Theological Status: THERAPEUTIC / COMPLACENT
Biblical Parallel(Archetype): Laodicea
❓ What do these grades mean?
🔍 Biblical Discernment: The 7 Church Parallels
The Cold Orthodox Parallel
Ephesus
Teaching that upholds doctrinal precision yet parallels the loss of the "first love"—the vital, motivating power of the Gospel (Rev 2:4).
The Compromised Parallel
Pergamum
Teaching that parallels churches tolerating the "doctrine of Balaam" through cultural accommodation (Rev 2:14), characterized by weak boundaries, sloppy theology, and worldly compromise.
Why strictly "Mark & Avoid"?
We do not issue this rating to attack the speaker, but to protect the listener. This ministry's overall teaching trend consistently deviates from sound doctrine. As per Romans 16:17, we identify these patterns so believers can guard their hearts.
We do not issue this rating to attack the speaker, but to protect the listener. This ministry's overall teaching trend consistently deviates from sound doctrine. As per Romans 16:17, we identify these patterns so believers can guard their hearts.
🧐 Overview
Theological Verdict & Summary
Sermon Summary: A call to action that substitutes the saving power of Christ with the exhausting burden of political and social activism.
Pastoral Analysis: While the speaker demonstrates genuine pastoral care for the community's safety and well-being, the sermon fundamentally collapses the distinction between the Gospel and social work. By anchoring the 'light of the world' in secular political fear and defining redemption through humanitarian aid, the message denies the sufficiency of Christ's finished work, leading the congregation into a state of spiritual exhaustion and theological confusion.
Biblical Parallel (Archetype): Laodicea — The sermon exhibits the characteristics of the Laodicean church, characterized by a therapeutic deism that replaces the core message of Christ's atoning work with a self-sufficient, secularized framework of social activism and humanitarian aid. By defining the 'light of the world' exclusively through political anxiety and behavioral modification, the message offers a hollow orthodoxy that lacks the transformative power of the Gospel.
Big Idea: Being the light of the world requires tangible actions and community service rather than merely verbal expressions of faith. [00:37:56 ▶️ 📄]
🎨 The Visual Metaphor
The stone bridge symbolizes the tangible, grounding work of true service, contrasting with the 'hollow' abstraction of empty verbal activism. The sunlight emphasizes the physical reality of the structure, proving that faith is built on solid, actionable foundations of kindness.
📖 How they Handle Scripture & Jesus
- Primary Text: Matthew 5:14-16
- Usage Classification: Contextual Illustration (Misapplied)
- Text-to-Talk Ratio: Moderate
- Pulpit Decorum: ⚠️ CAUTION - The pastor uses personal political anxiety and fear-mongering regarding immigration as the primary hook for the sermon, which compromises the objective authority of the pulpit.
✝️ Christological Focus: Absent
"Christ is mentioned only as a historical reference or a distant petitioner; He is not presented as the Savior or the source of the 'light'."
Scripture Saturation: Verses Read: 3 | Referenced: 2 | Alluded: 3
Passages Read Aloud:
-
Matthew 5:14-16
[00:32:38 ▶️ 📄]
"You are a light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket. rather they put it on the lampstand and it gives light to all in the house in the same way let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven"
Key References: Isaiah 49, Matthew 5
🎙️ Sermon Content & Delivery
Word Count: 1,515 words
📌 Key Topics Addressed
-
Introduction of Speaker
[00:33:23 ▶️ 📄]
> The pastor introduces Emily Zick, detailing her theological education, ordination track, and personal background. -
Personal Testimony and Vulnerability
[00:34:09 ▶️ 📄]
> The speaker shares personal details about her marriage, relocation due to policy changes, health diagnosis (endometriosis), and use of a cane. -
Re-evaluating Scripture
[00:36:21 ▶️ 📄]
> The speaker discusses a preaching class assignment to explore new ideas about familiar texts, specifically Matthew 5. -
Theology of Light
[00:36:52 ▶️ 📄]
> The speaker contrasts childhood teachings ('Little Light of Mine') with a more mature understanding of light as action rather than just faith declaration. -
Faith vs. Action
[00:37:29 ▶️ 📄]
> The speaker questions whether faith alone (talking about Jesus) constitutes being the 'light,' arguing instead that actions are required to help the community. -
Community Safety and Fear
[00:38:16 ▶️ 📄]
> The speaker connects the biblical concept of light to the current climate of fear and helplessness in Minnesota due to ice storms and social unrest, noting that people hide their light out of safety concerns. -
Methodist Roots
[00:40:55 ▶️ 📄]
> The speaker uses the history of John Wesley and the founding of Methodism as an example of starting a movement through practical community service rather than expecting immediate global change.
🖼️ Illustrations & Stories
-
Sermon Illustration
[00:35:16 ▶️ 📄]
> The speaker shares a personal anecdote about moving to Minnesota from Florida, noting it is her first real winter and asking the congregation to be kind. She also mentions her dog, Rose, stating she could write an entire sermon about her. -
Sermon Illustration
[00:36:21 ▶️ 📄]
> The speaker recounts a preaching class experience where the professor instructed students to explore new ideas about familiar scriptures, leading to her current exploration of Matthew 5. -
Sermon Illustration
[00:39:10 ▶️ 📄]
> The speaker shares a personal anecdote about driving Highway 10 at night, describing the pitch-black stretches and how a single light from a Casey's in Detroit Lakes provides a sense of safety and hope that the journey will end. -
Sermon Illustration
[00:40:55 ▶️ 📄]
> The speaker recounts the origin story of the Methodist movement, explaining that John Wesley and his brother started by simply helping their community in Oxford, leading people to call them 'Methodist' because of their methodical approach to service. -
Sermon Illustration
[00:42:19 ▶️ 📄]
> The speaker describes recent community responses to unrest, including businesses donating dollars for purchases and people using 3D printers to create whistles for protesters, illustrating the community's effort to 'relight' the city.
