mySundaySermons

You will say in that day: I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. [NRSV]

We have collectively experienced a physical, emotions, spiritual and social wrenching that has come to a crescendo this week.

Some of the most hateful, intolerant and hard-hearted words have been spoken about the election in the past seven days.

• Some have been riding on a seemingly, unending roller coaster that did not stop where it started.
• Others are grieving, spiraling, and building a strong case of depression
• while others have begun acting out of anger, which never leaders to safety, tolerance, and peace.
• Still others have remained silent and afraid to speak, for fear of ridicule.

It is time for us to HEAR the words of God’s prophet.

• God is my salvation.
• I will trust and not be afraid
• The Lord is my strength
• With Joy, draw water from the well of salvation.
• Give Thanks to the Lord, call his name, make his deeds known among the nations.
• Proclaim and exalt God’s name.
• Sing Praise to the Lord,
• Tell the world  how glorious God is,
• Shout aloud and sing for Joy, God is with us.

It is time for us to SHARE the words of God’s prophet.

• Salvation is found in God, not our government
• Trust God and do not be afraid
• Find your strength in the Lord
• Draw on God’s joy when yours is missing
• This is a great time to look for and give witness to God in the world.
• Sing praises to God to remind us who leads this world
• Talk of good that God has done for us and the good God will do through us
• Shout loud and Sing the Good News: God is with us.

It is time for us to LIVE the words of God’s prophet.

• Our neighbors are divided and God is counting on us to salvation
• There are people in our workplaces that have lost truth and trust,
• Don’t ignore fears, but don’t be turned to anger and wrath, Find strength in God, not politics.
• Make a withdrawal from God’s account when ours is empty or draining.
• When we are divided is the clearest time to all move toward God.
• Sing praise to remind ourselves and others the God is speaking through us all.
• Talk of Good instead of evil. Speak of hope that is to be revealed.
• Shout, don’t keep quiet, God is with us. God will save us. God will guide us

The Alternative is grim:

• Continue to hold government higher than God and we will surely fall apart.
• Count on our political powers to provide for every need and we have no need for God
• Find our strengths in our efforts, our wealth, our correct thinking, and our feelings and they will all fail
• Sing praises that are only pleasing and comforting and we will be alone
• Only talk about our point of view, our goodness, and correct thinking and we will see only ourselves
• Keep quiet about God and God will speak through someone else who will follow, trust and love.

Lord have mercy on me a sinner.

Lord have mercy on our nation and all the nations, for we are all sinners.

God be in my head, and in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at mine end, and at my departing.  [Sarum Primer, 1558]

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