Hear God's Call

February 15, 2025 2 Peter 1:16-21 Transfiguration Sunday Hear God’s Blessing Year A Prelude Greeting Call to Worship On this Transfiguration Sunday, we gather on the mountaintop with Jesus, wondering what we will encounter. We come to encounter God’s glory revealed. We witness the revelation of Christ’s divinity made plain before us. We come to witness God’s glory revealed. We remember that God’s glory is not about spectacle but truth, not about show but about Love made real among us. We come to remember God’s glory revealed. We follow Jesus down from the mountaintop into the valleys, as God’s glory goes before us and behind us. We come to be sent out to share God’s glory revealed. Thanks be to God! Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, July 2025 Opening Prayer Radiant God, we come to you on the mountaintop to experience your glory. You come to us in the valleys. We meet you in gladness in a place where heaven and earth collide. May our worship of you encourage us on the journey and make us aspire to reflect your kingdom in the world. Transform us and keep us near to you. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Song A Sermon for All Ages Children’s Sermon: “A Little Light That Lasts” Good morning, friends! I have a question for you. Have you ever been in a room when it was really, really dark? (Wait for responses.) What happens when someone turns on just one small light? Does it help? Today I brought something with me. (Hold up a candle or a battery-powered candle.) This candle is very small. It’s not a spotlight. It’s not the sun. But if we were in a dark room, this little candle would help us see where to go. The Bible tells us that God’s Word is like a light shining in the darkness. That means when things feel scary, confusing, or hard, God’s Word helps us know what is good and right. Now here’s something important: This candle doesn’t make the darkness disappear all at once. But it helps us take the next step safely. And guess what? Jesus asks us to be lights too. When you are kind to someone who feels left out, you are shining a light. When you tell the truth, even when it’s hard, you are shining a light. When you help someone or forgive someone, you are shining a light. Now I have another question. What happens in the morning when the night is almost over? (Wait for answers.) Yes! The sun comes up! And sometimes, before the sun rises, there is a morning star in the sky. That star is a sign that night won’t last forever. The Bible says Jesus is like that morning star. That means Jesus reminds us that no matter how dark things feel, God’s light is coming. So here’s what I want you to remember: You can be a little light in the world. Jesus is the big light we follow. And God promises that the morning is coming. Let’s say this together: “I can shine God’s light!” (Let them repeat.) Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for Jesus, the light of the world. Help us shine your light by being kind, loving, and brave. Amen. Responsive Reading Psalm 99 UMH 819 Passing of the Peace Prayer of Illumination Holy Wisdom, your Word is at once ancient and brand new. As we listen together this day, enlighten our hearts and minds. May we be transformed. In Jesus’ name. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Anna Owens) Scripture 2 Peter 1:16-21 Sermon Hearing God’s Call Maybe I am just speaking for myself, but it seems that voice activated personal assistants are taking over every aspect of life. You can tell Alexa to play music, or ask Siri to give you the address of a restaurant. They can find a recipe for your favorite dish. Or tell you when a certain television program is coming on. If I didn’t know any better I think that Alexa watches me when I an sleeping, because as soon as I wake up – she always says hello. Did you know that Alexa in Greek means helper of the people, names after the Greek library because of the knowledge base. And Siri is a Norwegian name meaning beautiful women who will lead you to victory. In Britain there is a male voice named Daniel, and in Australia there is a woman’s voice named Karen. I think that we can all agree that voice activated systems are helpful, but they are also intrusive. But one thing that Alexa, Siri, Daniel and Karen do very well is listen. They spend all of their time just listening for their name, to respond to whatever we are saying. Most of the time in life it is more important for us to listen, then it is for us to speak. Listening is an important part of our faith. Learning to listen is one of the messages of our scripture in 2 Peter. Paul Tillich, a famous theologian says that the First Duty of Love is to Listen. Luke Edwards is a Methodist Minister who founded the Listening Church. It is a national network of churches that encourage discipleship through listening. Edwards believes that transformation happens when we listen to God, the congregation and the surrounding community. He says that when we listen to these 3 things, we are able to hear solutions to life’s deepest issues. Unfortunately, when most of us listen, we are more concerned with how we are going to respond then what the person is actually saying to us. 2 Peter is an interesting scripture to focus on for the transfiguration. It does not tell anything of the story of Jesus or Moses going on the mountain to talk to God and coming down glowing. Usually the transfiguration is the story of what we see – God’s Glory glowing. But 2 Peter is a story about what God said and what we heard. God says This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased. That divine voice is still speaking to us today. As a disciple Peter would have heard that voice for himself and it had a profound effect in his life, his choices, his service. That voice inspired him to listen and to tell the whole world what he heard. As a matter of fact, Peter inspired the writer of this scripture to also use his voice. The writer is telling us that if we follow Jesus, we too get to speak in that voice. When we follow Jesus we are witnesses to the transfiguration story. When we serve Jesus we are witnesses – seeing and hearing the glory of God for ourselves. We may not realize it – we have all seen God’s glory and we all reflect it in our faith. There is an old story about a little girl coming from the church and questioning her mom about the sermon. "Did the preacher really say God is bigger than we are?" "Yes," her mother replied. "Did the preacher really say Jesus lives in us?" "Yes," her mother stated once again. "Well, then, if God is bigger than we are and God lives in us, why doesn't he show through?" The God who shows through is what Peter called his listeners to be attentive to. The Transfiguration was that lamp shining in a dark place, that peek-a-boo of divine glory that shows forth now at unexpected moments and from unexpected places. The Transfiguration is when the glory is revealed, when the world-saving value of Jesus was made clear, when the world-shaking value of your life is made clear. Roynell Young played professional football in the 1980s. “I retired from the game and we moved down to Houston,” he said, “where I took a job selling insurance.” As he drove through neighborhoods with aimless, hard-looking teenage boys clustered on corners, something kept nagging at him. “They reminded me of me,” he said, “or what I would have been if there hadn’t been a bunch of people looking out for me.” He wondered who was looking out for them. One day Roynell and a friend stopped and began playing basketball in one of those neighborhoods. When the youth first saw them they ran off thinking they were police officers. Three boys stayed to watch. After a few minutes Roynell challenged them to a game, “You beat us, I’ll buy you all the pizzas and soda you can handle. We beat you; you sit down and talk with us.” Even though Roynell and his friend were older they won the pick-up game and took the boys out for pizza anyway. He asked them about their family, neighborhood, and if they had considered their life’s purpose. As they were leaving one of the youth asked if they would be back the next Saturday. Before too long there were 100 youth; then 300! Roynell pooled some friends and they rented an old storefront across from the basketball court. The number of youth kept increasing, they soon ran out of space and had to move to a larger place, eventually they had enough money to open a charter middle school. Thinking of all the people who impacted his life, Roynell proudly claimed, “We’re changing lives.”[2] Our faith is alive because of the faithful witness of others. We have the testimony of the apostles who were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ teachings, miracles, and most importantly his life, death, and resurrection. We have the church where the scriptures are read and taught. And we have the Holy Spirit in our lives that prompts us to say and do things we could never say or do on our own. The Holy Spirit gives us the power we need to live out our lives as faithful modern day disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen. ________________________________________ 1. www.thisibelieve.org. 2. Roynell Young, “Game Changer,” Guidepost, March 2009, pp. 74-78 CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Christmas Grace and other Cycle A sermons for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, by Timothy J. Smith The writer of 2 Peter tells us that when we hear live according to what we hear God saying we are a shining example of love. You see in his time there were a lot of people, even Christians who did not believe in the resurrection or the power of Christ. So the writer emphasizes that God’s word is true. Those who listen to God’s voice also see Christ. He says they are a candle in a dark place, or the morning star in the dark of the morning. The can’t help but to spread the light. Nelson Mandela, in his inaugural speech in 1994, had this to say: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It's our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? "Actually, who are you not to be? "You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. You are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. "And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others the permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." --Nelson Mandela, 1994 inaugural speech, as reprinted in The African American Pulpit. "And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others the permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." --Nelson Mandela, 1994 inaugural speech, as reprinted in The African American Pulpit. One of the greatest living writers in the world today is Oscar Hijuelos. In his classic Mr. Ives' Christmas (New York: Harper Collins, 1995) It is finally warm enough for me to go back to going outside right before the sun rises to look at the starts. This is when the sky is the clearest and all of the stars have found their place. Up until last week I would look in the Eastern sky for Venus – the brightest thing in the sky by far. The morning star has this amazing sparkle – that just bursts on the horizon. Starting last week, instead of being he brightest thing in the morning, it will be the evening star for the next year. Morning or evening, 2 Peter encourages us to not be afraid to shine that brightly, or more importantly to reflect the light of Christ so that others can see. It says 9 In addition, we have a most reliable prophetic word, and you would do well to pay attention to it, just as you would to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (Biblegateway.com CEB version) And when others ask how you keep going in a dark world, you can answer simply: Because the light is real. The Word is sure. And morning is on the way. Amen. (ChatGPT 5.2) Let us pray Song Prayers of the People (Print the first sentence) Let us offer our prayers for the church and the world. When you hear “Our God is a God who hears us,” please respond, “we will not be afraid.” God of truth and light, we come before you ready for our mountaintop moment. We want to be transfixed and transfigured and transformed. We want to sit at your feet, and at the feet of the prophets, to soak up all that you have to teach us and all the love you have to share. We are grateful, O God, that you chose to live among us, that we, too, might come to know the more excellent way. Our God is a God who hears us: we will not be afraid. We remember how many people live in darkness: trapped by addiction, overwhelmed by the loneliness of grief, intoxicated by the allure of power. Turn your face toward those in need of healing this day. May they be renewed. Our God is a God who hears us: we will not be afraid. We know, O God, that there are many who suffer in mind, body and spirit because of greed or apathy. Bless those who hunger for justice and for daily bread, those who thirst for living water and for clean water, those who seek refuge from spiritual storms and the depths of winter. Illumine a way forward so that we can live in your economy of grace; stir in us the compassion to seek wholeness for all. Our God is a God who hears us: we will not be afraid. There are many places around this world in need of drastic intervention. We remember those places torn apart by warfare, violence, famine or natural disaster. We know that you grieve with us when we turn on one another, or when any of your children suffer. Sow peace and make us peacemakers. Our God is a God who hears us: we will not be afraid. God of all seasons, be with us as we traverse back down the mountain. Keep us mindful of you, and mindful of your ways, in our daily living. May we speak with kindness, lead with compassion, and practice what it is we believe with all those whom we encounter. Make us good stewards of the resources entrusted to our care. Our God is a God who hears us: we will not be afraid. (Presbyterian Outlook, Anna Owens) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment In Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s Gospels, we hear the story of Jesus’ “transfiguration” and the appearance of Moses and Elijah. Faced with this extraordinary experience, and nearly overwhelmed by the recognition of Jesus, Moses and Elijah together on the mountain, Peter spoke up to offer what he could: to build three tents. While most of us rarely, if ever, have the experience of standing in the presence of Jesus, sometimes we, too, can be filled up with the desire to offer what we have as a gift for this One, the Beloved Son of God. Can you remember moments when you were nearly overwhelmed with your sense of connection to the holy?(Describe your own experience or use a story of someone in the congregation or someone of whom you are aware, with their permission, of course!) Bringing this moment into our awareness today, I invite you to respond with the gifts you are willing and able to offer. Prayer of Thanksgiving Ever Giving God, as we remember Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration, and recall all that you have done for us, help us celebrate our own offering of what we’ve freely given. Receive these gifts and help us use them to extend your Realm on earth, even as you know it to be in heaven. