The sermon transcript will be sent out next week. Sorry for the delay.
Sunday, August 30, 2020
Stumbling Blocks of Faith
**Please take a few deep breaths to center yourself, light a candle, and do what you need to do in order to create an atmosphere of intentional worship**
GREETING
OPENING SONG
Fairest Lord Jesus UMH#189(lyrics below)
OPENING PRAYER {by enfleshed}
Holy One, even when the way is treacherous, we hope to be true to you and one another. Through struggle and grief, enable us to remain faithful, to be steady in our companionship, and to be firm in our conviction before evil. When we tremble, assure us of your abiding presence and the power of love eternal. Amen.
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 16: 21-28 (NRSV)
21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? 27 “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. 28 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
SERMON
OFFERING
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SONG
Nearer My God to Thee UMH #528 (lyrics below)
PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
CLOSING SONG
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus TWFS #2129 (lyrics below)
CLOSING BLESSING {by enfleshed}
When the way becomes difficult, let us still choose love. When evil comes to break us down and break us apart, let us still choose each other. When power from on high strikes fear in our hearts, let us still choose what is good and just. For we know that the love of God will not be overcome. With the assurance that this abiding love is alive in us, today and always, let us go with peace and courage. Amen.
POSTLUDE