Mill Plain UMC
Sunday September 24 , 2023
Expanding the Table
Scripture
Exodus 19:20
Matthew 5:17-30
Music
Love the Lord
You’re Worthy of my Praise
Bigger table
Dear Lord Lead me day by day
Lord I want to be a Christian
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Mill Plain UMC
September 24, 2023
10 a.m.
Praise Song Love the Lord
Greeting
Call to Worship
Worship Assistant: You have heard that it was said: “Be nice to each other and take care of your own.”
People: But I say to you, “love the unlovable and welcome the stranger.”
Worship Assistant: You have heard that it was said, “work hard and save money for a rainy day.”
People: But I say to you, “scatter God’s blessings throughout the world, and practice random acts of kindness each day.”
Worship Assistant: Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it.
People: Unless our righteousness exceeds that of the religious leaders we will never enter the kin-dom of heaven.
Opening Prayer
Grant us, Holy One, the goodness to obey the letter of the law and the grace to fulfill i.
Lead us, Blessed One, the self-discipline to do the next right thing and the wisdom to be the next right person.
Inspire us, Spirit of God, the will to refrain from acts of violence and the faith to fill the world with love.
We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Praise Songs Worthy of my praise
Bigger Table
Young Disciples Moment
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Offertory
Presentation of Offerings
Doxology
Exodus 19:20
When the Lord descended upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
Matthew 5:17-30
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.
Hymn Dear Lord, Lead Me Day by Day #411
Sermon Expanding the Table
Prayer
Holy One, show us how to fulfill your righteousness by expanding the table and welcoming the stranger. Lead us to express your love both in our outer actions and in our inward behaviors. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hymn Lord, I Want to Be a Christian #402
Benediction
Go forth in peace, and be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
And the blessings of God, Creator, Christ, and Comforter, be with you and remain with you forever. Amen.