Mill Plain UMC
Sunday February 25, 2024
Is Not This The Feast That I Choose?
Scripture
Isaiah 58:1-9a
Music
Rooftops
Desert Song
God of Wonders
It’s Me It’s Me O Lord
Here I am Lord
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Mill Plain UMC
February 25,2024
10 a.m.
Praise Song Rooftops
Greeting
Call to Worship
Worship Assistant: Why do we fast, but you do not see?
People: Why do we pray but you do not listen?
Worship Assistant: We do all the right things, God, and yet it doesn’t seem like our faith works.
People: We come here today to present ourselves to you, God. Speak and we will listen.
Opening Prayer
Our God we strive to follow your path and to do your will. Lead us beyond the motions of faith to the inward transformation that makes us your people. Guide us to lives filled with your justice and hearts overflowing with your righteousness. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Praise Songs Desert Song
God of Wonders
Young Disciples Moment
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Offertory
Presentation of Offerings
Doxology
Scripture
Isaiah 58:1-9a
Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God.
“Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.
Hymn It’s me, It’s Me, O Lord, #352
Sermon Is Not This The Fast That I Choose?
Prayer
Forgive us, our God, for allowing the outward forms of religion to substitute for the inner transformation to which you call us. Give us the courage to give up racism, to let go of materialism, so that we shine with your light. Amen.
Hymn Here I Am, Lord #593
Benediction
Let your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
The blessings of God, the love of Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.