Greetings!
We have a wonderful treat in store for this Sunday. My friend Dave and his friend Buck are sharing some Cowboy Gospel Songs with us this Sunday morning. Please come and bring your friends and neighbors to enjoy our worship!! There may be some changes in the service yet as things are still in progress.
And don’t forget to come for our annual Valentine’s Dinner sponsored by the Youth. It is this coming Saturday, February 14, from 4-6pm in the Small Hall. Again, invite everyone you know to come and join us for a wonderful evening.
8 Feb, Sun
9:30 – 10:30am Adult Bible Study
10:45 – 11:45am Livestream Worship in-person
12 – 1pm Education Committee
3 – 4:30pm Zoom Bible Study
4:00 – 7:30pm Youth Group
10 Feb, Tue
9 – 11am Streams Food Pantry
10:30am – 12pm Bible Study, Office Conference Rm
12:30 – 3:30pm Charity Bridge, Streams Sm & LG Halls
7 – 9pm Native American Flute Circle, Streams Sanctuary
7 – 8pm Stewardship Committee
11 Feb, Wed
8:30 – 11:30am Workday
9 – 11:30am Quilters – Large Fellowship Hall
12 Feb, Thu
9 – 11am VdC Grouping, Office Conference Rm
12 – 1:30pm Thursday Noon Fellowship, Large Fellowship Hall
6 – 7pm Bell Choir
7:15 – 8:15pm Joy Choir
13 Feb, Fri
7 – 8pm Youth Committee
14 Feb, Sat
9:30am – 1:30pm Charity Bridge, Streams Small Hall
3 – 4pm Decorate Sm Hall
4 – 6pm Valentine’s Dinner, Small hall
15 Feb, Sun
9:30 – 10:30am Adult Bible Study
10:45 – 11:45am Livestream Worship in-person
12:20 – 1:20pm Worship & Music Com. – Office Conference Rm
3 – 4:30pm NO Zoom Bible Study
And remember: you are blessed to be a blessing!!
Pr Tom
Welcome
GATHERING SONGS LOVE LIFTED ME
1 I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Refrain:
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.
2 All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling,
In his blessed presence live, ever his praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true merits my soul’s best songs;
Faithful loving service, too, to Him belongs. [Refrain]
3 Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love out of the angry waves;
He’s the master of the sea, billows His will obey;
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today. [Refrain]
THE MASTER’S CALL—by Dave and Buck
THREE WOODEN CROSSES—by Dave and Buck
THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: People of God, let us come into God’s house with humble hearts!
People: For in Christ God has shown us the foolishness of human wisdom.
Pastor: Yet God’s love for us is so great Christ calls us into God’s family
People: Righteous not by our doing but by the cross and the wisdom of God,
Pastor: Let us be humble, but let us also proclaim loudly the mercy of God.
People: Blessed be the name of the Lord!
WELCOME TO WORSHIP
Equip
PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Pastor: Gracious God,
People: so often we have allowed ourselves to believe the wisdom and the honors of this world to be more important to us than You are. Too often we may even have known the foolishness of our choices yet we still turned away from You. Forgive us, Lord, and give us the courage to stand alone if need be, in order to be faithful and true to Your will for our lives. In Christ we pray. Amen.
(Silence for reflection and personal confession)
Pastor:Put an end to oppression, to contempt and to evil talk, and God’s favor will shine on you like the morning sun. Your wounds will be quickly healed. God will be with you to save you, and the Spirit’s presence will protect you on every side. Sisters and Brothers, your sins are forgiven; be at peace.
People: Thanks be to God!
PASSING OF THE PEACE
SONG OF PRAISE THE MAN FROM GALILEE—by Dave and Buck
TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS
Isaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12]
1 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.
2 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 want God on their side.
3 “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.
4 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.
5 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?
6 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
7 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?
8 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. 9a Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.”
Psalm 112
1Hallelujah! Happy are they who fear the Lord
and have great delight in God’s commandments!
2Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3Wealth and riches will be in their house,
and their righteousness will last forever.
4Light shines in the darkness for the upright;
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
1 Corinthians 2:1-12
Though people such as the Corinthians are enamored with human philosophy and wisdom, Paul continuously presents God’s hidden wisdom which is Jesus Christ crucified. True spiritual maturity involves judging ourselves and others in light of God’s revelation in the cross.
