Rev. Franke's Theme Thoughts

Proper 25, Series A October 23, 2011

Lessons for The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Leviticus 19:1–2, 15–18 ~ God’s relationship to us defines our dealings with our neighbors.
Psalm 1 [Antiphon: Ps. 1:1a]
1 Thessalonians 2:1–13 ~ In order to share the Gospel of God, Paul was gentle yet straightforward.
Matthew 22:34–46 ~ Love for our neighbor flows from our love for God.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: Total Love; Total Commitment
God commanded us, His people, to be holy because we belong to the holy God! To be holy is to be wholly committed to God in heart and soul and mind. Our love for one another will move us to share the news that in Christ Jesus our failure to love and our half hearted commitment have been overcome. Like the Apostle Paul, we will gladly share the Gospel of forgiveness and our lives of hope with those in need. Jesus taught that our love for God determines how we treat one another, as we recognize our place under the grace of Christ our Lord.

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Lord God, only through the love of Christ my Savior am I able to love You with all my heart and soul and mind. Make me just as loving toward all those You love as I have been loved by You. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: Love for our neighbors flows from our love for God and shows itself in how we use the material blessings God has given us to meet the needs of our neighbors.

OFFERING PRAYER: We dedicate to You, O Lord,
Our life and our love.
Sanctify us for Your service
In all we say and do. Amen.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: We approach God’s law with the idea of measuring ourselves by it and find some commandments greater than others and some sins more damaging, but Jesus cuts through all our manipulating postures. He lived and died by His love for us and His complete obedience to the Father so that we may enjoy the fruit of His perfect love.