O Come To The Altar
Are you hurting and broken within?
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself?
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today, there's no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes, a new life is born
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Oh, what a Savior
Isn't He wonderful?
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen
Bow down before Him
For He is Lord of all
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Welcome & Opening Prayer
Good morning church!
I am Russell Clark and I am the pastor here at Azle Christian Church. Our hope is that everyone who is with us in person and online knows that they are loved by God and they are loved by the people here at Azle Christian Church. All are welcome and beloved.
May we take a moment before we get started to greet those next to us with a hug or high five or handshake or fist bump!
We like for everyone to know a few things before we begin worship every week.
(1) First, if you are new to our church, we are so glad you are here! There is information in the bulletin about getting connected to our weekly eBlast newsletter or Realm, which is like our church social media. You may also fill out an information card so we can get to know you more and care for you.
(2) Second, we love our children here in worship and we always welcome them here. There is a kids corner in the back if your children need a space to move around. There is also a nursery available if you’d like.
(3) Finally, our liturgy is posted each week on the website if you would like to follow along with our service.
May we open up this time of worship with a word of prayer:
God of grace – May you thaw out our frozen hearts this morning and teach us how to let it go and share an act of true love with one another. Amen.
Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Litany of Faith – James Cudd
One: We pray for all who have been victims of bullying that they would feel God’s presence and healing in their lives.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
One: We pray for all who have bullied others that Jesus would soften their hearts and allow them to make better choices.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
One: For all of us at school, at work, online, or wherever we go may we stand up for what is right by protecting those who need our help.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
One: May we always be able to be true to ourselves without fear of persecution or insult. May we remember we are all children of God.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
Scripture Meditation
Our scripture meditation for today is Matthew 5:10-12 & Matthew 5:38-39:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth,’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
We’re blessed when we are persecuted? What does that mean? Why did Jesus feel that was something important to say?
Let us reflect on this as we prepare for the sermon and our time of prayer:
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord be with you. And Also with you. Let us pray.
Lord, will you cut through to our hearts, cold and clear? There’s beauty and there’s danger here. Will you split the ice apart and break the frozen heart?
Lord, for our brothers and sisters that we never see anymore, I think some company is overdue, especially for those of us who have started talking to the pictures on the walls. Hang in there, Jane!
Lord, for the first time in forever let there be music, let there be light. Let us say goodbye to the pain of the past. We don’t have to feel it anymore. Because love is an open door.
Lord, let us let it go. We don’t have to care what others will say. The past is in the past. Let the storm rage on within us as you remind us we are your children.
Lord, we’re ready for winter when we can stay in cuddle because put us outside this summer and we’ll be a puddle – I mean happy snowman.
Lord, we admit. We’re a bit of a fixer upper. We’ve got a few flaws. But you can fix this fixer up. With a little bit of love.
Lord, we’re lost in the woods without you. As we feel our powers grow, show us the way to follow you into the unknown.
Lord, thank you for your act of true love that is worth melting for.
And hear us as we pray the prayer your son taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
Forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation
But Deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
RESPONSIVE HYMN
Abide With Me #636
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens God, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not, abide with me
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee
In life, in death, o Lord, abide with me
The Sermon on the Mount Mouse:
Exploring Jesus’ Teachings as Found in Disney Films
“Let it Go”
Tori’s parents immigrated from another country to America.
Tori was the 2nd youngest of 5. Her mom, dad, and older brother all had jobs to provide for their family. Tori spent a lot of time with her older sister who had special needs.
She learned how to talk from her sister with special needs. They had their own broken English that they used to communicate to one another.
When Tori went to school for the first time, the other students made fun of her because she didn’t communicate like everyone else.
Tori could have let that destroy her, but she didn’t.
She educated herself and became the first person in her family to attend college.
She became a successful businesswoman. She was known for her kindness and being a friend to everyone.
What started as a time of adversity, led her to have character and integrity that everyone respected.
This is a true story and I think the reason it resonates with me so much is because she took the high ground. She could have become bitter and angry because of her bullies but instead she became educated and successful, but more importantly she became the friend that she needed when she first started school.
Bullies – and their insults that are thrown at us – can destroy our egos and traumatize us for life if we let it.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:10-11:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Jesus said we are blessed when we are persecuted and insulted. Blessed?
For anyone who has ever been bullied – as a child or as an adult – it certainly doesn’t feel like a blessing.
As Emerson said in the children’s moment last week, Jesus uses the Beatitudes to give us blessings for things we wouldn’t normally consider blessings.
We consider it a blessing to have money and be successful and have power and beauty.
But Jesus says:
Blessed are you for being meek – for having strength in hard times.
Blessed are you for showing mercy and being peacemakers.
