Today we will hear Jesus’ teachings on nonviolent conflict resolution. Could you use a little conflict resolution these days?
We will also celebrate Communion, so we invite you to get a piece of bread and juice (or whatever you’d like). Everyone is welcome to participate in Communion. For example, if you are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Straight, Atheist, Agnostic, Pagan, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Black, Brown, White, etc – you are welcome to join in Communion. Why do we have an open table? Because God loves you. So come, just as you are, to worship this morning.
Prelude
Adam: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen
Lighting of the Peace Candle – Amira Stanley 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. Amira will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle…
Amira: 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 18:15-20
*Call to Worship – Amira
Amira: Please join us in the call to worship…
Amira: Jesus says that whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
All: May we be bound with love.
Amira: There are so many competing demands that seek to bind us in knots: aging parents and partners, work, school, and church. Racism, economic instability, and political turmoil.
All: May we be bound with love.
Amira: Sometimes we need to take a step back and loosen ourselves from the things that bind us up so that we can be bound by something greater.
All: May we be bound with love. Amen.
Children’s Moment
*Passing of the Peace – Amira
Amira: 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.
Amira: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
Song: What a Friend We Have in Jesus – Rhonda, Debbie, Dave, and Jeff.
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 – Amira
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 – Jesus and Nonviolent Conflict Resolution – Amira and Adam
Communion – Amira and Adam
*Unison Benediction – Amira Stanley
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