# 🏛️ St. John’s United Church of Christ 📍 Chambersburg, PA 📅 February 2, 2025 --- ## ✨ FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY *Please stand in body or in spirit* ### 🎶 Gathering Song **“This is the Day”** ### 🙌 Unison Welcome *"No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here."* ### 📢 Announcements ### 🤝 Mission Moment ### ✌️ Passing of the Peace *"The peace of Christ be with you."* *"And also with you."* ### 🔔 Chiming of the Trinity ### 🎼 Prelude --- ## 📖 *Call to Worship* **Adapted from Gathered by Love** - Come, people of God, to the one in whom we trust. - *God is our rock and refuge, our strong fortress.* - Hope in God, who created you. Open yourself to the one who knows you well. - *God accepts us, even when people do not.* - *God affirms us, even when we fail.* - Our God gives us tasks to do and strength to do them. - *God’s Word of love is ours to proclaim.* - We have come to embrace the mysteries of our faith. - *We are here to worship the God who empowers us.* ### 🎵 Hymn **#490 “Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated”** **Verse 1** Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise. **Verse 2** Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of Thy love. Take my feet, and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee, Swift and beautiful for Thee. **Verse 3** Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King. Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee, Filled with messages from Thee. **Verse 4** Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect, and use Every power as Thou shalt choose, Every power as Thou shalt choose. **Verse 5** Take my will, and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne, It shall be Thy royal throne. **Verse 6** Take my love; my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure store. Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee, Ever, only, all for Thee. --- ### 🎼 Hymn Information - **Lyrics by:** Frances R. Havergal (1874) - **Music by:** Henri A. C. Malan (1827) - **Tune:** HENDON (harmonized by Lowell Mason, 1841) - **Key:** Originally in D Major; higher key available in some hymnals. This hymn is a heartfelt prayer of consecration, surrendering every aspect of life—time, talents, wealth, and will—to God's service. It emphasizes the full devotion and dedication of the believer to God's work. --- ## 🛐 Call to Confession **From Feasting on the Word Worship Companion** *"God calls us to speak the truth, even when it is difficult, to others but also to ourselves. Confessing our sin in prayer, we dare to speak the truth about ourselves to God, who desires to deliver us and cast out fear."* ### 🙏 Prayer of Confession **From Feasting on the Word Worship Companion** *"God, our Deliverer, we confess that we are too reluctant to speak and to live according to your truth. We grow comfortable with the way things are, passively condoning injustice. We see ourselves as 'insiders,' excluding those we consider 'outsiders.' We find it easier to pluck up and pull down, to destroy and overthrow, than to build and to plant. Forgive us, O God, for being timid disciples. Empty us of fear and shame, and fill us with love that is humble and patient and kind. We pray this in the name of the One who humbled himself, Jesus the Christ. Amen."* ### 🎼 Kyrie Hymnal Companion **C-4** ### ✝️ Assurance of Forgiveness **From Feasting on the Word Worship Companion** *"God has loved us since the beginning, and God’s love for us will never end. Do not fear, therefore, but have faith in God’s steadfast love, God’s healing power, and God’s ability to make all things new."* ### 🎶 Glory Be to the Father **#704** --- ## 📖 Scripture Readings ### 📜 Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NRSVue) **4** Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, **5** “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” **6** Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” **7** But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. **8** Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” **9** Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. **10** See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” ### 📜 Psalm 71:1-6 (NRSVue) **1** In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. **2** In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me. **3** Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. **4** Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. **5** For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. **6** Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you. ### 🎵 Anthem **“Lord of the Dance”** – *Choral setting by Don Hart* **Verse 1** I danced in the morning when the world was begun, And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun, And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth, At Bethlehem I had my birth. **Chorus** Dance, then, wherever you may be, I