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for YouTube Saints in light, God’s beloved, go forth from this place empowered by the witness of Scripture, the truth-telling of the prophets, the teaching of our Savior, and the power of God revealed in Jesus Christ, and made manifest in one another. As we go from this place, we go knowing that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit are with us now, and will be with us always. Alleluia, and amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Anna Owens) Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction Come down from the mountain with mountain-like faith. Walk on God's paths as bright, shining lights. Live in God's ways with faith, hope, and love. Go into the world transformed and renewed! From the Abingdon Worship Annual. Posted on the Cokesbury website, http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/DynamicContent.aspx?pageid=830&id=198. Additional Illustrations Alexander Pope once wrote satirically, “Lo, the poor Indian! whose untutor’d mind sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind.” As Pope is saying, we sophisticated secular people no longer see God in clouds or hear him in the wind. We no longer see the movement of water in a pool as the special visitation of an angel as did the people beside the pool of Bethesda. We look to science, not religion, to answer most of our questions about physical reality. And it is quite natural that we should. There have been benefits from the process of secularization. The quest for scientific truth has brought us a host of technological wonders. But as Alexander Pope is saying, something has also been lost. God has become an abstract concept for many of us rather than a present reality. Intellectually we believe in God, but His existence does not seem to have much relevance to our everyday lives. Few of us know what it means to stand on holy ground. You should know that scholars debate the historicity of the scene on the Mount of Transfiguration. Was it a dream or was it reality? You and I cannot know. We were not there. We have only Simon Peter’s testimony. He reports that he and his two fellow disciples beheld the majesty of Christ. They saw the Master in the company of Moses and Elijah. They heard a voice from Heaven saying, “This is my Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear him.” Simon Peter knew what it was to stand on holy ground. The experience on the Mount of Transfiguration confirmed for Simon Peter what he already believed about Christ. It was Simon Peter who, in answer to Jesus’ question at Caesarea Philippi, “Who do men say that I am?” affirmed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Simon Peter knew in his bones that this affirmation was true. Still, like us, there were some moments when it seemed truer than it did at others. After all, it was an astounding leap of faith to say that this humble Nazarene was the Son of the living God. In 1989 the movie The Mission played in local theaters. Although not a financial blockbuster by any account, it told a powerful message. Set in South America in the year 1750, the scenery, the sound track and the story itself combine to electrify and inspire the audience. A small group of Catholic missionaries have a dream of carrying the gospel to a tribe of native Indians who live high above a magnificent waterfall, on a plateau difficult to reach. The movie begins with the Indians carrying a white man out of their jungle village tied on a cross. He is dumped into the rushing river heading for the rapids, and in a few quick moments the man hurls over the mighty thundering waterfall to his death on the rocks below. Undaunted, other missionaries go back to their work of scaling with ropes the almost perpendicular wall until they reach the plateau. This time the missionaries succeed. As the years pass by, they organize a closely-knit community of love centered in devotion to Christ. Down below, however, in the more "civilized" towns the Spanish/Portuguese government officially decides to rid themselves of "the Mission." They want the Indians for slaves. Finally, one day they make their move and brutally attack the Indians and their missionary friends. The devoted Christian community does not scatter, and a horrible massacre follows. The close of the film is memorable. After the soldiers have gone away, the fires simmer and go out. In the last scene, as we are left stunned at what has happened, four young Indian children who somehow have escaped the holocaust get into a canoe and paddle away up the river to tell the dream to others some day. As people remain in the darkened theater, for a moment the story having ended, suddenly the following words from the Gospel of John flash on the screen: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it" (John 1:5). Is this not the same light that "Peter" calls our attention to, "a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your heart"? In a word, look, the morning star! CSS Publishing Company, EMPOWERED BY THE LIGHT, by Richard Hasler , Hijuelos writes of one of his characters: "Each day he awaited a slick of light to enter the darkness". There is a world out there looking for some light slicks. Will you let your light shine? Will you be a slick of light that brightens the corner where you are, and at the same time brings light to the world? The “next best thing” in the past few years has almost always been a voice-based development. We now all routinely talk to our cars. The voice activated personal assistant comes already named, but we can change it. We’re familiar with Siri, which means in Norwegian "beautiful woman who will lead you to victory.” The British have a male voice named Daniel. The Australians have one named Karen. Microsoft's alternative to Siri is called Cortana. Who among us this morning has not “named” the voice in our GPS, the voice-activated knowledge navigator that pulls up our playlist or guides us on our way in our vehicle, telling us where to turn and how far we have to go. [Consider making this an interactive moment and ask your people what names they have given their voice-activated concierges. Tell them the name you’ve given them to prime the pump. For example, I’ve named mine “Matilda.” Why? From the song “Waltzing Matilda.” The “unofficial national anthem of Australia” is the late 19th century song “Waltzing Matilda,” a bush ballad that is so significant to the people of Australia that the song has its own museum in Queensland. Australian soldiers named their backpacks “Matilda” as they sang the song on their marches, and they sometimes danced with “Matilda” around the campfire.] Our GPS “friend” is the voice that we trust to get us to where we have to be, to where we need to go. It is the voice we trust to get us home. Today, our voice-controlled life extends beyond our vehicles. Our smart phones have apps to access Siri, the voice controlled program that lets us tell our handheld electronic devices how to talk to us and how to serve our needs, granting whatever we want — we are the commander. Our voices are suddenly all-powerful. The latest gamer technology is also “voice-powered.” X-Box 1 and X-Box Kinect have both gathered gamers and go-getter exercisers through voice-activated systems. We can all now play our video games or access our video exercise routines just by using our voices. When you say “X-box on,” your voice gives you access to whole new worlds of fantasy and fun. After the experience on the mountain, The Voice tells the disciples to "listen to Him (Jesus)". Discipleship is nothing more or less than “listening to Jesus.” To move forward in faith is to listen to Him, to recognize His voice, The Voice that is a transfiguring power, the same power that created the world out of nothingness. This is The Voice that transfigures sinners into saints, that heals the broken-hearted and makes the wounded whole human beings. The Voice is the voice of change, of transfiguration, The Voice that transfigures water into wine, and wine into blood, and death into life, and transgressive people into transfigured people. Can you hear the voice of Jesus in your life? In our culture? Do you have a hearing problem? Can we hear the voice of Jesus over the drone of voices calling you elsewhere? Listening for Jesus voice is "serious" [siri-ous] business. To “Listen to Him” we need to do four things. 1) We need to mute other voices. 2) We need to learn to listen and be silent. 3) We need to recognize The Voice. 4) We need to megaphone The Voice.

Salty Light

February 8, 2026 Matthew 5:13-20 Salty Light Fifth Sunday of Epiphany Year A Prelude Greeting Call to Worship (Isaiah 58) One: Welcome to worship! Here we seek to let our light break forth like the dawn. Many: Here we come to call, trusting the Lord will answer. One: Here we’re welcome to cry for help, believing the Lord will respond “Here I am!” Many: We’re gathered, eager to gain courage to do as God directs: to share our bread with the hungry, One: to bring the homeless poor into our homes, Many: to provide clothing for those who are uncovered. ALL: As God’s own beloved children, let us worship God in this time, and in our actions toward “the least” of our sisters and brothers, siblings all. (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Opening Prayer God of Community, we rejoice in this time to worship you in this holy place, and through the wonder of technology, which gathers us from many places. Help us reach beyond the walls of this building, eager to see LIGHT emerging as we share bread and clothes, and welcome others to safe spaces. Inspire us always to open our hands, our hearts, our minds, that we might truly be followers of Jesus, the Christ, who shows us “The Way.” AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Song A Sermon for all Ages Have you ever been in a grocery store when, as you did your shopping, they offered samples of different food items to try? They do this to entice you to buy those items. If the samples didn't taste good, you probably wouldn't buy any, would you? This morning we are going to do a taste test. You will taste two different samples of a food item, and you will tell which one you liked the best. The first taste test is crackers. We have two saucers with one cracker on each saucer. Johnny, taste a cracker from each saucer and tell me which one you liked best. (Hopefully, Johnny will pick the salted cracker!) The cracker that Johnny liked best is actually called a saltine. Why do you think it is called a saltine? You are right, it is because it has salt sprinkled on top. The other cracker doesn't have salt. Do you know what else it doesn't have? Taste! The cracker really needs the salt to give it a good flavor. The second taste test we are going to do is popcorn. We have two small bowls of popcorn. The popcorn in one bowl has been salted and the other has not. Mary, come and taste the popcorn from each bowl and tell me which one you like best. (After she tastes it, ask Mary which one she liked best.) As you might guess, Mary liked the salted popcorn better than the unsalted. I agree with Mary. In my opinion, popcorn without salt is about as tasty as those Styrofoam peanuts they use to pack items when they ship them in a box. I'm sure you all knew that many foods taste much better with a little salt. It doesn't take much. In fact, when you are cooking, a recipe often calls for "a pinch of salt." Not much, just a pinch, but that little pinch of salt makes a big difference in the flavor. In our Bible lesson today, Jesus said to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth." What do you think that means? I think Jesus means that he wants us to improve the quality of life of those we meet each day. How can we do that? We can do that by introducing them to Jesus and by showing them that having Jesus in our life is like having salt on our food. Everything is better when we have Jesus in our life. There is a lot of hatred and bitterness in our world today. If you and I will show the love of Jesus in all that we do, we can be the salt of the earth like Jesus called us to be. Just a pinch of salt can do much to reduce bitterness and bring peace to our world. Heavenly Father, our prayer is that we may be the salt of the earth by showing the love of Jesus in all that we do. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. (sermons4kids.com) Affirmation of faith (from The Confession of 1967) We believe: The life, death, resurrection, and promised coming of Jesus Christ has set the pattern for the church’s mission. His human life involves the church in the common life of all people. His service to men and women commits the church to work for every form of human well-being. His suffering makes the church sensitive to all human suffering so that it sees the face of Christ in the faces of persons in every kind of need. His crucifixion discloses to the church God’s judgment on the inhumanity that marks human relations, and the awful consequences of the church’s own complicity in injustice. In the power of the risen Christ and the hope of his coming, the church sees the promise of God’s renewal of human life in society and of God’s victory over all wrong. The church follows this pattern in the form of its life and in the method of its action. So to live and serve is to confess Christ as Lord. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Owen Gray) Prayer for Illumination Gracious God, the words we read are ancient and true. On this day, may we hear them anew. Grant us hearts to discern your Spirit within them, and grant us courage to follow them in our lives this day. