Saginaw First Free Methodist ChurchSeventh Sunday After the Epiphany

February 24, 2019

"You must tell my father of all my splendor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. Make haste and bring my father down here.” Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his

brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him." (Genesis 45:13-15)

Rev. Jason EvansFirst Free Methodist Church

2625 N. Center Rd.Saginaw, Michigan 48603

Phone: (989) 799-2930Email: saginawfmc@gmail.com

www.saginawfirstfmc.org

February 24, 2019Seventh Sunday After the Epiphany

The mission of Saginaw First Free Methodist Church is to be faithful to God and to make known to all people everywhere God’s call to wholeness in Jesus Christ.

Prelude

**Greeting/Announcements

*Call to Worship (spoken responsively)

L: Take delight in the LordP: Who satisfies the desires of your heartL: Commit your way to the LordP: And trust in God’s actionsL: Be still before the LordP: And wait patiently for GodL: The Lord is our salvationP: Our refuge in times of trouble

Opening Hymn: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”

1 A mighty Fortress is our God, A Bulwark never failingOur Helper He amid the flood, Of mortal ills prevailingFor still our ancient foe, Doth seek to work us woeHis craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hateOn earth is not his equal

2 Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losingWere not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosingDost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is HeLord Sabaoth His Name, From age to age the sameAnd He must win the battle

3 And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo usWe will not fear, for God hath willed, His truth to triumph through usThe Prince of Darkness grim, We tremble not for himHis rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sureOne little word shall fell him

4 That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abidethThe Spirit and the gifts are ours, Through Him who with us sideth

Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life alsoThe body they may kill, God’s truth abideth stillHis Kingdom is forever

*Invocation and Lord’s PrayerL: God of abundant mercy, you alone can turn evil into good, sorry into rejoicing, and death into everlasting life. Teach us your way of grace, to meet

hatred with kindness, to answer curses with blessings, to love without holding back, to give without thought of return, for your glory and honor, as we pray together the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples...

P: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliverus from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

*Gloria PatriGlory be to the FatherAnd to the SonAnd to the Holy GhostAs it was in the beginningIs now and ever shall beWorld without end, Amen, Amen.

First Scripture Lesson: Genesis 45:3-15

Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him; and he cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. And Joseph said to his

brothers, “I am Joseph; is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.

So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, I pray you.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on

earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.

So it was not you who sent me here, but God; and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Make haste and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry; you shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have; and there I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come; lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty.’ And now

your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.

You must tell my father of all my splendor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. Make haste and bring my father down here.” Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

Prayer of ConfessionL: Christ promised us that God is kind and loving, even to the ungrateful and misguided. Trusting in God’s kindness and love, let us confess our sin.

P: Merciful God, we confess that we have not always followed your ways or trusted in your promises. We love only those who love us, we show kindness only to those we receive kindness from. Forgive us Lord, fill our hearts with your selfless love. Change our lives by your matchless grace. These things we pray through Christ our Savior. Amen.

Affirmation of FaithL: Let’s affirm our faith as we read from Psalm 37 together…

P: Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday. Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret--it leads only to evil. Amen.

*Hymn: “Seek Ye First”

1 Seek ye first the kingdom of God, And His righteousnessAnd all these things shall be added unto you, Hallelu, Hallelujah!

2 Ask, and it shall be given unto you, Seek, and you shall findKnock, and it shall be opened unto you, Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Second Scripture Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15: 35-38, 42-50

But some one will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” You foolish man! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body which is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen,

and to each kind of seed its own body.

So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is

written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual which is first but the physical, and then the spiritual.

The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. I tell you this,

brethren: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Special Music: Micki Martin

*Passing of the PeaceDuring Passing of the Peace, parents may take their children, ages 4 to 10, to Spark. The Spark room is just off the front of the sanctuary toward the

fellowship hall.

Prayers of the PeopleL: Lord in Your Mercy…P: Hear Our Prayer.

Gospel Lesson: Luke 6:27-38

"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.