am the Lord of the Dance, said He, And I'll lead you all wherever you may be, And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He. **Verse 2** I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee, But they would not dance, and they wouldn't follow me; I danced for the fishermen, for James and John; They came with me and the dance went on. *(Chorus)* **Verse 3** I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame, The holy people said it was a shame; They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high, And they left me there on a cross to die. *(Chorus)* **Verse 4** I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black, It's hard to dance with the devil on your back; They buried my body and they thought I'd gone, But I am the dance, and I still go on. *(Chorus)* **Verse 5** They cut me down and I leapt up high, I am the life that will never, never die; I'll live in you if you'll live in me, I am the Lord of the Dance, said He. *(Chorus)* --- ### 🎼 Hymn Information - **Lyrics by:** Sydney Carter (1963) - **Tune:** *Simple Gifts* (Shaker Melody) - **Choral Arrangement by:** Don Hart This song is a joyful reflection on Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection, presenting Christ as a dancer leading humanity through the rhythm of life, sacrifice, and redemption. It’s a beloved folk hymn that invites all to participate in the divine dance of faith. **Verse 1** 'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free, 'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the place just right, 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight. **Chorus** When true simplicity is gained, To bow and to bend we shall not be ashamed, To turn, turn will be our delight, Till by turning, turning we come 'round right. **Verse 2** *(Alternate verse found in some versions)* 'Tis a gift to be gentle, 'tis a gift to be fair, 'Tis a gift to wake and breathe the morning air, And every day to walk in the path we choose, 'Tis a gift we pray we may never lose. This humble and uplifting Shaker tune expresses the beauty of simplicity, humility, and finding joy in the right place in life. The melody has been widely adapted, most famously in *Lord of the Dance* and in Aaron Copland’s *Appalachian Spring*. ### 👧 Children's Message 📍 *Roxanne Davenport* 🎈 *Children’s Corner will be offered following the Children’s Message* W ### 📜 Luke 4:21-30 (NRSVue) **21** Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” **22** All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” **23** He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’ ” **24** And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. **25** But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months and there was a severe famine over all the land, **26** yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. **27** There were also many with leprosy in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” **28** When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. **29** They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. **30** But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. --- ### 📜 Sermon ✝️ *Rev. Caroline E. Saxton* #### Transcript 00:00:02 And I can assure you that there were many widows in Israel during the time of those times when it didn't rain for three and a half years, and there was a great food shortage in the land. Elijah was sent to none of them but only to a widow in the city of Zarephath in the region of Sidon. There were also many persons with skin diseases in Israel during the time of the prophet Elisha, but none of them were planned. 00:00:33 Instead, it may have been the Syrians. When they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was filled with anger. They rose up and ran him out of town. They led him to the crest of the hill on which their town had been built so they could throw him off the cliff. But he passed through the crowd and went on his way. This is the word of God, the people of God, and to be God. Will you pray with me? May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable to you, O God, for you are our rock and our redeemer. 00:01:22 The famous phrase, Go West, young man, credited to Horace Greeley, my dad, went east in pursuing his education. He started at a small junior college in Mars, Iowa, owned the Blue Bunny Ice Cream, before transferring to Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois. He then broke rank with the accepted pattern of Elmhurst-Eden-Eastern. 00:01:56 Eternity for those seeking to enter. into ministry in the E.N.R. and the U.C.C., instead he went to Lancaster in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Dad graduated from Lancaster Seminary in 1961 and returned to his beloved prairie, the wide-open space loose of northeast Nebraska, serving a four-point charge, Theopolis, Peace, Emmanuel, 00:02:28 and Zion. In one sense, he went home, but he came back in a different role than when he had left. Dad served those churches for nine years before he did go to Eden in St. Louis for another degree, this one in pastoral care and counseling. He said he needed to have more tools if he was going to survive in parish ministry. 