WORD for the Week for January 5, 2020
Second Sunday after Christmas
TENACIOUS SOLIDARITY

Beginning Sunday, January 5: A Sermon Series Exploring Social Justice & the Psalms

With whom do you have solidarity? How do we develop tenacious solidarity with others during this time of division, intolerance, and injustice?

In this series, we will explore what it means to stand in solidarity with one another and with God. We'll be studying the Psalms, and our LYFE Groups will be using a book by Walter Brueggermann called Finding Solidarity . Finding solidarity rooted in faith in a God who empowers us to love our neighbors will help us to build bridges.
COME AND WORSHIP
Sabbath Beginnings – Sacred Journey – Traditional Worship
WORD for Sabbath Beginnings 8am
Scripture Text: Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)

Worship Leader: Rev. Dwight Haberman

Holy Communion : What’s this Epiphany? In the Christian Church it is a time to see in the arrival of the Wise Men in Bethlehem; the first sign that Jesus came to the gentiles  as well as the Jews. For we who
are Methodists, it is often a time to recommit ourselves to allow God’s will to be fulfilled in us, as we share in Wesley’s Covenant Service. We pray,”I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service” as we did this past Sunday in our sanctuary worship. Epiphany is also the bridge between Advent/Christmas and Lent- a time to deepen your understanding of what the life and ministry of Jesus can mean for your life.
WORD for Sacred Journey 8:30am
Scripture Text: Matthew 2:1-12 (The MESSAGE)

The Story: Rev. Frenchye Magee

Reflection:  

Happy New Year!

It’s Epiphany Sunday and Sacred Journey begins 2020 with conversations about big issues and beloved community. Let’s face it, right now there aren’t too many issues bigger than the role of religion in our post-modern lives. The Christ-event divided human history into eras and eventually created the institutional church. But, today as more people share their open disillusionment with organized religion, what is the role of those who follow Jesus? How do we build bridges where so many see barriers? How do we form the beloved community that the ancient prophets described, and that all creation is longing to experience? Who are our partners in this sacred work? We’ll hear the story of the “Wise Men” from the Gospel of Matthew and see what insights are waiting to be revealed from the Epiphany story. Do you know someone who is looking for a place to ask faithful questions? Invite them to join you at Sacred Journey. All are welcome!
WORD for Traditional Worship 10am
World Communion Sunday
Scripture Text: Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)

Preaching: Rev. Judy Zabel

Sermon:  Tenacious Solidarity: Resisting Fear

Reflection: This week we begin a new sermon series. The title is borrowed from a book by the same title written by Walter Bruggemann. It is a good read. Bruggemann is masterful in weaving biblical texts with issues of our day. He asks us to confront difficult questions within ourselves as individuals but also of those who seek to live in beloved community with others. I commend the book to you. We will not be preaching directly from Bruggemann. We will delve into scripture texts to explore the themes of fear, immigration, climate change and race relations. We will ask lots of questions of the scripture texts AND we will ask questions of each other. What does it mean to be in tenacious solidarity as we confront fear, immigration, climate change, and racism? We will not all agree about any of these things but will we find a tenacious solidarity in our willingness to have the conversations together? I hope so. Our witness in the world depends on our willingness to engage with the world around us in meaningful ways.  

This week, we will explore fear. Herod was full of fear. He sent the wise men to Bethlehem on a deadly mission. They were supposed to come back to Herod with information about where the new king could be found. They chose to go home another way. What can we learn from them? What gave them the courage to resist?  

Bring a friend with you to worship this week. 2020 is going to be a great year!   

WORSHIP BULLETIN ARCHIVE

The Bible In Your Hands

You're invited to "dig deeper." Here are a handful of resources:

Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church resources:
Worship Bulletins  | online archive of HAUMC worship bulletins
Sermon Recordings  | HAUMC Sacred Journey and Traditional Worship sermon recordings
Devotional Ministry  | HAUMC seasonal daily devotional ministry

Scripture exegesis and commentary resources:
Bible Gateway  | the Bible in hundreds of translations (NRSV, CEB, The Message, etc.)
BibleHub  | parse out the original Hebrew (OT) and Greek (NT)
Enter the Bible  | historical/cultural context for each book of the Bible from Luther Seminary
Oxford Biblical Studies  | historical/cultural context for each book of the Bible from Oxford
Working Preacher  | read and listen to lectionary commentary from Luther Seminary faculty

Art and Music resources:
Art in the Christian Tradition  | The Jean and Alexander Heard Divinity Library at Vanderbilt
Hymnary  | a resource for both modern and traditional worship music and hymns
Sing for Joy  | a worship music and hymn resource from St. Olaf College
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