The Problem Of Not Having A Problem – Matthew 22.15-22
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GATHERING
Prayer:
Lord, we come before you again with the heartfelt prayer that you accept us, that you allow us no rest until we come to rest in you; that you fight both against us and for us until your peace takes its rightful place in our hearts, thoughts, words, essence, and our dealings with one another. Without you we can do nothing, but with you and in your service we can do anything. Be present and active in this church, in this whole city and among all who live in it, and especially among all who are ordered as your community. Be with all the sick and dying, the poor, the oppressed, and those who are lost, as well as those who rule over us and great nations, shape public opinion, and wield the means of power. O that you may bring great love to work against hate, great reason to work against the lack thereof, and not just a few drops but a stream of justice to work against injustice! Yet you know better than we do what will be and happen to us and in the world, ultimately ordered to your honor. So we command all things into your hands, So we, each in our own place and in our own ways desire to put our hope confidently, quietly, and clearly, in you. Amen.
Announcements:
The number of COVID19 cases in our immediate area is such that we will continue to only offer worship online until it is reasonably safe for us to reopen.
Until that time, we will continue to offer mid-week prayers, live videos, and email devotionals.
Online giving can be made on our About page on the church website, cokesburyumc.church which will be linked in the video description for live worship as well as checks through the mail.
Hymn 249 – Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in his wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of his glory and grace.
Prayer:
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today…
And as you taught us, so now we pray… Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
PROCLAIMING
Scripture – Matthew 22.15-22:
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head it this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
Hymn – I Want to Be a Christian:
V1. Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart;
Lord I want to be a Christian in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart, Lord I want to be a Christian in my heart.
V2. Lord, I want to be more loving…
V3. Lord, I want to be more holy…
V4. Lord, I want to be like Jesus…
Sermon: The Problem Of Not Having A Problem
RESPONDING
Prayer:
Lord, humble us so that we will be capable of receiving all of your words. We thank you for the strange gift of yourself in scripture and the Strange New World of the Bible to which you beckon us. We rejoice in the complexity of your Good News and we therefore pray, oddly enough, to be continually confounded by your Word. Otherwise, we are doomed to remain the same. Amen.
Offering – Reminder for online giving, through the mail, or the drop slot at the church.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
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SENDING FORTH
Blessing and Benediction