Transformed by Hope

In today’s text from Isaiah and the parable from Matthew, the kingdom of God is represented metaphorically as a great wedding feast. Isaiah proclaims that God is preparing a feast for all people. Sorrow will be no more and death will be swallowed up forever. In the parable, Jesus compares the people who rejected his invitation to experience the blessings of God’s kingdom to those who rejected an invitation to a wedding feast for the king’s son. This is a reference to the fact that the villages in Galilee did not take his message seriously.

The question is, why would people reject such a hopeful message? Probably because it’s hard to accept a hopeful message after having been negatively affected by evil and suffering.

The darkness of the world can cause us to become apathetic and cynical. Jesus does not want us to cave in to the effects of sin and evil. Rather, he wishes to transform our lives through hope. Hope enables us to rise above the darkness of the world and spread light.

WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP

Prelude: “Dresden Suite”, Heinrich Schutz

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Hymn: “Now the Feast and Celebration”

Apostolic Greeting

Hymn of Praise

Prayer of the Day

First Reading: Isaiah 25:1-9

Second Reading: Philippians 4:1-9

Anthem: “For Such a Time as This”, Joseph Martin

Children’s Time

Gospel Acclamation and Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

Sermon: “Transformed by Hope”, Pastor Dan Severson

Sermon Hymn: “Praise to You, O God of Mercy”

Apostles Creed

Prayers of Intercession

Offering and Offertory Music: “Morning Has Broken”, Gaelic Tune

Offering Response and Prayer

The Great Thanksgiving

The Words of Institution

The Lord’s Prayer

Angus Dei

Communion Distribution

Post Communion Prayer

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “Oh Sing to the Lord”

Dismissal

Postlude: “Autumn, from the Four Seasons”, Vivaldi, and “Autumn, from the Creation”, Haydn