🚀 Calls to Action (Application)
-
Pastoral Charge
[00:40:19 ▶️ 📄]
> Donate money, bring canned food to shelters, or help students make ice packs with whistles/cards to educate on rights. -
Pastoral Charge
[00:43:22 ▶️ 📄]
> Donate time, sit with fearful individuals, or attend protests to let one's light shine.
🧭 Biblical Alignment Dashboard
Overall Verdict: Fundamentally in Error
| Category | Status | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Gospel Presentation | ❌ FAIL | The Gospel Engine is broken. The sermon replaces the proclamation of Christ's atoning death and resurrection with a framework of collective humanitarian activism. There is no mention of sin, grace, or justification by faith; instead, redemption is framed as the result of community service and political awareness. |
| Soteriology | ❌ FAIL | The sermon promotes a works-based salvation (The Error of Human Self-Sufficiency) where being saved or 'lighting the world' is achieved through tangible actions like donating money or printing whistles, rather than through faith in Christ. |
| Bibliology | ❌ FAIL | The text of Matthew 5 is subjected to 'Newspaper Exegesis,' where the biblical mandate to reflect Christ's character is overwritten by contemporary political anxieties regarding immigration and civil unrest. |
| Hermeneutic | ❌ FAIL | The hermeneutic is purely contextual and allegorical to secular events, ignoring the immediate context of the Sermon on the Mount which points to Christ's righteousness and the Kingdom of Heaven. |
| Theology Proper | ⚠️ WEAK | God is presented as a distant figure to be petitioned for 'fire' to burn away selfishness, rather than the Father who has already provided the Holy Spirit for progressive sanctification. |
| Sacramentology | ⚠️ WEAK | The sermon conflates the sacrament of Baptism with a mystical, emotional 'second baptism' of fire, undermining the biblical definition of baptism as a once-for-all entry into the covenant community. |
| Confessional Depth | ❌ FAIL | The sermon lacks any confessional depth, relying entirely on emotional appeals and secular political analysis rather than biblical doctrine. |
⚙️ The Gospel Engine (Confessional Distinctives)
❌ The Law And Wrath: Not observed in the sermon.
❌ Total Depravity And Inability: Not observed in the sermon.
❌ Active Obedience Of Christ: Not observed in the sermon.
❌ The Cross And Atonement: Not observed in the sermon.
✅ Commendations
Pastoral Empathy | Genuine Care for Community Safety
The speaker demonstrates authentic concern for the physical safety of her congregation, particularly immigrant families and students, showing a heart for pastoral care even if the theological framework is flawed.
Relatable Illustration | The Casey's Light Analogy
The personal anecdote about driving Highway 10 and finding hope in a single light from a Casey's store is a vivid, relatable illustration that effectively captures the human desire for hope in darkness.
⚠️ Theological Concerns
🔴 The Social Gospel (Replacing Christ with Activism)
Root Cause: The Error of Social Gospel: The belief that the Kingdom of God can be established on earth through social reform and human effort, denying the necessity of personal regeneration.
"whether it be just donating money or bringing canned food to a shelter or helping students make ice packs with whistles and cards so that people know their rights." [00:40:19 ▶️ 📄]
Correction: The 'light of the world' (Matthew 5:14) refers to the revelation of Christ's character and truth, not political activism. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
🟠 Newspaper Exegesis (Secular Fear-Mongering)
Root Cause: The Error of Contextual Idolatry: Allowing contemporary cultural narratives to dictate the interpretation of Scripture, effectively making culture the authority over the Word.
"I feel called to talk about this right now as we need to focus more on our actions than anything to help our community both in the church and outside of the church. As Minnesotans, we have had a rough start of the year watching ice tear through our communities and leaving us hopeless. There's an unspoken fear that I'm feeling for my immigrant family and the students I work with that I don't know how to express. This helplessness has led to a feeling of unsafeness, or the helplessness that I am feeling has led to a feeling of unsafeness in my students and family in their community, leading members to feel like the best thing they can do right now is to hide the light that they have and not draw attention to themselves." [00:37:56 ▶️ 📄]
Correction: Believers are called to be light in a dark world (John 1:5), but this light is the truth of Christ, not a reaction to political climates. We are to love our neighbors, but our hope is in God, not in political safety.
🟠 Second Blessing Heresy (The Error of Sudden Purification)
Root Cause: The Error of Perfectionism/Second Blessing: The belief that Christians can achieve a state of sinless perfection or a distinct 'second work of grace' after conversion.
"Jesus, John washed people with water, but we need something stronger. We need your fire. Baptize us again with the Holy Spirit. Burn away our selfishness and our coldness." [00:28:19 ▶️ 📄]
Correction: The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a one-time event marking entry into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). Sanctification is progressive (2 Corinthians 3:18), not a sudden 'second baptism' of fire that eradicates sin instantly.
📜 Full Sermon Transcript (Audit)
Use the 📄 icons next to quotes above to automatically jump to their location in this raw transcript.
[00:07:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:07:10] This is Sharon Fields. I am one of the pastors here. Pastors Mariah and Heather, along with David and Tova, and about 50 more people from our congregation, are up at Northern Pines Camp, at Family Camp, for the annual trip.
[00:07:30] So I want to say good morning to them. I remember last year I had a lot of hard time getting online in order to hear the good morning. So if they're trying they may miss this but I want to say good morning to our Northern Pines
[00:07:44] contingent and also I want to wish everyone a safe drive as you are returning to the Twin Cities but we're hoping you're having a lot of fun up there. I also want to recognize there's people who are in our community who feel unsafe going out,
[00:08:06] coming to church, who are limiting their time, who are focusing their time at home right now because of current circumstances of what's going on here in Minnesota. So I want to make sure that we are recognizing them. I know they are watching online, and I want to speak out and say that
[00:08:27] we recognize you are here with us in spirit. We are glad you are turning in and worshipping with us, and I will say I can't wait until we can be in person together again, and you're feeling safe
[00:08:45] again but thank you for thank you for being here a few things i want to talk about for the service today for our younger folks take that whatever age you'd like sacred studio will be in classroom
[00:09:00] seven today just seven today we also have emily zwick here she is one of our newest members and we'll be delivering the message today we'll talk about that a little bit and finally please let us know you're here let us know you're here by filling out the qr code you can go to hamlin
[00:09:21] church.org backslash here also there is an opportunity for prayer requests and as usual i'm going to say i want any kind of prayer requests positive things that are going on in your life and things that are hurting your soul please let us know because prayer is important
[00:09:41] All right, so now we're going to get to the important stuff.