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Owen Gray) Scripture Matthew 5:13-20 Sermon Salty Light Once upon a time, (which means this is a fairy tale, a made up story from long ago, containing great truth) – Once upon a time, there lived a rich man who had three daughters. He was a little insecure and needed some reassurance one day so he called each of his daughters into his counting house (where he counted all of his money, of course,) and asked each one of them, “Dearest daughter, how much do you love me.” The first to visit his counting chamber was his oldest daughter and she replied, “O Father, I love you more than all the gold in the world.” The father knew that there was a great deal of gold in the world so he was happy with this answer and he gave her some gold coins to spend as she wished. The second daughter came in and was asked the same question. She replied, “O dearest most loving and special Father, the best father ever, I love you more than all of the silver in the world.” And the father was pleased with this answer. He gave her some silver coins so she could order some new dresses which she had been wanting. The third daughter came in and when she was asked the question she paused and then replied, “Father, I love you more than fresh meat loves salt.” The father exploded in a rage and ordered that the daughter be thrown out of the great house and not allowed to return. The servants threw her out of the house with nothing but the clothes on her back and she was left to wander in the woods. She decided to disguise herself so she made clothing out of the rushes she found in the nearby swamp. She knocked on the back door or a large mansion, owned by one of her father’s friends, and asked the servant who answered the door for a job so that she could eat. She would not tell them her name so they called her “Cap O’Rushes” because of her clothing. She was given a job washing the pots and pans and keeping the house clean. She worked very hard and everyone liked her work, but she seldom spoke. One day the servants were all abuzz because a great party was to be given. There was food to prepare, room to clean, silver to polish and lots of other things to do. Cap O’Rushes discovered that her own father was invited. She convinced the cook to let her prepare the meal for her own father, though of course they did not know he was her father. She prepared all of his favourite dishes, but did not use any salt at all. (Remember, this was back when people used a lot of salt and well before blood pressure had been invented.) When the food was brought to him and he began to eat he was most unhappy with the meal and the host ordered the cook be brought to apologize to his guest. The cook brought Cap O’Rushes and explained that she had cooked the meal for this particular guest. “What is the meaning of this”, he demanded. “You have embarrassed me. He says his food is bland and tasteless. Why have you done this to me and to him?” She turned to her father and said simply, “I love you as much as fresh meat loves salt”. He father recognized her and wept in sorrow as he asked for her forgiveness. His other daughters had been nothing but a trial to him and were always wanting more and more fine clothes and jewellery and he realized that this daughter had really loved him a great deal. I think that story is a good demonstration summary of the entire gospel of Jesus Christ. The heart of the gospel is God’s love for us. God loves us more than fresh meat loves salt. The challenge for us in our loves is always how we demonstrate our love for God. Our scripture is the second half of Matthew 5- In the first half Jesus is preaching to the people helping them to understand what it means to be blessed by God. Our lesson for today is intertwined – to be blessed by God is to be loved by God, but it is also to give God’s love to others. Jesus is stressing to us how important it is for us to make a difference in the world, without our strength and determination the world would be a very different place. • Not Enough Salt Contributed by David Ward on Sep 12, 2019 (message contributor) Dennis Kinlaw, former Asbury Seminary professor and Asbury College president, tells a story about growing up in rural Lumberton, North Carolina, during the depression. It was Dennis’ job, as a young boy, to rub salt into the meat his father brought home from hunting. He would rub salt into the meat until his young muscles were sore. Finally, when it was thoroughly salted, he would hang it up in the storehouse. One day company arrived, so Dennis’ mother asked him to get some pork out of the storehouse. Dennis ran out, got a big piece of pork off of a hook, and brought it into the kitchen. He laid it on his mother‘s cutting board and left. He was just about out the front door when heard his mother yell, “Dennis!” Young Dennis knew from experience that whenever his mother screamed his name like that he was in trouble, so he slunk his way to the kitchen and stood in the doorway, afraid to go in. Looking up at his mother from the doorway, he noticed she was not glaring at him but rather staring down at the meat. Dennis looked and noticed something unusual. He would say that it was the first time in his life he ever saw meat move. Stepping closer, he noticed maggots pouring out of the slice his mother had made into the pork. Dennis thought for sure he was going to get it. But all Mom said was, “Not enough salt, Dennis. Not enough salt.” Now it's easy to want to blame Hollywood, or TV, or liberal schooling, or the government for the decay of our culture. But maybe, just maybe, the real problem is “not enough salt.” If we feel the world is decaying around us, the problem may very well be “not enough salt.” Salt had as many uses in Jesus’ day as it does now and we who are on this side of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount have ventured all kinds of guesses as to what Jesus had in mind concerning comparing salt to those who were listening to him that day. Probably, more mysterious, did Jesus intend for us, in our day, to make some kind of personal connection with salt? For example, salt is used as a preservative. Could it be that the presence of Jesus’ followers in this world slows down the decay and disease of a sin-infested world? Salt is used as a disinfectant. Maybe Jesus’ followers are to be bring health and healing to the wounds of this world and its people. Salt is used as a seasoning, making food taste better. Maybe Jesus is saying that Christianity is to be to life as salt is to food, lending flavor to life. Salt is valuable or at least it was. The Greeks called salt divine. The Romans had a jingle of sorts that said, “There is nothing more useful than sun and salt.” Salt was used to pay the wages of the Roman soldiers. The word “salary” comes from the word “salt.” We use the phrase “salt of the earth” as one of the greatest compliments we can make of an individual, stressing their worth and usefulness. Jesus could be stressing the value of his followers contributing to the goodness and integrity of the world. Salt is used as a de-icing agent. Here’s a stretch. Maybe one of the tasks of Jesus’ followers is to melt the hard hearts of men and women who have turned away from God and their fellow human beings. Salt was connected with purity. The Romans said that salt was the purest of all things because of its connection to the sun and the sea. So then, if the Christian is to be the salt of the earth he or she must be an example of purity. The Christian sets the standard for the world instead of the world setting the standard for the Christian individual. Salt was an important part of the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. Reference is made in the book of Numbers to the “salt of the covenant.” Many of the offerings given to the Lord were to be sprinkled with salt as a sign of the covenant between God and the people. Is it possible that Jesus was saying his followers must be a living sign to this world of the loving relationship of God to its people? Just before preaching this sermon the first time I was taking a respite at my seminary in Kentucky. I was doing research in the library when I discovered another use for salt I had not heard of before. In Jesus’ time, and since, salt has been used as a fertilizer. In fact, British farmers did just that during the Second World War when other fertilizers were in short supply. That makes a lot of sense, especially as Jesus used it in the phrase “salt of the earth.” Jesus may have been saying that his followers are to be the fertilizer that nurtures and furthers the growth of God’s kingdom in this world. Did you know that back in the Bible times and I’m sure at other times as well when one group of people conquered another group of people they would sow salt into the soil of the conquered people so that nothing would grow - thereby punishing them through starvation? Jesus never intended for his followers to use their salt as a weapon. And yet, too often throughout church history … even today … maybe even us … we stand back judging, criticizing, maybe even punishing, those whom with whom we disagree or we deem as sinners, instead enhancing and encouraging and nurturing. In the gospel lesson for today – Matthew 5 – Jesus has just went up on the mountain to talk with all of the people below who are following him and listening them. This is a mixed crowd, some are his committed disciples, some are his fair weather disciples, and some are just interested parties. But the point that Jesus us trying to make to all is what it means to be a righteous person. He is telling what it means and the gifts that God will give to those who are faithful. In verses 13-20 which we read for today he is continuing that conversation, and speaking more about the character of a Christian. It was said that in WWII that in some cities, people were asked to make black curtains to put on their windows, so that when the enemy planes flew overhead, they would not be able to distinguish towns and cities to drop bombs on them. Washington DC was of course very vulnerable to attack, so workers got to work making black curtains for the white house. One of the workers commented however, that it did not make sense to try and camouflage the white house. The white house was such an icon for America, it was so clear to everyone in the world where the white house was, it was such a distinctive house, and was so well advertised, that if someone was looking for it, they would have no problem finding it. There was just no way to hide its identity. In the Isaiah, Jerusalem is called to be the city on a hill. Jerusalem is built on Mount Zion, there is one road up and one road down. it is the city which all people would flock to in order to learn the ways of peace. God calls the church to be the city on the hill, the place where people look for light in a very dark world. Light transforms the situation. Light changes the situation. Light illumines. Light doesn’t hide, but is present. Jesus has the same message for us as Christians. Christianity should be so much a part of who we are, following God should be so much a part of our character, that there was no mistaking who we are. You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world. Salt, light, water, fire, are all key ingrediants for our lives. Today, we are told that we are to cut down on our salt intake, but salt is still an important part of our lives. What are some uses of salt ?........ (Doug Diehl, DugDeal’s Wordshop) Sodium is an extremely active element found naturally only in combined form; it always links itself to another element. Chlorine, on the other hand, is the poisonous gas that gives bleach its offensive odor. When sodium and chlorine are combined, the result is sodium chloride--common table salt--the substance we use to preserve meat and bring out its flavor. Love and truth can be like sodium and chlorine. Love without truth is flighty, sometimes blind, willing to combine with various doctrines. On the other hand, truth by itself can be offensive, sometimes even poisonous. Spoken without love, it can turn people away from the gospel. When truth and love are combined in an individual or a church, however, then we have what Jesus called "the salt of the earth," and we're able to preserve and bring out the beauty of our faith. David H. Johnson. In our scripture, Jesus combines salt with the power of light. We are to be salty and bright. We can shine our lights in so many ways. When you go to Menards, there is always a section of the store that is sectioned off at the front of the store that contains all kinds of lights. Each light has a different purpose, each light shines from a different source, each is a different color. Who knew that there could be so many different shades of a white light bulb. But when they shine- they make the lighting section the brightest place in the store. Each of us is called to shine with what we have, where we are – to reflect the light of Christ in our lives. Today we live in a world where the church seems irrelevant to people and people do not see the need of being close to God. It is more important that ever that we be the salt of the earth. Excerpt Emily Potter got a call from her sister, and it made her heart sink. “It’s cancer,” said her sister, talking about the report that their mother had just received. “Not my mom,” thought Emily. “Please not my mom.” Cancer had already devastated their family once before, and they had lost friends to it as well. The only way that Emily knew how to express herself was to create something. So, she made a sweatshirt that contained the word “salty.” She showed up to her mother’s first round of chemotherapy wearing the sweatshirt. And why did she choose that particular word? Emily says that being salty “means that I am extremely bitter, angry and resentful towards her cancer.” But it also sends the message that her mom is “tough and aggressive.” According to Emily, people with cancer are some of the toughest and most courageous people on earth. She wears her “salty” sweatshirt as a kind of armor, one that strengthens and preserves her bond with her mother. When she puts it on, she is saying, “I love you. I’m here for you. Let’s be salty. Together.” Sometime salt has to combine with anger, frustration, concern, even compassion, Summary Christians are salty when they work for the justice and inclusion for all. They are bright when they behave in ways that are good and right and true. (Proclaimsermons.com) Whatever we combine our salt with – sassiness, determination. We are called to season our lives with our devotion to God. Finally – there is a saying that children will become whatever we name them. If we name them trouble makers, they will make trouble, if we name them smart – they will become smart. Conclusion: This Is Our Calling Jesus doesn’t say, “Try to be salt.” He says, “You are.” He doesn’t say, “Create your own light.” He says, “Let it shine.” This is the calling of disciples: To live so faithfully, love so clearly, and serve so consistently that our community experiences the presence of God through us. May we be salt that makes a difference right where we are planted. May we be light that cannot be hidden. And may everything we do—here, at home—give glory to God. Amen. (Chat GPT 5.2) Song Pastoral Prayer Lord of bright and abiding Light, you have shown us, in the person of Jesus your Son, a new way to live. You have poured your light into the world and have asked us to live in the light rather than run and hide in the darkness of doubt and despair. You promise to be our light all of our days and ask us to place our trust in you. The journey in this light is risky. It means that we will have to be very serious about our service to you, giving you our best and offering hope and light to others. In this new year, we bring to you the names and situations of others for whom light seems to be a stranger. They struggle with ill health, economic hardship, broken and damaged relationships, loss of loved ones, and anxiety. We place them in your care. Let your light shine on them, bringing healing and hope. Help us to be bearers of that light in all that we do; for we ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen. (written by Nancy C. Townley from Worship Connection): Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment In a world in which we can so easily turn on a light, it may be challenging to remember Jesus was speaking to his disciples out on the mountain side, with no electric lights, no lighted pathways, no flashlights. When the sun went down, everyone knew it would be DARK! So describing the disciples “light of the world” would have had a deep significance. What about for you? If you can, imagine how YOU are “the light of the world.” How do you let your light shine? What good works can be seen when you’re around? What happens because of you that allows others to give glory to God? Each week, we provide an opportunity for each one of us to shine some light as we share our financial offerings. With our gifts, this congregation is better equipped to _________________________ (Provide food for the food bank? Bring children and youth into community through youth groups? Help people claim their identity as followers of Jesus?) Imagine how bright the light shines when we all provide resources! Let your light so shine so we are not hidden or under a bushel basket, but so others from all around can see and rejoice in the Light! Prayer of Thanksgiving Illuminating God, thank you for the ways you encourage us to let our light shine. Please accept these gifts, multiply them, and make possible the vision for us to use them wisely, that we might let our good works be seen and celebrated, day by day. