Worship Resources for Epiphany 7C February 24, 2019

*Call to Worship                                                                                                      

Years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached a sermon called “Love Your Enemies.” This was not the first time he had preached on this topic. Year after year he preached “Love Your Enemies.” And then by his example, he showed us what love your enemies means. Most of us are not called to the level of sacrifice Dr. King made, but every one of us is called to break the chain of hate with the disruptive power of love. Worship is our radical act of disruptive love. Let’s get to it.

Prayer of Confession

God, we are so conditioned to respond in kind. We are so worried that when the reckoning comes, we will find ourselves left with the short end of the stick. And not without reason. The powerful take and take and lie and lie and oppress and oppress seemingly without consequence. Teach us to love with skill. Teach us to love with precision. Teach us to love with abandon, trusting that when we step into the ocean of your abundant love we will receive the blessings of your abundant life. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication

Holy God, we bring before you tokens of our intention to break the chains of hate with the power of love. Help us to grow in our giving so that we will continue to grow in our loving and in our living. Amen.