January 29 Prayer of the Day

In the morning on the first day of the week, 

we return to you, O God,

for you are the beginning in which there is no end.
And so we come to the source 

seeking identity and renewal.

In you we find ourselves,
for yours is the word 

whose power brought us into being;
yours is the image in which we were created;
yours is the Name into which we were baptized.

Unconventional Wisdom

The live version of this service can be watched here. The sermon begins at the 30' mark.

This morning’s reading from the scriptures did not really begin with the passage we just heard. It actually began at the end of last week’s reading, when Paul broached the subject of the cross. He did not come to Corinth to baptize converts he said, but simply to proclaim the gospel. And the key word, apparently, was simply, because he claims he wasn’t articulate. He wanted the cross of Christ—not his own eloquence—to take center place in his preaching.

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Year A (January 29, 2023)

CALL TO WORSHIP   —based on John 12:32-36

We gather in the Name of Jesus, who said, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.”
We will walk in the light and believe in the light, that we may be children of the light.
In our worship, may we be drawn to God by the power of his word.
And may we be lifted up by the power of the cross.

One Mind, One Purpose

Be united in the same mind and the same purpose.

—1 Cor. 1:10

I originally got on Facebook at least fifteen years ago. I used to be into it and was glad to be back in contact with so many old friends, classmates, and even family members. But after a few years, I think my attitude toward it changed. I began to notice that people quickly became offended by just about anything they disagreed with. And I think I started to become one of those people who got offended.

Third Sunday after Epiphany

Year A (January 22, 2023)

THANKSGIVING & INTERCESSION

Glory to you, O God, 

Creator of all that is.
Praise to you, 

O Word of God
made flesh to dwell among us.
Thanks be to you, 

O breath of God
who both comforts us and drives us forward.

Called to Be Saints

Called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

—1 Cor. 1:2

What’s a saint? It’s a word we hear a lot in church. But I think our usual use of the word saint doesn’t really match up with how the Bible uses the word. When we use the word saint, we’re often referring to a biblical figure like one of the apostles or somebody else that gets mentioned quite a bit in scripture.