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Song Announcements Closing Prayer for YouTube Go, dear friends, to love and serve the Lord. Go shine light into darkness. Go be salt of the earth. Go enjoy the wonders of our world, which God has made. Go stand beside those on the margins. Go form faith. Go have your faith formed. And go to share God’s love, knowing that you are uniquely beloved. Amen (Presbyterian Outlook, Owen Gray) Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction To those huddled in the shadows of fear and worry, God sends us to be light. To those whose lives and hopes have lost all flavor, Jesus sends us to be salt. To a society where love is tossed aside as easily as a food wrapper, Spirit sends us to be faithful carers of everyone we meet. (c) Thom M. Shuman Additional Illustrations Consider our lesson for today. Jesus says to his followers, "You are the light of the world. . . ." Can you imagine that? Here was a motley crew of farmers and fishermen and tax collectors and housewives in a tiny and remote village in an obscure part of the world and Jesus was saying to them, "You are the light of the world." Talk about a statement of faith! Let's go farther than that. Talk about a crazy idea! Light of the world? That bunch? It must have sounded absurd at the time even to them. Only Jesus could have seen that through this motley crew God would indeed change the world forever. At the time, however, it probably sounded like so much idle chatter. "You are the light of the world," he said and so they were. Now do you want to hear something really absurd? So are we. Jesus says to us this morning that WE are the light of the world. Think about that for a moment. Sink your teeth into it savor it. You and I are the light of the world. What does it mean? Well, let me suggest some possibilities. The Temptation We Face Everyday "One night at the end of a special Saturday night worship service," writes Warren Hudson of Ontario, Canada, "a thunderstorm unleashed a bolt of lightning that plunged the church into darkness." With the congregation seated in total darkness, the pastor felt his way to the kitchen to find some candles. The pastor handed out the candles to everyone present. Persons lit their candles in much the same way as many churches do on Christmas Eve, each person lighting the candle of the person next to them. The worshipers then made their way through the church's winding hallways to the front door. "Peering out, we could see the rain coming down in sheets," Warren remembers. With traffic snarled, people were running for the nearest shelter. Looking around they realized that the entire city was in darkness. "There in the darkness we stood," Warren writes, "a little band of Christians, each clutching a light, not sure whether to venture out into the storm or stay inside the church in hopes that the storm would soon blow over." There in the darkness the light of truth struck him. In this most dramatic way he realized what it means to be the "light of the world." He writes, "It occurred to me then that this is the temptation I face every day. It is easy to play it safe and be a good Christian in church. It is a lot harder to venture out in faith into the storms of the world." Warren Hudson, adapted by King Duncan, Collected Sermons,www.Sermons.com Changing the World It was during the early days of television. A workman was placing television transmitters at the very top of the Empire State building in New York City. Seeing him at work up there, so far off the ground, a reporter thought this would make a fascinating human interest story. So, when the workman had completed his task and had returned to the ground, the reporter approached him and asked, “Aren’t you frightened to work under conditions like that that? Isn’t it dangerous to work so high off the ground?” The workman replied, “Yes sir, it is dangerous.” Then he added, “But then, how many people can say that they have changed the skyline of a city like New York!” God offers us the privilege of changing the skyline not of a city, but of the world. We can help make this world healthier, more humane, more harmonious, and more blessed. God made a good world. Now He wants us to help Him make it good again. We can do that. By God’s grace, we really can do that. If we can, surely we must. James McCormick, Selected Sermons, www.Sermons.com What’s your favorite color? Is it more 450? Or do you tend towards 600? Maybe even 700? In case those numbers don’t immediately mean anything to you, on the visible spectrum scale for light 450 nanometers means “blue,” 600 is yellow, and at 700 nanometers you are seeing red. But we don’t “see” numbers, do we? We see the beautiful, variable, illuminating colors that light takes on as it is refracted and reflected before our eyes. We don’t experience nanometers. We bask under a blue sky? Or we bath in wonder at the beauty of a sunset that melts from orange to red to crimson and purple. Whether we catalogue light as 550 nanometers or perceive it as “green” is all a matter of perspective. Are we dissecting the idea of “light” into its most basic components (measured nanometers)? Or are we responding to the expression of that light as we experience it in the world (colors)? In Matthew’s account of the “Sermon on the Mount,” immediately after Jesus lays out his “blessed be” Beatitudes, he lifts up two metaphors of how disciples of the kingdom will be known to this world. They will be the “salt of the earth,” they will be the “light of the world,” a light that will “shine before others.” Salt sharpens flavors. Light sharpens both sight and insight. Jesus is calling would-be followers of the kingdom to sharpen lives by living on the sharp, the cutting edges, the places where new perspectives, new tastes, and new visions are embraced. Light does not just banish darkness and illuminate corners and crevices. Light also works to provide a new perspective… A Light in the Darkness Let me tell you a story about one of the most remarkable young men who ever lived. This young man had been left blind in both eyes by a childhood accident. In nineteenth-century France, when this young man lived, blind children had little help and few hopes. But then a kindly priest, Father Jacques Palluy, took an interest in the lad. He was amazed at the boy's intelligence and eagerness to learn. With his parents' permission, Father Palluy enrolled the boy in the Royal Institute of Blind Youth in Paris. Thrust into a new and frightening environment, the boy was lonely and depressed. In time, however, he found friendship and encouragement. Unfortunately he was frustrated by the institute's lack of books in raised print. He also found the symbols in raised print confusing. So he set out, at twelve years of age, to invent his own system. After three years he perfected the method, but he encountered indifference and hostility when he tried to convince the world that his system was better. Even with the support of the institute's director, he was told again and again that he was too young to have created a workable alphabet for the blind. Years passed. This young man grew older, was made a teacher at the institute, and became a fine organist, always hoping that his method would find acceptance. But his health was frail. It was not until he lay in bed, dying of tuberculosis, that he heard that the first steps were being taken to popularize his system. Though he did not live to witness it, Louis Braille's alphabet became the universal method of reading for the blind. His courage and hunger for knowledge enabled him to triumph over disability and disease and open new worlds to future generations. He found a way to become light for those who lived in darkness. King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com Salt has the properties of flavor, of preserving, of healing, of preventing germs, of cleansing, and many other things. In Jesus’ day salt was also used in cooking. Every house or neighborhood would have had a stove in front of it. The fuel for these stoves would have been animal manure. In order for the manure to burn, they would add salt to it and make it into patties. Once all of the salt burned from the patties, they were no good. The Hebrew word for earth is the same word for an earthen stove. We are the salt used to burn the manure of life. In other words, we have a mission and a purpose as the people of god. As the church we are the body of Christ for the world. Our challenge is to not just be Christ, but to be Christ crucified and resurrected. this is the last sentence of Matthew and it will be my last point. The scribes were professionals, usually priest who had been given the task of putting God’s word into writing. The Pharisee were committed lay people, who committed every part of their lives to God and doing what God said was right. Jesus was saying that they were pretty good people, they were faithful and righteous. Jesus set the bar pretty high for us. They were the best of the best, and we are being called to be even better. They were extraordinary, but we are called to be even more. As Christians we are to give the world an unheard of amount of generosity, love, and understanding. Such as the world has never seen. Your are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. The good news is that we don’t have to do anything or know anything. All we have to do is to love God. From Basement to Craft Fairs Doris was most comfortable when she was busy at work in her secluded spot in the basement of her parents' home. She had been born with a deformed left arm which wasn't of much use to her; hence, she had chosen not to participate in sports nor in the school band. But she had studied art and in that she excelled. Her quiet personality stemmed partly from her physical impairment and partly because she hadn't received much encouragement to excel in anything. But she did have her little workshop in the basement, where she spent a good deal of her time. She cherished the hours spent there because she was doing the one thing she felt confident she could do well -- painting. Yet even her parents weren't much aware of -- nor appreciative of -- her growing artistic ability. During her last two years in high school and the two years following graduation, she devoted increasing time to oil and acrylic still life paintings. As she looked out of the basement half windows at the familiar Wisconsin countryside, she captured ever more vividly the seasonal changes and the varieties that nature offered. The completed unframed canvasses were standing in ever thickening rows beyond her little nook in the basement. Doris' secret talent was clouded by only one fact -- she was the only person who knew about it. That is, until her favorite cousin Denise came to visit. Denise was quite the opposite of Doris -- a bubbly personality, outgoing and adventurous. She hadn't seen Doris since her high school graduation and now Denise had come to spend a week with her. Doris would not have shown her cousin all those canvasses stacked in the basement, but Denise's inquisitive nature soon led her to the dozens of paintings that stood facing the walls. "Doris, where did these paintings come from?" Denise asked, remembering that Doris had taken a few art classes in high school. "Did you do this wonderful work?" Denise asked with her hands on her hips. "They're nothing special," Doris tried to apologize. "Wrong! They're marvelous!" Denise argued. She spent the next half hour quickly going through one stack after another, while Doris stood by a bit embarrassed. "Doris, you need to get these paintings out where people can see them and buy them," Denise pleaded. "People will buy good paintings like these." Doris demurred, offering timid apologies for the paintings and her talent. But Denise would have none of it. "There's arts and crafts shows everywhere during these summer months, and I'm going to help you get these paintings out where people can see them," Denise challenged. And for the next few weeks there was no stopping Denise. She extended her visit beyond her original plans. "I don't have a job yet anyway for the summer," she rationalized. "I want you to sign your name to every one of these paintings," she instructed Doris. After four weekend arts and crafts shows, more than two dozen of Doris' paintings had been sold. As she and Denise headed back to Doris' home on a Sunday evening, Doris reflected the warmth of her feelings as she admitted, "I guess people do like my stuff." "Well, like I said, you have to get it out where people can see it," Denise commented as she gave her cousin a hug. Merle G. Franke, Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit, Cycle A Ann Landers printed a story a few years ago from a lady who had attempted suicide. She lay unconscious for three days before the police found her and took her to the hospital. But they went above and beyond the call of duty by calling her every day and once she returned home they would visit her and bring her cards and flowers on a regular basis. They went out of their way to show kindness and love. We are not all called to be police, or nurses, or firemen. We are not all called to have to faith of the scribes or Pharisees. But Jesus point is that whomever we are, and whatever we are doing, we are called to show compassion and to go out of our way to express it. That is what being a Christian is all about. God loves you, how to you show the love of God in your life? Let us pray….. Weekly Sermon Illustration: The Salt of the Earth Monday February 03, 2014 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid." The following is an excerpt from Buechner's sermon "The Church" (originally published in The Clown in the Belfry and later in Secrets in the Dark). Jesus calls us to show this truth forth, live this truth forth. Be the light of the world, he says. Where there are dark places, be the light especially there. Be the salt of the earth. Bring out the true flavor of what it is to be alive truly. Be truly alive. Be life-givers to others. That is what Jesus tells the disciples to be. That is what Jesus tells his church, tells us, to be and do. Love each other. Heal the sick, he says. Raise the dead. Cleanse lepers. Cast out demons. That is what loving each other means. If the church is doing things like that, then it is being what Jesus told it to be. If it is not doing things like that-no matter how many other good and useful things it may be doing instead-then it is not being what Jesus told it to be. It is as simple as that.