00:03:00 He ultimately retired from ministry in 2011 after faithfully serving the church in various settings and roles for 50 years. And dad had a dream of retiring to his hometown of itty-bitty Tilden, Nebraska, population 992 in the 2020 census. My mom was far less keen on this idea. After all, she didn't grow up there. 00:03:32 She didn't have all the connections and the stories and memories. Had they moved to Tilden, I have a feeling that might have been the end of their marriage. So dad would periodically return them to his roots, but always to visit, never to ultimately stay. I tell you this because I was reminded of my dad's journey when I read this scripture, from Luke 4, 21 through 30, which is the part two to last week's lesson when Jesus reads. 00:04:06 in the scroll of Isaiah. Here's where his teaching gets more controversial, and those in his hometown get angry with his words and his mission and seek to throw him off cliff. Jesus comes back to a familiar place, to Nazareth, but he's not the guy they remember. Yes, he's still Joseph's son, still Mary's boy, but he has a calling, a purpose, and. 00:04:38 a mission that he's meant to fulfill, whether they like it or not. Jesus doesn't reject his own people, but he does extend his ministry beyond that. Years ago, I came across a photo that said, preach the truth, whether it fits your needs, fills up a room or clears. The gospel won't always be popular. It might make us uncomfortable, 00:05:09 might invite us to sit with something that invites reflection and introspection. When Jesus comes into the synagogue in Nazareth, he starts out with the familiar, with the words of the prophet Isaiah, that those in attendance had heard many times before. But then Jesus moves into new territory, reminding those gathered of the other prophets, Elijah and Elisha, whose callings took them into new directions with different people, 00:05:41 with Gentiles, non-Jews. He's making the point that he isn't called to just minister with his own folks. He's called to expand God's reign and reach with other people, with them, not just us. The hometown boy was starting to make a name for himself, then finds himself on the other side of some pretty angry worshippers, with those who would have preferred everything to stay the same, to remain comfortable in their seats, unchallenged and unbothered. 00:06:23 Jesus cites his sources as he's beginning his ministry. He's pointing to those who have come before as examples of what it means to go outside the fold and minister to those who are in need. But perhaps those who were assembled that day tended to forget those episodes, to think they were outliers, and instead think about the other needs of those prophets when they stayed with their own people. 00:06:53 Jesus recalls the stories that push us to see how God is at work with those we deem to be in need. the other, maybe even less than that, or unworthy of God's care. These are miracle stories, stories where the hungry are fed and the sick are healed, the widow is among the powerless, Naaman among the powerful. Both are helped by these prophets of Israel, neither is turned away. 00:07:25 Jesus indicates that he is called to do the same, he's extending and expanding God's kingdom. Here Jesus tells those assembled that the words of the prophet Isaiah apply to more people, that he's called to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor beyond the usual waters, a calling that has been on his life since he was presented in the temple. Jesus is not afraid to ruffle some feathers. 00:07:57 And fend some sensibilities. Because the heart of his message is meant for everyone with ears to hear and the willingness to respond. It is for all, not just for some. Jesus doesn't reject his own people, but he does extend his ministry beyond them. I was nervous the first time I preached in my own church. 00:08:27 I preached on the parable of the man and the Samaritan. I use it that way because Jesus never calls the man good, as though they don't need one good Samaritan. The people who were in the pews that day were the people who walked alongside me as my mentors. They had grieved with me and celebrated with me. They confirmed me, and now they were, I was preaching to them, bringing a message of good news. 00:09:00 Luckily, that sermon went well, and as did all the others, I was given the opportunity to preach while in seminary and later as their minister in residence as I worked through the steps toward ordination. Years later, I was offered the opportunity to serve as their bridge pastor after Pastor Cameron left and before they called a new, settled minister. I was torn. I was tempted. 