Call to Celebration
Liberating God, your words shock, stimulate, disturb and disrupt all at once.
In this moment, may we discern what is true to lead us forward.
Dissonance leaves us wondering and wandering.
May we look for the new reality that is being created in us.
Be still, move, speak, be silent are Spirit prompters.
May we become astute of that which you are calling us to enact.
Creating space for all is our work to do.
May it be so internally and externally.
Amen
Offertory
God of Love, you never hide yourself or your love from us. May we embrace “love that makes our souls crawl out from hiding.” Amen
(The above quote is an adaptation from Zora Neale Hurston)
Service February 20
Scripture Lesson
Luke 6:27-38 NIV
Love for Enemies
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if any- one takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your re- ward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, be- cause he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”