Now that you have seen, follow

3rd Sunday after Epiphany Matthew 4:12-23 Year A Now that you have seen, Follow Prelude Greeting Call to Worship Children of God, when fears press in on every side, we can proclaim with confidence: God is our light and salvation! Whom shall we fear? When our problems overwhelm us and we feel pressed in on every side, we can declare with confidence: God is the stronghold of our lives! Of whom shall we be afraid? No matter the troubles we face, we seek after God and to live in the house of God forever. God shelters and protects us in the day of trouble. Come, let us worship God with joy, for God is our light and salvation! We come to worship as bearers of the Light. Thanks be to God! Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, July 2025. Opening Prayer Holy God, we do trust you to guard and guide us from day to day. Thank you for this hour of worship when we can tune our hearts to sing your praise. Open our ears and our eyes to your presence among us. Be gracious to us as we seek your face in scripture and sermon and song. AMEN. (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Song Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling A Sermon for all Ages Children’s Sermon: “Watching or Following?” (Have a simple object if possible: a toy fishing pole, a piece of rope, or even your hands shaped like a net.) Good morning, friends! I have a question for you. Have you ever watched someone do something really interesting—maybe baking cookies, building something, or playing a game—and thought, “That looks fun!” You didn’t do it yet… you just watched. That’s called watching. In the Bible, when Jesus first met some of his friends, he said, “Come and see.” hat meant, “Come watch. Come learn. Come spend time with me.” But later, Jesus said something different. He said, “Come and follow me.” That didn’t mean, “Just watch me.” It meant, “Walk with me. Do what I do.” Here’s the difference. If I’m baking cookies and you just stand there and watch, you might get hungry. But if I say, “Come help me,” now you’re stirring, pouring, and tasting. Now you’re part of it! That’s what Jesus was doing. Then Jesus said something really funny. He said, “I will make you fish for people.” Now, did Jesus mean we use fishing poles to catch people? (No!) Fishing for people means helping people know God’s love. We fish for people when we: • are kind to someone who feels left out, • help someone who is sad, • invite someone to come with us, • forgive when it’s hard. Every time we love like Jesus, it’s like we’re saying, “Come and see God’s love.” And when we choose to follow Jesus with our actions, we’re saying, “I’m walking with Jesus.” So remember: • Jesus says, “Come and see.” • Jesus says, “Come and follow.” • And Jesus helps us share God’s love with others. Let’s pray. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for inviting us to come and see and to come and follow. Help us love others the way you love us. Amen. Prayer for Transformation and New Life Holy Companion of our difficult days, you call us toward what is new even when we feel worn or uncertain. We confess the weight we carry— worries we rehearse, the fears we nurture, the habits that hold us tight, patterns we cling to, the moments we turn from compassion, the truths we avoid. Unbind what tightens around our hearts. Lift what has grown too heavy. Make room in us for generosity, justice, and the courage to begin again. Shape us for your healing work as this new day unfolds. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Michael Anthony Howard) Words of Grace Hear the good news of the Gospel: People who have walked under heavy burdens have been met by the One who lifts them. People who have carried what felt unshakeable have felt the yoke break from their shoulders. Into every place of strain or sorrow, God’s mercy draws near. God’s compassion reaches out. God’s grace opens a way forward. In this promise, receive your freedom. In this grace, begin again. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Michael Anthony Howard) Scripture Matthew 4:12-23 Sermon Now that you have seen, Follow “From Come and See to Come and Follow I don’t know about anyone else, but it seems like January has just went on forever and ever. And it is not over just yet. Even theologically, this has been a long month. Exactly a month ago we were here celebrating the birth of a new baby. Within this one month, we have watched as wise men came to visit him as a toddler, we saw him left behind on a family trip to the temple at twelve, we watched him get baptized by his cousin. And in one month’s time he is thirty years old. Time is really flying by. And we have no idea of what he has been doing or where he was in that 18 years. Some people believe that he came to America and sailed back to Israel. We do know that his favorite cousin is inprisoned, and he decides to take over his ministry. Matthew never gives a hint of where Jesus was in those 18 years, but our scripture starts out by saying that when he heard that John was in jail, he retreats to Galilee to a little town called Capernaum. Matthew tells us that when Jesus begins his public ministry, the first thing he does is not perform a miracle, preach a long sermon, or organize a movement. He walks along the shore. Jesus sees ordinary people doing ordinary work—casting nets, mending nets, living their lives—and he says four simple words that change everything: “Come and follow me.” 1. From Curiosity to Commitment This moment in Matthew is not the beginning of the disciples’ relationship with Jesus—it is a continuation. In the Gospel of John, when Andrew and another disciple first encounter Jesus, they ask him, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Jesus replies, “Come and see.” (John 1:39) “Come and see” is an invitation to curiosity. It is an invitation to observe, to spend time, to ask questions, to sit with Jesus and discover who he is. Many of us start there. We come to church. We listen. We watch. We wonder. We “come and see.” But Matthew shows us that there comes a moment when curiosity is no longer enough. Now Jesus says, “Come and follow me.” That is different. “Come and see” is about exploration. “Come and follow” is about direction. Jesus is not inviting us to a new life, he commands it. “Come and see” asks, Who is Jesus? “Come and follow” asks, Who will you become because of him? 2. What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus? When Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew, and later James and John, he is not asking them to admire him. He is not asking them to agree with him. He is not even asking them to fully understand him. He is asking them to reorder their lives. Matthew says, “Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Those nets weren’t just tools. They were security. They were identity. They were livelihood. To follow Jesus means allowing him to define: • our priorities, • our values, • our time, • our relationships, • and our purpose. A disciple is not simply someone who believes in Jesus. A disciple is someone who patterns their life after Jesus. Now this story of Jesus calling the disciples is so important that you can find it in all 4 gospels. We just heard this story in John last week, when Jesus says come and see, he is not talking to fishermen. But in Matthew Andrew and Simon Peter are brothers and so are James and John. Jesus tells them all to stop what they are doing and come and follow. He tells them that he will make them fishers of men. In this story Jesus doesn’t tell them how to get more fish (that is in Luke) he tells them to stop fishing and to see life from a whole new perspective. Instead of working for a living, live for a life of service. He tells them to bring the spirit of God into every little thing that you do. In 1983, Steve Jobs recruited John Sculley, the then-president of Pepsi-Cola, to become the CEO of Apple by challenging him to choose between a comfortable career and changing the world . This recruitment is a defining moment in tech history, culminating in the famous, blunt question: "Do you want to sell sugared water for the rest of your life, or do you want to come with me and change the world?". Jesus challenges each of us to bring meaning to our lives by becoming disciples. Discipleship is not about perfection. It is about direction. To follow Jesus means we are willing to keep moving—learning, changing, growing—wherever he leads. 3. We Are All Called to Be Disciples This call was not just for fishermen by the Sea of Galilee. It is a call that continues to echo. Jesus does not say, “Come and follow me if you are religious enough.” He does not say, “Come and follow me once you have your life figured out.” He simply says, “Come.” Every baptized believer is called to discipleship. Not just pastors. Not just church leaders. Not just “spiritual” people. To be a Christian is to be a disciple. There is no separation between the two. Discipleship is lived out in our homes, our workplaces, our schools, our neighborhoods. It shows up in how we love, forgive, speak, serve, and stand up for others. 4. “I Will Make You Fish for People” Then Jesus adds something that makes us nervous: “I will make you fish for people.” This does not mean manipulating others. It does not mean pressuring people. It does not mean winning arguments or checking boxes. Jesus starts where they are. They are fishermen—so he uses fishing language. Fishing takes: • Patience – you don’t force the fish • Presence – you have to show up where the fish are • Trust – you cannot control the outcome Fishing for people means living in such a way that others are drawn toward the life and hope we have found in Christ. We fish for people when: • we listen before we speak, • we love without condition, • we show up when others are hurting, • we tell our story honestly, • we invite rather than coerce. Most people don’t need a lecture. They need an invitation. “Come and see.” “Come and follow.” In Jesus world, there are no casual moments. Everything has a deeper meaning. Fish for people means more that we think. We think it means evangelism. Jesus is talking to actual fishermen, but he is think about the text in Jeremiah which says to hook the fish. As a prophet, Jeremiah is addressing the conditions that cause people to suffer. Many of the prophets note that people are struggling because those in power are not being fair to others. So when he says put the hook in the fish, the fish are rich and unfair leaders. So to be fishers of people is to insist upon justice in the world, to do what is right. We catch fish by doing what is right, by living in a fair way. We catch fish by making sure that everyone has a place at the table. Jesus invites us to transform our perpective, so that we can live in a just manner, and transform the lives of others. 5. Following Still Changes Everything Matthew tells us that Jesus goes throughout Galilee teaching, preaching, and healing. And he invites others to walk with him as he does it. That invitation and the directive still stands. Jesus still calls us from curiosity to commitment. From observation to participation. From “come and see” to “come and follow.” And when we do, he promises something beautiful: He will make us into people who help others find life, hope, and grace. Not because we are perfect, but because we are willing to follow. So today, the question is not: Have you ever come and seen? The question is: Where is Jesus asking you to follow next? A Local Illustration: Watching vs. Joining Think about something very familiar to us. In a small community like ours, it’s easy to watch good things happen. You can watch a food drive take place. You can read about volunteers helping after a flood or a storm. You can see photos of a community meal or a mission project posted online. That’s “come and see.” But there’s a difference between watching and showing up. At some point, someone doesn’t just post about the need—they hand you an apron, or a box, or a list of names and say, “We could really use your help.” That moment—when you step in, get your hands dirty, rearrange your schedule—that’s “come and follow.” You haven’t just observed compassion. You’ve participated in it. That’s the shift Jesus is inviting his disciples to make. Essential Personnel Even if we live where it rarely snows, the phrase is a familiar one. When budget talks collapse and the government shuts down, this is the phrase that is trotted out. When the earth suddenly moves under the people of California, often a certain group of people are called out while the rest are told to stay at home. When tornadoes blow through the Southwest and disrupt everything in their course, only certain people should risk the dangers involved. These are maintenance people, road