“Love, Hope, and Light in the Community”

9:30 Sunday School

Today's Leaders

*Song Leader: Susan Huyard
*Worship Leader: Lois Sell
*Accompanist: Sandy Carter

Pastor Kevin Gasser

Announcements

We are collecting toilet paper for the Valley Mission through March 12. Please bring your donation to the front of the sanctuary before the worship service or during the offering.

A fund has also been opened to help cover the cost of renovating the After School Tutoring room at the Valley Mission. Please earmark your checks with “Valley Mission.”

There will be a Prayer Meeting this Wednesday beginning at 7:00 pm.

Next week we will conclude our sermon series on the Beatitudes by observing the Lord’s Supper.

Virginia Mennonite Conference has been invited to help with the MCC Meat Canning on Tuesday, February 28, from 5 am until 11 pm. This event is held at the Hinton Mennonite Relief Center. Please call Leon Rhodes at (540) 820-5443 for additional information.

All are invited to the annual Rehoboth Jail and Prison Ministry Banquet on March 3, beginning at 4:00pm, at Mt. View Mennonite Church.

Please pray for:

• The family of Dorothy Johnson as they mourn her recent passing
• Ruth Duncan, as she anticipates shoulder surgery this month.
• Joyce Showalter, as she recovers from a broken ankle.

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes - He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

No one truly knows Christ unless they follow Him daily in life" - Hans Denck

Thank you for joining us in worship today.  If this is your first time at Staunton Mennonite, please fill out the “Welcome” card in the back of the pew and place it in the offering plate.

You belong to Christ Gathering Leader: Where can we find God’s temple? People: It is here, among us. Leader: How do we enter God’s temple? People: We already are God’s temple, by no work of our own! Leader: By whose work are we God’s temple? People: By the work of Christ, who built us up and set us apart as a Spirit-infused people, a holy dwelling, a company of fools! Confessing/Reconciling Holy One, we bring our bodies before you as part of Christ’s body. We confess that we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. Forgive us for the times we have forgotten that you you formed us in your image. Here we are—your clay creatures, broken and beautiful. We return to your sweet embrace. Praying Heavenly Father, your words challenge us today: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” in a world that teaches us to hate our enemies, to speak ill of those who disagree with us, to give the silent treatment to those who hurt us. We want to live according to your love and perfection, but sometimes it’s so hard! Teach us to love. Teach us to pray for our enemies. We offer up our prayers now on their behalf. (silent prayers) Thank you, God, for your generosity to the just and the unjust. May we soak up the rays of your love, and the rain of your blessing over all. Amen. —Katerina Friesen, Elkhart, Indiana Bible readings for today: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18; Psalm 119:33-40; 1 Corinthians 3:10- 11, 16-23; Matthew 5:38-48. Bible readings for next Sunday: Isaiah 49:8-16a; Psalm 131; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 6:24-34; or Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2 or Psalm 99; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9. Mennonite Worship Bulletins © 2016 MennoMedia, Harrisonburg, Va., and Kitchener, Ont. Printed in the USA. February 19, 2017. Photo © 2016 David Radcliff. Used by permission.