Call to Worship from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Grace and peace to you.
And also to you.
Let us receive the message of God’s good news this morning with power
And in the Holy Spirit.
Let us receive the word with joy,
And let us proclaim the word with conviction.
Let us receive all who have gathered with whole-hearted welcome
As we worship a living and true God.

Prayer (Reflecting on Matthew 22:15-22)

Sovereign God,
We live in a complicated world, with many people and powers demanding our allegiance.
We want to live with stability and ease, doing what we should and avoiding conflicts.
And we long to be faithful to the way taught by Jesus—
A way that sometimes puts us in conflict with worldly powers;
A way that has been known to lead people to do things they “shouldn’t;”
A way that threatens to transform ease into difficulty;
A way that promises life abundant and eternal, but not stability.
Guide us and empower us by your Spirit as we seek to give to you all that is truly yours.
Amen