SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019

bulletin pieces

Again as we have done for 11 weeks now, we immerse ourselves in the Prophet we are studying this week by flooding the liturgy with their words.  Micah has clear visions of the coming Messiah and can also see what the Peaceable Kingdom will be like under the Messiah's rule.

Words of Greeting: Micah 4:1-4

One: In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.

All: Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

One: He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

All: Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.

In Micah chapter 6 the prophet uses the language of a courtroom/court-case to bring hsi charges against God's people. 

(Micah 6:1-5) Listen to what the Lord says: "Stand up, plead your case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. Hear, O mountains, the Lord 's

accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.

In God's defense, what has he done against them?

"My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.  I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam....that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord."

Their response...

 (Micah 6:6-7) "With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"

Does God have a case against you?  This is the standards by which you will be judged:

Unison Prayer of Confession: Micah 6:8

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  (Silent Prayer and Reflection)

Assurance of Pardon: Micah 7:18-20

One: "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our fathers in days long ago." Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel!

All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

Scripture Reading                                      1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Scripture Reading                                                  Micah 5:1-5a

The Minor Prophets: Micah   "Stewards of the Mysteries"