“Blessed are you for being insulted and persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is for you.”
Jesus flips the script on what it means to be blessed much like the film Frozen flips the script on what true love is.
//
In the Disney film, Frozen, we find two sisters – Anna and Elsa – playing in the snow; snow that Elsa has made with her ice powers.
Elsa accidentally hurts Anna with her powers and her parents – the King and Queen – seek the advice of the Trolls.
The Trolls use their magic to heal Anna but they tell their parents that Elsa must conceal these powers and she must remain hidden from the outside world for fear that her ice powers could prove to be too dangerous.
This leaves Anna confused why she can’t play with her sister and she’s stuck in a lonely kingdom.
While Elsa feels guilt and shame and feels that she needs to hide who she is so she doesn’t hurt anyone and that she is not allowed to feel feelings at all.
The king and queen died in a shipwreck when Anna and Elsa were still young. Classic Disney move to have parents who died.
Like Woody from Toy Story that we discussed last week, the original plans for Woody was to make him be the villain but instead the writers gave him a redemption arc.
Elsa also was originally going to be the villain but thank goodness the writers changed her story too because this made Frozen one of the most popular films with one of the most popular songs in Disney history because it took a much different turn than previous Disney films had.
//
It is now Coronation Day and Elsa has come-of-age and is going to become queen. Elsa is nervous about the kingdom opening to a large crowd of people.
Anna, on the other hand, is elated about meeting new people. She meets a prince names Hans and they instantly fall in love and decide that they want to get married.
Anna and Hans ask Elsa to bless their marriage, but Elsa responds:
“You can’t marry a man you just met.”
Here is where you know this movie is different. While other princess stories have been all about the princesses meeting their prince and falling in love at first sight, here we have an independent queen who denies this possibility and shows us that committed relationships are so much more complicated than just love at first sight.
Anna doesn’t care for her sister’s response, though, and this leads Elsa to be put in a stressful situation where her ice powers are revealed and the entire kingdom sees her for who she is for the first time (in forever).
This is Elsa’s big moment and the climax of the film is the now infamous song, “Let it Go.”
Here Elsa lets down her hair and her dress changes to reflect more of who she truly is.
She suddenly becomes unafraid to share her powers with the world which makes the kingdom full of ice and snow in the middle of the summer.
In a moment of pure triumph, she sings:
“Let it go, let it go
I am one with the wind and sky
Let it go, let it go
You’ll never see me cry
Here I stand and here I stay
Let the storm rage on”
//
There’s a reason this song has become one of the most popular songs in recent years. It’s the epitome of empowerment and the freedom to be true to yourself.
Some will say your strengths and weaknesses make you worthless. Some will say to hide who you are.
“Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine!”
Jesus says, blessed are you when you are insulted and persecuted because of righteousness because being insulted and persecuted IS NOT THE END OF OUR STORY.
Go ahead and let them try to mock you because of who you are because who you are is a child of God.
Your meekness – you strength under duress, your mercy and peacemaking when no one else is there make you stand out of crowd because you have flipped the script.
Our ice powers are scary because people don’t understand them but let it go! You don’t have to hold it back anymore.
Blessed are you when you are bullied because of righteousness because yours will be the kingdom of heaven!
//
My friend, Andrew Greer, some of you might know because he grew up here in Azle with Shannon and he is now a singer and musician and producer and author.
Andrew and I were talking one day when he was at my house about the way people act online. Like I’m sure many of you have witnessed, people can just say the most terrible things to each other.
People who don’t even know each other are ripping each other apart. Anyone who has been the victim of trolling knows what I’m talking about.
Online trolls aren’t the love experts from Frozen or the singing trolls from the Trolls movies.
Online trolls are bullies on social media who live to tear people down.
No matter if it’s a celebrity or an everyday person who made a mistake, trolls make you feel like your life is over and the world is doomed for eternity.
Andrew said he would see some people acting like trolls and say terrible things online that they would NEVER say to someone in person.
Andrew said, “I know these people! I know they are not like this! If the people they are insulting were at their door, they would welcome them into their home and make them a meal and show them God’s love!”
The question is, “Are they more true to who they are being bullies online or being the loving person who cares for people in person?”
Which person is the real one?
//
The philosopher Frederich Nietzsche says, “Whoever wants to fight monsters should see to it that they don’t become one.”
The temptation when dealing with online trolls is to stoop to their level and try to argue with them. Don’t ever do this.
Getting in a fight with a bully – whether online or in person – makes you become a bully yourself. Even if your intentions are good, it doesn’t ever leave a good look.
My friend Jeffrey says, “Impact matters over intent.”
The impact you make outweighs your good intentions.
