Mill Plain UMC
Sunday October 8, 2023
The Justice of Piety and The Piety of Justice
Scripture
Matthew 5:38-48
Music
He Reigns
My Lighthouse
Bigger Table
Come and Find the Quiet Center
Sent Forth By God’s Blessing
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Mill Plain UMC
October 8, 2023
10 a.m.
Praise Song He Reigns
Greeting
Call to Worship
Worship Assistant: In the Justice of your Piety, draw into the privacy of your closet to pray in secret to God who hears in secret,
People: In the Piety of Justice, give to those in need from the depth of your faith that you too may welcome the stranger and care for the powerless.
Worship Assistant: Let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
People: In this sanctuary lift your praises to God and in the quiet of your home pour out your heart to God.
Opening Prayer
Jesus, you charged your disciples to pray in secret to God who sees in secret, and to let their light be seen that all the world would see their good works.
Grant us the grace to find the balance between piety which rises above self-interest, and righteousness which seeks the good of all. Lead us to justice which works on behalf of the marginalized and is emboldened to shine for the world to see.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Praise Songs My Lighthouse
Bigger table
Young Disciples Moment
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Offertory
Presentation of Offerings
Scripture
Matthew 6:1-8
“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Hymn Come and Find the Quiet Center #2128
Sermon The Justice of Piety; The Piety of Justice
Prayer
Lead us, God, to your righteousness and energizes us to work for justice, knowing that this is our deepest worship of you. Amen.
Hymn Sent Forth by God’s Blessing #664
Benediction
Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable to you, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.