Let us thank God our Father for his closeness to us: God, we tremble at the thought of the distance between you and us. Yet, you create us in your own image, so that we cannot fulfill our purpose in life until we first discover your purpose for all of humankind. Through the Holy Spirit, make us aware of your design for human life. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Litanies and Other Prayers)
Jesus clarifies what corrupts and defiles a person (Matthew 15:1-20). It is from what is within our hearts that defile us. It is from an evil heart that a person dwells upon, plans, and commits adultery. It is from an evil heart that someone takes something that is not his/hers. It is from an evil heart that slander comes forth to injure and harm someone with the tongue. It is from an evil heart that a person devalues the life of another human being. We all have weaknesses that have the potential to defile us and injure others.
Evil arises from within our hearts and causes us to mistreat, injure, and harm other persons. It is not what others do to us that defiles us, but what we do to others when we injure and harm others. If someone has attempted to make you feel defiled through their actions toward you, know that it is they who have defiled themselves. May we not allow evil thoughts to make their way to ours tongues and hands and deeds so that we injure and harm another person or a group of people. Look to your heart, lest you defile yourselves
Let us pray to the Father of all that our heart, like his own, be open to all people: Father of all, long ago you chose the people of Israel to make your name known to all the nations. Your Son Jesus Christ made it clear that forgiveness and fullness of life are the share of all who believe in him. Make your Church a place of encounter for all those who search for you. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Claretian Publications)
Galax First United
Methodist Church
306 West Center Street
Galax, VA 24333
(Get Directions)
Phone: 276-236-9937
Email: fumcgalax1@gmail.com
Sunday Services:
10:30 am
