From Rev. Ben –
One of the things I’m learning, as we wade our way through the turbulent waters of 2021’s first three weeks, is that most American churches are not talking directly about what has happened in the United States since January 6th. Most American pastors don’t feel the freedom to speak out in condemnation of what transpired at the nation’s capital. I am grateful for the freedom I have to speak my mind on such matters and, more than that, I am grateful to serve a congregation that values the occasional bit of faith-based analysis of current events.
This week is Martin Luther King Weekend, and my original plan was to preach on Martin Luther King’s pacifism and much of the service is organized around that topic. King’s pacifism is still something that comes up in my sermon, but it also is used to address the rise of modern fascism, with a little help from Reinhold Neibuhr.
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View January 17th Celebration online
- Marcia provides a prelude, based on the hymn tune St. Anne, “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past”, setting by WT Best,
- Talitha welcomes us to celebration,
- I will lead us in the Call to Celebration,
- The opening hymn is “O For a World”,
- Jan Stites leads us in a prayer for peace,
- Talitha tells the Godly Play story of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
- Tom Eelkema reads from the book of Micah,
- I will preach a sermon called “No Peace, No Justice,”
- A men’s ensemble from our choir will sing “O Day of Peace”; Bill Neely, Steve McKiernan, and Andrew Newell singing,
- Our Commissioned Lay Pastor, Jim Allardice, will lead us in a pastoral prayer,
- Our closing hymn is “Down By The Riverside,” and
- Talitha will lead us in the Family Life, Charge, and benediction video.
The Charge (say together) Go out into the world in peace. Have courage; hold on to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, and help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.