Theme of the Day: A Church for All People
“All are welcome!” Is that true at our church? Historically, it rarely is true. In the gospels, the average Jewish person would have thought it odd, even offensive, if someone who wasn’t an Israelite walked into their place of worship. Taking it a step further, some of the Jewish religious leaders would imply that church was meant for those who zealously followed religious customs and traditions. Those were “good church folk.” So church was meant for people of the right heritage and who behaved the right way. What about us? Is it conceivable that a stranger could walk into our church and for some reason you would ask yourself, “What is someone like that doing here?” Or, just perhaps, you are asking that question about yourself? “There are some seemingly godly people here. I’m not like them. Do I really belong?”
Today, Jesus shows us that God wants church to be for all people. All of us—regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, or social status—have the same problem of sin. And we all have the same Savior. Therefore, anyone who comes to Christ’s Church and cries out, “Lord, have mercy!” is more than welcome.
Matthew 15:21-28
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Ephesians 2:13-22
Psalm 67
854 – Church of God, Elect and Glorious
855 – The Church’s One Foundation
769 – Your Hand, O Lord, in Days of Old
746 – I Love to Tell the Story
904 – O Christ, Our True and Only Light
Prayer of the Day: Gracious God, in Christ you bring people from near and far into the fellowship of your church. Open our eyes to your saving plan, and move us to embrace all who seek your salvation so that we may rejoice together at the banquet of your love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Alleluia.