MICAH 6.8

Pride Falls Twenty—Second Sunday in Ordinary Time — Proper Seventeen — Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost August 21, 2022 A Liturgy For Worship And Meditation Song "'Tis a Gift To Be Simple" (Click Here For Music) Judy Collins, vocalist Old American Folk Tune, Attrib. to the Shakers 'Tis a gift to be simple 'tis a gift to be free 'Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be And when we get to the place that’s right We’ll be in the valley of love atnd delight. When true simplicity is gained To bow and to bend we shall not be ashamed To turn, to turn will be our delight Till by turning, turning we come round right. Prayer O God, your desire has always been that all of your creation might be made whole, and live abundantly and freely in your presence. Center our hearts and minds that we may be prepared to receive the gifts you so freely give to all, and empower us to share with others from grateful hearts, so that all may know your love and gracious provisions, and that there will be justice and peace on earth. Amen. Confession We confess, O God, that we love attention. We are pleased when people single us out for something good that we have done, for some outstanding act or trait of kindness that we exhibit. We revel in the light; but the seductive light too often captures us and we seek its brightness and glory and turn our backs on others in need. We have been given many gifts, but have failed to use them to help others and to serve you. Forgive us our vanity and greed. Heal our wounded and aching souls. Place us again on the pathway of peace and justice that is your way to true life. Amen. Words of Assurance You have lifted us and dusted us off, O God. You have claimed us as your own. Let us celebrate your love for us in lives of service to others; for you are with us always. Amen. Prayer God of power and justice, like Jeremiah you weep over those who wander from you, turn aside to other gods, and enter into chaos and destruction. By your tears and through your mercy, teach us your ways and write them on our hearts so that we may follow faithfully the path you show us. Amen. Jeremiah 2:4-13 2:4 Hear the word of God, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 2:5 Thus says God: What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves? 2:6 They did not say, "Where is the God who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that no one passes through, where no one lives?" 2:7 I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things. But when you entered you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination. 2:8 The priests did not say, "Where is God?" Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit. 2:9 Therefore once more I accuse you, says God, and I accuse your children's children. 2:10 Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing. 2:11 Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit. 2:12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says God, 2:13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water. Psalm 81:1, 10-16 81:1 Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob. 81:10 I am the Holy One your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. 81:11 "But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. 81:12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. 81:13 O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! 81:14 Then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their foes. 81:15 Those who hate God would cringe within, and their doom would last forever. 81:16 I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you." Sirach 10:12-18 10:12 The beginning of human pride is to forsake God; the heart has withdrawn from its Maker. 10:13 For the beginning of pride is sin, and the one who clings to it pours out abominations. Therefore God brings upon them unheard calamities, and destroys them completely. 10:14 The God overthrows the thrones of rulers, and enthrones the lowly in their place. 10:15 The God plucks up the roots of the nations, and plants the humble in their place. 10:16 The God lays waste the lands of the nations, and destroys them to the foundations of the earth. 10:17 The Holy One removes some of them and destroys them, and erases the memory of them from the earth. 10:18 Pride was not created for human beings, or violent anger for those born of women. Proverbs 25:6-7 25:6 Do not put yourself forward in the royalties presence or stand in the place of the great; 25:7 for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. Psalm 112 112:1 Praise God! Happy are those who revere the Holy One, who greatly delight in God's commandments. 112:2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed 112:3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. 112:4 They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous. 112:5 It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice. 112:6 For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever. 112:7 They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Most High. 112:8 Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. 112:9 They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor. 112:10 The wicked see it and are angry; they gnash their teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked comes to nothing. Song "When I Needed A Neighbor, Were You There?" (Click Here For Music) Author: Sydney Carter (1965) NEIGHBOUR (Carter): Sydney Carter (1965) When I needed a neighbour, were you there, were you there? When I needed a neighbour, were you there? Refrain: And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter, were you there? I was hungry and thirsty, were you there, were you there? I was hungry and thirsty, were you there? [Refrain] I was cold, I was naked, were you there, were you there? I was cold, I was naked, were you there? [Refrain] When I needed a shelter, were you there, were you there? When I needed a shelter, were you there? [Refrain] When I needed a healer, were you there, were you there? When I needed a healer, were you there? [Refrain] Wherever you travel I'll be there, I'll be there, wherever you travel I'll be there. [Refrain] Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 13:1 Let mutual love continue. 