PAUSE FOR REFLECTION
“Open the gates of justice!
I will enter and tell the Lord how thankful I am.”
Psalm 118:19
CALL TO WORSHIP “We Choose Welcome” PCUSA Awareness Campaign
In the midst of fear of terrorism and radicalism, we choose to welcome those who flee from terror and tyranny.
In the midst of hate speeches and hate crimes, we choose to welcome those who are rejected because of their skin color or their foreign dress.
In the midst of anxiety about our own economic prosperity, we choose to welcome those who come from distant lands to labor in our fields and our warehouses.
In the midst of political debates which seek to divide us between those who are born here and those who are not, we choose welcome, a welcome for all children of God, proclaiming one household.
OPENING HYMN Bring Many Names / Glory to God #760
HEBREW READING Isaiah 65:17-20, New Heavens and a New Earth
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
CHRISTIAN READING Galatians 1:6-9 6
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!”
ANOTHER VOICE Proclaiming Unity, Reconciliation and Justice, Presbyterian Christians in the Commonwealth of Kentucky
SERMON
“Matthew 25: Dismantling Structural Racism – Part 1”
Rev. Don Ludwig
To read the sermon text, please click here.
CORPORATE PRAYER To End Racism, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
O Lord our God, in your mercy and kindness, no thought of ours is left unnoticed, no desire or concern ignored. You have proven that blessings abound when we fall on our knees in prayer, and so we turn to you in our hour of need.
Surrounded by violence and cries for justice, we hear your voice telling us what is required, “Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Mi 6:8). Fill us with your mercy so that we, in turn, may be merciful to others.
Strip away pride, suspicion, and racism so that we may seek peace and justice in our communities. Strengthen our hearts so that they beat only to the rhythm of your holy will. Flood our path with your light as we walk humbly toward a future filled with encounter and unity.
Be with us, O Lord, in our efforts, for only by the prompting of your grace can we progress toward virtue. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. A-men.
RESPONSIVE HYMN “It is Well with my Soul”
MINUTE FOR MISSION, OFFERING & ANNOUNCEMENTS
As we reflect on all of our blessings, individually and as a community, may we consider how we may give of ourselves so that the work of Christ’s love and peace may continue throughout our world.
(Please contact staff@southmin.org, to discover simple ways you may give electronically or via mail. Thank you for supporting the staff and on-going ministries of Southminster Presbyterian Church).
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH CHORUS (DOXOLOGY)
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.
FINAL BLESSING & BENEDICTION John Lewis
“Walk with the wind, brothers and sisters,
and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.” A-men.
