June 11th Virtual Worship
| The Order of Worship |
|---|
| The Bells Call Us To Worship |
| Prelude |
| Call to Worship |
| Hymn of Adoration |
| Confession of Sin |
| Kyrie |
| Assurance of Pardon |
| Greeting of Peace |
| Gloria |
| Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:9-13 |
| A Message to Children |
| Worship in Music |
| Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer |
| Hymn of Reflection |
| Sermon: Follow Me |
| Hymn of Parting |
| Benediction |
| On Eagle's Wings |
| Postlude |
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Jenna Crafts
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
If you wish to see more information about giving or to checkout our new Online Giving process, visit our GIVING page.
Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Follow Me
As 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. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
[Reading above - Matthew 9:9-13]
Today’s brief story expands the audience of discipleship. Following the way of Jesus is open to everyone. Even someone like Mathew who has intentionally engaged in behavior opposing God’s commands, is welcome to follow. Jesus clarifies his leadership by quoting the ancient prophet Hosea: God desires mercy not sacrifice. Likewise, Jesus places a priority on mercy through acts of kindness and love. Jesus table is open to all.
Questions for Reflection:
Friedens UCC has adopted an Open and Affirming Covenant. You can read it at, https://www.friedensucc.org/beliefs. How does this covenant reflect today’s story from Mathew?
Mathew’s audience is a community of disciples from the Jewish tradition. Mathew introduces Jesus as one who fulfills this tradition, not as one who replaces it. Why do mercy and sacrifice mater in our practice? How does mercy guide and make meaningful our offerings of time, talent, and treasure?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
Jesus enjoyed table fellowship and made breaking bread and sharing a cup the sacramental way of connecting with his presence. How might you open your table of food and fellowship as a way to extend mercy? Who might you invite to dinner this week to expand the circle of inclusion? Give it a try.
A Practice to Deepening Discipleship
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice. Use the journal as a way to:
jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures, respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes, make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons, create a to-do list of discipleship actions, list questions you want to explore, write prayers, stories, poems, or letters, be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com