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 13:3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." 13:6 So we can say with confidence, "God is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" 13:7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 13:8 Jesus, the Anointed and Neloved One, Begotten in love, is the same yesterday and today and forever. 13:15 Through Jesus, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess God's name. 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Luke 14:1, 7-14 14:1 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 14:7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 14:8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 14:9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 14:10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 14:11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." 14:12 He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 14:13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14:14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." The parable of Jesus is readily understood. It is a straight-forward lesson in the the dynamics of pride and haughtiness as opposed to respectfulness and humbleness. The one who claim the best seats reveal their arrogance. The ones who become honored reveal their simple meekness. Likewise, it is readily apparant when we search for examples of people today who fit into these roles. It is an exercise that quickly becomes political in terms of our current national and international context. I mean, how can we read these words of Jesus without some people coming immediately to mind? Thus, we do well to keep our understanding and practice of the text from entering that political arena, because as soon as we do, the parable becomes a story of how we are the arrogant. It is best to keep the heart of the message central and not be tempted to name names. At its core, the parable—like other teachings of Jesus and the Hebrew Scriptures—tell of a grand reversal. This reversal is God's way of bringing justice to our world. Even though the people noted in the text are choosing for themselves where they will sit, it is an action of God's will that turns the table on such cultural and societal systems. There are times in our own lives that express this reality. When have we choosen the best only to end up with something lesser? When have we choosen the lesser to end up with the best? The feast, as in most instances, we can assume is a wedding celebration. Such events are rich in symbolism. They look forward to the marriage feast when the people become fully faithful in their love of God and love of one another. It is the celestral marriage of humankind to the Creator, Redeemer, and Perfecter. Hence, it is a context wherein everything that has gone awry has been fixed, everything that has turned away has been reoriented. This is the heart of the message. There will be a time when turning the world upside down everything will be made right. The Kin-Dom of God, with its wellness in the (w)holistic justice and peace of heaven with dwell of earth. The first shall be last. The last shall be first. As in Mary's song: “My soul magnifies God, the Holy One, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for God has looked with favor on the lowly state of this servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is God's name; indeed, mercy is for those who revere the Holy One with the utmost repsect, from generation to generation. God has shown strength, God the Almighty One; the proud have been scattered in the imagination of their hearts. the powerful have been broight down from their thrones and the lowly have been lifted up; the hungry has been filled with good things and the rich have been sent away empty. God has come to the aid ofIsrael, like a parent to a child, in remembrance of God's mercy, according to the promise made to our ancestors, to Abraham and Sarah and to their descendants forever.” (—NRSV, adapted for inclusive language) If I had to summarize the parable in one word, I sense deep inside that the word would be liberation. What word would you pick? Song "When the Poor Ones Who Have Nothing Are Still Giving" (Click Here For Music) Author: Miguel Manzano (1976); Jose Antonio Olivar (1976) Translator: George Lockwood (1989, alt.) EL CAMINO: Miguel Manzano (1976) When the poor ones, who have nothing, still are giving; when the thirsty pass the cup, water to share; when the wounded offer others strength and healing: We see God, here by our side, walking our way; we see God, here by our side, walking our way. When compassion gives the suffering consolation; when expecting brings to birth hope that was lost; when we choose love, not the hatred all around us: We see God, here by our side, walking our way; we see God, here by our side, walking our way. When our spirits, like a chalice, brim with gladness; when our voices, full and clear, sing out the truth; when our longings, free from envy, seek the humble: We see God, here by our side, walking our way; we see God, here by our side, walking our way. When the goodness poured from heaven fills our dwellings; when the nations work to change war into peace; when the stranger is accepted as our neighbor: We see God, here by our side, walking our way; we see God, here by our side, walking our way. Prayer Almighty God, in your goodness, you provide for the needy. Remove from your people the pride of place and the pursuit of power that mocks humility. Open our hearts in generosity and justice to the neglected