June 28th 2020

June 28th Worship Bulletin

Worship – July 28, 2020

Hello and welcome to worship today June 28thPlease click the link to for worship bulletin.https://riverofhopehutchinson.org/…/wor…/Get ready for communion, say hi to each other… we are so glad you are here!

Posted by River of Hope Lutheran ELCA – Hutchinson, MN on Sunday, June 28, 2020

 

Amos 5:21-24

Monday, June 8, 2020

Amos 5:21-24
I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon.
Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

I want to spend time this week looking at scripture that have been used by those who have fought for justice since these verses were written.

Today’s verse is from a book we don’t read very often – the prophet Amos. These verses are familiar because we sing them often. But here’s some background.

Amos, a shepherd from a small town in the Northern kingdom of Israel, was called by God to speak truth to the religious and political leaders of the day. Remember, being a prophet does not mean that you know the future. It does mean that you are called to speak God’s truth. Amos was called to speak at a time when the kingdom of Israel was doing very well – they were gaining land and wealth from neighbors, but they had forgotten who they were.
They forgot the heart of God. Justice – not false piety.
Mercy – not empty offerings.
Righteousness – not loud singing.

I love this verse because it just nails us right where we are at. In fact, if we don’t see ourselves in these verses, perhaps we need to read them again! These verses remind us that all of these things we do that we think please God are not important.

How we worship – not important. Where we worship – not important. What media we use – not important.

Do we show that we love God in our worship, however we do that – that’s important!

Do we love our neighbor – THAT’s important!

So, if loving our neighbor means keeping them safe by staying in place and continuing to worshiping in that is what we will do.

If loving our neighbor means we must speak out against racism and white supremacy – that that is what we will do.

There will be people who will be upset. That’s ok. They were upset when Amos first spoke these words. Amos didn’t speak them to gain their favor – neither do we.

People – God is doing a new thing in the world right now. Keep your eyes out for the amazing places you will see God’s love and justice pop up. Keep your eyes and ears open to hear from some of the unlikely prophets in our day – it may even be you!

And now, filled with God’s Holy Spirit, may you go out to speak the truth of God’s love for ALL people. Amen

John 20:19-22, 1 Corinthians 3:16

Monday, June 1, 2020

John 20:19-22
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Our focus for the last week has been on the words “I can’t breathe.” When I first heard about the horror that happened in front of Cup Foods a week ago tonight I was brought back to New York City in July of 2014. I was leading a group of youth from St Cloud on a servant learning trip and the news of Eric Garner’s death at the hands of the NYPD was all over the local news. Eric also cried out “I can’t breathe”. I was conscience of my breathe during that week, as we walked from one borough to another. I was conscience of my breathe as I needed to raise my voice in order to get the attention of 30+ students and adults from central Minnesota in the Big Apple.

Now, we are in the midst of a pandemic. A new virus that attacks organs – especially our lungs. Many people are struggling for breathe – but the effects of the virus pales in comparison to witnessing the life breathe being taken from a person at the hands of a police officer.

I don’t know who is reading this – who is watching this. As a woman from the dominant culture I know that I don’t have to worry about a police officer choking the life out of me because of the color of my skin. It is a privilege that I carry because of our deeply held, 400 year old cultural conviction that white people have more value than black people.

This is not a God given value – it is man-made and corporately supported through generations of silence.

Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians 3 what value God places on human life… Holy.

Jesus breathed into you, church just as he did into George Floyd, the presence of the Holy Spirit. George Floyd was God’s temple. We cannot allow the destruction of any temple of God to go unchallenged. We can no longer sit in silence, showing the world that we care more about being white than about being christian.

And so, church, may God’s Holy Spirit –dwelling in you – give you the will, the strength, and the power to go out and transform lives through Jesus Christ – all lives! Amen.

Let’s pray:
Holy God, giver of life, you have breathed into each of us the gift of your Holy Spirit transforming us into your temple. May we see YOU in each person. May the value of a person no longer be based on the color of their skin but on the fact that YOU dwell within them.
Be with the family of George Floyd and all who grieve his death. Be with the first responders as they maintain order in our nation’s cities. May their actions be just and their words be life giving.
Spur us on to be a force for change in our culture that we might see an end to systemic racism.
In Jesus name,
Amen.

