Worship February 9, 2025 – With Guest Preacher, Rev. David Whiteley

Bio –  Rev. David Whiteley

Rev. David Whiteley – David is a retired pastor who served the Jemez Springs congregation for 19 years. He is married to Libby, a retired Christian Educator who served 1^st ABQ for 20 years. They have two grown sons and a daughter-in-law who are all lawyers. David enjoys fly fishing, movies and loud shirts.

Bulletin of February 9, 2025 — MEDITATION: – The late Rev. William Sloane Coffin, minister of the prestigious Riverside Church in New York used Robert Frost’s famous phrase, “a lover’s quarrel with the world” to describe Christianity. He said, “We, too, must carry a lover’s quarrel with the world, so that when…we depart this life, we leave behind a little more truth, a little more justice, a little more peace, a little more beauty, than would have been there had we not cared enough about the human race to quarrel with it, not for what it is but for what it yet might be. Let our prayer be ‘Oh, God, take our minds and think through them, take our lips and speak through them, and take our hearts and set them on fire! Amen.’”

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 43-48

Matthew 5:1-12, 43-48

The Beatitudes

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Love for Enemies

‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.