-to-day life together. They help communities and families stay together, individuals to heal, and allow for the light of hope to flourish even in the darkest of circumstances.

  Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. 
PLEASE NOTE:
We have three Readings today, two from Hebrew Testament along with Gospel (no Psalm).

  
Blessings to you all in Pentecost worship!

- Pr. Brad Highum
bhighum@abidinglove.org

PRAYER OF THE DAY ----------------------------

God of life, in the midst of a broken world, teach us the ways of your Christ, ways of healing, reconciling and redeeming.  Bless us to be peacemakers even in the face of violence and tragedy.  Amen.

READINGS ---------------------------------------
First Reading:  Leviticus 6:1-7
6  The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 When any of you sin and commit a trespass against the Lord by deceiving a neighbor in a matter of a deposit or a pledge, or by robbery, or if you have defrauded a neighbor, 3 or have found something lost and lied about it — if you swear falsely regarding any of the various things that one may do and sin thereby — 4 when you have sinned and realize your guilt, and would restore what you took by robbery or by fraud or the deposit that was committed to you, or the lost thing that you found, 5 or anything else about which you have sworn falsely, you shall repay the principal amount and shall add one-fifth to it. You shall pay it to its owner when you realize your guilt. 6 And you shall bring to the priest, as your guilt offering to the Lord, a ram without blemish from the flock, or its equivalent, for a guilt offering. 7 The priest shall make atonement on your behalf before the Lord, and you shall be forgiven for any of the things that one may do and incur guilt thereby.

Second Reading:  Jeremiah 8:18-22
18 My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick.  19 Hark, the cry of my poor people

 from far and wide in the land:  "Is the Lord not in Zion?  Is her King not in her?"  ("Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their foreign idols?")  20 "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." 21 For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me.  22 Is there no balm in Gilead?  Is there no physician there?  Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored?

Gospel:  Matthew 18:15-20
15 "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
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