"Why Justice Matters"

Call to Worship

As we come together to worship God, we remember “the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the shadow of death, light has dawned.”  In the light, our joy is increased! The weight of our burdens is relieved,  and we offer thanks to the Lord, our God!

Opening Prayer

Mighty God, we rejoice today like those who celebrate an abundant harvest!  Your actions lift us up.  As the days grow longer and we’re drawn closer to you, we eagerly anticipate seeing signs of your Realm, the kingdom of heaven, coming near.  Cue in us the joy of our salvation.  Renew our desire to repent – to turn once more toward your love, made visible in the light of Jesus.

Moment for Stewardship

Did they “count the cost” of leaving their homes, families and businesses?  What made it worth giving themselves so completely to following this wandering teacher?  Jesus did not offer them an expense account, a time-share, or any indication how he would help meet their basic needs.  Yet these people “left the boat and their father, and followed (Jesus).”

Today, I invite you to take a deep breath and imagine what it could mean for you in 2023 to be a full-time disciple of Jesus.

Might it mean sharing more of your time?  Your talents?  Your treasure?  Might it mean inviting your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, to join you in following the Way?

As we offer our tithes, offerings and financial gifts today, may we channel our inner Simon and Andrew, James and John!  Imagine the joy in heaven as we, too, accept the call to “FOLLOW”.

Prayer

Open our hearts to receive your message of comfort and peace and security, that we may find rest in your loving, protective presence. Open our spirits to follow the path you put before us, that we may lead lives committed to your Way. Amen.

Deuteronomy 16:18-20 New International Version Judges 18 Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. 19 Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. 20 Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 17:8-13 New International Version Law Courts 8 If cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to judge—whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults—take them to the place the Lord your God will choose. 9 Go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office at that time. Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict. 10 You must act according to the decisions they give you at the place the Lord will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you to do. 11 Act according to whatever they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right or to the left. 12 Anyone who shows contempt for the judge or for the priest who stands ministering there to the Lord your God is to be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel. 13 All the people will hear and be afraid, and will not be contemptuous again.

Benediction (Isaiah 9, Psalm 27, Matthew 4)

Go forth bathed in the light and love of God. Go forth to join with Jesus to proclaim the good news of this love and light. Go forth empowered by the Spirit to live the Way with courage, conviction, and joy.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.