crews, ambulance drivers, fire fighters, electric and gas company workers, truck drivers, and a whole host of service people who are taken for granted when things are running smoothly. We call them "essential personnel." Think about that phrase. Think about what it means to be essential personnel. Then, if you want to be humbled, think about what it is like to be non-essential personnel. Consider the fact that the world can go on without some of us. The good news is that in the church we are all, or at least all can be, essential personnel. We are called to be a special group of people and to do some important things. William B. Kincaid, III, And Then Came The Angel, CSS Publishing Company, Inc. He Took Me Fishing One of the fondest memories I have of my Grandpa Anderson, was when he took me fishing with him on the St. Lawrence River. I was probably only 6 or 7 the first year I went with him. We’d get up early in the morning before it was light, and motor out in our little boat to one of his favorite places. He’d rig up his poles with practiced hands, and deftly get his lines ready, and then he’d guide me ever so patiently, and carefully, through the steps to preparing my own line. Then as we sat there in the shell pink dawn, quiet, and still, he’d murmur his observations to me - " Now put your hand right here - do you feel that gentle movement? That’s a fish tasting the bait so I wait, and wait, and now!" Then he’d set the hook and the line would start whirring off the reel, and he’d wheedle that fish into the boat. I believe that Christ invites us to become disciples in similar fashion. Christ invites us to join him on a learning journey - to follow and learn the ways of the Spirit. Christ invites people to undertake a gentle journey towards growth and transformation. Christ invites everyone to leave their nets, and to turn around, and follow. Edmund L. Hoener, Jr., Making Light Work When we commit to growing in faith every day, when we are willing to serve Christ in everything that we do, then we have decided to come and follow Jesus. Let us pray….. _______________________________ Amen. Song I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. TFWS 2129 Pastoral Prayer DO NOT PRINT God of all creation, who called every being into life, who is mindful of humankind in all its diversity, who embodies us with dignity, granting different gifts and talents to shape life in this world, we ask for your Spirit to unite us where we face lack of understanding and disunity in our churches, in our communities, in our countries. And in silence, we lay before you the burdens of our hearts. (Silence) We ask for your Spirit to unite us in the face of the conflicts, hatred, and violation of life experienced in so many regions of the earth and, in silence, we bring to you the pain of the victims. (Silence) We ask for your Spirit to unite us wherever fear prevents us from caring for our neighbour, from meeting people of different ethnicities, cultures, and faith communities with respect and, in silence, we bring to you the brokenness of human relationships. (Silence) God of all creation, in Christ, we are reconciled, and so we ask for your uniting Spirit to help us overcome all our divisions that we may live in peace. Posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website, http://www.christianaid.org.uk/. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2017/09/prayer-for-unity-amidst-diversity.html. Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment DO NOT PRINT. What an abundance of gifts we have to offer: musical talent, the melody of laughter, the use of our minds in solving problems, curiosity, compassion, patience, urgency, spiritual reservoirs and financial resources. All these gifts and others that bear our personal marks are symbolized in our offering. As we give, and as we worship God with this offering, let us commit ourselves to give as forgiven and reconciled people. (Adapted from an invitation in Chalice Worship, Chalice Press, 1997, p. 391) Prayer of Thanksgiving Thank you, Creator, for the abundance with which we are blessed, and for the capacity to share our resources. Help us utilize these gifts to their full potential, seeking to spread Good News through support of this congregation and the ministries to which we are committed. Renew in us a yearning to be disciples of Jesus, who shared his life with all he encountered. AMEN. (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for YouTube Let us take God's light into the world. We will go to join others in pilgrimage of trust. Let us go to gather the burdens of others. We will take away their fears and offer them to Jesus, who helps everyone in every moment. Let us go to live in the Spirit's presence. We will follow the Spirit into the peace which is offered to all of God's people. (Lectionary Liturgies, Thom Shuman) Community Time Joys and Concerns Benediction Your heart beckons you to “Come! To seek God’s face!” (based on Psalm 27:8) Let us listen to the needs of our heart and leave this house of worship ready to seek, find and follow our Savior. May the grace, hope, peace and love of God the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer be with us all, now and forever. Amen. ( Presbyterian Outlook, Terri McDowell Ott) Additional Illustrations Sermon Opener - The Powerful Moments That Change Your Life Forever - Matthew 4:12-23 I am a collector of lists. I want to share with you this morning my favorite list of all time. It’s a list of answers given by English school children on their religion exams. Noah’s wife was called Joan of the Ark. A myth is a female moth. Sometimes it is difficult to hear in church because the agnostics are so terrible. The Pope lives in a vacuum. The Fifth Commandment is “Humor your father and mother.” This is my favorite of all: Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt by day and a ball of fire by night. The point is: right answers are important, but have you thought about this – so are right questions! So the right question I want to raise with you today is this: How long has it been since you had a powerful moment that changed your life forever? The New Testament was written originally in common Greek and the Greeks had several different words for our one word love. Agape = unconditional love Eros = erotic… bargaining love (I’ll do this for you if you do that for me, which, if you think about it, is not really love at all) Phileo = philanthropic, brotherly, sisterly, or humanitarian love Storge = family love. New Testament Greek also had two words for time – chronos and kairos. Chronos, which give us our word chronology, is tick-tock time. Each second is exactly like the one that preceded and the one that follows it. It is boring time, humdrum time, drudgery time, meaningless time, empty time. Let me paint the picture of chronos time. Imagine a convict in a prison cell; a lawyer with insomnia, who hears the unrelenting incessant ticking of a clock; an office worker who hates his job and can’t wait for 5:00 to come so he can get out of there; a college student in a 3-hour biology lab (right after lunch) all experience chronos time. Chronos time is empty time; it is a void that must be filled. It is time we must “put in” or endure. It’s what we are talking about when, of all things, we talk about “killing” time. So, chronos equals tick-tock time, humdrum time, boring time, and routine time. Thank God, there is another kind of time… _________________________________ The Art of Following - Matthew 4:12-23 If you’re my age or older you may remember Homer and Jethro. They were a comedy team who specialized in country music parodies and satire. They were sometimes referred to as “the thinking man’s hillbillies.” One of their routines went like this: HOMER: Jethro, if you was to win the Irish sweepstakes for two million dollars, would you give me half? JETHRO: Why, Homer, you’re my best and closest friend. You know I would. HOMER: I do know you would. That’s what friendship is all about. HOMER: Jethro, if you had two big luxurious houses like those ones in the Beverly Hills and I was livin’ yonder under the bridge without no home, would you give me one of your big luxurious houses? JETHRO: Homer, you’re my best and closest friend. You know I would. HOMER: Yessir, we’re best friends. Didn’t I know you’d say that. HOMER: Jethro, if you had two prize winnin’ Holstein cows and I had nary one, would you give me one of your cows? JETHRO: Homer, you wouldn’t even have to ask. You’re my closest friend and you know I would. HOMER: Jethro, if you had two really great huntin’ dogs... JETHRO: Hold on a minute, Homer. I got two huntin’ dogs. Homer and Jethro knew that charity is easy to idealize but hard to practice. I saw a routine like that played out in the area of theology and religion when I was in seminary. The professor was lecturing on the gospel of Luke and he had come to the third chapter where we find John the Baptist’s sermon to the people of Jerusalem. _________________ Trying Something New After falling twice in the 1988 Olympic speed-skating races Dan Jansen sought out sports psychologist Dr. Jim Loehr, who helped him find a new balance between his sport and his life. He also helped Jansen learn to focus on the mental aspects of skating Peter Mueller became his coach, putting him through workouts that Dan has since described as the “toughest I have ever known.” By the time the 1994 Olympics arrived, Jansen had more confidence than ever. He had set a five-hundred-meter world record just two months earlier. The Olympic title in that event seemed to belong to him. Unfortunately, Jansen fell during the five-hundred-meter race. He was disappointed and shaken. But, Dr. Loeher immediately advised him to start preparing for the one-thousand-meter race. He said, the five-hundred-meter race is gone. Put it behind you.” However the thousand-meter race was Jansen’s weakest event. But, there was no other chance for him to receive a medal. Jansen won the one-thousand-meter race and did it in record time. Since Jansen had followed the wisdom of his coach, he had put his failure behind him and tried something new. We can play it safe and remain secure in what we know. Like the fishermen, our lives will remain in the darkness until we are willing to follow and move in a new direction. Jesus called the disciples to something that would not only give purpose and meaning to their lives, he called them to a vocation that would change the world. They followed, and from then on their lives would never be the same. Keith Wagner, Ice Fishing, Anyone? __________________________________ Working for Christ Christianity began as a working man's religion. No, that is not the gospel according to Marx; it is the Gospel According to Matthew. Matthew tells us that immediately after Jesus began a public preaching ministry, he took four fishermen as his apprentices. He was walking by the Sea of Galilee and spied Andrew and Peter casting their nets. He called them to follow him, promising to make them fishers of men. In Matthew's Gospel, then, linked tightly together are Jesus' ringing pronouncement, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," and his invitation to the fishermen, "Follow me." You and I, who believe in Jesus Christ and count ourselves his disciples, are not to follow a trade or profession as though it were the Holy Grail. We are to follow Jesus. Work is to take a secondary role in our lives. If Christ is truly our Master, then work cannot be equally important. We may be engaged in work, but never married to it. And whenever we are pressed or tempted to make work supreme, we are to recall the story of the four fishermen. We are to remember how they left their nets and their boats to go and be with Jesus, to do what he would have them do. John C. Purdy, The Call to Adventure Follow Me… "Follow me, and I will make you fishers," said Jesus. Fishing takes practice, preparation, discipline. One must learn how to best throw the net, how to make the mouth of the net come open too. I can throw the actual cast net a long way, but I can't always make the net come open so that it will actually form a circle around the fish. One must learn how to cast the line on a rod. Again, some folks can cast a long way, but their accuracy is awful. There may be fish on the right, but they know only how to cast the line to the left. There may be fish on the left, but they keep casting to the right. Casting, like discipleship, is an acquired habit. It rewards practice. Fishing is noticing the weather, watching the wind and the clouds. Fishing, like the gospel, dear friends, like the gospel, fishing is always practiced in context. It does no good to sit at one lake and wish I was on some other lake. It does no good to stand at the ocean and