Embracing Community: Courtesy Beyond Labels and Citizenship

Devotional

Day 1: The Strength of Community in Times of Grief

In times of loss, such as the passing of Ann Robert, the strength of our community and the power of collective prayer become evident. We are reminded to support one another and find solace in our shared faith. When we gather as a community, we not only share our grief but also our hope and strength. This collective support helps us navigate through difficult times, reminding us that we are not alone. The presence of God is felt more profoundly when we come together, sing songs of peace, and ground ourselves in prayer.

As we mourn, we also celebrate the life of those we have lost, finding comfort in the memories and the love that remains. Our community becomes a source of healing, a place where we can express our emotions freely and receive the support we need. This is the essence of being part of a faith community—standing together in times of joy and sorrow, lifting each other up, and finding strength in our shared beliefs. [06:03]

Romans 12:15-16 (ESV): "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight."

Reflection: Think of someone in your community who is going through a difficult time. How can you offer them support and show them the love of Christ today?

Day 2: Seeing Beyond Labels

Inspired by Emmanuel Levinas, we are called to see beyond the labels that society places on individuals. God's image within us breaks these barriers, urging us to recognize the infinite worth in each person. This means looking past superficial distinctions such as citizenship, creed, or political affiliation and seeing the divine spark in everyone. By doing so, we honor the image of God in each person and foster a more inclusive and loving community.

This perspective challenges us to confront our own biases and prejudices, encouraging us to extend love and courtesy to all, regardless of their background. It is a call to action, urging us to break down the walls that divide us and to build bridges of understanding and compassion. In doing so, we create a community that reflects the inclusive love of God, where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. [18:16]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you judged someone based on a label or stereotype. How can you begin to see and treat them as a beloved child of God?

Day 3: Expanding Our Circle of Love

Isaiah 56 challenges us to move beyond exclusionary practices and expand our circle of love and courtesy. This involves not just inviting others in but also being willing to grow and adapt our understanding of community. True inclusion means actively seeking out those who have been marginalized and making a conscious effort to welcome them into our midst. It is about breaking down barriers and creating a space where everyone feels they belong.

This expansion of our circle requires us to be open-minded and willing to learn from others. It calls us to listen to their stories, understand their struggles, and stand in solidarity with them. By doing so, we embody the inclusive love of God and create a community that reflects His kingdom on earth. [25:58]

Isaiah 56:7 (ESV): "These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."

Reflection: Think of someone who is often excluded or marginalized in your community. How can you extend love and courtesy to them and make them feel included?

Day 4: Principles of True Inclusion

Serving God, keeping the Sabbath, and holding fast to God's covenant are essential for true inclusion. These principles help us create a community that welcomes all, regardless of their background or identity. True inclusion is not just about inviting others in but also about living out our faith in a way that reflects God's inclusive love. It means being intentional about our actions and ensuring that our community is a place where everyone feels valued and accepted.

By serving God and keeping His commandments, we demonstrate our commitment to His inclusive love. This involves not only our actions but also our attitudes and beliefs. It requires us to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are living in a way that reflects God's love for all people. [32:49]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: Reflect on your own actions and attitudes. Are there areas where you need to grow in your commitment to true inclusion? How can you begin to make changes today?

Day 5: The Power of Connection

Drawing from Brene Brown, we understand that true connection happens when people feel seen, heard, and valued. This is the kind of inclusive, loving community we strive to build at Prince of Peace. Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel understood and appreciated. It is about creating a space where everyone can give and receive without judgment and derive sustenance and strength from their relationships.

Building such a community requires intentionality and effort. It means being present for one another, listening with empathy, and offering support without judgment. By doing so, we create a community where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. This is the essence of the ministry of connection—fostering relationships that reflect the love and grace of God. [35:19]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may feel unseen or undervalued. How can you reach out to them today and show them that they are appreciated and loved?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered with heavy hearts as we mourn the loss of our beloved Ann Robert. In the midst of our grief, we are reminded of the importance of community and the power of prayer. We began our worship with a call to sing songs of peace, hope, strength, and joy, grounding ourselves in the presence of God. Our focus today is on the theme "Courtesy Beyond Citizenship," part of our ongoing Pride Month series titled "Beyond."

We revisited last week's discussion on "Love Beyond Labels," inspired by Emmanuel Levinas' philosophy that we are infinitely more than the sum of our parts. This week, we explored how our courtesy must extend beyond superficial labels like citizenship, creed, or political affiliation. We reflected on Isaiah 56, which challenges the exclusionary decrees found in Deuteronomy 23. Isaiah's message is a call to expand our understanding of who belongs in our community, urging us to break down barriers and extend our circle of love and courtesy.

