Collect . . .

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplication of your people, and in your time grant  us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

MICAH 6:1-8 . . . God contends with the people of God, reminding them of the saving acts done for them in the good that God expects

PSALM 15 . . . Friends of God

1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-31 . . . Paul directs the Corinthians’ attention to God’s way of using what is weak and lowly – even what the world regards as foolish – to accomplish the divine purpose

MATTHEW 5:1-12 . . . the opening words of the Sermon on the Mount, words of both comfort and challenge

THE SERMON

Carla Pratt Keyes, pastor of Ginter Park Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia, finds a beautiful connection between being with cancer and the Gospel lesson for this Sunday, where Jesus looks around at a whole host of “others” and says, “Blessed are you.”