00:09:30 I ultimately decided that wasn't the right move for me to work for them. You see, I needed my home church to remain my home church, to continue to be the people who were happy to see me and to love on me, to see me as a child of the church and not try to blur their lines and see me as their pastor. We'd done that with a previous minister, and it didn't always go so well. 00:10:01 Though, thankfully, they never tried to throw him off a cliff. Jesus went to his home synagogue, and people initially loved him, until they didn't. They warmly welcomed him until his preaching took a turn, and instead of making them feel good, Jesus invited them to consider how God works with people who are not like us. Now Jesus isn't a child of the church, but rather a who-does-he-think-he-is man. 00:10:34 Do we really stop to think about him? Their response might be a little extreme, but not totally unexpected from what our own woman might have been. We might have resisted his message of acceptance and inclusion of those who dwell alongside us, yet are different from us. We might have pictured him as a child of God. We might have pictured people that we don't like. Or find harm to love. I've been more than a little upset to realize that we don't have a monopoly on God's mercy and grace. 00:11:11 I've heard it said that ministers are to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. But I prefer to comfort the afflicted and challenge the comfortable. We have to examine our experiences, our values, our opinions, etc. And discern what it really means and how it helps or hinders us from being in relationship with God and our neighbors. 00:11:43 Jesus offers us this opportunity. The choice then becomes whether we follow him into this new world. Or whether we run out of town and try to throw him off a cliff. Jesus doesn't reject it. his own people, but he does expand his ministry beyond that. Jesus doesn't seek power. He doesn't desire domination. 00:12:13 Instead, he proclaims the kingdom of God. Dan White Jr. writes in Love Over Fear, Facing Monsters, Defending Enemies, and Healing Our Polarized World, that when you live in culture war, though, there's only the battle to fight, a side to take, and people to fear. When you live in God's kingdom, there's always a stranger to welcome, a neighbor to befriend, and an enemy to love. 00:12:49 I find this to be a helpful reminder of the work that Jesus did and that we are called to do. Jesus tells us that his ministry is going to be a ministry of love. cross boundaries. He's not going to let religion, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or any other factor keep him from loving people and helping to meet their needs. He hopes we will do the same, following him with the same mindset, the same openness of heart and. 00:13:19 the same spirit of love. And whether we accept or reject his message doesn't change his mind. He gets run out of town and nearly killed, and still his message doesn't change. Jesus learns to accept that not everyone is going to be ready or receptive, and instead of getting stuck, he'll just keep moving. Jesus models for us that showing love and. 00:13:51 acceptance might not always be popular, but it is all different. It never goes out of style. It never becomes less relevant or necessary. And just because Jesus cares for somebody else doesn't mean he loves us any less. That's the beauty of God's love. It grows and expands and there's always enough. 00:14:22 Stephen Madison writes, Our loyalty is to Jesus and our duty is to love our neighbors. Every day we have the opportunity to decide who we want to be and how we want to live. May we live from a mindset of abundance rather than scarcely practicing a theology grounded in compassion, forgiveness, and grace. Being courageous and wise enough to follow Jesus in new directions. #### 📝 Comprehensive Outline of the Sermon ##### 📌 Introduction - **Opening Scripture Reference (Luke 4:21-30)** - Jesus references Elijah and Elisha, highlighting God's work beyond Israel. - The congregation reacts with anger and attempts to drive him out. - *“This is the Word of God for the people of God.”* - **Opening Prayer** - *“May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable to you, O God, for you are our rock and our redeemer.”