We used the thumb thermometer to gauge our collective emotional state, acknowledging the diverse experiences we bring into worship. We then centered ourselves through a meditation, focusing on the image of God within us and the transformative power of God's love. This led us to a deeper understanding of how we can push past cultural and societal labels to see the divine in everyone.

Isaiah 56 teaches us that true inclusion involves serving God, keeping the Sabbath, and holding fast to God's covenant. These principles guide us in expanding our circle to include all people, regardless of their background or identity. We are called to be a reconciling church, one that serves the community, walks together in faith, and welcomes everyone as they are.

We concluded with a reading from Brene Brown's "The Gift of Imperfection," which defines connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued. This is the kind of community we strive to build at Prince of Peace—a place where everyone can give and receive without judgment and derive sustenance and strength from their relationships.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Grief and Community Support: In times of loss, like the passing of Ann Robert, the strength of our community and the power of collective prayer become evident. We are reminded to support one another and find solace in our shared faith. [06:03]
2. Love Beyond Labels: Inspired by Emmanuel Levinas, we are called to see beyond the labels that society places on individuals. God's image within us breaks these barriers, urging us to recognize the infinite worth in each person. [18:16]
3. Expanding Our Circle: Isaiah 56 challenges us to move beyond exclusionary practices and expand our circle of love and courtesy. This involves not just inviting others in but also being willing to grow and adapt our understanding of community. [25:58]
4. Principles of True Inclusion: Serving God, keeping the Sabbath, and holding fast to God's covenant are essential for true inclusion. These principles help us create a community that welcomes all, regardless of their background or identity. [32:49]
5. The Power of Connection: Drawing from Brene Brown, we understand that true connection happens when people feel seen, heard, and valued. This is the kind of inclusive, loving community we strive to build at Prince of Peace. [35:19]
### [35:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:03] - Ann Robert's Passing
[06:48] - Call to Worship
[10:37] - Children's Food Donations
[11:13] - Prayer of Reconciliation
[17:29] - Introduction to Sermon Series
[18:16] - Love Beyond Labels Recap
[18:59] - Courtesy Beyond Citizenship
[19:40] - Thumb Thermometer Check-In
[20:57] - Centering Meditation
[22:54] - Scripture Reading: Isaiah 56
[23:37] - Cultural Dilemmas and Inclusion
[25:30] - Expanding the Circle
[27:00] - Inside and Outside the Circle
[28:22] - Inviting Others In
[30:08] - Balancing Beliefs and Inclusion
[31:29] - The Great Equalizer: Romans 3
[32:49] - Principles of True Inclusion
[34:49] - Ministry of Connection
[35:19] - Brene Brown on Connection
[37:06] - Prayer for Pride Month
[42:15] - Hymn: Draw the Circle Wide
[47:28] - Closing Prayer
[48:25] - The Lord's Prayer
[53:42] - Offering Prayer
[57:23] - Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Isaiah 56:3-5 (NIV) — > "Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say, 'The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.' And let no eunuch complain, 'I am only a dry tree.' For this is what the Lord says: 'To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant—to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever.'"

2. Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)
> "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

Observation Questions

What does Isaiah 56:3-5 say about the inclusion of foreigners and eunuchs in the community of God?
According to Romans 3:23-24, what is the common condition of all people, and how are they justified?
How did the sermon describe the cultural and societal labels that can create barriers between people? [18:59]
What are the three principles of true inclusion mentioned in the sermon, as derived from Isaiah 56? [32:49]