Do to others as you would have them do to you. "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

Sermon

One of the great themes of the Old Testament is the idea of “Love your neighbor.” Leviticus 19:17 and 18 says, “Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

Some of you may already be thinking the next line of that famous New Testament scripture, “But who is my neighbor?”

This question, “Who is my neighbor?” Is attributed to Rabbi Hillel, one of the great rabbinic minds of the first century. It was a question often proposed, as you can guess, to parse out who our neighbors are? And who are we to love as ourselves?

This may seem like a silly question to us today, especially in light of Christ and the famous parable of The Good Samaritan, but back then the question really had some depth and gravity to it. Because we all know, that depending on the context of the question, the answer to that question changes dramatically. The boundaries or circle of neighbor can be very different depending on the answer.

There are roughly 350 Million U.S. citizens, that we could call our neighbors, but once we starting discussing politics, or sports, then we all know that the people we consider part of our tribe, or circle, or neighbor shrinks considerably.

We are mostly Michiganders, but once we talk college football, then all of a sudden, there is a “Great Divide.”

So, now when we talk about who is our neighbor, it's easier to see that the question often needs a follow up, explaining which circle of people are we talking about? Big circle or little circle? Or maybe one of the many circles in between.

Rabbi Hillel was also know for teaching, along with a multiple other Rabbi’s in those times, “What is hateful to yourself, do not do unto other people.” Another early century Jewish, Christian writing, the Book of Tobit, says, “Do not do to anyone what you yourself would hate.”

If you are anything like me, you are thinking, and probably in many ways lived, as though this makes perfect sense.  When your at the grocery story and someone obviously walks in front of you, goes barreling out of an aisle and almost runs you over without looking, we don’t go chasing them down and cut them off back, unless it’s Black Friday I guess.

But it’s easy for us to avoid people we disagree with politically or socially. I mean, we can pick our friends, and we can choose which conversations to avoid at holiday meals with family.  We can find those people we agree with. We can choose to connect with people we understand and see eye to eye on matters that are important to us.

People can set up their camps and live their lives separate from others who we disagree with, or at least refrain from attacking others with malicious intent.

And the ancient rabbis, I think, are all nodding their heads.

Except, this is the turn that Christ Jesus takes in our Gospel lesson today. And one of the questions that you have to ask, is how much was our Old Testament Scripture lesson, one of the most iconic tales of the Hebrew people, on Christ’s mind as he shares a Sermon on the Mount like teaching?

In the verses just ahead of our Gospel lesson in Luke 6, Christ warns those who are rich, those who are powerful enough to take from others to make and receive a comfortable life, that although you are comfortable at this time, this will not last.  This is the representation of Joseph's brothers, who have the power to take from the weaker, younger Joseph.

Christ teaches that you are blessed when people hate you, when you are excluded and insulted, and rejected. Great the reward will be for those who are mistreated and marginalized. This we know of Joseph, that he was the favored of his father and subsequently hated by

his brothers. And the great turn of God is how those who are humbled and mistreated, become chief stewards in the kingdom of God, like Joseph had become in Egypt.

Christ teaches, like those ancient rabbis, to avoid doing evil to your neighbor, but then, Christ takes that seed of Kingdom living, and puts roots and a stem to it by saying, “Not only should you avoid doing evil to someone you would not like done to yourself, but, to those people who harm you, go and act kindly to them!”

Our Gospel lesson rings loud of Joseph’s story, “do good to those who hate you,” “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” “If someone slaps you on the one cheek, offer the other.” “If someone takes your coat, offer them your shirt also.” Give to those who ask.” “If anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.”

“Do to others as you would’ve had them do to you.” Christ Jesus connects the dots of how Joseph was treated by his brothers, to the way mankind can treat each other in that day, and even still in this day and age.

The.  Roman government were known for their mistreatment of slave peoples, which the Hebrew people experienced all the time. But the Hebrew people also felt the weight of injustice from the Elders in their communities. Confiscating widows properties and possessions, unjust userie were forms that were used as weapons to abuse those with limited resources.