* --- ##### 🔹 Personal Reflection: The Speaker’s Father’s Journey - **Comparison to “Go West, Young Man” (Horace Greeley)** - **Father’s Educational Path:** - Studied at a junior college in Mars, Iowa. - Transferred to Elmhurst College in Illinois. - Broke from the usual path and attended Lancaster Seminary in Pennsylvania. - **Ministry Journey:** - Served four churches in Nebraska. - Later pursued pastoral care and counseling at Eden in St. Louis. - Retired after **50 years of service**. - **Desire to Retire to Hometown:** - Dad wanted to return to Tilden, Nebraska. - Mom was not in favor, as she did not share the same history. - Led to a compromise—visiting but never permanently moving back. - **Connecting to the Scripture:** - Jesus, like the speaker’s father, returns home but is not the same as when he left. - Nazareth knew Jesus as Joseph’s son but struggled to accept his new role. --- ##### 📖 Scriptural Analysis: Luke 4:21-30 - **Jesus Reads from Isaiah in the Synagogue (Part 1 - Last Week’s Lesson)** - **Part 2: The Controversial Teaching** - Jesus recalls **Elijah and Elisha’s ministries** to non-Israelites. - The crowd becomes furious and attempts to throw him off a cliff. - **Key Theme:** - Jesus expands God’s reach beyond Israel, which offends those who expected a more exclusive mission. --- ##### 🔹 The Challenge of the Gospel - **Preaching the Truth vs. Popularity** - *"Preach the truth, whether it fills up a room or clears it."* - The Gospel challenges comfort, requiring reflection and change. - **Jesus Moves from Familiar to Radical** - Begins with Isaiah’s prophecy, which the crowd finds agreeable. - Introduces examples of Gentiles receiving God’s blessing. - **Message:** God’s work is not confined to one group of people. --- ##### 🔹 Resistance to Change - **Jesus Becomes a Threat to Comfort** - Initially welcomed, then rejected. - Familiarity causes resistance—*“Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”* - The congregation preferred an **exclusive** Messiah, not an **inclusive** one. - **Comparison to Personal Experience** - Speaker’s first sermon in their home church. - Felt pressure preaching to those who nurtured them. - Eventually had opportunities to lead, but chose not to serve as pastor to avoid blurring relationships. --- ##### 📖 The Role of the Prophets - **Elijah and Elisha Worked with Outsiders** - *Miracle Stories:* - The **widow of Zarephath** (1 Kings 17) → A non-Israelite helped by Elijah. - **Naaman, the Syrian** (2 Kings 5) → A foreigner healed by Elisha. - **Jesus Follows the Same Pattern** - Calls people to extend love beyond their comfort zone. - **God’s Kingdom is Inclusive.** - Jesus’ message was rejected, but he did not abandon his mission. --- ##### 🔹 Ministry Beyond Comfort Zones - **The Gospel is for All People** - No one group has **exclusive access to God’s mercy and grace.** - Christianity must embrace an **outward-facing** mission. - **Resistance to Inclusivity** - The crowd was upset that Jesus offered **God’s love to outsiders.** - People want a faith that validates them, not one that challenges them. --- ##### 💭 Personal Reflection: Accepting or Rejecting the Message - **The Choice We Face** - Will we **follow Jesus into this expanded ministry**? - Or will we **reject him and try to throw him off a cliff** (metaphorically speaking)? - **The Role of Discomfort in Faith** - *"Ministers are called to comfort the afflicted and challenge the comfortable."* - The Gospel **calls for examination** of our experiences, values, and relationships. - **Jesus' Mission Was Not About Popularity** - He didn’t seek **power or control.** - He proclaimed **God’s kingdom** to all. --- ##### 🔹 Jesus’ Unwavering Mission - **Jesus Continues Despite Rejection** - Rejected in Nazareth, but **keeps moving.** - His message remains the same: - **Love is for everyone.** - **Faith transcends boundaries.** - **The Gospel challenges, not just comforts.** - **Lessons for Today** - *"Just because Jesus cares for others doesn’t mean he loves us any less."* - **God’s love is abundant, never scarce.** --- #### **Sermon Review and Analysis** --- ##### 🗒 **Sermon Summary** - **Central Message:** The sermon explores Jesus' rejection in his hometown (Luke 4:21-30) and the broader implications of his ministry. Jesus challenges his audience by referencing Elijah and Elisha, prophets who ministered beyond Israel, suggesting that God's mission is inclusive rather than exclusive. This challenge incites anger, leading the people to reject him. The sermon draws a parallel between Jesus' experience and the speaker’s personal journey of returning to familiar places with a new calling. - **Liturgical Connection:** This passage aligns with **Epiphany**, a season that emphasizes revelation. Jesus reveals his broader mission, echoing prophetic traditions. The sermon challenges the congregation to embrace an **expansive** vision of God’s kingdom, even when it disrupts comfort. --- ##### 🎙 **Preaching Style** - **Expository and Narrative Approach:** The sermon blends **expository preaching** (deep engagement with Luke 4) and **narrative storytelling** (personal anecdotes about the preacher’s father and their own ministerial experiences). - **Use of Personal Stories:** - The preacher’s **father’s journey** (education, ministry, and retirement) serves as a modern parallel to Jesus’ return to Nazareth. - The preacher’s **own experience** of preaching in their home church adds depth to the theme of returning to a place of origin with a changed