"Restoration of Righteousness"

Call to Worship  (inspired by Psalm 119) Happy are those whose way is blameless! We may not be blameless,  but we’re happy when we walk in God’s way. We’re here to praise God, and eager to stay on the road God sets before us.  So we come seeking the One who leads us on the Way. We’re happy (and we know it), when we walk in God’s way.    Amen!

Opening Prayer

Holy God, thank you for setting before us your precepts.  Challenge us in this hour to rejoice in all the ways our lives are enriched when we walk in your Way.  Help us be whole-hearted followers, gaining insight here in worship, and carrying that with us to every place we go.

Stewardship

we receive Jesus’ teaching:                  “when you are offering your gift…if you remember                     your brother or sister has something against you,                    leave your gift…and go…be reconciled …                    and then come and offer your gift.”

Both the gift-giving in gratitude to God and the relationships between individuals in this congregation are important!

Jesus urges us to build up relationships with our brothers and sisters in faith,  AND offer our financial gifts to God.

In the quiet of these moments, ask yourself: Where do I need to strengthen my connections?   How can I best offer my financial support?   With whom am I out-of-relationship in this congregation?

Today, I invite you to make this a time of faith growth as we share these moments:  digging in to offer financial support, AND                  deciding this day is the time to reach out to mend a relationship.

Let us share our morning offering, along with our determination to make a contact and renew a relationship.

Prayer (Deuteronomy 30, Matthew 5)

Holy Spirit, guide us as we walk in faith, and guard us against the powers that would draw us away from your love.

May our words and deeds bring life and faith to others, as we hold fast to the gift of faith. Be near us each and every day, and bless us with your light, that our days may be filled with grace. Amen.

Ezra 7:1-10 New International Version Ezra Comes to Jerusalem 7 After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, 2 the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, 3 the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, 4 the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, 5 the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest— 6 this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. 7 Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. 8 Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. 9 He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. 10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

23 Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should his wrath fall on the realm of the king and of his sons? 24 You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God.

25 And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them. 26 Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.

Benediction (Deuteronomy 30)

As we journey out into the world, may each of us walk in the light of God’s ways, striving to be blameless and just. May our hearts be vessels of God’s love and may the Lord bless us in the land that we are entering. Hold fast. Do not be led astray, and may the love of God be yours this day and forevermore. Go now in peace. 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.