Worship resources for Jan. 29, 2023

January 29, 2023 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 Paul tells us that the reign of God is not defined by the wisdom of the world as we know it (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). Jesus appears to be even more explicit in the Sermon on the Mount, “This is what blessing looks like for God’s people” (Matthew 5:3-11). And, in today’s passage, the prophet Micah lays out a path for faithful living under God’s reign that sounds remarkably generous and open-ended, even inviting, until you read the rest of the chapter (Micah 6:1-8). If we want an easy path, these texts are not the places to look for it. They seem to say that God’s way in the world counters much of what the world values. God’s reign counters a world in which we run roughshod over the poor because they are of little significance. God’s reign counters the world where we meet the unfair advantage with a wink and a nod. God’s reign counters a world controlled by and preserved by the strong for the strong. God’s reign counters a world where mercy is withheld, where purity of mind and heart are mocked by crass commercialism, where we act as though the humanity of the “other” doesn’t matter. God’s reign counters a world where war is the norm and peace is a pipe dream. Then just when it seems that living God’s way is impossible, Jesus concludes the beatitudes by saying essentially this: God’s way runs so counter to much of what the world expects, that those who dare to engage the world on God’s terms by blessing the peacemakers, the pure, the merciful, and the righteous, can themselves expect to be persecuted (Matthew 5:11). That is not exactly the most compelling sales pitch for the Christian faith, is it? Perhaps that is why the wisdom of the world, the easier way, is so tempting in the face of dwindling church membership and deficit budgets, so attractive at the crossroads of our pre-pandemic past, to which we cannot return, and an unknown future wherein we can only trust God’s good purposes for us. You can find the rest of the commentary on our website. Thank you to guest writer Baron Mullis.  Order of worship for Jan. 29, 2023. These liturgies are free to use. Prayer for Martin Luther King Jr. Day by Jill Duffield Where’s God’s mercy? — Uniform Standard Lessons for Jan. 29, 2023, by Richard Boyce Blessings — Weekly Christian ed lesson for Jan. 29, 2023, by Joelle Brummit-Yale Want the worship resources for January 22, 2023? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... A faithful Third Act Environmental stewardship fuels Patricia Tull’s work with Baby Boomers to provide a brighter future for generations to come. I’m just here: Tips for adult children and older adults to navigate faithful aging Missy Buchanan offers advice for those caring for aging parents, noting it isn’t a reversal of roles, rather, an evolution of a relationship. Light for the Darkness — St. Louis, Missouri How the Spirit is moving in one new worshiping community. — Mary Cox Paul Smith: A light in the darkness Leslie Scanlon profiles the noted Presbyterian pastor and theologian whose livelong work was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s concept of the beloved community. Resources for Lent 2023 Outlook Book Review editor Amy Pagliarella suggests four resources for Lent 2023. Making sweat feel spiritual didn’t start with SoulCycle – a religion scholar explains Can fitness really be a religion? Given the difficulty of defining religion, it’s an almost impossible question to answer. Perhaps the better questions to ask are why fitness and religion make such a potent combination, or why people see fitness as religious. — The Conversation Discussion guide for January 2023 issue In each issue of the Outlook, we include a discussion guide to further reflect on the issue. We recommend using this guide in your Bible study, small group or book club. It's our invitation into a faithful conversation. Infused with life Teri McDowell Ott previews Outlook's January 2023 issue "The Third Act," which highlights some extraordinary contributions older adults are making to the church and world. Rev. Katherine B. Harrington joins St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church Sheldon Sorge retiring from ‘best call of my life’ in Pittsburgh After more than 20 years of service to the church, Rev. John M. Semmes has announced his retirement, effective February 2023. Make your own post for free! Click here.

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