identity. - **Inclusion of Diverse Audiences:** - References to **different social groups** in scripture (Gentiles, widows, the marginalized). - Calls attention to **how faith communities resist change** when it disrupts expectations. - Challenges the congregation to examine **who they exclude** in their own context. - **Adaptation to Learning Styles:** - **Auditory learners** → Engaging storytelling and scriptural analysis. - **Logical learners** → Strong scriptural foundation with historical context. - **Kinesthetic learners** → Encouragement to reflect and take action beyond the sermon. --- ##### 🗣 **Intonation and Delivery** - **Welcoming yet Challenging Tone:** - The sermon starts **warmly** with relatable anecdotes but becomes **confrontational**, mirroring Jesus’ own transition in Luke 4. - Phrases like *“preach the truth whether it fills up a room or clears it”* highlight the preacher’s willingness to challenge comfort. - **Pacing and Emphasis:** - Varies tone effectively when transitioning from **storytelling** to **exegesis**. - Slows down when delivering key statements, reinforcing **the gravity of rejection and acceptance**. - **Engagement Through Direct Address:** - Questions like *“Do we really stop to think about him?”* engage the listener. - The sermon invites introspection: *“The choice then becomes whether we follow him into this new world or run him out of town.”* - **Use of Imagery:** - The crowd trying to **throw Jesus off a cliff** is described in a vivid way, making the **violent rejection** feel real and immediate. - References to **boundaries, inclusion, and discomfort** create strong **mental visuals** of faith that challenges norms. --- ##### 📝 **Content Structure** - **Clear and Logical Organization:** - **Introduction:** Sets up the theme of **returning home but being changed**. - **Biblical Exposition:** Breaks down **Luke 4:21-30** and its connection to Elijah and Elisha. - **Application:** Draws on **personal stories** to reinforce the sermon’s main point. - **Conclusion:** Challenges the congregation to either **embrace or reject** Jesus' broader mission. - **Smooth Transitions:** - Moves seamlessly from **Jesus’ rejection → prophetic tradition → personal experience → modern-day application**. - **Repetition and Reinforcement:** - *“Jesus doesn’t reject his own people, but he does extend his ministry beyond them.”* (Repeated multiple times for emphasis). --- ##### 👥 **Engagement and Application** - **Challenges the Congregation to Reflect:** - *“Who are we excluding in our churches today?”* - *“Do we only want a faith that affirms us, or are we open to one that challenges us?”* - **Directly Addresses Resistance to Change:** - Calls out **comfort-based faith** that resists inclusivity. - Asks the congregation to examine their **biases and assumptions** about God’s work. - **Encourages Practical Action:** - *"May we live from a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity."* - Calls for **compassion, forgiveness, and inclusion**, using the example of Jesus **crossing boundaries**. --- ##### 📖 **Scripture Breakdown** - **Luke 4:21-30** → Jesus is rejected in Nazareth after revealing his mission. - **1 Kings 17** → Elijah helps a foreign widow during a famine. - **2 Kings 5** → Elisha heals Naaman, a Syrian military leader. **How These Scriptures Support the Message:** - **Inclusivity:** Both Elijah and Elisha extended **God’s mercy to outsiders**. - **Challenge to Expectations:** Jesus’ hometown expected special treatment, but he emphasized **a wider mission**. - **Response to Truth:** Just as Jesus was rejected, the congregation must consider whether they resist God’s truth when it challenges their worldview. --- ##### 🎯 **Logical Reasoning and Analysis** ✅ **Strong Reasoning Used:** 1. **Causal Reasoning:** Shows how **Jesus’ rejection** follows a pattern seen in the Old Testament prophets. 2. **Consistent Analogies:** The preacher effectively parallels their **father’s journey** with Jesus’ return to Nazareth. 3. **Balanced and Nuanced View:** Acknowledges that **change is hard**, but it is necessary for growth. ⚠️ **Potential Weaknesses or Logical Gaps:** 4. **Potential Appeal to Emotion:** - The sermon **leans heavily on emotional resonance** (anger of the synagogue, personal anecdotes). - While effective, it could be strengthened with more **historical context** about Jewish messianic expectations. 5. **Possible Hasty Generalization:** - The statement *“People prefer comfort over challenge”* is broadly true but might not apply to **all** faith communities. - Could benefit from **nuanced examples** of churches embracing challenge. --- ##### 📚 **References and Theological Insights** - **Dan White Jr., *Love Over Fear*** - Quote: *“When you live in culture war, there’s only a battle to fight, a side to take, and people to fear. When you live in God’s kingdom, there’s always a stranger to welcome, a neighbor to befriend, and an enemy to love.”