"Soverign Surprises"

Call to Worship (Psalm 124, James 5)

If it had not been God who was on our side, the troubles of our world would have swallowed us whole. If it had not been God who was on our side, the sorrows of our times would have swept us away. Are any among us suffering? Come and pray. Are any among us cheerful? Come sing songs of praise. Are any among us sick? Come and ask for healing. Our help is in our God, the One who made heaven and earth. Call upon God, creator and rescuer. God is on our side.

Opening Prayer (Psalm 124, Mark 9)

Eternal God, you create us and you rescue us. Be here with us now. Help us know how much we need you. Teach us that no other power can support us like your power. As you share your power with us, teach us to be Christ to the world, proclaiming your reign for all people. As you lavish your love upon us, help us receive that love and offer it to the world, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Invitation to the Offering (Esther 7 & 9, Psalm 124)

Jesus Christ is on our side, offering us the love of God—a love that gives us all we have, a love that makes us all we are. Jesus Christ is with us in every circumstance, suffering with us when we are in trouble, and rejoicing with us when we are glad. The generosity of Christ calls us to lives of gratitude and generosity. In Jesus Christ we are given new life. Let us celebrate this life by giving generously to the work of God’s redeeming love.

Offering Prayer (Esther 7 & 9, Psalm 124, Mark 9)

Giving God, we can never match your generosity. When we are in need, you are at our side, present to us even in our darkest moments. You rescue us from harm. Make us into a people who celebrate your goodness, drawing others into the celebration of your many blessings. Receive our offerings, even if they are as small as a drink for someone who thirsts. Transform them into the mystery of your reign here and now on earth, in the name of Jesus, your greatest gift, amen.

Opening Prayer

Lord of joy and mercy, be with us this day as we seek your voice and your guidance. Remove the obstacles that block our commitment and help us to truly be your disciples; for we ask this in Christ’s Name. AMEN.

Haman Impaled

7 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”

5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”

Esther 7:9-10New International Version 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits[a] stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.

Esther 9:20-22New International Version Purim Established 20 Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, 21 to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

Benediction (Psalm 124, James 5, Mark 9)

God has created all things. God has rescued us from sin and suffering. Let us go forth, seeking to be on God’s side. Jesus Christ finds us when we wander far from God. Let us go forth, seeking to be on God’s side. The Holy Spirit empowers us to welcome all into the reign of God’s love. Let us go forth, seeking to be on God’s side, bringing the love of Christ everywhere we go.

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.