Today we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. We will also hear the story of Jesus calling his first disciples from John 1:43-51. Jesus is from Nazareth, but one of Jesus’ first disciples asks, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Ouch! Well, let’s find out together.
Prelude Adam: God be with you. All: And also with you. Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen Lighting of the Peace Candle – Joel Ekdahl 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. Joel will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle… Joel: 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 – Joel John 1:43-51 *Call to Worship – Joel Joel: Please join us in the call to worship… Joel: Jesus says, “Come and follow me.” All: We wonder, “But where are we going?” Joel: To the Realm of God. To what Martin Luther King Jr called, “The Beloved Community All: What do we have to leave behind? Joel: Prejudice. Hatred. Indifference. All: What do we bring with us? Joel: Love. The pursuit of justice. The curiosity to come and see. All: Let us follow Jesus together into a more loving and just world for all. Amen. Children’s Moment *Passing of the Peace – Joel Joel: Friends, I invite you to join me in the passing of the peace…Close your eyes…breathe…breathe again. Put your hands on your heart. In your mind’s eye, imagine the light that is in all of us. Some might call it the Soul or Conscience or Essence or maybe you call it God. Take a piece of that light and hold it close. Now hold out your hands, imagine the light, your light, traveling from your fingers out across the world, like a sun ray. As the rays travel, accept the light that is offered to you, as you offer light, as the light returns to you… Breathe. Breathe again. Hold the light close. May the Peace of Christ be with you… All: And also with you. Song: What a Friend We Have In Jesus – Sung by Rhonda, Dave, Debbie, 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 - Joel 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 – Martin Luther King – Come and See Love and Justice in Action *Unison Benediction – Joel 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