1When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. 2For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 4My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
6Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. 7But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION THY WORD
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
And a light unto my path; you’re the light unto my path
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encourages his followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, doing good works and keeping God’s commandments.
[Jesus said:] 13“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18For 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. 19Therefore, 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. 20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
SPECIAL MUSIC Joy Choir — For the Beauty of the Earth by Dennis Allen
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Adult message 5 EPIPHANY – 2.8.26 – MATTHEW 5:13-20
There are all kinds of theories about how to motivate people.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton hadn’t won a game in eight weeks. A critical member of the press was suggesting that he be dropped from the starting rotation. The future looked bleak, and Sutton felt terrible. Then, before a game, Dodgers manager Walter Alston tapped him on the shoulder. “I’d like to speak with you, Don,” he said. Sutton prepared himself for the worst.
“Don,” said Alston, “I know how the past couple of months have been for you. Everyone’s wondering whether we can make it to the play-offs . . . You know there’s a lot of pressure . . . I’ve had to make a decision.” Sutton had visions of being taken off the mound. Then Alston continued. “If the Dodgers are going to win this year,” he said, looking Sutton in the eye, “they’re going to win with Don Sutton pitching. Come what may, you’re staying in the starting job. That’s all I wanted to say.”
Sutton’s losing streak lasted two more weeks, but because of his manager’s encouragement he felt different about it. Something in him was turning around. He found himself pitching the best ball of his career. In the National League pennant drive, he won 13 games out of 14.
There are all kinds of theories about how to motivate people. We can do it through guilt, through fear, through shame. But these were not Jesus’ methods. Jesus motivated through positive messages of hope and encouragement.
Consider our lesson for today. Jesus says to his followers, “You are the light of the world. . . .” Can you imagine that? Here was a motley crew of farmers and fishermen and tax collectors and housewives in a tiny and remote village in an obscure part of the world and Jesus was saying to them, “You are the light of the world.” Talk about a statement of faith! Let’s go farther than that. Talk about a crazy idea! Light of the world? That bunch? It must have sounded absurd at the time even to them. Only Jesus could have seen that through this motley crew God would indeed change the world forever. At the time, however, it probably sounded like so much idle chatter. “You are the light of the world,” he said and so they were. Now do you want to hear something really absurd? So are we.
Jesus says to us this morning that WE are the light of the world. Think about that for a moment. Sink your teeth into it savor it. You and I are the light of the world. What does it mean? Well, let me suggest some possibilities.
It means, first of all, that we have a responsibility for the world. That makes sense, doesn’t it? We are the light of the world. A light house steers ships away from the rocks. A light bulb lights up a room. Light does not exist for its own glory but to brighten up the world. That is the first thing Jesus is saying to us: We have a responsibility for the world.
I was reading recently about one of the most remarkable young men whoever lived. He was a young man who had been left blind in both eyes by a childhood accident. In nineteenth-century France, when this young man lived, blind children had little help and few hopes. But then a kind priest, Father Jacques Palluy, took an interest in the lad. He was amazed at the boy’s intelligence and eagerness to learn. With his parents’ permission, Father Palluy enrolled the boy in the Royal Institute of Blind Youth in Paris.
Thrust into a new and frightening environment, the boy was lonely and depressed. In time, however, he found friendship and encouragement. Unfortunately he was frustrated by the institute’s lack of books in raised print. He also found the symbols in raised print confusing. So, he set out, at twelve years of age, to invent his own system. After three years he perfected the method, but he encountered indifference and hostility when he tried to convince the world that his system was better. Even with the support of the institute’s director, he was told again and again that he was too young to have created a workable alphabet for the blind.
Years passed. This young man grew older, was made a teacher at the institute, and became a fine organist, always hoping that his method would find acceptance. But his health was frail. It was not until he lay in bed, dying of tuberculosis, that he heard that the first steps were being taken to popularize his system. Though he did not live to witness it, Louis Braille’s alphabet became the universal method of reading for the blind. His courage and hunger for knowledge enabled him to triumph over disability and disease and open new worlds to future generations.