When you're the younger, weaker Joseph and your older, stronger brothers have all the power and resources, you easily become the target of abuse, especially when the powerful become jealous of your beloved ness to the Father.

Our Gospel lesson finishes off with the reminder of Joseph’s response after all the story is complete, when Christ teaches, “Love your enemies, do good to them, give without expecting anything in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

In the end, after Joseph is hated, beaten, cursed, mistreated, and has his iconic coat taken, he gives his brothers more! When the tables are turned and the poor and mistreated younger brother is now in a place of power, Joseph holds nothing back and restores those who’ve mistreated him.

Our New Testament Scripture. Talks about resurrection and new life. It talks about corruptible and incorruptible, about death and decay, and new life. I think the meaning for us, while we are still living, is in the same way our lives will be resurrected after death, our spirits are resurrected in this life as our thoughts and behaviors are transformed from participating in ways that bring death and decay to this world and the people living in it, to living in life giving ways.

Our spiritual bodies develop and grow in Christ as we follow in God’s ways of defeating death, and sustaining life, all life. The life giving ways of forgiveness, mercy, and grace that leads to peace for all people. Which is shown and witnessed to in the ways we too forgive others, and treat those we see on the other side of the asise, any asile.

Of course this doesn't mean that we should ignore injustice or turn a blind eye to others malicious ways. Like our Leviticus Scripture tells us, we are to rebuke our neighbor when needed, but that doesn’t mean that we are to untether our ties to them. It doesn’t mean we are to abandon them, but we are to intentionally seek out their well being, as best we can. We need good boundaries, but also olive branches that will witness to the life giving Kingdom of God.  Olive branches of forgiveness and mercy.

As we go this week, and as we prepare for the coming of Lent, may we be people who seek the resurrection life here and now. May we be people who believe and live like Joseph who though week and abused, was still kind and merciful when God’s mercy engulfed him and blessings showered on him as he became the one with power. And may we live and serve the people we come into contact with to reverse and defeat death and decay, and bring new life this place, here and now! In the name of Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

*Hymn: “The Solid Rock” 1 My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus Christ, my righteousnessI dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ nameOn Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, All other ground is sinking sandAll other ground is sinking sand

2 When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging graceIn every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veilOn Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, All other ground is sinking sandAll other ground is sinking sand,

3 His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming floodWhen all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stayOn Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, All other ground is sinking sandAll other ground is sinking sand

4 When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be foundDressed in His righteousness, alone, Faultless to stand before the throneOn Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, All other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand

Prayer of Response

Offering

L: In obedience to Christ’s words to love as we have been loved, and to give as we have received, let us now do to others as we would have them do unto us, as we collect this morning’s tithes and offerings.

*Doxology

*Prayer

*Hymn: “Faith Is the Victory”

1. Encamped along the hills of light, Ye Christian soldiers riseAnd press the battle ere the night, Shall veil the glowing skiesAgainst the foe in vales below, Let all our strength be hurledFaith is the victory, we know, That overcomes the worldFaith is the victory! Faith is the victory! O glorious victory, That overcomes the world

2. His banner over us is love, Our sword the Word of GodWe tread the road the saints above, With shouts of triumph trodBy faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath, Swept on o’er every fieldThe faith by which they conquered death, Is still our shining shieldFaith is the victory! Faith is the victory!O glorious victory, That overcomes the world

3. To him that overcomes the foe, White raiment shall be giv’nBefore the angels he shall know, His name confessed in heav’nThen onward from the hills of light, Our hearts with love aflameWe’ll vanquish all the hosts of night, In Jesus’ conqu’ring nameFaith is the victory! Faith is the victory!O glorious victory, That overcomes the world

*BenedictionL: Now, may the God who sent Joseph to Egypt, surround your days with strong visions, worthy work, and strength to persevere, as we go in peace to

love and serve. Amen.

