PAUSE FOR REFLECTION
“In a materialistic society we have projected our sense of worth almost exclusively onto things. That is why it’s hard to rediscover our souls in ourselves.” ― Richard Rohr, Simplicity: The Freedom of Letting Go
CALL TO WORSHIP | “Hear the Voices” written by Jane Keener-Quiat, 2013
Hear the voices, small voices, loud voices, voices of the oppressed, voices of the powerful.
We call out in the midst of our lives, speaking what we see, sometimes to welcome ears, sometimes not, but a voice itself calls.
Listen to the voices that call us out of our chains, out of our prisons.
Listen to the voices that call us to redemption, to live in the Spirit of the Most High. Listen for the voices that call us into learning, knowing, and living. Let us worship together!
OPENING HYMN | Bring Many Names
(Glory to God # 760)
MINUTE FOR MISSION
There are so many exciting ways that God is working through each of us and in this community. As we consider our receiving and our giving to the works of ministry in this place and in the world, may we remember that we belong to God.
Through all our living, we our fruits must give.
Good works of service are for offering.
When we are giving, or when receiving,
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
CHRISTIAN READING |Matthew 25:14-30
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. They who had received the five and two talents both went at once and traded with them, and doubled their worth. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And they who had received the five and two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you gave us talents and we have doubled their value. The master said to them, ‘Well done, good and faithful servants. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
But the one who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money… For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
SERMON | “Less is More” by Rev. Don Ludwig
Click here to read Don’s sermon.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
- Karen Wittenburg has resumed another round of chemotherapy.
- Bob Buell continues to be in hospice.
- Bert Schmidt continues treatment. Please keep him and Sue Chandler, daughter, in prayer.
- Please keep the PNC (Pastor Nominating Committee) in prayer as they discern the future of Southminster.
CALL TO COMMITMENT | excerpt from Return to Love by Marianne Williamson
“We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are we not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