Louis Braille became light for those whose physical eyes had failed them. How wonderful it is when a young person sets out to make the world a better place. Some of you can remember when the pulpits of this nation sounded with the call for young men and women to go out as missionaries to be light to a world of darkness. We don’t sound that trumpet as we once did. We don’t call people to really sacrifice all they have and all they are for the good of humanity ” and it is sad. We are the light of the world. We have a responsibility for the world.
We also have something that the world desperately needs. That is the second thing Jesus was saying when he said that we are the light of the world. We have something the world cannot find anywhere else.
Mother Teresa was speaking to persons who had come to meet her from all over the world. Among the groups to which she spoke was one of religious sisters from many North American orders. After her talk she asked if there were any questions. “Yes, I have one,” a woman sitting near the front said. “As you know, most of the orders represented here have been losing members. It seems that more and more women are leaving all the time. And yet your order is attracting thousands upon thousands. What do you do?”
Without hesitating Mother Teresa answered, “I give them Jesus.”
“Yes I know,” said the woman, “but take habits, for example. Do your women object to wearing habits? And the rules of the order, how do you do it?”
“I give them Jesus,” Mother Teresa replied.
“Yes, I know Mother,” said the woman, “but can you be more specific?”
“I give them Jesus,” Mother Teresa repeated again.
“Mother,” said the woman, “we are all of us aware of your fine work. I want to know about something else.”
Mother Teresa said quietly, “I give them Jesus. There is nothing else.”
What do we have that the world can’t find anywhere else? All we have is the person of Jesus Christ.
We are often reminded that we live in a pluralistic world. Today there are persons of many religious backgrounds who are calling our country their home. And we can learn many things from our new neighbors. If someone should ask you, though, what is distinctive about Christianity, let me suggest you do as Mother Teresa did. Give them Jesus.
The greatest heresy current today is that all religions are the same. Certainly, all of the world’s great religions have something worthwhile to offer. You can find help in all of them. But what you cannot find is the story of the Prodigal Son, or the Good Samaritan or the Rich Fool. There is no higher order of life than that which Jesus taught. Christianity as an institution might not be too appealing at times, but if you understand the life and teachings of Jesus, he has no peer. Literally. We have a responsibility for the world. We also have something the world cannot find anywhere else. This brings us to the last thing to be said.
We are not the source of our light; we are but reflectors of a much greater source. There is One who has touched our lives and given us the power and the authority to touch others.
Eric Butterworth once told about a college professor who had his sociology class go into the Baltimore slums to get case histories of 200 young boys. The students were asked to write an evaluation of each boy’s future. In every case the students wrote, “He hasn’t got a chance.”
Twenty-five years later another sociology professor came across the earlier study. He had his students follow up on the project to see what had happened to these boys. With the exception of 20 boys who had moved away or died, the students learned that 176 of the remaining 180 had achieved extraordinary success as lawyers, doctors and businessmen.
The professor was astounded and decided to pursue the matter further. Fortunately, all the men were in the area and he was able to ask each one, “How do you account for your success?” In each case the reply came with feeling, “There was a teacher.”
That teacher was still alive, so he sought her out and asked the elderly but still alert woman what magic formula she had used to pull these boys out of the slums into successful achievement. The teacher’s eyes sparkled and her lips broke into a gentle smile. “It’s really very simple,” she said. “I loved those boys.” No wonder those boys succeeded. Their teacher loved them.
Once there was a teacher who also loved his students. He saw possibilities in them that no one else saw in them. He saw possibilities in them they did not see in themselves. “You are the light of the world,” he said to them. And so they became light to the world. The love they received from him they passed on to others. Today there is no place in this world that the light they received from him does not shine. Because of fierce persecution, it is sometimes only a faint flicker. Sometimes because of the weaknesses of his followers the fire is uncertain and tentative, but still it glows. And now it is in your possession and mine. We are the light of the world.
“One night at the end of a special Saturday night worship service,” writes Warren Hudson of Ontario, Canada, “a thunderstorm unleashed a bolt of lightning that plunged the church into darkness.” With the congregation seated in total darkness, the pastor felt his way to the kitchen to find some candles. The pastor handed out the candles to everyone present. Persons lit their candles in much the same way as many churches do on Christmas Eve, each person lighting the candle of the person next to them. The worshipers then made their way through the church’s winding hallways to the front door.
