Opening Prayer

O God, author of eternal light
      lead us in our worshipping this day:
            that our lips may praise you,
            our lives may bless you,
            and our meditations glorify you,
            through Christ our Lord. AMEN

Hymnal #673, from Sarum Missal, 11th c.

Scripture - Matthew 5:8

Jesus said,
                  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Another way of saying this is:
                  "Happy are the utterly sincere, for they will see God."
         That is, when what you think and what motivates you are the same as what you actually do, then you are happy.
         In other words, happiness is not just doing what God says is right, but really believing that it is right on the inside. Integrity, single-mindedness, letting your conscience be your guide, being "pure in heart" - allowing God to bless you on the inside as well as the outside. Or, as one paraphrase puts it, "You’re blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world."

(The first Bible quote is from the King James/Revised Standard Versions, the second is from Phillip's Modern English Version, the final is from The Message, by E. Peterson.)

Scripture - Matthew 5:5

Jesus said,
                  "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
Another way of saying this is:
                  "Happy are those who claim nothing,
                           for the whole earth shall belong to them."
         Sometimes we wrongly hear this as "Blessed are those who enjoy getting hurt by others," or "You’re happy when you passively get your own way by playing on people’s guilt."
         To be meek is not to be weak. It is to know who you are and whose you are, and to be satisfied with the person God is creating you to be. Even when bad stuff happens.
         One paraphrase puts it this way: "You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are - no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought."

(The first Bible quote is from the King James/Revised Standard Versions, the second is from Phillip's Modern English Version, the final is from The Message, by E. Peterson.)

Responding with our Tithes and Offerings
Matthew 5:6

Jesus said,
                  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
                           for they will be filled."
Another way of saying this is:
                  "You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God.
                            He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat."
         Has your appetite for God been worked up by this worship? Are you hungering and thirsting for God?... Good!    Let’s pray.

         Dear Lord, we thank you for all the ways in which you have blessed us. Help us to be a blessing for others. May the offerings we are about to give move us in that direction, following your Son Jesus. In his name we pray. Amen.

(The first Bible quote is from the New Revised Standard Versions,
the second is  from The Message, by E. Peterson.)