Join Us for a Service of Worship
Sunday, February 9, 2020 11:00 AM
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Scriptures include: Isaiah 58:1-12 and Matthew 5:13-20
Rev. Dr. Libby Grammer will preach a sermon entitled “Transforming Worship”
Jesus tells us in our Gospel lesson that we are to be the light of the world. But how do we do that? I believe it starts with recognizing what it is God wants and expects from us. The prophet Isaiah (and most other prophets…and Jesus in the line of the prophets) tell us that we make empty promises when we show up for worship or fast and pray while we oppress and harm others, or ignore injustices in this world.
Isaiah says in our passage for this Sunday that God expects our worship to be a catalyst for transformation, not an act we do simply for piety’s sake. Whatever worship looks like for us – whether highly liturgical or contemporary praise, God says none of it matters if it doesn’t fundamentally change who we are so that we love more like God does. So – do we come to worship for our own comforts and enjoyment, or do we come to worship for a challenge from a transforming God?