Worship - February 2, 2014

Move in our midst, ever-present God. Inspire us as we have been inspired, by the example of all who serve others in your name. This we pray in the name of Jesus, who set us an example when he knelt and washed the feet of his disciples. Amen.

by Frank Ramirez, pastor
Everett, PA Church of the Brethren
soon to be pastor of
Union Center Church of the Brethren,
Nappanee, IN
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series

Blessings

1 - Shifting from the first part of our Bible to the Gospel, let’s hear what Jesus had to say in that summary of his teachings we call the “Sermon on the Mount.”

2 - It begins with a list of blessings, a description of life in the presence of God. We’re reading from the paraphrase called “The Message.” Listen

(pause)

1 - When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

2 - “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

1 - “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

2 - “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.

1 - “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.

2 - “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

1 - “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

2 - “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

1 - “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

2 - “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.

1 - “You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.”

Matthew 5:1-12 from from The Message.
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.
Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Hearing
Micah 6:1-8

1 - Turn to reading #753 in the back of your hymnal that we might together speak and hear the words of the prophet Micah.

2 - You will need to pay extra attention, because what you will read out loud are the last three verses of this scripture selection.

1 - When I raise my arms like this (raise your arms as a conductor might), your portion begins.

2 - Listen now to Micah, starting with the first verse of chapter six.

(pause)

1 - 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.

1 - “O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me!

2 - 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.

1 - O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him,

2 - and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.”

(pause and raise your arms as a conductor might)

ALL: With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?

People: Shall I come before God with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?

Leader: Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

People: Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

ALL:      God 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?

Micah 6:1-8 from the New Revised Standard Version
copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

responsive reading #753 is adapted from the NRSV

Giving

Our worship leader, Robyn Boettner, gave a few years of her life to others after college through Brethren Volunteer Service. We invited her at this point to share a bit from her experience and encourage others to consider serving, whether through BVS, Brethren Disaster Ministry, Work Camps, or the variety of other opportunities that arise within and beyond our denomination. Listen to what she had to say. At the end of her sharing, Pastor Pete extended an invitation to return our tithes and offerings as we viewed the following promotional video for BVS.

Serving
(a video while the offering is collected)

or follow this link

Praying

O God, you bless us in so many areas of our lives—in places we often fail to recognize as blessing. Help us have eyes to see and hearts to understand the depth of your love and blessing. Today, we give out of that blessedness, dedicating ourselves to lives of justice and love, giving all that we are and all that we have to bring about your beloved community, here and now. Amen.

by Joanne Carlson Brown, pastor
Tibbetts United Methodist Church
Seattle, WA
from the resource “Ministry Matters”

Benediction

One: Jesus said, "You're blessed when you care."

All: We are blessed in our caring, as we serve in our
denomination, our district, and our congregation.

One: Jesus said, "At the moment of being 'care-full,'
you find yourselves cared for."

All: As the hands and heart of Jesus in the world,
we find that we receive more than we give.

One: Let us continue to dare!

All:      We will dare—confident in the success of the gospel,
           prayerful in all we attempt in God's name, and ready
           to serve the needy, the suffering, the struggling,
           whether grateful or ungrateful, so long as Jesus is
           honored.

One: Receive God's blessing in your caring, God's strength
in your enduring, and God's peace in your faithfulness.