"Animating The Body Of Christ"

Call to Worship (Luke 4, 1 Corinthians 12)

The Spirit of God is upon us. We are called to be God's people. The Spirit of God is upon us. We are called to be the body of Christ. Come let us worship God, who binds us together in love and service.

Opening Prayer (1 Corinthians 12, Luke 4)

Bountiful God, you have blessed us with so many gifts. In this time of worship, may we be open to receiving these gifts. Help us claim our gifts and use them to bring liberation and justice to a hurting world. May the words of our mouths, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable to you. May the transforming Spirit of joy and unity bind us together as your body, that we may be your hands and feet and voice in this, your world. Amen.

Offertory

Genesis 14:19–20

And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Pastoral Prayer

Lord of patience and persistence, the scriptures from Isaiah's scroll were not new to the people gathered on that day for worship. Many times before they had heard the words and in their hearts hoped that the mandate could become a reality in their lives. But none moved forward. Then Jesus proclaimed that God had called him to bring good news to the poor; to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to let the oppressed go free; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. How startled they were! At last, with confidence, Jesus forced the issues and the mandate. God has fulfilled God's promise in the person of Jesus. Now something was going to be done. No more lip service; no more fear; no more waiting. Now the time had come. It is no different today than it was 2000 years ago. We still want someone else to pick up the reins; to lead the charge, to do the work. But God, through the witness of Jesus, is calling each of us to the task. The promise of hope and justice is given to this world. And we have become bearers of that promise. Now is the time for work and witness. Now is the time for hope and peace. Now is the time for each one of us to do our part in establishing God's kingdom. Lord, get us ready for service. Pick us up; dust us off, and put us on the pathways of justice. In Jesus' Name, we offer this prayer. AMEN.

Prayer before Sermon

May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, our Rock and our Redeemer.

1 Corinthians 12:12-31 New International Version Unity and Diversity in the Body 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Benediction (1 Corinthians 12, Luke 4)

You have been called and anointed. You have been strengthened and enlightened. You have become one body in Christ. Now go to spread joy and liberation in word and in deed to all the world. 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.