Interpretation Questions

How does Isaiah 56 challenge the exclusionary practices mentioned in Deuteronomy 23? What does this say about the evolving understanding of community in the Bible? [25:30]
In what ways does the concept of "Love Beyond Labels" from last week's sermon connect with this week's theme of "Courtesy Beyond Citizenship"? [18:16]
How does the idea of the "great equalizer" in Romans 3:23-24 influence our understanding of inclusion and community within the church? [31:29]
What does Brene Brown's definition of connection add to our understanding of building an inclusive community? How does this align with the principles discussed in the sermon? [35:19]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt excluded due to a label or identity. How can the church community help break down these barriers to make everyone feel included? [18:59]
The sermon mentioned the importance of serving God, keeping the Sabbath, and holding fast to God's covenant. How can you incorporate these principles into your daily life to promote true inclusion? [32:49]
Think about the "thumb thermometer" exercise. How can regularly checking in with your emotional state help you be more present and supportive in your community? [19:40]
How can you personally contribute to expanding the circle of love and courtesy in your church or community? What specific actions can you take this week to invite others in? [27:00]
Brene Brown talks about connection as feeling seen, heard, and valued. Identify one person in your life who might feel unseen or undervalued. What can you do to make them feel more connected? [35:19]
The sermon emphasized the need to balance strong beliefs with an open, inclusive community. How can you navigate this balance in your interactions with others, especially those who may have different views or backgrounds? [30:08]
Reflect on the passing of Ann Robert and the role of community support in times of grief. How can you be a source of comfort and strength for someone in your community who is going through a difficult time? [06:03]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We believe that God's image inside of us breaks us out of the barriers or labels that define us. It takes us beyond. And that's kind of the message of this sermon series. And so it's so easy sometimes for us to get stuck in seeing people with the labels that they carry or looking past them because we think that we know who they are. But today we're trying to learn to commit to open ourselves up to all that people have to offer, to see them as more than we think they are, to see them as beyond." [18:16] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "How do we live and honor the Lord in this day and age? It's the same question that we often ask ourselves when we think about many debates that are happening in our church. Obviously, this month we're focusing on pride. We're focusing on the sexuality debate or the sexuality conversation that happens in Christianity. And we might ask ourselves, How do we address the time with our faith? How do we do that?" [23:37] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We want to be people who welcome all, but we also want to be people who have strong commitments, who have strong beliefs in things. And so we kind of grapple with this. As I've been thinking about this this week, I found great hope in what I'm calling the great equalizer. It's in Romans 3, verses 23 through 24. And it might be a familiar verse to you, but it's a verse that says, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That's Romans 23. But for Romans 24, it says, and all are justified through the gift of grace and through the redemption found in Jesus." [31:29] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We are called to serve God and love God's name. We're called to do what God desires. And so that means not only loving God and serving God, but loving and serving our neighbor. Hey, we serve our community here. That's important. The second thing is that we're supposed to keep Sabbath. We're supposed to take time for ourselves to spend time with God. We're supposed to rest. We're supposed to take time to cultivate our spirit. Think about what brings you to life and spend time doing that." [33:16] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We welcome all as they are. This is our identity. This is our circle at Prince of Peace. This is our culture. Are we serving our community? Are we walking together in faith? And are we welcoming all people as they are so that they may experience the love of Christ? Not just today, but every day. This is our culture. And I believe that this is a ministry of connection, a ministry in which we strive to be connected to one another in community." [34:49] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "So Isaiah 56 says, Don't let the immigrant who has joined with the Lord say, The Lord will exclude me. And don't let the eunuch say, I'm just a dry tree. Meaning there's no fruit that I can produce. There's nothing that I can add to the group. And so the scripture kind of keys us into maybe a cultural dilemma that was happening in the day of Isaiah. See, Isaiah 56 comes from the post-exilic period, which we've talked a little bit about. But for those of you who don't know, the post-exilic period is when the Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed and the people were sent out, exiled from their community, and they had to live amongst the Assyrian people and kind of assimilate into their way of life." [22:54] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "So here we get this clear biblical decree in Deuteronomy, and we get kind of a reversal of that decree in Isaiah. This might sound familiar to you. If you remember, Jesus, when he preached on the Sermon on the Mount, he would say things like, You've heard it said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say that if someone slaps you, turn the other cheek. You've heard it said, but I say. And so I believe that's kind of what Isaiah is saying here, is that you might have been told to exclude the immigrant, or exclude the eunuch, that they have no use for us in our Jewish assembly, is what Isaiah would have said, but that's not how it is anymore." [25:30] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So as we imagine this circle imagery, I want you to imagine a group of people that get together, they're in a circle holding hands, and they decide, this is as far as we want our love, our courtesy to go. This is what we think the bounds of our love can handle. And we might equate this circle to the circle of culture. Within culture, there is an inside and there's an outside. You are a part of the culture or you are not a part of the culture. So if you think of a circle, inside the circle, those are where the insiders reside, the people that are familiar to us, people that are comfortable, people that understand us because they know where we are coming from." [27:00] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And so if you think of that circle, there's two ways that that circle functions. Okay, so in a group of people that is the culture, you can either, one, keep everyone else out, you can say this is the group, we're sticking to it, no one else is invited, we're going to create the barriers and we are going to push everyone out. And I want to, as I talk about these cultures, I don't, we might associate some with negative and others with positive, but I want you to know that keeping people out, while it may seem negative, it's not always negative. I think of the children's movie Moana, the classic Disney movie, where her family lives on an island, her tribe lives on an island, and they're like, why would we leave the island? Why would we ever leave this circle? We have everything that we need inside the circle." [28:22] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And so, Isaiah here is kind of grappling with this question because in Deuteronomy, there seemed like such a clear image of here is who is invited to the party and here is not who is invited to the party, who is not invited to the party. But Isaiah here is saying that's not true anymore or that maybe has never been true, that God is continuing to push us beyond where our cultural perimeters are. And so if you think of that circle, there's two ways that that circle functions. Okay, so in a group of people that is the culture, you can either, one, keep everyone else out, you can say this is the group, we're sticking to it, no one else is invited, we're going to create the barriers and we are going to push everyone out." [27:54] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?