Louder Than Words | Beatitudes Intro
Friends,
Our world is transforming before our eyes—in so many ways. Politics are heating up again in the race to elections. Summer is cooling off, giving way to strange approximations of school and the occasional falling leaf (already!). Fires are consuming neighborhoods and forests along the entire west coast. Cries for racial, social, personal justice continue to rise throughout our country. And… football is apparently back? In short, 2020 is still 2020-ing our lives, day in and day out.
Yet, in the midst of this—through the overwhelming fog and noise—our God calls to us. We must continue to listen carefully and answer with action. Every week, we gather before Him together, to worship and seek His face. Every week, I walk away with something I personally need to make it through this growing mountain of exhausting tragedy and change. Perhaps these are the times when our faith can grow like never before. In our confusion and need, our God is proved steadfast and true in ways we maybe weren’t able to see before.
It seems as if I call for this every week, but it’s what we’re here to do: Dig in. Settle in. Not just for these few minutes, but throughout your days and weeks. Lean in with your heart, and your eyes, and your ears. He is speaking—in so many ways. Let us listen in just as many.
This week, we start a new series called Louder Than Words, where we will turn to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In so doing, we immerse ourselves in His words. I pray that they would echo in our hearts and minds in a way that gives shape and perspective to the actions and movings of the Spirit that we sense around us. May we open ourselves to hear from our unchanging God, the many ways that our world, and we ourselves need to transform before His eyes.
As always, thank you for your commitment to being the Church through these difficult days. Thank you for continuing to join us here, on Zoom, or in smaller gatherings throughout the city. Thank you for seeking and finding Jesus together with us, week by week and day by day.
Click play on Kelly’s video below and let’s do this.
-Dillon Hamilton, Worship Pastor
REFLECTION
• What is one of your favorite words to say or hear? In what settings do words come easy for you? When is it hard for you to find words?
• Have you heard of the Beatitudes before? If so, what impression did you have of them? (For example: a list of things you were supposed to accomplish?) How does it make you feel to see this list as part of God’s mission, as the way God wants to bring His kingdom to earth through people?
• Why is it important to double-check what Jesus really said and did when people in politics or in any arena quote the Bible? Why do you think it’s vital for Jesus followers to put their faith into action, not just words?
PRAYER
Read Matthew 6:9-10 and truly commit to being part of bringing God’s kingdom to earth.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ONLINE GATHERING TODAY
If you aren’t able to physically join us in a back yard this morning, consider meeting up with the Hamilton back yard at 11:00am via Zoom.
WAYS TO GIVE
Visit echochurch.org/give any time to worship through giving and support our ministry together — both locally and globally. Of course, you can always snail mail to: Echo Church, PO Box 6067, Cincinnati, OH 45206
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ECHO KIDS
Parents:
To kick off our Louder than Words series, I thought it could be fun for you to sit down with your child and make a Beatitude garden! This week’s craft idea comes courtesy of Ministry-To-Children. I’d totally recommend checking out this site if you are looking for content to use while guiding your child through Scripture at home.
As you make this week’s craft, you might consider asking your child this question: “What is a thing you know you should do but do not always do?” (e.g.- Cleaning your room? Showing love to your brother or sister? Eating your veggies?)
Allow your child to respond and speak to them about how the words we say, like saying we know we should clean our room, should line up with our actions. Jesus didn’t just tell others it was good to be gentle, peaceful and merciful. He showed gentleness, peace and mercy in the way He interacted with people. May we go and do likewise.
-Kendra