[00:09:45] Please stand as you are able and join in the call of worship.
[00:09:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]
[00:09:52] Good morning.
[00:09:55] Please join me in the call to worship.
[00:09:58] And this is based on the message taken from the book of Isaiah, chapter 49.
[00:10:05] Listen up, everyone.
[00:10:08] God has given us work to do.
[00:10:12] God has called each of us before we were even born.
[00:10:18] It was God who named us.
[00:10:21] It is God who claims us.
[00:10:24] The light of God's love shines in us.
[00:10:30] Let's shine God's love into all the world.
[00:10:34] Amen.
[00:10:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:10:35] The passing of the peace.
[00:14:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:14:23] A moment of friendship with others in the congregation.
[00:14:29] The passing of the peace of Christ demonstrates the church is built on love, grace, and peace.
[00:14:39] And peace that Jesus offers through his death, burial, and resurrection.
[00:14:45] As his followers, we experience love, grace, and peace when the Holy Spirit descends upon all who are passing the peace of Christ.
[00:14:56] therefore may the peace of Christ be with you let us pass the peace in ways that are most comfortable the kids are making their way up here so for the children's message children are welcome
[00:15:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:15:37] children of all ages welcome come on up it's nice to see you peace be with all of you also with you take me 20 minutes to get up welcome we're glad you're here so jesus said in our scripture this
[00:16:14] morning that we you and me and gail over here and everybody here we are the light of the world so she just got a light in the altar that's why we light candles every week is so that people
[00:16:31] will remember that we're light just as jesus was a light of the world so let me ask you this are you pretty good at pretending acting something out all right I got an assignment for you can any of you be monkeys can any of you act like a monkey
[00:16:55] you don't want to I understand I mean not everybody wants to be a monkey does anybody here want to be a monkey oh how about a kitty cat anybody here good at a kitty cat okay let's see it come on act it out what is that yeah yeah yeah okay how about a tree
[00:17:33] can you act out a tree oh look at that oh look at i see limbs i see leaves beautiful perfect all right how about how many of you can act out being a rock okay and you're so slow
[00:17:58] moving you definitely look like rocks excellent work all right I got one more can you act out being light can you okay let's see it oh yeah it reaches out in every direction doesn't it yeah like our fingers spread out light goes in every
[00:18:24] direction. What's it like when you walk into a dark room and you flip at the
[00:18:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]
[00:18:30] switch? What is it like? It's like you're having a puppet show but
[00:18:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:18:38] only one light. Okay that's right light makes shadows on the wall to play with.
[00:18:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]
[00:18:46] What else happens when you turn on that light? You need to get your eyes to
[00:18:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:18:53] adjust real quick. That's true. Sometimes it's too bright isn't it? But then you get used to it and then you can that's okay so if you turn the light on in a
[00:19:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:19:10] dark room then the room will become brighter exactly and what can your eyes
[00:19:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:19:15] do that they can't do in the dark they can what that's what my class are like
[00:19:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]
[00:19:23] Like when we turn on the TV, and then when the lights go out, and then the lights are on.
[00:19:28] Oh, yeah, because it can be so bright.
[00:19:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:19:30] That's right.
[00:19:31] But then after that?
[00:19:33] Oh, dang, but we'll be here.
[00:19:38] We'll be here.
[00:19:39] So when the light comes on, all of a sudden, the things you couldn't see, now you can see.
[00:19:45] And when Jesus says that we're light, we're like the light of the world, it means that because of us people can see they can see what's good because the way we act the way we live if we live like jesus we show the world what is good what's right what's beautiful
[00:20:07] it's like it opens their eyes to see what is out there and what is good that's why jesus calls us the light of the world but now if you cover that light up jesus says if you put it under a bushel
[00:20:22] basket um what happens to the light if you cover it up what's that oh i think we should check it out can you see this check this out this is better than a scientific experiment what happens then
[00:20:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]
[00:20:39] what happens then if we cover the light up it says in the bible something happens
[00:20:44] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:20:44] we cover the light up what's gonna happen nothing's happening Gail what's
[00:20:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]
[00:20:50] going on there's nothing happening it's just like wait a minute it has no oxygen so it can't breathe and it just goes out that's right that only going
[00:21:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]
[00:21:16] too hard on the candle will make it go out but if you don't like the you'll be giving it oxygen so it will shine brighter yeah we have to give that light oxygen don't we we have
[00:21:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:21:28] to let it shine what we do who we are becomes a light for the world so what are ways that we
[00:21:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]
[00:21:37] shine can you give us some examples how are you shining yes being kind oh yeah
[00:21:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]
[00:21:46] being brave being kind to others making other people happy there you go that's wonderful
[00:21:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:21:58] those are all ways that we shine in this world that sometimes can be a dark place so thank you for all your good pretending and also your great acting we need to be the light
[00:22:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]
[00:22:12] of jesus now more than ever so thank you so much for all the kindness and love and listening that you're going to do because it's going to change our world it's going to change people's lives so
[00:22:24] thank you let's pray shall we let's just pray and you can repeat after me if you'd like dear god dear god thank you for your love thank you for your love which gives us light which gives us
[00:22:38] like. It shows us how to go. And shows us how to go. And what to give. And what to give. And how to share our love. And how to share our love. Help us be brave. Help us be brave. Amen. Amen. Thank you guys
[00:23:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:23:00] for coming up. All right. So now we're going to head out to Sacred Studio. So room seven. Adults, parents, you're picking up kids in room 7. As I started to work on the prayers for
[00:23:37] today, it's not lost on me that tomorrow is the federal holiday recognizing the civil rights leader, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I was gonna do a synopsis from one of his sermons, but I realized his words are much better than
[00:24:01] I could ever do justice. So I'm going to read you part of one of his sermons. It's titled The Answer to the Perplexing Question. As the church, we must seek to transform both individual lives and the social institution that brings many people anguish of spirit
[00:24:27] and cruel bondage. We must pray earnestly for peace. We must use our minds as rigorously to plan for peace as we have used them to plan for war. We must pray with unceasing passion for racial justice, but we also must use our minds to develop a program, organize ourselves
[00:24:52] into mass non-violent action and employ every resource of our bodies and souls to bring the end to racial injustice. We must pray unrelentlessly for economic justice, but we must also work diligently to bring into being those social changes that make for a better distribution of
[00:25:18] wealth within our nation and in the undeveloped countries of the world. Dr. King goes on, the answer is found in an idea which is distinctively different, for neither God nor man will individually bring about the world's salvation. Rather, both man and God made in one
[00:25:44] marvelous unity of purpose through overflowing love as the free gift of himself on the part of God and by the perfect obedience and receptivity on the part of man. Only then can transform the old into the new and drive out the deadly cancer of sin. He preached those words
[00:26:14] more than 70 years ago and yet in 2026 we can feel and see the inch by inch hard-won progress constantly under threat as the voices of additional marginalized groups experience suppression, oppression, and injustice. Let us pray today. God we come before you humbly
[00:26:43] after another hard week, when praying for peace, we ask which unrestful situation are we thinking about? Is it when the current leader orders military actions against a country at a whim and continues to bully other nations with the threat of war? Or is it the use of ICE agents
[00:27:07] as Trump's personal slave catchers and round up people he doesn't know so he can deport them.