wish the weather were different. On that day, in that place, I fish in context according to what the conditions are. So it is with the proclamation and the living out of the Christian gospel. It does little good wishing that we were somewhere else, in a different time or in a different country perhaps. Our context is this time and this place. Know where the wind blows. Watch the clouds. Samuel G. Candler, Follow Me and I Will Make You Go Fishing A Problem of Presentation Jesus came preaching that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand." What was there about that kingdom that got these fishermen so excited? And why are we not just as excited? Maybe we don't understand what the kingdom is. Or maybe it just hasn't been presented very well. It reminds me of a woman who read somewhere that dogs were healthier if fed a tablespoon of cod liver oil each day. So each day she followed the same routine. She chased her dog until she caught it, wrestled it down, and managed to force the fishy remedy down the dog's throat. Until one day when, in the middle of this grueling medical effort, the bottle was kicked over. With a sigh, she loosed her grip on the dog so she could wipe up the mess. To her surprise the dog trotted over to the puddle and begin lapping up what had been spilled. THE DOG LOVED COD LIVER OIL. It was just the owner's method of application the dog objected to. Sometimes I think something like that has happened to the good news of the Kingdom of God. It has been so poorly presented to us that we have never been captured by its attractiveness and its power. King Duncan, Collected Sermons,www.Sermons.com Follow Me There was a field covered with freshly fallen snow. A father and a son enter the field. As they walk across the field, you notice that the father pays no particular attention to where he is going, but his son, on the other hand, follows directly behind, making a special effort to step in his father’s footprints. After the two have crossed the field, you notice that there is only one set of tracks visible in the field, although two had walked across it. The Christian life is that way. In our daily walk we ought to be following Christ's example. Whether in times of suffering, sorrow or need, whether in times of health, joy, or abundance--if someone were to observe the snow-covered fields of your life, would there be one set of tracks, those of Christ? Or would there be two sets, one belonging to Christ and the other distinctly yours? Michael Green, Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993, p.53. Adapted One Unknown At the end of Albert Schweitzer's book "The Quest for the Historical Jesus" Schweitzer writes these words: He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside. He came to those who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: "Follow thou me!" and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time. He commands, and to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, he will reveal Himself in the toil, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is. Staff, www.Sermons.com Have You Caught Any People for Christ Have you been fishing lately? Have you caught any people for Jesus? If you are a typical Presbyterian (or Methodist or Lutheran or mainline Christian of any sort) the answer probably is a shrug of the shoulders and a bewildered look. "He can't be serious, can he?" A few years ago there were some statistics floating around in church circles. If you take a middle aged church member who has attended church regularly most of his/her life, by the age of fifty they would have listened to 1760 sermons, sung 5280 hymns, placed money in the offering plate about 1500 times and never introduced another person to Jesus Christ. True - most of us, if asked, can't remember ever talking to a non-believer about our faith. We just don't do that sort of thing. We haven't done much fishing. James L. Collier, Go Fish! The Evidence of Life Is Growth A disciple is one who studies with a great teacher. It is implied that those who follow Jesus need to grow. We do not blossom overnight into mature spiritual giants. As Dr. Dwayne Dyer said in his book, Your Erroneous Zones, "How do you distinguish between a flower that is alive and one that is dead? The one that is growing is alive. The only evidence of life is growth." So it is with the life of the spirit. One prominent evangelist has complained that despite the burgeoning statistics, the church today is not growing. It is merely getting fat. That is, persons are coming into the church but they are remaining spiritual babes. They are not growing. "We are simply multiplying spiritual babies," he charges. To be alive is to grow. Peter encourages us "to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3: 18). King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com

What Does the Lord Require

February 1, 2026 Micah 6:1-8 What does the Lord Require 4th Sunday after Epiphany Year A Prelude Greeting Call to Worship (Inspired by Psalm 15) One: Giving thanks to God, we’re eager to act out our faith. Many: We want to do what is right, and speak what is true. One: Today we choose to walk blamelessly and do what is right. Many: This day we will do no evil to our friends; One: this day we will not slander any person. Many: This day we join in all who want to abide in God. ALL: We stand by our confession of faith, even when that’s hard to do. Opening Prayer Oh God, Our Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer- How do we thank you? How do we show our gratitude? Do you want signs and sacrifices? Do you want gold and cattle? Can we turn over our children to you? Would that repay our debt, make everything right? Tell us, what do you require in return for all your goodness? Oh God, Our teacher, example, companion— You have shown us what is good, and call us to remember that what you require is not repayment of debt or settling the score, but obedience. Show us, God, When to do justice, how to love kindness, and where to walk, humbly, with you. Amen. Written by Dana Cassell, a former BVS volunteer. Posted on the Church of the Brethren website, https://www.brethren.org/. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2014/01/prayer-micah-6-6-8.html. Song What does the Lord Require UMH 441 Sermon for all Ages Children’s Sermon: “What Does God Want From Us?” (Bring a small backpack and a few stones or heavy objects.) Good morning, friends! I have something with me today. Do you know what this is? (Hold up backpack.) Yes—a backpack! What kinds of things do you put in a backpack? (Let kids answer: books, snacks, toys, water.) Backpacks are meant to carry things that help us, right? Now, imagine if every time you walked somewhere, you put a rock in your backpack. (Put one stone in.) And then another rock. (Add another.) And another. Now, imagine if every time you walked somewhere, you put a rock in your backpack. (Put one stone in.) And then another rock. (Add another.) And another. (Add another.) How would that feel after a while? Heavy? Hard to carry? Sometimes people think following God is like carrying a backpack full of heavy rocks—like we have to do so manythings to make God happy. In our Bible story today, the people were wondering, “What does God want us to do?” They thought God wanted big things—lots of gifts, lots of rules, lots of hard work. But God said something very simple. God said, “I don’t want heavy backpacks.” God wants three things. Let’s count them together—hold up three fingers. 1️⃣ Do what is fair That means being fair and standing up for others. 2️⃣ Be kind Not just once—but loving kindness every day. 3️⃣ Walk with God Like walking with a friend, talking and listening to God. That’s it. No heavy rocks. No giant backpack. Just fairness, kindness, and walking with God. So here’s the question for you this week: • How can you be kind at school? • How can you be fair with your friends? • How can you remember that God walks with you everywhere you go? Let’s say this together: “God doesn’t want heavy backpacks—God wants kind hearts.” Let’s pray. (Prayer) Dear God, Thank you for loving us. Help us to be fair, help us to be kind, and help us to walk with you every day. Amen. (ChaptGPT 5.2) Responsive Reading Psalm 15 UMH 747 New Member Ceremony It was in the latter part of the eighth century BC that Micah prophesied. He was a young contemporary of Isaiah, Hosea and Amos. He and Isaiah brought God's message to the people of Judah in the South while Hosea and Amos took it north to Israel. It was a period of turmoil and change. Assyria was fast becoming a world power to challenge the hegemony of Egypt. There was one battle after another with the little nations used only as pawns in the wider struggle. Israel and Judah were constantly threatened by one power or another. It was a difficult time. Like Amos, Micah was a product of the countryside...a farmer...and like farmers throughout the centuries, he had a certain mistrust of city slickers. In his case, he had good reason: it was the city slickers who were fleecing the folks of the countryside that Micah knew as friends and neighbors; it was city slicker judges who took bribes to render unfair judgments; city slicker priests who were immoral and corrupt; city slicker prophets who would prophesy anything you might want in exchange for a few shekels. No wonder Micah thought of the cities as cesspools of sin. To be sure, he had plenty to complain about concerning the nation's religious habits. It was bad enough that the prophets and priests were not living up to expectations, but the reason they were not was that the people did not want them to. The only preaching they wanted to hear was "God's in his heaven and all's right with the world." Micah even joked about it: "If a liar and deceiver comes and says `I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,' he would be just the preacher for this people."(1) They did not want to be embarrassed by anyone who would have called them to account for their behavior. It was time for them to hear a word from the Lord. So Micah came to them with a message that was not only valid for his own age, but for every age to come. Scripture Micah 6:1-8 Sermon What does the Lord Require Every since there has been television shows, I think we have been fascinated with court scenes. We want to watch the evidence presented, we want to be a part of the drama, we want to judge for ourselves if the person is innocent or not. As a child, I would watch television with my grandma. She looked forward to watching Perry Mason every time it came on. And more recently there was Judge Judy, who’s motto is Justice with an attitude. I think my favorite court show most recently was the Steve Harvey show – where family and friends could present a case against one another and Steve would determine how to resolve the issue. I enjoyed this show, because Steve Harvey would get involved in the issue, and it was a matter of money – a lot of times he would donate his own money to make things right. Not only was there justice, but there was mercy. Well actually, our fascination with court scenes goes all the way back to the bible. The bible is full of court drama. We love the drama until we are the person who is accused.’ Micah 6 is the story of when God sues us all for forgetting about our relationship. We think that life is all about us and what we have done for ourselves. We have forgotten about how God cares for us every day. God asks the jury the question – What have I done that people have forgotten all about me. Then he calls the mountains, the trees and all of nature as witnesses – they are consistent, they praise God every day, they have never strayed and then they point to us – who are inconsistent, if faithful at all. We realize that we cant fight the charges. And even though we have a lawyer always on call – Jesus. There is no need to call- we know that we are guilty as charged. This time is it not God who asks the question – it is us – what must we do to make things right. What do you want from us. God calmly comes to the front of the courtroom again – Do Justice, give kindness, and walk humbly with God. Be just, and not just fair. Not to worry about giving people what they deserve – which is fairness – but to make sure that conditions are fair, so that everyperson has the same chance. When we see that people don’t have a fair chance at life – change the conditions. Be kind, not just nice. Nice is when we are polite, nice is when we follow social protocal. Nice is how we treat people on the surface. Kindness is making sure that people are heard, and going out of our way to take care of them. Someone said that kindness always cost us something. Our society is no different. We think of ourselves as kind people: we are gentle with animals; we do not permit the mistreatment of prisoners of war; we give billions to charity...but the same indictments could be laid at our doorstep as those for ancient Israel. We think of our judicial system as fair, but we know it is much more "fair" with those who have money and power. There are laws on the books to protect people from the shady business practices that can bankrupt good families, but thousands lose millions every year because there are so many loopholes in the laws. Yes, we give money for the relief of suffering, but we give out of our abundance - what we do not really need - with the result that what is given is not nearly enough. In short, we are a kind nation...whenever it is convenient. Safe to say, Micah would object. A student told about a famous lecturer who came to the college he attended who spoke about feeding the people of India. He listed several good reasons for doing so - more people would be employed, friendlier relations with other countries would be established. In addition, we would continue to be in the good graces of the Indian people and of the government. During the informal discussion which followed, the oldest and most revered professor at the college asked, "But, Doctor, don't you think maybe we ought to feed them just because they're hungry?" That is the question that joins justice and kindness.