Cycle A Epiphany 6 Lectionary 6

February 16, 2014 Confession

Sunday Title:  Excess Sunday 

Sermon Title: “Excelling Righteousness”

Previously:

Scripture Cuttings:

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity.

Psalm 119:1-8 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!    

1 Corinthians 3:1-9 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. 

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

Matthew 5:21-37 You have heard that it was said…. But I say to you….

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  As God’s people, we know God calls us to live faithfully. (pause to remember Jesus began his ministry proclaiming: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.-Matthew 4:17)

  Lord, your faithfulness rises before us...

C: yet we are slow to walk in your ways.

  We consider prosperity our earned reward,

    and forget that all we have is gift from you,

You give our lives order with decrees, statutes and commandments.

  But we choose paths leading to chaotic demise.

We do not study your word,

  and do not understand the letter of the law

    nor encounter the Spirit in which it is given.

Save, O Lord, your people.

Save us from our unrighteousness: what we see

and what we evade.  (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  Lord...

C: strengthen our faithfulness. Amen.

P:  God chooses life, God chooses righteousness, God chooses right-relationship. God chooses to reveal salvation to us through his Son Jesus Christ. For Christ’s sake our sins are forgiven. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we may grow out of our infancy in Christ and become servants working together for God’s glory. In the name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!