[00:27:19] God of endurance and encouragement, we are tired. Some of us feel like quitting. We pray for our church, our family, and for everyone who is struggling to keep the faith. Please grant us the strength to endure. Give us the encouragement we need to keep walking together and without
[00:27:43] giving up hope. God of power, there are systems in this world that crush people every day.
[00:27:52] We pray for those who are treated unjustly and we ask you to break the chains of injustice, dismantle the organizations and laws that exploit the vulnerable. We ask for deliverance for the needy who are crying out. Set them free. Jesus, John washed people with water, but we need something
[00:28:19] stronger. We need your fire. Baptize us again with the Holy Spirit. Burn away our selfishness and our coldness. Set our hearts on fire with love for you and for our neighbors. Ignite us so we can shine brightly in this dark world. Make us united in our love for Jesus so the world can
[00:28:49] see your love through us and let us sing your praises together. We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus, who taught us to pray by saying, Our God, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
[00:29:07] Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
[00:29:24] and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[00:29:30] For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
[00:29:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:29:36] Today's scripture reading comes from the Gospel of Matthew.
[00:32:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]
[00:32:38] You are a light of the world.
[00:32:43] A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
[00:32:47] People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket.
[00:32:52] rather they put it on the lampstand and it gives light to all in the house in the same way let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory
[00:33:13] to your father in heaven the word of god for the people of god thanks be to god amen
[00:33:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:33:23] Thank you for that reading, Kenneth. I'm going to do a quick introduction here.
[00:33:32] Emily, who goes by Shi-Ve, is in her second year of Masters of Divinity at the Chandler School of Theology. Additionally, she is on track for deacon ordination with the United Methodist Church.
[00:33:48] that's here in Minnesota. And if that isn't enough, Emily also works at Hamlin University.
[00:33:56] She's married to an amazing wife, and together they have a dog. So please welcome Emily.
[00:34:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]
[00:34:09] My cane fell. Hello, my name is Emily Zick. I am a new member here at Hamlin Church. I am a second year Masters of Divinity student at Candler School of Theology, and that is located at
[00:34:22] at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
[00:34:25] So I'm a hybrid student.
[00:34:27] Don't go to Atlanta that often, but do love it.
[00:34:32] My wife, Chloe, and I moved up to the Twin Cities last fall from Florida when the trans ban on military service members took place and kicked her out of the Navy.
[00:34:42] I'm originally from Jacksonville, Florida, so Duval till I die.
[00:34:47] If you guys don't know, that is the Jacksonville Jaguars.
[00:34:51] Yes, I love the Jags so much.
[00:34:55] But yes, and our thing is Duval, getting sidetracked.
[00:35:00] Well, I'm originally from Florida.
[00:35:02] My wife is originally from Lakes Country.
[00:35:05] She is actually 30 minutes, or her mom lives 30 minutes away from where our folks are in Park Rapids right now.
[00:35:13] So fun for that.
[00:35:16] Fun fact.
[00:35:18] So I somewhat knew what I was getting into when I moved to Minnesota.
[00:35:22] but like and we did get married last January in Minnesota so like I had an idea but this is my first real winter so please be kind to me I also am currently going through the process of getting diagnosed with endometriosis and one of
[00:35:40] my big things with my flare-ups is my joints hurt so I will use a cane sometimes so we love it and then lastly we do have a dog her name is Rose we love her so much I could write an entire sermon about her we love her so much so
[00:36:00] last semester I took a preaching class and during this class our professor told us to explore new ideas about certain texts that we have looked at all all throughout our time in church because a lot of us we were born in the church raised in the church
[00:36:21] and now we are going to be ministers in the church so my we got this idea to look at popular scripture and i loved the idea of exploring matthew 5 and asking different questions of like
[00:36:35] what is this light that we are called to be obviously as a kid i was taught that the light was just our faith and that we should sing this little light of mine and it was very much about
[00:36:52] how i as a five-year-old am going to change the world because i'm just going to tell everyone about jesus and that is going to change the world and did not think about my actions i was
[00:37:05] obviously told to be a good person but they were like oh talking about jesus will help all I started looking at this question more closely and three major or when I looked at this text
[00:37:19] closely there were three major texts that came or three major questions that came to mind to me the first one was is just talking about my faith going to make me a light to the world
[00:37:29] does this light have to be our faith or could it be something else and while faith is important what other parts of our lives might we be called to be the lights of the world?
