Living in Hope

Today’s sermon is based on the parable in Matthew chapter 13 which is often referred to as the parable of the Weeds and the Wheat. The slaves of a farmer ask him if he wants them to pull the weeds. He says “No” because they may thereby harm the wheat. He, the farmer, will separate them at the end of time. The puzzle is, “who are the weeds and who are the wheat”?

A key to this riddle is that Jesus, during his ministry, favors those whom others would judge to be weeds – repentant “sinners and tax collectors”. Those who are considered to be righteous he condemns as hypocrites. Repentant sinners rely on God’s grace for justification. The self-righteous rely on themselves, thinking God’s love is reserved for them. Our Hope rests on what God accomplished for us in Jesus Christ. Faith in him, rather than our imperfect attempts to satisfy the law, enables us to live in hope in the midst of a world where evil remains a powerful force.

WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP

Prelude: “Introspection”, Richard Purvis, “When the Morning Gilds the Skies “, Stanley Saxton

Welcome and Announcements

Greeting Hymn: “When the Morning Gilds the Skies”

Apostolic Greeting

Hymn of Praise

Prayer of the Day

First Reading: Isaiah 44:6-8

Second Reading: Romans 8:12-25

Anthem: “O Sing, to God Above”, Carlos Rosas

Children’s Time

Gospel Acclamation and Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Sermon: “Living in Hope” Pastor Dan Severson

Sermon Hymn: “On What Has Now Been Sown”

Apostles Creed

Prayers of Intercession

The Lord’s Prayer

Installation of the Church Council

Offering and Offertory “Rondo”, Beethoven

Offering Response and Prayer of Thanksgiving

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “Morning Has Broken”

Dismissal

Postlude: “When the Morning Gilds the Skies”, Dale Wood