1 John 4:7-12

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
1 John 4:7-12

We’ve been spending time for two weeks with the church of Corinth. A church in conflict over leadership, worship practices and who can claim to be the most spiritual. Paul seeks to resolve this conflict by reminding them of the basic principles of living lives as Jesus followers – including love.

The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians is a “go to” section when we need to figure out what love is – but another “go to” is the 1st letter of John – the 4th chapter.

The author lets us know that the source of love is God, and that by loving each other we actually SEE – experience – God’s presence among us!

Here’s the trick, love is not easy. It isn’t something you can just fall into or “figure out” without God.

You see, we learn how to love by spending time with God. Reading God’s word, prayer, worship and spending time with God’s people immerses us in God’s presence – and when we are immersed in God’s presence, we grow in love. Through the power of God’s Holy Spirit we are gifted with Godly love, the kind of love that does not seek its own way; the kind of love that has no hidden agenda; the kind of love that only seeks what is best for our neighbor.

Let’s pray:
Gracious God, fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we might know more of you love! May we be equipped to share that love with everyone we meet. Amen.

1 John 4:7-12

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
1 John 4:7-12

We’ve been spending time for two weeks with the church of Corinth. A church in conflict over leadership, worship practices and who can claim to be the most spiritual. Paul seeks to resolve this conflict by reminding them of the basic principles of living lives as Jesus followers – including love.

The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians is a “go to” section when we need to figure out what love is – but another “go to” is the 1st letter of John – the 4th chapter.

The author lets us know that the source of love is God, and that by loving each other we actually SEE – experience – God’s presence among us!

Here’s the trick, love is not easy. It isn’t something you can just fall into or “figure out” without God.

You see, we learn how to love by spending time with God. Reading God’s word, prayer, worship and spending time with God’s people immerses us in God’s presence – and when we are immersed in God’s presence, we grow in love. Through the power of God’s Holy Spirit we are gifted with Godly love, the kind of love that does not seek its own way; the kind of love that has no hidden agenda; the kind of love that only seeks what is best for our neighbor.

Let’s pray:
Gracious God, fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we might know more of you love! May we be equipped to share that love with everyone we meet. Amen.

1 Corinthians 1:10

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 1 Corinthians 1:10

If someone had come to you a year ago and told you what these last 8 weeks would be like, would you have believed them?

• Church doors would be closed and we would be
worshiping online
• Children would be going to school
• Toilet paper would be in short supply
• No one could visit loved ones in the hospital
• Unemployment would go to depression era levels
• Dentist offices would be closed – but liquor stores would
be essential…
• People would create plastic sheets with sleeves so they
could hug each other

The list goes on… and on

It is not only surreal, it is controversial. The practice of “staying at home” to control the spread of a deadly virus makes sense on first glance, but what happens to the people whose livelihoods depend upon the business that are now closed? What happens to the families who need to work to pay the bills and need to be with their children as they “go to school” at home?

Many people want to open everything and trust that people will make wise decisions. Others want to go slowly, having witnessed the pain and heartache that comes with this virus.

These conflicts have, in places elevated to arguments, demonstration and even violence.

Perhaps Paul’s words to the church in Corinth could help us now as well. The reason for the conflict is different, but way to resolution is the same: Keep your eyes on what’s really important.

Keep your eyes on what is most important, or, as Paul put it, “be united in purpose”. As a congregation, our purpose is to love God and love our neighbor. That’s it. Opening up the economy is one way to love our neighbor – as is staying home to stay safe. It isn’t an either or situation – it is about placing the needs of our neighbor over and above our own desires.

Let’s pray: Gracious God, keep our eyes focused on your love as we make decisions that affect the people around us. May we end division in the pursuit of caring for each other.
In Jesus’ name – Amen.

1 Corinthians 1:9

Monday, May 11, 2020

God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9

Tonight we continue with Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth. He writes to a church that is in deep conflict. Not with simply one issue, but many!

Conflict is inevitable in life. Conflict exists between friends, neighbors, spouses, family members and, yes, churches. This isn’t a new thing – it goes right back to the very early church.
This verse from the very beginning of a rather long book gives a glimpse into how we, as Jesus followers, look to handle conflict – by trusting in God.
Now, that doesn’t mean we don’t act… we do – but we act in HOPE – Seeking a resolution that is in the best interest of everyone involved – not simply ourselves.

