You can watch today’s service here.
If you are watching our live stream this morning, you are invited to find a candle, so that we can all light candles at the same time.
CALL TO WORSHIP (written by Sarah Are for A Sanctified Art LLC)
One: Can you imagine unfettered love?
Free and bold, wild and true, the kind of love that changes you?
Can you imagine a home—safe and bright,
With impromptu dancing, meals around the table, and laughter late into the night?
Can you imagine faith like a compass
That guides the way you shop and vote, the way you love and hope;
That asks questions and yet still believes, even despite uncertainty?
Can you imagine a world where trees, bees, and all living things grow wild and free?
Where peace is the narrative and hope the currency?
A world where news stories are testimonies and funerals are far between?
Can you imagine?
All: Yes, we can imagine.
One: Today in worship, dare to dream. Dare to imagine what could be.
And pay attention, for God is here, in wandering thoughts, hopes, and prayers.
All: Let us worship holy God, that great unfettered love.
OPENING PRAYER
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly cares, but to love that which is above, and even now, while we live among transient things, to hold fast to those things that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION (Psalm 25:6-7)
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!
Confident in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin to God.
Please join me in the prayer of confession, followed by a silent personal prayer.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (written by Sarah Are for A Sanctified Art LLC)
One: God of Grace,
You invite us to dream of a better world,
All: But instead we bury our heads in the sand.
We are afraid to recognize how much must change.
We are afraid, because if we know the truth, then don’t we have a job to do?
One: So instead, more often than not, we maintain the status quo.
All: We passively allow things to stay the same.
One: We don’t speak out; we don’t imagine a new day.
All: We don’t dream of a world without racism, sexism, bigotry, or shame.
One: Instead we allow ourselves to believe that some things will never change.
All: Forgive us. Show us the way. Teach us to dream.
One: Teach us to imagine again.
All: Humbly we pray.
Amen.
Moment of silent prayer–people of God, what do you confess this week?
Assurance of Pardon (Psalm 25:8-9)
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore God instructs sinners in the way.
The Lord leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble the way.
Friends, believe the good news, through Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (written by Sarah Are for A Sanctified Art, LLC)
Lord, what does it profit us to gain the whole world and lose our souls? In the din of demands and distractions, send your Spirit to help us discern your Word and your will. Grant us ears to hear and faith to obey your teachings that offer life and life abundant. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING
Ezekiel 18:25-32
You say, ‘The way of the Lord is unfair.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is unfair.’ O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING
Mark 12:38-44
As Jesus taught, he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’
Consider:
- Who are the most vulnerable people in our community? How are we caring for them?
- How could we reimagine a world and an economy in which people in need were provided for?
- Should the widow have given away all she had? Why might she have done that?
You can listen to Pastor Leia’s sermon, “Reimagine the Story We Tell,” here.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (JILL DUFFIELD)
Loving God, we are tempted to give into constant quarreling with you, with one another, with leaders and friends, fellow believers and random strangers. Our world is awash in animosity and fear, anxiety and distrust. Even though we know we are to be in the world but not of it, we find it hard not to mirror the discord and anger all around us. We humbly come before you this Lord’s day and ask you to intervene, to work within us so that we have the ability to turn away from those actions and attitudes that prevent us from fulfilling your purpose through us and turn toward the One who shapes us for your service.
People of God, where do you need grace this week?
As the world reels with upheaval, use us to bear witness to your peace. As the headlines reverberate with bad news, use us to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. As our communities wrestle with wicked problems, use us to exercise holy imagination that helps the new thing you are doing emerge. As so many grow weary and worried, use us to bring relief and hope.
People of God, who needs your love this week?
Merciful God, our prayer lists are long. We cannot possibly name all of the people, places and circumstances in need of your compassion and transformation. We trust that you know our hearts and hear our pleas even when they are left unspoken. Pour out your care on those devastated by fires and floods. Wrap in love your children who cry to you in lament for all they have lost and cannot imagine living without. Grant your unwavering strength to your prophets speaking the truth in love to many as yet unable to hear it. Give your peace that passes understanding to those overwhelmed with anxiety and afraid of what tomorrow might bring.
People of God, what names are on your hearts this week?
Confident that you know the needs and are already present and at work in every corner of creation, we humbly turn over to you those things we can no longer carry. Astonished that you enlist us to do your will on earth, we ask you to show us what we ought to take on in order to be faithful to your call.
People of God, how are being called to follow God this week?
We make our prayer in gratitude for your grace and in the name of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, who taught us to say when we pray…
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HYMN O Holy City, Seen of John
I couldn’t choose between two versions of today’s hymn, so take your pick between
O Holy City, Seen of John (bluegrass gospel)
O Holy City, Seen of John (bell choir and solo singer)
1 O holy city, seen of John,
where Christ, the Lamb, does reign,
within whose four-square walls shall come
no night, nor need, nor pain,
and where the tears are wiped from eyes
that shall not weep again!
2 O shame to us who rest content
while lust and greed for gain
in street and shop and tenement
wring gold from human pain,
and bitter lips in deep despair
cry, “Christ has died in vain!”
3 Give us, O God, the strength to build
the city that has stood
too long a dream; whose laws are love,
whose ways are servant-hood,
and where the sun that shines becomes
your grace for human good.
4 Already in the mind of God
that city rises fair.
Lo, how its splendor challenges
the souls that greatly dare,
and bids us seize the whole of life
and build its glory there.
INVITATION TO OFFERING
With what shall we come before the Lord? What do we have to give to our Lord who emptied himself, humbled himself to the point of death, death on a cross, for the sake of the world? While we can never repay God for all God has done for us, we are invited, privileged even, to offer in gratitude gifts that represent our joy, loyalty and love. Let us worship as we give.
MORNING OFFERING
If you are able to, please consider mailing your offerings to the church (210 Smith Street). Alternatively, there is a link at the top of this page that will take you directly to a secure page where you can make a one-time donation. We appreciate your generosity as we seek to continue our mission and ministry throughout the community during this difficult time.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (written by Sarah Are for A Sanctified Art LLC)
Jesus of Nazareth, in scripture we hear of a woman who gave her last coin away. You pointed her out, but you did not say, “Go and do likewise.” So we cannot help but wonder—did you point her out to ask, “Why does this one have so little when others have so much?” Did you point her out to help us see the injustice that led to her suffering? Maybe. So today, for her, and for you, and for every person who cannot afford to give to God and put food on the table, we offer our gifts. We pray that you would use them for your good. Right what is wrong. Balance the systems of injustice. Use these gifts to build the world that we can only imagine, but that you can bring forth. In hope we pray, amen.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (written by Sarah Are for A Sanctified Art LLC)
We believe in God the Creator,
who, like a painter with a canvas,
imagined creation and breathed it into being.
We believe in Jesus,
who many years later,
walked this hurting world and showed us a new way to love.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
who prods us and pulls us,
leads us and guides us,
carries us and loves us into new life, day after day.
And we believe in the power of imagination,
a gift from God that allows us to dream dreams,
create anew, start over, try again, and live lives of hope.
So in response, together, as God’s church,
We dare to dream.
We strive to love.
We try to imagine a new day.
And we walk together,
All with God’s help.
Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God’s countenance be lifted upon you and give you peace.
Remember that God is with us
for richer or for poorer.
God has seen us through seasons of reimagining before
and God will see us through again.
From wherever you are, serve the Lord: Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit.
VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR
If you are using this page to follow along with today’s worship service while it is being live streamed, please join us for virtual coffee hour! Turn on your video camera and join us after the benediction with this link. You could also join over the telephone by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting code 146 874 134, followed by the password 075003.