[00:37:45] I would love to break down all three questions here today, but I want to focus in on the first question. Does just talking about my light make it so that I am the light of the world?
[00:37:56] I feel called to talk about this right now as we need to focus more on our actions than anything to help our community both in the church and outside of the church. As Minnesotans, we have had a rough start of the year watching ice tear through our communities and leaving us
[00:38:16] hopeless. There's an unspoken fear that I'm feeling for my immigrant family and the students I work with that I don't know how to express. This helplessness has led to a feeling of unsafeness, or the helplessness that I am feeling has led to a feeling of unsafeness in my students and family
[00:38:35] in their community, leading members to feel like the best thing they can do right now is to hide the light that they have and not draw attention to themselves. And that is very valid. It's scary, but it's happening. I want to focus in on the lights of the city.
[00:38:58] So we have a group that's going up to Park Rapids and Chloe and I drive up Highway 10 a lot. And sometimes we will do it in the night and if you've ever driven up highway 10 you
[00:39:10] know that there's periods even on 94 there's periods where there's just nothing there's no lights it's just you and whatever cars are left on the road and it gets pitch black but then there'll be a light and it may not be a
[00:39:32] lot but sometimes that Casey's in Detroit Lakes is all what you need to be like I can get through this road trip and that Casey's is what makes you know that you can get through this road trip and you start to feel safe because you
[00:39:57] know that end is near I fully understand folks feeling unsafe right now it's scary we don't know what's happening and it's very valid but during this time the most I can ask is that people to do what they feel called to do and what they
[00:40:19] feel safe doing with that call whether it be just donating money or bringing canned food to a shelter or helping students make ice packs with whistles and cards so that people know their rights. Right now, our actions are going to speak
[00:40:41] louder than anything we can say to make sure that the rest of our community can find their light again. So if you're in a Methodist church, you've probably heard of John Wesley. He is the founder
[00:40:55] of the Methodist tradition. And I bring him up today because I want to talk about why he founded the Methodist movement. John Wesley did not find the Methodist movement because he was expecting to make this giant change in the world. Him and his brother Charles made a group of pastors at
[00:41:18] Oxford and they went out into the community and they were doing things in the community and they were not expecting Methodism to become what it is today. They just were going out to help their community. And people were like, wow, y'all are really methodic. And they were like,
[00:41:38] we're Methodist men now. So I want us to go back to those roots and go back to helping our community and spreading that light so that we can be a city with that light. I also want to say,
[00:41:58] seeing just the reaction to the community going out and doing amazing things we've gone to different events where it's just a dollar but we'll buy something from the business and then they'll give a dollar out and the
[00:42:19] protests that have been going on that are wanting ice out of our cities and And just little things that I've been seeing, a lot of places now have whistles.
[00:42:32] And people with 3D printers are printing out whistles to make sure that people have them.
[00:42:39] And it's just making my heart so happy knowing that the community is trying.
[00:42:45] And we are here.
[00:42:49] The last question I want to add is how can we help relight the community?
[00:42:55] This question is not supposed to be a big ask.
[00:42:57] I ask it as part of our call to be followers of Christ, to show love in the world and fight for peace in our community.
[00:43:06] Whether you feel called to donate your time or just sitting with someone who may be afraid or going to a protest, we're all called to be a city on a hill to let our light shine.
[00:43:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]
[00:43:22] you or breath is safer than breathing when letting go is braver than keeping when innocent words turn and you can't hide by closing your eyes when pain is
[00:44:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]
[00:44:39] all that they offer like a kiss from the lips of a monster You know the famine so well, but never met the feast When home is the belly of a bee
[00:44:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]
[00:44:57] The ocean is wide, beneath you is sinking Hope is all that you have
[00:45:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]
[00:45:16] So say the Lord's prayer twice, hold your babies tight Surely someone will reach out ahead
[00:45:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]
[00:45:25] And show you a safe place to land
[00:45:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]
[00:45:31] Imagine yourself in a building Up in flames being told to stand still
[00:45:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]
[00:45:45] Rose, why don't you sleep?
[00:45:50] It's on faith You don't know who will catch you But maybe somebody will The ocean is wide Your head is sinking Don't need room for your best Hope is all that you have So say the Lord's prayer twice, hold your baby's hand
[00:46:19] Surely someone will reach out a hand And show you a safe place to land Little scared, but you're strong To the sun Little scared, but you're strong In this danger To the sun Little scared, but you're strong
[00:47:24] In this day To the sun We've come to the time in the service where we get to talk about offerings and announcements.
[00:48:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:48:28] First off, there are multiple ways to give.
[00:48:32] There are carts in the back where you can make any kind of deposit.
[00:48:38] You can give online.
[00:48:40] You can give in person.
[00:48:42] You can send via the mail.
[00:48:43] any way that you would like to help to support our ministries.
[00:48:51] Also today, youth group is meeting in the youth room at 1.30.
[00:48:57] No, let's try that again.
[00:48:59] 11.30.
[00:49:00] I missed the one there.
[00:49:02] 11.30 to 1.00.
[00:49:02] We're supposed to go ice skating.
[00:49:04] I think we'll talk about that.
[00:49:06] But we'll be in the youth room at 11.30.
[00:49:11] Next week, this is important.
