Call to Worship
Leader: Many people in this world suffer from oppression and injustice.
All: Send us into the world to bring justice to those who are oppressed.
Leader: So many people in this world feel hopeless and live in despair.
All: Send us into the world to offer words of hope.
Leader: At times in life, we all experience physical and mental wounds.
All: Send us into the world to bring healing to those who suffer.
Leader: Throughout the world, we see economic injustice, starvation, and homelessness.
All: Send us into the world to feed the hungry and clothe the naked.
Offertory
One: Please join me in unison in our Offertory Prayer…Friends, the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
One: Let us pray…
All: Gracious God, Jesus promised his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit, a gift that remains as powerful and transformative today. With generous and thankful hearts, we offer our gifts to you – our time, treasure, and talent, but most of all, our hearts. Use us and these offerings for your purposes and glory. Amen
Service April 30
Scripture Lesson
Matthew 10: 5-15 (NRSV)
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you; it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.