Prayer as We Gather: Lord, what was it you told us through prophet Micah about how best to approach you in worship, what you consider good, what you require from us? In this holy hour, speak to us once more of doing justice, embracing faithful love, and walking humbly with you. It's easy to forget, hard to do. Amen.*(Inspired by Micah 6)
Call to Worship:
Who can dwell on your holy mountain, Lord?
The person who does what is right and speaks truth sincerely.
Who can live in your tent, Lord?
The person who does no damage with their talk, doesn't insult a neighbor, Keeps their promise even when it hurts, But despises those who act wickedly, And honors those who honor the Lord.
Whoever does these things will never stumble. (from Psalm 15, The Common English Bible)
Morning Prayer: On this Men's Day, Lord, we're thankful for our rich Baptist traditions of laity-led worship and local church autonomy, the hard-won privilege of soul freedom granting us direct access to you, without intercession of clergy or magistrate. As UBC's beloved community moves into a time of transition, help us keep sight of those truths that have shaped us into faithful followers of Jesus, called to be disciples and to continue making disciples in Jesus' name. May we be deliberate in our search for new pastoral leadership, careful not to shift our personal ministry commission onto the shoulders of whomever you lead to take up the mantle as our next under-shepherd, for we make our appeal in the name of our Galilean Lord who endured the deadly foolishness of the cross and taught us to pray, saying …*(Inspired by 1 Corinthians 1)
Prayer of Confession: Forgive us, Lord, our perpetual quest for happiness through things that cannot make us happy. We are intent upon pursuing the exact opposite of what Jesus identified as true sources of happiness: Humility, mercy, purity of heart, peace-making. We fervently try to avoid the difficult circumstances Jesus saw as precursors of genuine happiness: Grief, hopelessness, harassment. We are looking in all the wrong places for what can only be realized through following Jesus, a Way we have found difficult and left untried. Have mercy, we pray. Amen.*(Inspired by Matthew 5 and the wit of G.K. Chesterton)
Assurance of Pardon: Take heart, for Rabbi Jesus never gives up on us, his belligerent students. He assures us we can endure the worst insults and false accusations our adversaries lob our way, if they are doing so "because of me." Since most of our adversity is untethered from discipleship and is likely our own fault, may our loving God keep us honest about the sources of our woes, so we might hear Jesus encouraging us to "be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven." Thanks be to God for how great a friend we have in Jesus!*(Inspired by Matthew 5)