February 23, 2025
Walking Through Conflict
YouTube link to the service: https://youtu.be/lA6l19oz9wk
In consideration of others, please silence your cell phones.
The prelude calls us to worship; let us listen quietly in reflection and prayer.
*Indicates please stand if you are able
GATHERING
Prelude...Kyle Dacon (he/him)
Welcome...Rev. Elizabeth (she/her)
*Opening Hymn...“O Church of God, United” (UMH #547)
*Call to Worship...Amy Abshire (she/her)
Leader: We gather in worship, knowing that conflict is a part of life. When we care deeply, we do not always see eye to eye.
People: Still, we are called to walk together.
Leader: As iron sharpens iron, we are strengthened by our differences of thought and opinion.
People: Still, we come to worship the One who unites us in love.
Leader: Disagreements can divide us, but they can also lead us to deeper understanding.
People: Still, we are called to listen with humility and love.
Leader: God calls us to find the path forward—not alone, but together.
All: Together, with God’s help, we move forward in faith.
Unison Prayer...Amy Abshire
God of many voices, many perspectives, many paths, You have created us to think, to question, to grow. Yet too often, we let disagreement keep us from moving at all. Too often, we mistake unity for uniformity. Too often, we stay silent, afraid that conflict means we cannot move forward. Still, you call us to walk forward in faith—not always in perfect agreement, but trusting that you are guiding the way. Guide us to trust that difference can be a strength. Guide us to know that conflict is not a reason to turn away or shut down. Guide us, O God, to the wisdom to wait, the courage to move, and the grace to walk together, even when we do not see eye to eye. May love be the ground beneath our feet and faith the movement that carries us on. Amen.
Bell Choir Reflection...“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” arranged by Linda R. Lamb
LISTENING
Community prayer concerns and celebrations
Please wait for Rev. Elizabeth or the usher to bring you a microphone so that all in the congregation will be able to hear your prayer clearly.
Pastoral Prayer and Silent Prayer...Rev. Elizabeth
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Creator,† who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
†Please use the language for God that resonates with your soul and helps you connect with the Divine.
Scripture Reading: Romans 14.1-13 (CEB)...Amy Abshire
Welcome the person who is weak in faith—but not in order to argue about differences of opinion. One person believes in eating everything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Those who eat must not look down on the ones who don’t, and the ones who don’t eat must not judge the ones who do, because God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servants? They stand or fall before their own Lord (and they will stand, because the Lord has the power to make them stand). One person considers some days to be more sacred than others, while another person considers all days to be the same. Each person must have their own convictions. Someone who thinks that a day is sacred, thinks that way for the Lord. Those who eat, eat for the Lord, because they thank God. And those who don’t eat, don’t eat for the Lord, and they thank the Lord too. We don’t live for ourselves and we don’t die for ourselves. If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord.
Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to God. This is why Christ died and lived: so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you look down on your brother or sister? We all will stand in front of the judgment seat of God.
Because it is written, “‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. So stop judging each other. Instead, this is what you should decide: never put a stumbling block or obstacle in the way of your sibling.
For the Word spoken, the Word received, and the Word lived, we say...Thanks be to God.
Message...Rev. Elizabeth / “Walking Through Conflict”
RESPONDING
Hymn of Response...“Take My Life, and Let It Be” (UMH #399)
Offering...Rev. Elizabeth
Donations to St. Paul’s by cash or check can be left in the offering plate on the usher’s table at the back of the sanctuary.
Doxology...“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” (UMH #94)
SENDING
Connecting...Rev. Elizabeth
*Closing Hymn...“They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love” (TFWS #2223)
*Words for the Journey...Rev. Elizabeth
Please stand to receive the benediction and then be seated if you wish to enjoy the postlude.
Postlude...Kyle Dacon
Upcoming Events, News, and Information
Michele is in the process of updating the directory. If there have been any changes to the information in the d i r e c t o r y , please send her an email at office@saintpaulsboulder.org or hand her a piece of paper with the information on it.
Ladies Lunch Bunch will meet on Thursday, March 6, at 11:45 a.m., at Murphy’s Tap House (585 McCaslin Blvd., Louisville). Please RSVP by March 4 to Marcia Hult.
Thank you to our volunteers! We appreciate everyone who serves as liturgist or usher, hosts fellowship, brings flowers, or works in the nursery. If you want to sign up for a date in the future that is not listed on the sign-up page, just add a note at the office.
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