THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Exodus 3: 1-12
THE EPISTLE LESSON Galatians 5:13-14
SERMON "The Freedom to Serve"
Worship Notes
This morning we will hear from some of the youth who participated in the recent youth mission trip to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. For our scripture lessons today we will hear the central text for the youth mission trip, Galatians 5:13-14 and one of the other texts used for study on the trip, the call of Moses from Exodus 3. Both of these texts focus on what it means to be a servant for God. The service that God asks us to do is service not only to God, but to one another, for we are called to love one another as we love ourselves. On our mission trip we talked about what it means to be called by God into service for others and the freedom that God gives us to make the choice to serve.
Today we are also continuing our celebration of Thanksgiving in July. This is an extra week of food collection this month because of the increased need for food during the summer months when kids do not get meals at school. Regular food donations are one way that this congregation continues to serve our local community out of the love and freedom that God gives to each of us.
We give thanks today for all of the many ways that God enables us to serve others and the freedom we have to choose to serve in whatever way we can. You are invited to reflect during worship today on where it is that you may be called to put your gifts into God's service.
