God is Not a Divine Warrior. God is a Divine Farmer.

Throughout human history, we have imagined God as a demanding king or a violent warrior. You have to work really hard to get this kind of god on your side. You know, say the right prayers, believe the right doctrine, even sacrifice something dear to you. But Jesus gives us a totally different image of God.
God is not like a demanding King or violent warrior.
God is like a farmer who generously sows seeds of love everywhere.
It doesn't matter whether you deserve it or not. God just loves you. So, relax, friends. The way of Jesus isn't about trying harder or being good enough. The way of Jesus is simply this: God the Farmer already loves you just as you are. Which means we can work for a more just and loving world.


Prelude
 
Adam: God be with you.
 
All: And also with you.
 
Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen
 
Lighting of the Peace Candle – Alison Gary and Adam
 
Adam: Our tradition at CUCC is to light a peace candle at the beginning of each worship service to center ourselves around the Peace of God. Alison will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle…
 
Alison: I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle…
 
All: We pray for peace
in our hearts,
in our homes,
in our communities,
in our nations,
and in our worlds.
 
Scripture Readings
Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23
 
*Call to Worship – Alison
 
Alison: Please join us in the call to worship…
 
Alison: We come together to bless one another.
 
All: We bless one another when the path forward seems so bleak.
 
Alison: And we bless one another when the path is full of rocks.
 
All: We bless one another when the path is full of thorns.
 
Alison: And we bless one another when the path is clear.
 
All: Let us bless and support one another at all times. Amen.
 
Children’s Moment
 
*Passing of the Peace – Alison
 
Alison: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another.
 
Alison: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you.
 
All: And also with you.
 
Song: “Blessed” by Rachel Lampa, sung by Christine Fogh
 
Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen
 
Prayers of the People – Adam
 
(After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)
 
Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer - Alison
 
Our God,
Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
 
Sermon – God the Farmer and the Spirituality of Failure – Alison and Adam
 
*Unison Benediction – Alison
 
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.
This day and forever more. Amen
-Numbers 6:24-26