You are supposed to be the weed. Jesus tells a parable about a master who sows wheat in a nice and orderly fashion. But someone sowed some weeds. This parable is typically interpreted to mean, “Okay, Christians. Be nice wheat. Stay in line. Don’t disrupt things. Just be nice little wheat.” But did you know that according to the unjust political and religious powers of his day, Jesus was a weed? And he was plucked. So, dear Christian, in a world that is crying out because of injustice, be the weed. The world needs more weeds to disrupt the status quo.
Welcome to Clackamas United Church of Christ. We invite you to relax and enjoy our prelude music. Feel free to take some deep breaths as we prepare our hearts and minds for worship. Prelude 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 13: 24-30; 36-43 *Call to Worship – Jeff Jeff: Please join us in the call to worship… Jeff: We ask for ears, that we might listen. All: We ask for ears, that we might listen to the cry of the human heart. Jeff: But Jesus doesn’t call us to merely listen. All: Jesus calls us to deep listening that leads to acts of love. Jeff: Then let us listen to the God who is Love. All: Let us listen to the heartbeat of love that flows throughout the universe. Amen. 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: Thanksgiving – Sung by Rhonda, 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 - Jeff 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 – What If Christians Are Supposed to Be the Weeds? *Unison Benediction – Jeff Pratt 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