Hummelstown UCC Podcast

Matthew 18:15-20; Romans 13:8-14OPENING MEDITATION Dr. Marcia McFeeThis week, we explore how love is baked into the bread we break each time wegather in Jesus’ name, around God’s table. But we don’t need to save this love onlyfor the times when we partake in the ritual of communion. We invoke love every daywhen we sit down at our kitchen tables for home-cooked meals or takeout, forgame nights, or even for difficult conversations with our loved ones. Love is present inthe sweetest, the spiciest, the bitterest, and the blandest moments of our everydaylives, because love is God, and God is love.

John 2:1-11Matthew 13:31-32“Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustardseed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, butwhen it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds ofthe air come and make nests in its branches.”When have you witnessed something flourishing unexpectedly?What stories of surprising good come to mind?

Exodus 24:12-18; Matthew 17:1-9Desmond Tutu “God places us in the world as fellow workers- agents of transfiguration. We workwith God so that injustice is transfigured into justice. So there will be morecompassion and caring. That there will be more laughter and joy. That there will bemore togetherness in God’s world.”

Luke 19:1-10Poems of Courage, Tina Datsko de SánchezIt is no surprise we feel more courageous in the company of friends.The truth of our being can only be seen when we are united togetherPlugged into the Friend, we become a net of light illuminating the world

DANIEL 6:1-23; Acts 16:16-34#1 Poems of Courage, Tina Datsko SánchezIt is not your strength,it will never be your strength,that gives you courage.It will only be your abilityto lean on the Friend,to trust the arm that will never let you go.

Matthew 2:1–15Leader: Beloved of God, Epiphany is the season of revealing— the holy momentwhen what is hidden becomes known. We light these candles to proclaim the truthwe know— to make visible the God’s Presence already among us. Four travelerscome forward: three stargazers and a shepherd. Each carries a taper to light fromthe Christ Candle— each bears a gift that God desires of us: Justice, Joy,Compassion, and Peace.Justice Stargazer: I bring gold, the finest of what I have, the gift God asks of us: to dojustice. (Lights and places a candle on the table)Many: Look! God’s dwelling is now among us. The end of God’s justice is joy.Joy Stargazer: I bring frankincense, the fragrance of prayer and praise, the gift Godasks of us: to delight in what is good. (Lights and places a candle on the table)Many: Look! God’s dwelling is now among us. The end of God’s justice is joy.Compassion Stargazer: I bring myrrh, balm for the broken and mercy for the world,the gift God asks of us: to love compassion. (Lights and places a candle on thetable)Many: Look! God’s dwelling is now among us. The end of God’s justice is joy.Peace Shepherd: I bring light for the journey and bread for the road, the gift Godasks of us: to walk humbly and live in peace. (Lights and places a candle on thetable)Many: Look! God’s dwelling is now among us. The end of God’s justice is joy.Leader: The gifts are given, the desires of God made visible— Justice, Joy,Compassion, and Peace now shine among us. People of God—lift your eyes up, liftyour hearts up. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord!