Peter is the Rock. And the Rock is Cracked.

In our passage today from Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus gives Peter a new name – the Rock. But Peter is a strange person to name the Rock. Peter is not solid. He repeatedly fails. The Rock has cracks. But maybe that’s the point of Christian spirituality. Like Peter, we all have cracks. And maybe that’s the only way the light of God can shine through us. God loves you. Cracks and all.
 
Prelude - On Eagle’s Wings, Jean Herrera

Adam: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
 
Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen
 
Lighting of the Peace Candle – Jeff Pratt 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. Jeff will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle…
Jeff: 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 16:13-20
 
*Call to Worship – Jeff
Jeff: Please join us in the call to worship…
Jeff: They went to Jesus, and he asked them
Lita: Who do you say that I am?
Jeff: They answered,
Adam: You are the hypostatic union of differences and the eschatological manifestation of the ground of our being, the kerygma of which we find meaning in our interpersonal relationships.
Jeff: And Jesus said,
Lita: What?
Adam: Isn’t that what they taught us in seminary?
Jeff: Faith doesn’t have to be that hard. Life doesn’t have to be that difficult.
Adam: Sometimes we just have to share God’s love.
Lita: And so here we are, simply to sing, to celebrate, to be together, and to worship God. Amen.*
 
Adam: The call to worship
 
Children’s Moment
 
*Passing of the Peace – Jeff
Jeff: 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.
Jeff: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
 
Song: The Times Are A-Changin’ – Preston Shipp (For more on Preston, check out Pastor Adam’s interview with him titled: From Prosecutor to Criminal Justice Reform Advocate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J02MWFK0of0)
 
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 - Jeff
Our Father,
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 – Peter is the Rock. The Rock Has Cracks.
 
*Unison Benediction – Lita
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
 
*From Richard Bott at Sharing Liturgy.