We are counting the weeks after Epiphany and attempting to get a glimpse of what life as the people of God might be like. We consider some of the most famous passages of scripture to help us shape a vision of the life we are called to live—not just a special, rise-to-the-occasion kind of life, but an everyday life, an ordinary life that isn’t ordinary. We are the evidence that our faith is true and our God is at work in the world. In other words, we are now the epiphany, the light shining forth for the world to see. And of course, we will fail from time to time. But how we deal with failure is also a sign of that presence and glimpse of the kin-dom. So, this ordinary time is extra-ordinary in the living of it. Let us embrace the call with grace and with joy.
Abbreviations:
- TFWS: The Faith We Sing
- UMH: The United Methodist Hymnal
- W&S: Worship and Song
Theme Hymn: Bring Forth the Kingdom TFWS 2190
Service Music: Sweet, Sweet Spirit UMH 334
Closing Hymn: Blest Be the Tie that Binds UMH 557
Be Thou My Vision UMH 451
February 12, 2023 – But I Say
Relationships within the body are important, but so is the relationship of the church with the wider community. How can you lift community concerns or needs in your prayer time? What acts of service within the community are already in place that you can celebrate? What additional needs could be met, or invitations issued? Who is missing from the body of the church? Jesus calls us to go above and beyond in our attempts to see all the people.
- The Gift of Love UMH 408
- Blest Be the Tie That Binds UMH 557
- Help Us Accept Each Other UMH 560
- Draw the Circle Wide W&S 3154
- See Ye First UMH 405
- Give Me a Clean Heart TFWS 2133
- Make Me a Channel of Your Peace TFWS 2171