“Peering out, we could see the rain coming down in sheets,” Warren remembers. With traffic snarled, people were running for the nearest shelter. Looking around they realized that the entire city was in darkness. “There in the darkness we stood,” Warren writes, “a little band of Christians, each clutching a light, not sure whether to venture out into the storm or stay inside the church in hopes that the storm would soon blow over.”
There in the darkness the light of truth struck him. In this most dramatic way he realized what it means to be the “light of the world.” He writes, “It occurred to me then that this is the temptation I face every day. It is easy to play it safe and be a good Christian in church. It is a lot harder to venture out in faith into the storms of the world.”
I don’t believe that I am being overly dramatic when I say there are people in this world who are lost in darkness and they’re looking for a light – any light – to lead them to spiritual, emotional and mental safety. How about your light? Is it shining? Could they find their way home because of you? You and I are the light of the world. We have a responsibility for the world. We have what the world desperately needs. We are not the source of the light but merely reflectors – reflectors of the true light of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Illustrations and ideas of King Duncan used by permission from
Sermon and Worship Resources @ sermons.com
SERMON SONG THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
1) This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine; (X3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
2) Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine; (X3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
3) Won’t let Satan blow it out; I’m going to let it shine; (X3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
3) Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes; I’m going to let it shine; (X3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Respond
AFFIRMING OUR FAITH Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of the Church
P: Trusting that God hears us, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.
A brief silence.
P: Holy God, it is your desire that all people might come to know you intimately. Lead our communities into deeper relationship with you. May your church radiate your righteousness to all whom we encounter. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
P: God of life, you reveal your saving love to us through the power of your Spirit. Bless those among us who are preparing to encounter your invigorating will in a new way. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
P: Confident that you are able to accomplish more than we even dare to ask, we bring these prayers before you, believing in your saving grace revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
WE WORSHIP GOD THROUGH OUR GIVING
Next, we will receive the gifts of forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation from our Lord Jesus, and respond gratefully with our offerings. Offering plates are in the front next to the aisle for your gifts. You may also donate online on the website, by text (the phone number is on the website), by mail, or personally deliver it to the office. Lives are changed through the ministry enabled by your gifts. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in the Gospel. Let us pray
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Leader: O God, open our ears and hearts to hear your call to follow Jesus. Receive and bless our lives and these gifts – may they be devoted to sharing the love of Christ with all whom we meet. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
People: Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
LORDS PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
COMMUNION SONGS HOW GREAT THOU ART
1 O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed;
Refrain
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
how great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
how great thou art! How great thou art!
2 And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
that on the cross my burden gladly bearing
he bled and died to take away my sin; Refrain
3 When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
and there proclaim, “My God, how great thou art!” Refrain
JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE
1 I am weak but thou art strong: Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long, as I walk, dear Lord, close to thee.
Refrain Just a closer walk with thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea;
daily walking close to thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
2 Thru’ this world of toil and snares, if I falter Lord who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but thee, dear Lord, none but thee. Refrain
3 When my feeble life is o’er, and time for me will be no more;
guide me gently, safely o’er
to thy kingdom dear Lord, to thy shore. Refrain
Text: North American traditional
IN THE GARDEN
I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses…
Refrain And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
He speaks and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that he gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing . . . Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Thou the night around me be falling
But He bids me to through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling . . .Refrain
Words and Music by C. Austin Miles, 1912
Send
Benediction Song As You Go on your way
As you go on your way may Christ go with you.
May he go before you to show you the way;
May he go behind you to encourage you;
Beside you to befriend you;
Above you to watch over;
Within you to give you peace.
In the name of the Father, Son and Spirit. Amen.
Announcements
Streams Theme song
See the streams of living waters,
springing from eternal love,
well supply your sons and daughters,
and all fear of want remove.
Who can faint while such a river
ever will their thirst assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the giver,
never fails from age to age.
SENDING BLESSING
Leader: Greet your worshiping neighbor. Go in peace and
Serve One Another!
People: Thanks be to God!!!
Closing Song AMAZING GRACE
1 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
was blind, but now I see.
2 ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
3 Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
’tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
4 When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Then when we first begun
1 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
was blind, but now I see.