For Sunday February 15, 2015
Year B, Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany: Green
2 Kings 2:1-12 :: Psalm 50:1-6 :: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 :: Mark 9:2-9
Call to Worship (Responsive)
Adapted from Psalm 50
L: God speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
P: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
L: God does not keep silence.
P: God calls to the heavens and to the earth
L: “Gather to me my faithful ones, who have made a covenant with me.”
P: The Heavens declare God’s righteousness, for God alone is judge.
Invocation:
Almighty, Holy, Heavenly One, we come before you in this your Sanctuary, seeking to know your presence. We come before you as people who have failed, faltered and even sinned before you. We come seeking your acceptance, your forgiveness, and your approval. Guide our hearts and minds, O God, during this time of worship. Help us present our whole selves to you. Help us to receive your love and grace fully. For we offer ourselves and our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Stewardship Moment:
When the rains began in Colorado in 2013, no one expected what was to come. From communities as far north as Fort Collins to as far south as Colorado Springs, floods rushed through towns large and small. In addition to providing grants to help those who were displaced, Week of Compassion and Disciples Volunteering began a conversation with First Christian Church, Loveland, Colorado, about how to best partner and respond in affected communities. Though the long Colorado winter slowed down any organized response to the widespread flood damage, summer soon meant that local long‐term recovery groups could begin their preparation, so FCC Loveland did, too. Through the support of WoC and Disciples Volunteering, FCC Loveland adapted its facilities in order to host volunteers, forged relationships with community leaders, local recovery organizations, and now stands ready to be part of the recovery of so many impacted communities across the Central Rocky Mountain Region.
Empowering communities impacted by disasters and empowering congregations to minister and respond: That is the work of Week of Compassion. That is how we can help impacted communities reach a fair balance.
Offertory Prayer:
O God of all people and places. We marvel at the way you have made us all in your image, yet life and circumstance has somehow made us so different. We bring these offerings today, O God, in hopes that some of the human hurt and suffering might be healed. We offer these gifts with the prayer that others will come to know your healing hand. Glory, honor, and praise be yours forevermore. Amen.
Communion Meditation:
When Jesus is transfigured, or transformed on the mountain top, the voice from heaven says “This is my Son, the beloved; listen to Him.” When we keep listening to Jesus, especially around this table of remembrance, we recall Jesus’ words of forgiveness. This is not a table for perfect saints, this is a table for sinners who are being perfected.
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