Monday, November 06, 2006

President Butin Challenges us to Change

Morning Worship

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Monday November 7th, 2006

Stewart Memorial Chapel

Prelude Deck Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness Johannes Brahms

Welcome

*Call to Worship

Like Zacchaeus we wait to see the Lord parade in front of us. We wait for Lord’s presence to be made known.

We wait to see the Lord. We wait to see the Lord.

Like Zacchaeus in the tree we expect to see the Lord pass before us. We know that Christ will pass by because we are sinners and have done nothing good for the Lord.

Why would God stop for us? Why would God stop for us?

But God does stop, looks straight at us, and calls us by name, and tells us to come and follow him.

God calls us to her! God says, “Get down from that tree and come follow me.”

*Hymn PH #526 For All the Saints

Prayer of Confession

Holy and eternal God, who calls us all by name, we confess that, like Zacchaeus we have taken advantage of those around us who are less fortunate. We admit that we have ignored our responsibility to the whole world and have turned a blind eye out of convenience. We acknowledge that we have not given back to the world what we have taken from it, that our relationship with the world is not a two way street. We admit that we take more than we receive.

Help us O Saving Lord, help us Holy Christ, to give back to those we have taken advantage of. Like Zacchaeus help us to give as much as we receive. You call us to follow you, and that calling requires us to help the marginalized around us. Help us to see those marginalized people. Help us to welcome the other into our lives and to make an equal relationship with them. O Eternal Spirit, your grace is needed to help us see the danger of our present path.

Assurance of Pardon

In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we are assured that there is no sin so terrible that God cannot forgive, no hurt so terrible that God cannot heal. God accepts, God forgives, and God sets free. Receive the forgiving love of God.

Thanks be to God!

*Passing of the Peace

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another.

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

Scripture Reading Luke 19:1-10

Prayer of Illumination

Sermon “The Challenge of Change” Rev. Dr. Phil Butin


*Hymn PH 421 The Church of Christ in Every Age

*Benediction

Postlude Rigadon L. Capra

Participants in Worship:

Rev. Dr. Phil Butin, Preacher

Ms. Heidi Skidmore, Liturgist

Dr. Dan Hoggatt, Musician

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain

Mr. Joshua Dunham, Chaplain’s Assistant

The text on the Korean cloth on the pulpit reads:

Blue Mountain says to me – love silently.

Sky says to me – love without flow;

Love without anger;

Love like water;

Love like wind

And depart.

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