HopeGateWay

What does the Lord Require of you? To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God. This is a whole life experience. This is worship with your whole life. This is the way we follow Christ, and become Christ-like. Jesus did justice. Jesus loved kindness. Jesus walked humbly with God. We can change ourselves and we can change the world.

We are going to sing this song in worship.

Scripture reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). How we care for the earth – God’s Creation – matters to God, and it should matter to people of faith, too. Today, on this 42nd annual Earth Day, we celebrate the beauty of God’s Creation and think about ways we can practice more faithful stewardship of the resources of earth, water, and air.

Jesus said, "Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal." So often we hold onto life just as it is. Maybe, though, real life -- real change -- requires us to let go of some things so that we can embrace the new life God has for us.

We all have a choice as to how we want to live our lives. We are all invited to God's Kingdom Party. God has an invitation for each one of us. We are like small paper lanterns. If we accept the invitation to be lit we can all share light beyond ourselves to light the world. We have a choice as to how we want to live our lives.

As we continue this Lenten worship series, "Ready for A Change," we hear Jesus' words: "Courage! Don't be afraid!" and we explore three words: Courage, Discourage, and Encourage. In Matthew 14: 22-33, we encounter Jesus walking on water. Peter, too -- at least for a short time. What does that story mean for us?Bonus: Monique Barrett sings "Ready for a Change."

What are the ways of thinking that get your way of living fully? What do you need to change about your internal life that would change your external life? What ruts are holding you back? This Lenten journey provides us the opportunity.Bonus: Courtney Tabor-Abbott sings "Ready for a Change."

On this first Sunday of the Season of Lent, we walk with Jesus into the wilderness -- a little 40-day retreat -- where he faced temptation, which led him to deeper self-reflection. As we begin this worship series, "Ready for A Change," we begin with self-reflection, self-discovery, which invites us to be open to the change God wants to work within us.

What would the world be like if we all pursued love instead of success? Frank Deford's story of Elena Delle Donne, which aired on NPR's Morning Edition begins this week's message. It seems many times that love is not winning. There is so much wrong with the world. We all long for it to change. Maybe Love can change the world. Maybe Love can end all the hatred. Maybe God will bring a new day, a new world.

Today we join faith communities around the nation in a project to raise awareness about hunger and to care for hungry people in thousands of communities in all 50 states. Since Souper Bowl of Caring began with one church in 1990, more than $50 million has been raised, and more than 22 million pounds of food has been given. 100% stays in local communities.