and lonely, that in showing esteem for others, we may honor and please you following in the way of Jesus, in the guidance of the your Spirit. Amen. Song "We Are Called" (Click Here For Music) Author: David Haas COME, LIVE IN THE LIGHT: David Haas Come, live in the light Shine with the joy and the love of the Lord We are called to be light for the kingdom To live in the freedom of the city of God We are called to act with justice We are called to love tenderly We are called to serve one another To walk humbly with God Come, open your heart Show your mercy to all those in fear We are called to be hope for the hopeless So all hatred and blindness will be no more We are called to act with justice We are called to love tenderly We are called to serve one another To walk humbly with God Sing, sing a new song Sing of that great day when all will be one God will reign and we'll walk with each other As sisters and brothers united in love (united in love) We are called to act with justice We are called to love tenderly We are called to serve one another To walk humbly with God We are called to act with justice We are called to love tenderly (We are called) We are called to serve one another To walk humbly with God Intercession We praise your abiding guidance, O God, for you sent us Jesus, our Teacher and Messiah, to model for us the way of love for the whole universe. We offer these prayers of love on behalf of ourselves and our neighbors, on behalf of your creation and our fellow creatures. For all people everywhere—that we may recognize the many ways God is present and active in our lives so that we may cooperate with God more fully: Hear our prayer, O God. For openness to God’s invitations—that we may respond to God’s call to eternal life and recognize that salvation comes not from our efforts but as a gift from God: Hear our prayer, O God. For the grace of humility—that we may come to a deeper understanding and ownership of our gifts and acknowledge our need for God amidst all our weaknesses: Hear our prayer, O God. For deeper intimacy with God—that we may experience the tenderness of the Good Shepherd who cares for us as we draw closer to God in prayer and service: Hear our prayer, O God. For the grace to be more inclusive—that we may be open to all the gifts that different cultural, ethnic, economic, educational, and age groups bring to our community and work to include these gifts in our ministries and activities: Hear our prayer, O God. For all who exercise authority—that they may follow in the footsteps of Christ in being servants to others and attentive to those in greatest need: Hear our prayer, O God. For those who reach out to the poor and the marginalized—that they may recognize Christ in all whom they serve, honor the dignity of each person, and be sincere in their care and compassion: Hear our prayer, O God. For transformation of our hearts—that we may reach out to those who can never repay us and thereby allow the reign of God to be experienced in our time: Hear our prayer, O God. For all who have experienced abuse—that God's healing love may touch them, heal their deepest selves, and restore them to the fullness of life: Hear our prayer, O God. For healing for all who have experienced violence, particularly for parents who have lost children—that God will comfort all who are grieving, heal all who have been injured, and inspire many to accompany those who are hurting: Hear our prayer, O God. For all recovering from natural disasters—that God will give them strength and patience as they face the challenges of each day and speed the resources which they need to them: Hear our prayer, O God. For communities facing suffering and persecution—that God will protect them from harm, help them to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel, and empower them to show forgiveness to their persecutors: Hear our prayer, O God. For the protection of the earth—that God will guide us in being good stewards of God's creation so that all people may experience the blessings that earth brings forth: Hear our prayer, O God. For all who are ill—that God’s love will bring healing and renewal to them, an end to the pandemics, and strength to all who care for the sick: Hear our prayer, O God. For all churches which are reorganizing, especially the United Methodist Church—that the Holy Spirit will guide the process of transforming structures so that they may accomplish the mission of Christ more fully: Hear our prayer, O God. Loving God, open our ears to hear your word and draw us closer to you, that the whole world may be one with you as you are one with us in Jesus and in the Spirit. Amen. Song "We Sing a Love that Sets All People Free" (Click Here For Music) Author: June Boyce-Tillman (b. 1943) WOODLANDS: Walter Greatorex (1877-1949) We sing a love that sets all people free, that blows like wind, that burns like scorching flame, enfolds the earth, springs up like water clear: come, living love, live in our hearts today. We sing a love that seeks another's good, that longs to serve and not to count the cost, a love that, yielding, finds itself made new: come, caring love, live in our hearts today. We sing a love, unflinching, unafraid to be itself, despite another's wrath, a love that stands alone and undismayed: come, strengthening love, live in our hearts today. We sing a love, that, wandering, will not rest until it finds its way, its home, its source, through joy and sadness pressing on refreshed: come, pilgrim love, live in our hearts today. We sing a burning, fiery, Holy Ghost that seeks out shades of ancient bitterness, transfiguring these, as Christ in every heart: come joyful love, live in our hearts today. Dismissal With Blessing Beloved of God, go in peace, knowing that God's peace will be with you always. Go in service in God's world, helping those in need, sharing the gifts you have been given. Go in love, bring hope to all.