“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NRSV)
Here is the link for the January 26, 2025 worship service: https://youtu.be/-Bd9aiE0xK0
Sunday, February 2, 2025 – worship at 10:45 a.m.
Scripture to Ponder & Prayer
Week of Jan 27, 2025
Scripture Readings for this week: Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; 1Corinthians 14:1-13; Luke 4:21_30
Scripture to Ponder: 1 Corinthians 13:1‒13
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 teaches that love is the highest virtue in the Christian life, surpassing all spiritual gifts and actions. Paul emphasizes that without love, even the most remarkable gifts, like prophecy and speaking in tongues, are meaningless.
Love is patient, kind, selfless, and enduring, reflecting God’s character and the essence of true Christian living. Unlike spiritual gifts, which are temporary and partial, love is eternal and will remain when Christ returns. This passage underscores the centrality of love in Christian faith, highlighting it as the foundation for all actions and the most lasting virtue in the life of a believer.
In contemporary contexts, like when Episcopal priests boldly challenged social injustices during Trump’s presidency, such love calls for discipleship that is not passive but active in confronting systems of inequality. These acts of public resistance reflect a daring justice that is not just a private sentiment but a public, outspoken stand for what is right, echoing the scriptural call to love in ways that challenge the powers and systems of the world. These priests, by advocating for the marginalized, embodied the kind of sacrificial, courageous love that is central to Christian discipleship—standing up for justice even in the face of controversy.
A question to ponder:
How can the principles of love outlined in 1 Corinthians 13 challenge Christians to engage in bold discipleship and advocate for social justice, especially in the face of societal or political injustices?
Let us pray
Gracious and Loving God,
We thank you for the gift of your Word, which speaks to our hearts and guides us in all things. As we reflect on the call to love from 1 Corinthians, we ask for your strength to live out that love in our daily lives. Help us to be patient, kind, and humble, especially in moments where it is difficult. Teach us to see others through your eyes, to offer grace where it’s most needed, and to mirror your love in a divided world. May your Spirit empower us to be instruments of healing and unity, reflecting your love to all we encounter.
We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Trinity United Church 