Religion & Spirituality
Watch Video of this Week's Service on our YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi3HF6v7mhcD9PEOUmTkdeQ?Twentieth Sunday after PentecostMemory Verse: Matthew 22:2121They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”---------------View this week's Service Bulletin for reading and prayer texts:https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mwncRUEjF7PauZLe5tniZNpgTdw0dY1P&export=download---------------Readings for the Day:Isaiah 45:1-7: The prophet announces that Cyrus the Persian emperor is the one the Lord has anointed to end Israel’s exile. The Lord makes this choice so that the whole world will recognize this Lord as the only God. Persia had a god of light and a god of darkness; the Lord claims sovereignty over both light and darkness.I Thessalonians 1:1-10: Most likely this letter is the first written by Paul. Paul gives pastoral encouragement and reassurances to new Christians living in an antagonistic environment. Their commitment of faith, love, and hope makes them a model for other new Christians communities.Matthew 22:15-22: After Jesus begins teaching in the temple, religious leaders try to trap him with questions. First they ask if God’s people should pay taxes to an earthly tyrant like Caesar. ‘From Sunday & Seasons, copyright 2019 Augsburg Fortress’Questions To Ponder:1— What do you think of the idea that everything that is out of human control—whether good or bad—comes from God? (Isa. 45:1-7) 2— How to you sing a new song to the Lord?’ (Psalm 96:1)3— What do you think belongs to God? What do you think belongs to the government? (Matt 22:31)4—How do these texts speak to you today?Prayer: Sovereign God, raise your throne in our hearts. Created by you, let us live in your image; created for you, let us act for your glory; redeemed by you, let us give you what is yours. Amen.---------------Recorded by the staff and volunteers at St. Paul Lutheran Church - Borchers in Seymour, Indiana.http://www.stpaul-borchers.orgSubscribe to our podcast with weekly sermon, prayers and children's sermon recordings at http://podcast.stpaul-borchers.org/Office hours Monday, Wednesday and Friday morningsPhone 812-522-7364Office Email stpaullutheran@stpaul-borchers.orgFacebook Page https://www.facebook.com/stpaulborchers/--------------Permission to podcast the music in this service obtained from One License, License #731062-ASome copyrighted element(s) used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.Texts are reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License Number: 36828