Nursery, Spark and Other Important ThingsNurseryNursery is available for children 0 – 3 years of age. Our nursery is in the hallway down from the narthex. Care for your little ones is available during Sunday-School and 11am worship.

Spark Spark is available for children ages 4 to 10. Spark meets midway through the worship service, and parents can sign children into Spark during the “Passing of the Peace.” The Spark class meets in the room off the hall towards the Fellowship Hall, front right of the Sanctuary. Spark’s Curriculum is designed to increase knowledge of the Bible in relation to the seasons of the Christian year, and to connect our little ones with the loving heart of God.

Prayer ChainTo have an item circulated on the prayer chain or to be included in the prayer chain, please contact the church office. Please indicate whether or not you prefer to receive updates via text message.

Accepting DonationsSaginaw Rescue Mission Donations:This month we are collecting canned vegetables, and soups to donate to the rescue mission. Other items from past months are also appreciated.

Community Village Donations:The community village needs Kleenex, Cough Drops, and Granola Bars. They also appreciate any donation that is of use to the elderly, such as moisturizing lotions, non-slip socks, and diabetic socks. Collection boxes are at the back of the Narthex.

Upcoming Dates/Events

Beth Moore Bible Study: PatriarchsMonday nights at 6:30pm, Beth Moore Bible Study meets in the fellowship hall. This Spring we will be studying Beth’s study called, “The Patriarchs”. See Micki Martin for details or questions.

Journey to a Generous LifeBeginning February 20th, the church will be participating in a 40-day devotional study to “Learn to live open-handed in a tight-fisted world.” The study is part of a grant initiative promoted by the East Michigan Conference. Materials are available at the welcome desk, please take 1 devotional per family.

WMI Meeting: Thursday, March 7, 2019 Ladies, please join us in the church fellowship hall at 6:30 P.M. for our monthly business meeting, which also includes missions, a devotional, refreshments and fellowship.

Saginaw Spirit Hockey Game: Saturday, March 2nd, 2019

LAST CALL for anyone who wants to attend the Saginaw Spirit hockey game, with proceeds going to the City of Saginaw Rescue Mission. Tickets are $13 and today is the last day to sign up! See Rev. Jason or sign up in sheet at welcome center in Narthex.

Future Events: March 6th; Lenten Soup Supper Potluck. Service at 6pm. Soup afterwardsMarch 9th; All You Can Eat Breakfast Youth Camp Fundraiser 8-11AM

Place these dates on your calendars and plan to attend each event. More information will be forthcoming.

Joys and Concerns for Prayer

Church FinancesMonthly budget: $8,700. Last month’s income toward budget: $8723.91. Last week’s offering: $3222.00.

Roof FundraiserWe have replaced the Flat Roof! The estimated cost was $40,000. We still need our partners to give their pledge. After the first year of our 4-year giving plan, we’ve collected 25% of the cost. Please continue to remain faithful to this pledge. If you haven’t, but would like to join us in this effort, please complete a Roof Fundraiser Pledge Card, which you’ll find at the welcome center in the Narthex! Many thanks for your support! (Goal: $40,000; Total Received to Date: $12,433)

East Michigan Conference MissionariesMark, Lena Cross & family; Rebecca Doyle; Impact Middle East; Seth, Hlawn Hlawn, Noah & Jason Van Tifflin

Healing Touch for Those in Our Church FamilyFor Bev Hall, Don Gingrich, Abbie Hall, Florence Maki, Pearl McGeorge, Zach Newman, Diane Keenan, and Sarah Nehmer.

Healing & Encouragement for Seriously Ill Friends and Family Judy Schomaker’s sister, Joyce, Mitchel Martin (Kevin’s brother)

Happy Birthday!! Happy birthday to those celebrating this week, Kyla Norman (26th), Kevin Martin and Charlie Wilbourne (28th) and Rev. Paul Armstrong (March2nd). May you feel the love and peace of Christ in this coming year 😊