The way of the cross demands that we look for ways that honor the person or people with whom we are in conflict. To the world that sounds just foolish – but to Jesus followers, it is the way of Christ.

We know that it is possible because God is faithful – God will walk with us, equip us and guide us into ways of seeking resolution that lifts up our neighbor – and doesn’t drag them down.

Let’s pray:
Faithful God, be with us when we find ourselves in conflict. Grant us wisdom to seek a resolution that honors the other person. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

These verses have always been troubling for me. There are times when it is simply too difficult to rejoice – or give thanks. But then, a dear friend reminded me that the verses does not suggest that I give thanks FOR all things, but IN all circumstances.

In the midst of difficult circumstances – like this current pandemic, or hearing of family members with heart attacks, or reading news headlines of a young man gunned down while jogging near his home because he was black, or… the list is long – Paul encourages us to find things to be thankful for.

That’s tough – sometimes – impossible.

Those are the times I rely on God working within me. When I cannot find hope, gratitude or joy on my own I AM grateful that I can turn to God in prayer for those things.
You, too, church, can turn to God and ask that the Holy Spirit fill you with joy, peace, and hope!

Let’s pray:
Gracious God, remind me that when I cannot find hope, joy or gratitude, YOU will fill me with your Spirit. May the power of your Spirit ground me in hope, joy and peace.
Amen.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

It is widely believed that this is the 1st letter that Paul wrote to the early church communities in the area around the Mediterranean Sea.
The letter to the people in Thessalonica (located in modern day Turkey) begins with Paul and Silas giving thanks to this young Christian community. These were Greeks, non-Jews who had been sitting on the sidelines of the Jewish community, hearing about their God who freed them from slavery and who answered the prayers of barren women. They listened to the stories of this God who called people by name – and they wanted to be a part of a community that worshiped a God like that. But the Jewish community would not let them in – and then came Paul and Silas, teaching that God had sent the Messiah – the One suffered, died and rose again so that they too might be brought into relationship with this same God. They were all in – followers of Jesus, giving radical hospitality to Paul and Silas in those early days.

Paul opens this letter with a heartfelt, sincere prayer of gratitude. Grateful for the Thessalonians faith, steadfastness and love.

So, here’s my question.

Who are you thankful for? Do they know? Have you told them? If there is one thing we’re learning in this time it is that we don’t know when we will get the opportunity to jump in a car and visit someone. We don’t know if we are going to be able to be with them if they get sick. We don’t know – a lot of things! But, what we do know is that there are people in our lives for whom we give thanks. Let’s be sure to tell them!

Let’s pray:
Gracious God, we are grateful for all the people you have placed in our lives. Give us the time, the words and the means to let them know how grateful we are! Amen.

Acts 3:2-5

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

As Peter and John approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. Acts 3:2-5

We continue with the story from Sunday. The story of John and Peter on their way to the temple and stopped by a beggar.
This beggar, unable to walk since birth, has only one way to make a living. He has chosen his spot – outside the temple where people of faith and compassion travel daily.

He was asking everyone for help, not really noticing who he was speaking to.

And then came Peter and John.

“Look at us”! they said, intently.

He looked – but he saw only from his limited perspective.

Peter was trying to say… Look at us, we don’t have any money.

Look at us, we’re not the typical people that come into this place.

Look at us, we actually have something MORE to offer, if you’re willing to see it.

What Peter and John had was the power of the Holy Spirit to transform the life of that beggar.

It is the same power that we have, River People. It is the same power that sends us out into the community to transform lives.

I see this power at work in you every day. Just a couple of hours ago I saw the Nelson family sharing their gift of music with all of us as they shared Beer and Hymns from their living room. It was their voice, their music – but the Holy Spirit working through them that transforms a community, physically distanced by this quarantine but united as one church!

I see this power at work in you when you share your gift of sewing to make masks for those who need them.

I see this power at work in you when you call to check in on people, or write letters or give financially to those who are in need.

God is at work, River people, transforming lives through YOU.
May we see God at work in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Let’s pray:
Gracious God, thank you for the privilege of working with you in transforming lives around us. Give us eyes to see you at work, and increase in us a desire to share your transforming love, generosity, compassion and mercy in new and creative ways. Amen.