[00:49:13] it's Hamlin's Women's Sunday so that's going to be a great week we will actually have the County Commissioner Rena Moran here to speak so come back this will be a great week and then I'm gonna turn this over to Paul to talk a
[00:49:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:49:31] little bit more now just a quick announcement 74 religious and political organizations in minnesota have declared next friday january 23rd to be a day of prayer and fasting for truth and freedom they request that we don't go to work on friday that we don't go
[00:49:58] to school or to restaurants or to stores next friday there will be a mass march in Minneapolis at 2 p.m. to protest the unconstitutional brutality of ICE enforcement in Minnesota. These 74 organizations, which include Isaiah and
[00:50:20] Faith in Minnesota, request that we consider that with all eyes on Minnesota right now, is it time for us to stand up to authoritarianism and show the nation what democracy looks like if you have questions if you have questions or if you want more
[00:50:49] information about this uh there'll be a meeting i had 11 15 today in the parlor and we'll try to
[00:50:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:50:56] answer all questions thank you thank you at this point please rise as you're able for our final hymn
[00:51:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:51:07] closing him is this little light of mine it's a little bit different than the version in your
[00:51:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:51:10] hymnal but just sing along and join in i'm sure you'll get it quickly first i want to thank you
[00:54:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:54:01] everyone for being here this morning let's go out with that kind of enthusiasm into the world today emily thank you for the message meaningful and powerful i want to invite everybody downstairs there is coffee warm drinks cold drinks key teas things like that so come downstairs and be part
[00:54:23] and continue in community and finally i'm going to turn the last words over here to emily
[00:54:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]
[00:54:29] hear this benediction go forth in peace and love and joy wherever we can find it this week in jesus name we pray amen
[00:07:10] This is Sharon Fields. I am one of the pastors here. Pastors Mariah and Heather, along with David and Tova, and about 50 more people from our congregation, are up at Northern Pines Camp, at Family Camp, for the annual trip.
[00:07:30] So I want to say good morning to them. I remember last year I had a lot of hard time getting online in order to hear the good morning. So if they're trying they may miss this but I want to say good morning to our Northern Pines
[00:07:44] contingent and also I want to wish everyone a safe drive as you are returning to the Twin Cities but we're hoping you're having a lot of fun up there. I also want to recognize there's people who are in our community who feel unsafe going out,
[00:08:06] coming to church, who are limiting their time, who are focusing their time at home right now because of current circumstances of what's going on here in Minnesota. So I want to make sure that we are recognizing them. I know they are watching online, and I want to speak out and say that
[00:08:27] we recognize you are here with us in spirit. We are glad you are turning in and worshipping with us, and I will say I can't wait until we can be in person together again, and you're feeling safe
[00:08:45] again but thank you for thank you for being here a few things i want to talk about for the service today for our younger folks take that whatever age you'd like sacred studio will be in classroom
[00:09:00] seven today just seven today we also have emily zwick here she is one of our newest members and we'll be delivering the message today we'll talk about that a little bit and finally please let us know you're here let us know you're here by filling out the qr code you can go to hamlin
[00:09:21] church.org backslash here also there is an opportunity for prayer requests and as usual i'm going to say i want any kind of prayer requests positive things that are going on in your life and things that are hurting your soul please let us know because prayer is important
[00:09:41] All right, so now we're going to get to the important stuff.
[00:09:45] Please stand as you are able and join in the call of worship.
[00:09:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]
[00:09:52] Good morning.
[00:09:55] Please join me in the call to worship.
[00:09:58] And this is based on the message taken from the book of Isaiah, chapter 49.
[00:10:05] Listen up, everyone.
[00:10:08] God has given us work to do.
[00:10:12] God has called each of us before we were even born.
[00:10:18] It was God who named us.
[00:10:21] It is God who claims us.
[00:10:24] The light of God's love shines in us.
[00:10:30] Let's shine God's love into all the world.
[00:10:34] Amen.
[00:10:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:10:35] The passing of the peace.
[00:14:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:14:23] A moment of friendship with others in the congregation.
[00:14:29] The passing of the peace of Christ demonstrates the church is built on love, grace, and peace.
[00:14:39] And peace that Jesus offers through his death, burial, and resurrection.
[00:14:45] As his followers, we experience love, grace, and peace when the Holy Spirit descends upon all who are passing the peace of Christ.
[00:14:56] therefore may the peace of Christ be with you let us pass the peace in ways that are most comfortable the kids are making their way up here so for the children's message children are welcome
[00:15:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:15:37] children of all ages welcome come on up it's nice to see you peace be with all of you also with you take me 20 minutes to get up welcome we're glad you're here so jesus said in our scripture this
[00:16:14] morning that we you and me and gail over here and everybody here we are the light of the world so she just got a light in the altar that's why we light candles every week is so that people
[00:16:31] will remember that we're light just as jesus was a light of the world so let me ask you this are you pretty good at pretending acting something out all right I got an assignment for you can any of you be monkeys can any of you act like a monkey
[00:16:55] you don't want to I understand I mean not everybody wants to be a monkey does anybody here want to be a monkey oh how about a kitty cat anybody here good at a kitty cat okay let's see it come on act it out what is that yeah yeah yeah okay how about a tree
[00:17:33] can you act out a tree oh look at that oh look at i see limbs i see leaves beautiful perfect all right how about how many of you can act out being a rock okay and you're so slow
[00:17:58] moving you definitely look like rocks excellent work all right I got one more can you act out being light can you okay let's see it oh yeah it reaches out in every direction doesn't it yeah like our fingers spread out light goes in every
[00:18:24] direction. What's it like when you walk into a dark room and you flip at the
[00:18:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]
[00:18:30] switch? What is it like? It's like you're having a puppet show but
[00:18:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:18:38] only one light. Okay that's right light makes shadows on the wall to play with.
[00:18:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]
[00:18:46] What else happens when you turn on that light? You need to get your eyes to
[00:18:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:18:53] adjust real quick. That's true. Sometimes it's too bright isn't it? But then you get used to it and then you can that's okay so if you turn the light on in a
[00:19:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:19:10] dark room then the room will become brighter exactly and what can your eyes
[00:19:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:19:15] do that they can't do in the dark they can what that's what my class are like
[00:19:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]
[00:19:23] Like when we turn on the TV, and then when the lights go out, and then the lights are on.
[00:19:28] Oh, yeah, because it can be so bright.
[00:19:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:19:30] That's right.
[00:19:31] But then after that?
[00:19:33] Oh, dang, but we'll be here.
[00:19:38] We'll be here.
[00:19:39] So when the light comes on, all of a sudden, the things you couldn't see, now you can see.
