Sometimes people ask how a church can welcome all these people. After all, doesn't religion cause you to exclude people who "don't belong?” In our passage from Matthew 22 at worship today, Jesus says the most important commandment is to love. He makes no exceptions. Neither do we. God loves you. And so do we.
Prelude – Be Thou My Vision, played by Jean Herrera Adam: God be with you. All: And also with you. Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen Lighting of the Peace Candle – Rev. Charlie Hinkle 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. Charlie will lead us in the liturgy as Brayden lights the candle… Charlie: 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 – Brayden Ericksen Leviticus 19:15-18 Matthew 22:34-46 *Call to Worship – Charlie Charlie: Please join us in the call to worship… Charlie: In a world that wants us to live in fear… All: We will listen to Jesus, who says, “Do not be afraid!” Charlie: In a world that wants us to hate the other and seek revenge… All: We will listen to Jesus, who calls us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Charlie: In a world that increasingly radicalizes people… All: We will also be radical. Radical with our hospitality. Radical with our hope. Radical with our desire for justice. Radical with our love. Charlie: Then come to this place, ready to be who we are called to be. All: Let us gather together for worship. Amen Children’s Moment *Passing of the Peace – Charlie Charlie: 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. Charlie: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. Song – This Is My Song 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 – Charlie 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 – The Politics of a Christian Nation Are to Love Your Neighbor *Unison Benediction – Charlie 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