(6) Justice and loving-kindness...critical to the living of lives that are pleasing to God. But one can be just without being religious. One can be kind without any religious inclination. That is why Micah says REAL religion requires one thing more: a humble walk with God. And finally we are told to walk humbly with God. “In his book, Faith That Endures, Ronald Boyd-MacMillan tells the story of a number of conversations he has had with Wang Mingdao, one of China's most famous church pastors of the last century. The first time he met this famous—and persecuted—Chinese pastor, they had the following interchange: ‘Young man, how do you walk with God?’ I listed off a set of disciplines such as Bible study and prayer, to which he mischievously retorted, ‘Wrong answer. To walk with God, you must go at walking pace.’ The words of Wang Mingdao touched me to the core. How can I talk about the Christian life as walking with God when I so often live it at a sprint? Of course, we ‘run with perseverance the race marked out for us,’ but we may fail to run with ‘our eyes [fixed] on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith’ (Heb 12:1-2). Jesus is inviting me to walk with him. Too often, I find myself running for him. There's a difference! On another visit, Boyd-MacMillan asked Wang Mingdao about his twenty-year imprisonment for proclaiming Jesus in China. That cell became a place of unchosen unhurried time for Mingdao. There was nothing to do but to be in God's presence, which he discovered was actually everything. Boyd-MacMillan summarizes what he learned from Wang Mingdao: One of the keys to the faith of the suffering church: God does things slowly. He works with the heart. We are too quick. We have so much to do—so much in fact we never really commune with God as he intended when he created Eden, the perfect fellowship garden. For Wang Mingdao, persecution, or the cell in which he found himself, was the place where he returned to ‘walking pace,’ slowing down, stilling himself enough to commune properly with God.” Source: Ronald Boyd-MacMillan, Faith That Endures (Revell, 2006), p. 307; Allan Fadling, An Unhurried Life (IVP, 2013), pp. 13-14. Don’t get so caught up in life that you cant hear the voice of God speaking, that you cant take the time to speak to God before you speak to others, to make some time in each day to listen to God. So often, people think that "walking humbly" with God means doing a lot of things that appear to be religious, like preaching or becoming a missionary or teaching a Sunday school class. There is nothing wrong with any of these activities. However, "walking humbly with God" simply means living our lives so others can see something of God in us. "Walking humbly with God" simply means living in quiet fellowship with God. "Walking humbly with God" simply means that you seize those opportunities to do the things that God would be doing. There’s a story told about a man who went on a long hike. Before he started, he packed his backpack carefully—food, water, a jacket. But as he walked, every time he reached a crossroads, he picked up a stone and added it to his bag—just in case. One stone for safety. One stone for control. One stone for fear of making the wrong choice. At first, the stones didn’t feel heavy. But mile after mile, the pack grew heavier. Finally, exhausted, he sat down and said, “Why is this so hard?” A fellow hiker stopped and said, “You’re carrying more than you need.” The man replied, “But what if I need these later?” The other hiker said, “You can’t walk far if you insist on carrying everything.” So he began taking the stones out—one by one. And suddenly, the walk became possible again. That’s what the people are doing in Micah. They are piling stones into their spiritual backpacks: • More sacrifice. • More performance. • More religious weight. Not because God asked for it— but because they think faith must be heavy to be faithful. God doesn’t meet us in the courtroom with justice, he meets us with mercy and with grace. I am not suing you to punish you, but to give you an opportunity to think to repent. Everything that we do in life is a response to God’s grace. What would Jesus have us to do in this day- Do justice, act Kind and to walk humbly with our God. Let us pray…… Song Be Thou My Vision UMH 451 Prayer (Do not Print) Let us pray. Holy God, what a world you have made! Everywhere we look, we see evidence of your grace, we give thanks for friends and family, hearth and home, talents and treasures. What blessings you bestow upon us. Yet, amid the blessings, we see the hurt and pain of our world. We can’t turn away, for so many are hurting, so we turn to you. God of blessings, hear our prayer. We pray for the church, for this church, the pastor(s), leaders, and congregation, and the church universal, all those who hear and believe in a great diversity of voices the whole world round. Open our hearts and whisper words of your truth within us. Open our ears so we can hear even those truths that bewilder and challenge us. Strengthen our spirits to hear your call to stand up for justice and break open visions of the kindom among us here and now. God of blessings, hear our prayer. We pray for those who are suffering. Comfort those who mourn, who have lost the ones they love, who have been forced to give up on the future they hoped would be, who grieve frayed relationships. Clothe them with your love and fill them with your hope. Set your healing hand upon those whose bodies ache, whose minds cannot find peace, who are awaiting hard diagnoses. Wrap them in your strong arms and fill them with your shalom. God of blessings, hear our prayer. We pray for those who are hungry, in body and spirit. For those whose tables are bare, whose stomachs growl, and whose bodies hunger for warmth, give shelter. Lead them to places of plenty. Teach those who have much to share without fear until all are fed and nourished. For those who hunger for justice, send your spirit. Give us a holy imagination to dream about what could be and the courage to make this world more like you want it to be for us. God of blessings, hear our prayer. We pray for peace, in our homes, in our communities, in our country, and in our world. Wrest the weapons of war out of our hands and silence the words that cut and destroy. Fill our leaders with wisdom and mercy. Give them eyes to see each person in their care as you see them, beloved children of God. Make us peacemakers and community builders in every place we go. Fill us with grace and wonder that we might see the beauty of diversity and seek unity instead of uniformity. God of blessings, hear our prayer. Holy God, you are the giver of blessings. Give us eyes to see you at work among us. Move our hands and feet to be a blessing in our community. Open our hearts and mouths to hear your word and speak your truth so all can know of your love. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray boldly, saying, “Our Father…” (Presbyterian Outlook, Rae Watson) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment (Just print the prayer of Thanksgiving) When someone asks, “How are you?” many of us respond with a simple, “I’m doing well,” or “Good.” But others respond with, “I’m blessed.” Have you heard that? Or said it? In Matthew’s Gospel, the first part of Matthew 5 is known as “the Beatitudes.” Jesus is teaching his followers about what comes from the blessings enumerated in verses 3-12. When someone claims, “I’m blessed,” it’s a declaration and a confirmation of the ways God provides, even for those who are poor, in mourning, or hungering and thirsting for righteousness. When someone says, “I’m blessed,” the recognition holds that even amid persecution or ridicule for following Jesus, there is reason for JOY. Here’s the truth: When we recognize we’re blessed by God, our natural response is to pass along a blessing to others. One way to do that is to share from our financial resources, eagerly supporting the work of this congregation and our outreach ministries. Remember! (Highlight one of your ministries that benefits from strong giving by the congregation.) Each time you give to support this __________, we pass along a blessing for others to receive. Let’s share our gifts, demonstrating our gratitude! Prayer of Thanksgiving Generous God, thank you for the ways you pour out your blessings on each of us, and on your whole creation. Thank you for this opportunity for us to pour out a portion of what we’ve received. Help us find ways to multiply these gifts, that together we might demonstrate your love made visible. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Communion Invitation to Communion The earliest followers of Jesus experienced this master teacher in a variety of settings: on a hillside, in a boat, walking the dusty roads of Galilee. No wonder they continued to follow him! We, however, do not have the blessing of walking side by side with Jesus. We don’t see him coming in after a night of prayer, or sitting down for a meal with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. What we DO have is this table – and the remembrance of Jesus sharing a last supper with his followers. We can bring to mind what it is to see Jesus take bread, and pour out a cup of wine before offering these simple elements to all who were at that table. HERE, now, at this table, we do remember. Here, NOW, at this table, we claim Jesus as Savior, and share these symbols of his love with all who will come join the feast. Here, now, at THIS table, we learn once more how Jesus continues to teach in tiny chapels and huge cathedrals. We recognize how Jesus continues to remind us in this sanctuary of the blessings we receive even in the midst of persecution, even when being a peacemaker calls us into danger. So come to this table, all who are weary and heavy-laden, for here you will find strength, here you will find a blessing to carry with you. (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for YouTube Friends, we cannot stay here. There is work to be done out there. Go, be the church in the world. Love boldly. Speak bravely. Build the kindom here and now. May the love of God, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit uplift and uphold you now and forever. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Rae Watson) Community Time Joys and Concerns Benediction The Good, as we depart this place but not Your Presence, help us to remember that your goodness is running after us. As it gains on us, may we run on and share it with others up ahead. Amen. (United Church of Christ, Tena T Nock) Additional Illustrations Do justice. Love kindness. A humble walk with God. Sounds very much like the answer to WWJD - What would Jesus do? In fact, it is in Jesus that we see what justice and loving-kindness look like in a walk with God. WWJD. Jesus is still looking for followers. Not admirers, followers. So the correct question for you and me is WWJHMD? What would Jesus have ME do? How is this for a summary? Enter Micah: "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." No, Micah's nation was not what it should have been in regard to chesed. How could one say that offenders were treated kindly when the judges had been bribed to render unfair verdicts? What kindness was displayed when shady deals deprived people of their houses and land? What kindness was evident when the people who were suffering the most - the poor - were systematically ignored?