[00:19:45] And when Jesus says that we're light, we're like the light of the world, it means that because of us people can see they can see what's good because the way we act the way we live if we live like jesus we show the world what is good what's right what's beautiful
[00:20:07] it's like it opens their eyes to see what is out there and what is good that's why jesus calls us the light of the world but now if you cover that light up jesus says if you put it under a bushel
[00:20:22] basket um what happens to the light if you cover it up what's that oh i think we should check it out can you see this check this out this is better than a scientific experiment what happens then
[00:20:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]
[00:20:39] what happens then if we cover the light up it says in the bible something happens
[00:20:44] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:20:44] we cover the light up what's gonna happen nothing's happening Gail what's
[00:20:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]
[00:20:50] going on there's nothing happening it's just like wait a minute it has no oxygen so it can't breathe and it just goes out that's right that only going
[00:21:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]
[00:21:16] too hard on the candle will make it go out but if you don't like the you'll be giving it oxygen so it will shine brighter yeah we have to give that light oxygen don't we we have
[00:21:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:21:28] to let it shine what we do who we are becomes a light for the world so what are ways that we
[00:21:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]
[00:21:37] shine can you give us some examples how are you shining yes being kind oh yeah
[00:21:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]
[00:21:46] being brave being kind to others making other people happy there you go that's wonderful
[00:21:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:21:58] those are all ways that we shine in this world that sometimes can be a dark place so thank you for all your good pretending and also your great acting we need to be the light
[00:22:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]
[00:22:12] of jesus now more than ever so thank you so much for all the kindness and love and listening that you're going to do because it's going to change our world it's going to change people's lives so
[00:22:24] thank you let's pray shall we let's just pray and you can repeat after me if you'd like dear god dear god thank you for your love thank you for your love which gives us light which gives us
[00:22:38] like. It shows us how to go. And shows us how to go. And what to give. And what to give. And how to share our love. And how to share our love. Help us be brave. Help us be brave. Amen. Amen. Thank you guys
[00:23:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:23:00] for coming up. All right. So now we're going to head out to Sacred Studio. So room seven. Adults, parents, you're picking up kids in room 7. As I started to work on the prayers for
[00:23:37] today, it's not lost on me that tomorrow is the federal holiday recognizing the civil rights leader, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I was gonna do a synopsis from one of his sermons, but I realized his words are much better than
[00:24:01] I could ever do justice. So I'm going to read you part of one of his sermons. It's titled The Answer to the Perplexing Question. As the church, we must seek to transform both individual lives and the social institution that brings many people anguish of spirit
[00:24:27] and cruel bondage. We must pray earnestly for peace. We must use our minds as rigorously to plan for peace as we have used them to plan for war. We must pray with unceasing passion for racial justice, but we also must use our minds to develop a program, organize ourselves
[00:24:52] into mass non-violent action and employ every resource of our bodies and souls to bring the end to racial injustice. We must pray unrelentlessly for economic justice, but we must also work diligently to bring into being those social changes that make for a better distribution of
[00:25:18] wealth within our nation and in the undeveloped countries of the world. Dr. King goes on, the answer is found in an idea which is distinctively different, for neither God nor man will individually bring about the world's salvation. Rather, both man and God made in one
[00:25:44] marvelous unity of purpose through overflowing love as the free gift of himself on the part of God and by the perfect obedience and receptivity on the part of man. Only then can transform the old into the new and drive out the deadly cancer of sin. He preached those words
[00:26:14] more than 70 years ago and yet in 2026 we can feel and see the inch by inch hard-won progress constantly under threat as the voices of additional marginalized groups experience suppression, oppression, and injustice. Let us pray today. God we come before you humbly
[00:26:43] after another hard week, when praying for peace, we ask which unrestful situation are we thinking about? Is it when the current leader orders military actions against a country at a whim and continues to bully other nations with the threat of war? Or is it the use of ICE agents
[00:27:07] as Trump's personal slave catchers and round up people he doesn't know so he can deport them.
[00:27:19] God of endurance and encouragement, we are tired. Some of us feel like quitting. We pray for our church, our family, and for everyone who is struggling to keep the faith. Please grant us the strength to endure. Give us the encouragement we need to keep walking together and without
[00:27:43] giving up hope. God of power, there are systems in this world that crush people every day.
[00:27:52] We pray for those who are treated unjustly and we ask you to break the chains of injustice, dismantle the organizations and laws that exploit the vulnerable. We ask for deliverance for the needy who are crying out. Set them free. Jesus, John washed people with water, but we need something
[00:28:19] stronger. We need your fire. Baptize us again with the Holy Spirit. Burn away our selfishness and our coldness. Set our hearts on fire with love for you and for our neighbors. Ignite us so we can shine brightly in this dark world. Make us united in our love for Jesus so the world can
[00:28:49] see your love through us and let us sing your praises together. We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus, who taught us to pray by saying, Our God, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
[00:29:07] Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
[00:29:24] and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[00:29:30] For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
[00:29:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:29:36] Today's scripture reading comes from the Gospel of Matthew.
[00:32:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]
[00:32:38] You are a light of the world.
[00:32:43] A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
[00:32:47] People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket.
[00:32:52] rather they put it on the lampstand and it gives light to all in the house in the same way let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory
[00:33:13] to your father in heaven the word of god for the people of god thanks be to god amen
[00:33:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:33:23] Thank you for that reading, Kenneth. I'm going to do a quick introduction here.
[00:33:32] Emily, who goes by Shi-Ve, is in her second year of Masters of Divinity at the Chandler School of Theology. Additionally, she is on track for deacon ordination with the United Methodist Church.
[00:33:48] that's here in Minnesota. And if that isn't enough, Emily also works at Hamlin University.
[00:33:56] She's married to an amazing wife, and together they have a dog. So please welcome Emily.
[00:34:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]
[00:34:09] My cane fell. Hello, my name is Emily Zick. I am a new member here at Hamlin Church. I am a second year Masters of Divinity student at Candler School of Theology, and that is located at
[00:34:22] at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
[00:34:25] So I'm a hybrid student.
