GATHERING MUSIC – “Everlasting God”
Brenton Brown
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won’t grow weary
You’re the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on the wings
Like eagles
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won’t grow weary
You’re the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on the wings
Like eagles
RESPONSIVE READING – Psalm 146, adapted
Matthew May
Praise God! Praise God, O my soul!
I will praise God as long as I live; I will sing God’s praises all my life long.
Do not put your trust in rulers, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth;
on that very day their plans perish.
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in their God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.
God sets the prisoners free;
God opens the eyes of the blind. God lifts up those who are bowed down;
God loves the righteous.
God watches over the strangers and upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked God brings to ruin.
God will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise God! Amen.
PRAYER
Jane Okang
Let us pray for the Church and for the world.Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.
Silent prayer
God, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.
Silent prayer
God, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.
Silent prayer
God, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us.
Silent prayer
God, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit;
give them courage and hope in their troubles,
and bring them the joy of your salvation.
Silent prayer
God, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We commend to your mercy all who have died,
that your will for them may be fulfilled;
and we pray that we may share with all your saints
in your eternal kingdom.
Silent prayer
God, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Amen.
SONG – “Be Thou My Vision”
SCRIPTURE – Mark 12:28-34
Grace Losso Modla
28One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 33 and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’ —this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.
MESSAGE
“Area Nazarene Caught Proof-texting – or – Jesus Reads the Bible”
Dr. Chris Boesel
SONG – “This Little Light of Mine”
African-American Spiritual
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
BLESSING
Chris Boesel
Drew Theo Chapel 