Sunday School, February 23, 2025, 7 Epiphany C
Themes
Our country is sometimes called the “melting pot.” Why, because we are a country made up of people who have come here from many other places in the world, people who look different and who have spoken different languages and have different religions and belong to different Christian churches.
Why do we like our country? Because we have this great ideal. We want to grow toward life, liberty and happiness and justice for all.
Jesus started this great ideal a long time ago. He said to love our enemies. He said we should treat other people in the same way that we want them to treat us.
The early church was a new community of people learning how to live together in love. Jews, Gentiles from all parts of the Roman Empire, rich and poor people, all were learning how to love each other and live together.
How do we learn to live together in love? We learn to forgive each other. We don't practice pay back.
When someone does something to hurt us, one of the first responses is to want to “pay them back.”
Did you ever watch a football game or hockey game and see a player get angry and hit another player? And the player who got hit, hits back. And the referee calls a penalty on the person who hit back. Why? The referee did not see the first hit. The referee only saw the pay back and so the second player received a penalty. And it is not fair, but it shows that if we always want to “pay back” people who hurt us, then we usually get in more trouble than the person who hurt us.
Family members are close and share many nice things, but family members still often fight with each other. Why? Because we still have disagreements.
Jesus said that we have to learn how to live with each other and learn how to be different and how to disagree without being disagreeable or hurtful.
Why should I forgive other people? Well, I will find out that I am not perfect and that I will need to be forgiven by others too. So, we need to obey Jesus and adopt forgiveness as the rule of our community.
Why do the rules of Jesus seem difficult? Because it is difficult to live with people who are different from us. But it is very important that we value our relationships with each other, because we all need other people.
The rules of Jesus seem difficult because living in a community can sometimes be very difficult. This is why we need God and we need to ask God for forgiveness and then we need to forgive each other.
Jesus Christ came to say that God belongs to everyone. And if God belongs to everyone, everyone needs to learn how to live together, even if people seem to be so different as to be called enemies. We still have to share this life with other people, even those who are different from us so Jesus founded a way to live together and this way of living together became called the church or a fellowship.
The church is a group of different people learning to live together and practice forgiveness because we have been called by Jesus to live a life of forgiveness.
Sermon
The story of Joseph is a story of forgiveness. Joseph had many brothers. His father was named Jacob. The brothers of Joseph were jealous of Joseph because they thought their dad Jacob favored Joseph. Jacob gave a special rainbow-colored coat to Joseph. Joseph was a dreamer and he used to kind of brag in front of his brothers about his dreams. His brothers became angry and to get rid of him, they sold him into slavery and took his coat and put some animal blood on it and showed the coat to their dad and they said that a wild animal had killed Joseph. Jacob thought Joseph was dead and he was sad. But Joseph went to Egypt as a slave, but he was so clever he became the chief minister for the Pharaoh. When a bad drought came, the brothers of Joseph came to Egypt to get food and supplies, and Joseph saw them but they did not recognize Joseph because he had grown up and he looked like an Egyptian. When the brothers of Joseph discovered who Joseph was, they thought that Joseph would punish them for selling him into slavery. But Joseph forgave them. He said God had helped him to become successful so that he could help his brothers and his father Jacob survive a very hard time of drought.
Forgiveness is never easy. That is why we ask God to help us forgive. And we believe that forgiveness helps heal relationships. Forgiveness is like a band aid on wound. Forgiveness is what heals hurt in our families and our communities.
Amen.
Intergenerational Family Service with Holy Eucharist
February 23, 2025 The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
Gathering Songs: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, Jesus Bids Us Shine, Spirit of the Living God,
May the Lord
Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Liturgist: Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.
And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.
Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Song: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus (All the Best Songs for Kids #130)
I have decided to follow Jesus, (3x) No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me (3x) No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow (3x) No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now, to follow Jesus? (3x) No turning back, no turning back.
Liturgist: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Liturgist: Let us pray
O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Litany of Praise: Chant: Alleluia
O God, you are Great! Alleluia
O God, you have made us! Alleluia
O God, you have made yourself known to us! Alleluia
O God, you have provided us with us a Savior! Alleluia
O God, you have given us a Christian family! Alleluia
O God, you have forgiven our sins! Alleluia
O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead! Alleluia
Liturgist: A reading from Genesis.
Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him because they were so upset to see him. Then Joseph said to his brothers, "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 from famine. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry 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 delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there, since there are five more years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.'" And Joseph kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.
Liturgist: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
1 Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; * do not be jealous of those who do wrong.
2 For they shall soon wither like the grass, * and like the green grass fade away.
3 Put your trust in the Lord and do good; * dwell in the land and feed on its riches.
4 Take delight in the Lord, * and he shall give you your heart's desire.
Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)
Litanist:
For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!
For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!
For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!
For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!
For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!
For work and for play. Thanks be to God!
For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!
For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!
For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.
Thanks be to God!
Liturgist: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, "I say to you, 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. 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. 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."
Liturgist: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
Children’s Creed
We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.
Since God is so great and we are so small,
We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.
We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us
by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.
We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is welcome.
We believe that Christ is kind and fair.
We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.
And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever. Amen.
Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy.
For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.
For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.
For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.
For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.
For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.
For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.
For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.
For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.
For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.
For the forgiveness of all our sins. Christ, have mercy.
Youth Liturgist: The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering
Offertory Hymn: Jesus Bids Us Shine, (The Christian Children Songbook, #132)
Jesus bids us shine with a clear, pure light, Like a little candle burning in the night; In this world of darkness, we must shine, You in your small corner and I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine first of all for Him, Well he sees and knows it if our light is dim; He looks down from heaven, sees us shine. You in your small corner and I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine as we work for Him, bring those that wander from the paths of sin; He will ever help us if we shine, You in your small corner and I in mine.
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Prologue to the Eucharist
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”
All become members of a family by birth or adoption.
Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.
A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.
The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. Therefore, with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might. Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.
All may gather around the altar
Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;
You have made us in your image
And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:
Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.
And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph
And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.
Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat
the bread and drink the wine, we can know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as
this food and drink that becomes a part of us.
The Prayer continues with these words
And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.
On the night when Jesus was betrayed, he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.
Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ. May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.
By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory
is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,
Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.
Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.
And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.
As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.
Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.
But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.
Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.
Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.
Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.
Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.
Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
Words of Administration
Communion Hymn: Spirit of the Living God, (Renew # 90)
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me. Spirit of the living God fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God move among us all; Spirit of the living God, make us one in love.
Humble, caring, selfless, sharing; Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love.
Post-Communion Prayer
Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;
We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.
And His Presence has been known to us.
We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God
and brothers and sisters in Christ.
Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the
remembering that the blessing in the bread and wine spreads into each time,
place and person in our lives,
As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Closing Song: May the Lord (Sung to the tune of Edelweiss)
May the Lord, Mighty God, Bless and keep you forever,
Grant you peace, perfect peace, Courage in every endeavor.
Lift up your eyes and seek His face, Trust His grace forever.
May the Lord, Mighty God Bless and keep you for ever.
Dismissal:
Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God!