Revenge against a bully never has the outcome that you think it will. It only makes you become someone you never wanted to become. It makes you become the monster you thought you were fighting.
Jesus didn’t say blessed are you when you insult someone who insults you. No! Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers and the pure at heart.
In Matthew 5:38-39, Jesus says:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do no resist and evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
The author Walter Wink says that when Jesus says to “turn the other cheek” that it isn’t to just be submissive to bullies and trolls, though.
When someone slaps you on your right cheek, that means it’s a back-handed slap. It’s a slap of submission to someone who is considered “less-than.” It’s a slap to say “I’m better than you.”
When we “turn the other cheek” we’re showing our aggressor that they can’t back-hand us, they are forced to make a decision: either they clinch their fists and hit us like an equal or they choose not to hit us at all.
Turning the other cheek is standing up for ourselves and showing the abuser or troll or bully that we’re exposing the way they treat us and they have to face the reality of what they’re doing.
They see that we are not backing down from who we are and we are not afraid of the words and actions they use against us. We will be treated with respect or you can leave us alone.
Because your insults and persecution are not the end of the story.
//
When Elsa is in her new ice-free kingdom, Anna goes to find her sister and understand what’s going on. But Elsa strikes Anna accidentally and her new friend, Kristoff, takes her to see the “love experts” who are good kind of troll.
Elsa striking Anna is an example of what happens when we try to fight the monsters in our lives. Sometimes our family gets caught in the middle of our crossfires. What was meant to stop our pain or fight back ends up hurting those we love the most.
This is why eye-for-an-eye never works because sometimes we’re not just hurting ourselves, but our family.
This time that Anna is struck by Anna the trolls can’t use their magic. The trolls say, “Only true love can heal a frozen heart.”
This leads Anna to go to Hans but we learn that Hans was only using Anna to get inside the kingdom. He never really loved Anna! Boo!
Hans then tries to kill Elsa but Anna sacrifices herself by stepping in the way of his blade and her whole body turns to ice protecting her sister.
This is was the act of true love. Not a prince or princess’ romantic kind of love. But the love between sisters – to sacrifice yourself to save one another.
**Wink wink, nudge nudge** This is an example of Christ-like love of sacrificing one’s self like Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.
Even though Anna got caught in the crossfires of her sister’s ice powers, nothing would stop her from loving her sister.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Not insults, not persecution, not mockery, not bullies, not online trolls, not real life monsters.
We are more than conquerors in Jesus Christ!
//
I’ll close with one of my favorite poems – “Dream of This” by Marianne Williamson, which Nelson Mandela famously has shared. It says:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are POWERFUL beyond measure.
It is our Light, not our darkness that mosts frightens us.
We ask ourselves – WHO AM I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are we not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that the other people do not feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the Glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone.
And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Let us be like Jesus – and Elsa – and Tori.
See the child of God within you.
You have power within you to flip the script and tell a new story.
Let it go.
The cold never bothered me anyway.
Amen.
Amazing Grace #546
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come
This grace that brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright, shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
COMMUNION
Sharing Our Resources
There are many ways to support the ministries of Azle Christian Church. You can give online on our website, on Venmo, use the QR code in your bulletin, or place it in the offering plate as the deacons come by during our final song. You can also put in a prayer request card or information card in the plate.
INVITATION
If you would like to dedicate your life to Christ or become a member of Azle Christian Church, you may come forward after the benediction or speak with me after worship.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A few announcements for this week before our benediction:
You can find information about our weekly activities, such as Sunday School, our Ukulele Group, our Wednesday dinner and bible study, and our prayer group, and our calendar in the bulletin or on our website.
Tonight is bible & beer at 5pm at the Harden’s home. Their address is printed in the bulletin. Bible & beer is for adults to have a bible study discussion and enjoy some fellowship together!
We had a great time at our first Wednesday dinner & bible study last week. We’d love to see you all there. We will have bible study for all ages. Dinner is at 5:30 with bible study at 6:30.
If you or someone you know needs a visit OR has a prayer request OR would like home communion, you may contact the church office or contact me directly.
BENEDICTION:
Please rise in body and spirit for the benediction, the final song, and the doxology. Receive this blessing:
Next week you are invited to wear whatever Disney attire you have – mickey ears, costumes, anything. We will be talking about being the salt and light and a princess named Rapunzel who just wants to see the light.
Until next week,
May you “let it go.” And let GOD tell a new story within you. Amen.
Be Still My Soul
Be still my soul the Lord is on your side
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
Leave to your God to order and provide
In every change He faithful will remain
Be still my soul your best, your heavenly friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end
Be still, my soul, your God will undertake
To guide the future as He has the past
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake
All now mysterious shall be bright at last
Be still, my soul, the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below