February 25, 2022

Dear Road Church Friends,  

This Sunday we continue our reflections on Jesus’ teaching that we must love our enemies. Last week we asked, what does “love” mean. This week we ask, who is my enemy? This week we also offer prayers for peace as war has broken out in Eastern Europe. We pray that hostilities will cease and make way for restraint and justice.

SCRIPTURE. Luke 6:27-36              SERMON: Love Your Enemy-Neighbor

     Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who hurt you. If anyone slaps you on the cheek, don’t retaliate; if anyone begs to take your coat let them also take your shirt. If anyone takes something of yours, do not ask them to return it. Treat others as you want to be treated…

     Love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful to everyone, just as your Father is merciful.

PRAYER

We pray for peace, O God of love and justice,
as once again, we face a time of war.
The meek and humble try — amid the crisis —
to love and build, to nurture and restore.
May leaders hear the truth the prophets teach us —
that gifts of peace are well worth struggling for.

We pray for peace, O Christ who calmed the waters —
who stilled the storm, who stilled disciples’ fear.
You spoke with love and with amazing power;
be with us now when trouble is so near.
Make leaders see the miracle you offer —

That words and deeds can calm the nations here.

We pray for peace O Spirit here among us,

Your love emboldens, judges and restrains.

Take any hate and acts of impulse from us

Make leaders wise, amid competing claims.

May we seek peace O God of love and justice,

May love and mercy be our highest aims.

by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

A NEW PATRIOTISM

We need a new patriotism,

a patriotism of unselfishness, of impartial goodwill,

A patriotism that loves other nations as we love our own.

We need a far-seeing patriotism

that will look beyond the deeds of today to the consequences of tomorrow,

A patriotism that can envision universal Commonweal.

We need an all-inclusive patriotism

Of practical unity, of co-operation, of active brotherhood,

As wide as the world and as deep as the kingdom of God.

by Chauncey R. Piety

Pastor Norm

Our morning worship on YouTube: