Celebration in WorshipMartin Luther King, Jr. Sunday

January 20, 2019

We believe the words of Jesus: “I will never turn away anyone who comes to me.” John 6:37

PRELUDE Steal Away Freedom song, 1840sarr. by Raymond Haan

REFLECTION Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a spokesperson for a movement, for a spirit of truth and justice. He did not create it nor did he alone define it, but he gave voice to it. That same spirit of truth and justice was in Jesus, and it is the spirit that God gives to all of us. You and I may not be the public figurehead for that spirit, but we have a role to play in our own sphere of ministry. By remembering the life and ministry of Dr. King, may our own ministries be inspired.

PRAYER OF PREPARATION (Leader)Gracious God, we remember the gentle, patient courage of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We remember how he refused to barter justice or compromise your Word as he made the teachings of Jesus the rule for loving, refusing temptation to render an eye for an eye but rendering good for evil. In a spirit of non-violence he made witness to your Spirit of peace, offering the other cheek to those who taunted him and were blinded by hate. He followed Jesus' teachings and loved those who persecuted him. God, give us the courage to live by what we claim to believe, to accept the teachings of Jesus as codes of conduct rather than mere words that we voice in worship. Help us, God, to be inspired by the life of this man we remember today. May we always strive to pursue justice for all humankind. We ask you to empower us today that we may do the work of human rights, seek the equality of all, and teach love of one another by our words and actions together. Amen.

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTSThe Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Visitors, friends, members, welcome to worship! We are glad you are here. Please feel free to participate in ways that you feel led and comfortable if you would just like to observe. We welcome your presence and invite you to join us for coffee in the Fellowship Hall after the worship service.

*Congregation, please stand if you are able.

*THE CALL (Responsive) Kathleen BeisseLeader: Martin Luther King had a dream. The ideals of justice and freedom and the belief that all are created

equal in the eyes of God were the content of that dream. Let these words become the personal possession of each of us.

People: For Zion’s sake I will not keep quiet. I will not rest until the dream becomes my personal dream. 

Leader: Dr. King dreamt of a day when all people of all races and all nations can sit at a table as brothers and sisters. What is your dream?

All: My dream is that one day we will stop celebrating the dream and start living the dream – that it become a part of our daily living.

Leader: I have a dream.People: We also have a dream.Leader: What is your dream?All: We have a dream that the Holy Spirit will arouse in us that very flame of righteousness

that caused Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to become a living sacrifice for the freedom and liberation of all God’s children. Then I will be able to resist all injustice everywhere I see it, even in myself.

*HYMN 339 Lift Every Voice and Sing Glory to God Hymnal

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Jennifer Martin

CALL TO CONFESSION (Leader)Dr. King said, "We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. One who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us, and some bad in the best of us. When we realize this, we are less likely to hate our enemies. Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude; love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend." We, each of us, are guilty of some form of prejudice. We don't like it, we don't like to admit it, but it is there. We each harbor that speck within us that makes us feel superior to another. I invite you to confess your shortcomings at this time. Prepared by Desri Gilmore

SILENT PRAYER

REFLECTIONS ON THE LIFE OF REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. Dr. Lawrence RahsheedON THE CELEBRATION OF HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY African American Student Program Coordinator/Faculty

at Lane Community CollegeA COMMITMENT TO REPENTANCE (Unison)

I refuse to believe we are unable to influence the events that surround us. I refuse to believe that we are bound to racism and war and that peace and brotherhood and sisterhood are not possible. I believe that there is an urgent need for people to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression. I believe that we need to discover a way to live together in peace, a way that rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of this way is love. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. I believe that people everywhere should have three meals a day for their bodies, education for their minds, and dignity and freedom for their Spirit.I believe what self-centered people have torn down, other-centered people can build up.

Prepared by Desri GilmoreASSURANCE OF PARDON (Leader)

By the goodness of God at work within God’s people,With the Grace of Jesus prevailing in our hearts,And by the action of the Holy Spirit,We know that brokenness can be healed,That the lion and the lamb shall lie down together,And we shall turn our weapons to plowshares,And everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid.

All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven and restored to new life. Desri Gilmore

CHORAL RESPONSE 469 Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying Glory to God Hymnal

*THE PEACE Now following the example of Dr. King and the teachings of Jesus, greet your neighbor extending the fellowship of peace:

The peace of the Lord be with you…And also with you.

SCRIPTURE READING I Corinthians 12:1-31

This is the witness of scripture.Thanks be to God.

ANTHEM Oh Freedom Spiritual, arr. Charles Lloyd Jr.Oh, freedom, No more weeping, no more weeping,Oh freedom over me. No more weeping, over me.And before I'd be a slave, And before I'd be a slave,

I'd be buried in my grave, I'd be buried in my grave,And go home to my Lord and be free. And go home to my Lord and be free.

SERMON A Common Good Lorne Bostwick, Teaching Elder

*HYMN 203 Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love Glory to God Hymnal

AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) The Confession of 1967God has created the peoples of the earth to be one universal family. With reconciling love, God overcomes the barriers between brothers and sisters and breaks down every form of discrimination based on racial or ethnic difference, real or imaginary. The church is called to bring all people to receive and uphold one another as persons in all relationships of life: in employment, housing, education, leisure, marriage, family, church, and the exercise of political rights. Therefore the church labors for the abolition of all racial discrimination and ministers to those injured by it. Congregations, individuals, or groups of Christians who exclude, dominate, or patronize others, however subtly, resist the Spirit of God and bring contempt on the faith which they profess.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLEOur time of prayer is open to all. Please remember to address your prayer to God: “God, we are grateful for...” “Lord, please provide healing for my friend...” “Graceful One, the troubles of the world are in your hand…” We encourage prayers for the world, the nation, our neighbors, our church, our friends and family, for justice, and peace.

AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (Unison)Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread,And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

AN INVITATION TO OFFERING (Leader)What we offer to God is not simply money. We offer our values, our commitments, our hopes and our dreams, that they may be joined with Christ and Christ’s reconciling work in the world.

OFFERTORY I Want Jesus to Walk with Me Spiritual, arr. by Lynn Petersen

*DOXOLOGY Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, the source of all our gifts!Praise God, all creatures here below. Praise Christ, whose mighty power uplifts!Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)

Grant, O God, that these gifts today may be used for a common good. As we share in the remembrance of the ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the legacy of black Presbyterians, may your Spirit bless these gifts that they too may bear witness to Christ our savior. Amen.

*CLOSING HYMN 379 We Shall Overcome Glory to God Hymnal

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE A New Name in Glory Spiritual, arr. for theater organ by Diane Bish

CCLI 1023827

January 20, 2019

A Common Good

Rev. Lorne Bostwick

555 East 15th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401email:centralpresbyterianeugene@gmail.com

www.centraleugene.church541- 345-8724

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