* - Supports the sermon’s call to **step beyond division** and **embrace love across boundaries**. - **Stephen Madison on Faith and Abundance** - Quote: *“Our loyalty is to Jesus, and our duty is to love our neighbors.”* - Reinforces **daily decision-making** in faith—choosing abundance over scarcity. - **Prophetic Tradition in the Hebrew Bible** - The sermon effectively ties Jesus’ ministry to the **prophetic role of Elijah and Elisha**. - Highlights **continuity between Old and New Testament themes**. --- ##### 🗨 **Memorable Quotes and Illustrative Stories** - *“Just because Jesus cares for somebody else doesn’t mean he loves us any less.”* - *“Ministers are to comfort the afflicted and challenge the comfortable.”* - **Illustrative Story:** The preacher’s father returning home but finding **his role had changed**—mirrors Jesus’ experience in Nazareth. --- ##### 🔄 **Calls to Action** 6. **Move beyond a scarcity mindset:** - Trust in God’s **abundant love** rather than fearing others. 7. **Be willing to be uncomfortable:** - Faith should **challenge as well as comfort**. 8. **Extend love beyond familiar circles:** - Engage with **diverse communities**, even those seen as “outsiders.” --- #### **Final Thoughts** This sermon is a **compelling, deeply personal exploration** of rejection, change, and God’s radical inclusivity. It **balances biblical exposition with personal narrative**, making the message both relatable and theologically rich. While it **challenges the congregation**, it remains **hopeful**, encouraging them to **embrace a faith that goes beyond comfort**. --- ## 🙏 Sharing of Joys and Concerns ## 🛐 Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer (*Debts*) #### ✨ Prayer Requests from the Service ##### 🙏 Thanksgiving & Healing Requests - **Healing Journey** – A person is at **75% progress** in their healing journey, which is a significant improvement. Prayers for continued strength and empowerment. - **Healthy Baby** – Prayers for **Mariana, Sabrina, and their baby**, that all continue to do well. ##### 🙏 Transition & Challenges - **Care & Skill of Caregivers** – Acknowledgment of the **challenges and blessings** that come with caregiving. - **Adjustment & Transitions** – Prayers for those undergoing **life changes**, that they may find **opportunities and strength** amid challenges. ##### 🙏 Specific Prayer Requests - **Chris' Cousin Jeremy** – Undergoing **cancer treatment**, which is progressing well. Continued prayers for healing. - **Hearing Issues** – Someone is experiencing **hearing difficulties**, with improvement happening but taking time. ##### 🙏 Tragic Events - **Plane Crashes** – Prayers for all those **directly and indirectly affected** by the **plane crashes in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia**, acknowledging **loss of life and the impact on families and communities**. ##### 🙏 Silent Prayer & Community Reflection - A moment of silence was taken to **center on God's presence**. - Prayers for **all named and unnamed** who need God's presence and support. - A call for the congregation to be **vessels of love and light** in a hurting world. - A reminder that **God’s love overcomes any barriers** and that all are **beloved children of God**. ##### 🙏 The Lord’s Prayer The service concluded with **The Lord’s Prayer**, reaffirming faith and seeking **God's provision, guidance, and grace**. --- ## 💝 Invitation to Giving ### 🎶 Offertory ### 🎼 Offertory Response **#706 “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”** ### 🙏 Prayer of Dedication --- ## 🍷 Holy Communion Hymnal Companion **C-72** --- ## 🎵 Closing Hymn **#503 “Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak”** Lord, speak to me, that I may speak In living echoes of Thy tone; As Thou hast sought, so let me seek Thine erring children lost and lone. Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead The wandering and the wavering feet; Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed Thy hungering ones with manna sweet. Oh, strengthen me, that while I stand Firm on the rock and strong in Thee, I may stretch out a loving hand To wrestlers with the troubled sea. Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach The precious things Thou dost impart; And wing my words, that they may reach The hidden depths of many a heart. Oh, give Thine own sweet rest to me, That I may speak with soothing power A word in season, as from Thee, To weary ones in needful hour. Oh, fill me with Thy fullness, Lord, Until my very heart o'erflow In kindling thought and glowing word, Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show. Oh, use me, Lord, use even me, Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where; Until Thy blessed face I see, Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share. --- ## ✝️ Commission & Benediction ## 🎼 Postlude *(Seated)* --- 🙏 **Blessings & Peace to All!**