[00:34:27] Don't go to Atlanta that often, but do love it.
[00:34:32] My wife, Chloe, and I moved up to the Twin Cities last fall from Florida when the trans ban on military service members took place and kicked her out of the Navy.
[00:34:42] I'm originally from Jacksonville, Florida, so Duval till I die.
[00:34:47] If you guys don't know, that is the Jacksonville Jaguars.
[00:34:51] Yes, I love the Jags so much.
[00:34:55] But yes, and our thing is Duval, getting sidetracked.
[00:35:00] Well, I'm originally from Florida.
[00:35:02] My wife is originally from Lakes Country.
[00:35:05] She is actually 30 minutes, or her mom lives 30 minutes away from where our folks are in Park Rapids right now.
[00:35:13] So fun for that.
[00:35:16] Fun fact.
[00:35:18] So I somewhat knew what I was getting into when I moved to Minnesota.
[00:35:22] but like and we did get married last January in Minnesota so like I had an idea but this is my first real winter so please be kind to me I also am currently going through the process of getting diagnosed with endometriosis and one of
[00:35:40] my big things with my flare-ups is my joints hurt so I will use a cane sometimes so we love it and then lastly we do have a dog her name is Rose we love her so much I could write an entire sermon about her we love her so much so
[00:36:00] last semester I took a preaching class and during this class our professor told us to explore new ideas about certain texts that we have looked at all all throughout our time in church because a lot of us we were born in the church raised in the church
[00:36:21] and now we are going to be ministers in the church so my we got this idea to look at popular scripture and i loved the idea of exploring matthew 5 and asking different questions of like
[00:36:35] what is this light that we are called to be obviously as a kid i was taught that the light was just our faith and that we should sing this little light of mine and it was very much about
[00:36:52] how i as a five-year-old am going to change the world because i'm just going to tell everyone about jesus and that is going to change the world and did not think about my actions i was
[00:37:05] obviously told to be a good person but they were like oh talking about jesus will help all I started looking at this question more closely and three major or when I looked at this text
[00:37:19] closely there were three major texts that came or three major questions that came to mind to me the first one was is just talking about my faith going to make me a light to the world
[00:37:29] does this light have to be our faith or could it be something else and while faith is important what other parts of our lives might we be called to be the lights of the world?
[00:37:45] I would love to break down all three questions here today, but I want to focus in on the first question. Does just talking about my light make it so that I am the light of the world?
[00:37:56] I feel called to talk about this right now as we need to focus more on our actions than anything to help our community both in the church and outside of the church. As Minnesotans, we have had a rough start of the year watching ice tear through our communities and leaving us
[00:38:16] hopeless. There's an unspoken fear that I'm feeling for my immigrant family and the students I work with that I don't know how to express. This helplessness has led to a feeling of unsafeness, or the helplessness that I am feeling has led to a feeling of unsafeness in my students and family
[00:38:35] in their community, leading members to feel like the best thing they can do right now is to hide the light that they have and not draw attention to themselves. And that is very valid. It's scary, but it's happening. I want to focus in on the lights of the city.
[00:38:58] So we have a group that's going up to Park Rapids and Chloe and I drive up Highway 10 a lot. And sometimes we will do it in the night and if you've ever driven up highway 10 you
[00:39:10] know that there's periods even on 94 there's periods where there's just nothing there's no lights it's just you and whatever cars are left on the road and it gets pitch black but then there'll be a light and it may not be a
[00:39:32] lot but sometimes that Casey's in Detroit Lakes is all what you need to be like I can get through this road trip and that Casey's is what makes you know that you can get through this road trip and you start to feel safe because you
[00:39:57] know that end is near I fully understand folks feeling unsafe right now it's scary we don't know what's happening and it's very valid but during this time the most I can ask is that people to do what they feel called to do and what they
[00:40:19] feel safe doing with that call whether it be just donating money or bringing canned food to a shelter or helping students make ice packs with whistles and cards so that people know their rights. Right now, our actions are going to speak
[00:40:41] louder than anything we can say to make sure that the rest of our community can find their light again. So if you're in a Methodist church, you've probably heard of John Wesley. He is the founder
[00:40:55] of the Methodist tradition. And I bring him up today because I want to talk about why he founded the Methodist movement. John Wesley did not find the Methodist movement because he was expecting to make this giant change in the world. Him and his brother Charles made a group of pastors at
[00:41:18] Oxford and they went out into the community and they were doing things in the community and they were not expecting Methodism to become what it is today. They just were going out to help their community. And people were like, wow, y'all are really methodic. And they were like,
[00:41:38] we're Methodist men now. So I want us to go back to those roots and go back to helping our community and spreading that light so that we can be a city with that light. I also want to say,
[00:41:58] seeing just the reaction to the community going out and doing amazing things we've gone to different events where it's just a dollar but we'll buy something from the business and then they'll give a dollar out and the
[00:42:19] protests that have been going on that are wanting ice out of our cities and And just little things that I've been seeing, a lot of places now have whistles.
[00:42:32] And people with 3D printers are printing out whistles to make sure that people have them.
[00:42:39] And it's just making my heart so happy knowing that the community is trying.
[00:42:45] And we are here.
[00:42:49] The last question I want to add is how can we help relight the community?
[00:42:55] This question is not supposed to be a big ask.
[00:42:57] I ask it as part of our call to be followers of Christ, to show love in the world and fight for peace in our community.
[00:43:06] Whether you feel called to donate your time or just sitting with someone who may be afraid or going to a protest, we're all called to be a city on a hill to let our light shine.
[00:43:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]
[00:43:22] you or breath is safer than breathing when letting go is braver than keeping when innocent words turn and you can't hide by closing your eyes when pain is
[00:44:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]
[00:44:39] all that they offer like a kiss from the lips of a monster You know the famine so well, but never met the feast When home is the belly of a bee
[00:44:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]
[00:44:57] The ocean is wide, beneath you is sinking Hope is all that you have
[00:45:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]
[00:45:16] So say the Lord's prayer twice, hold your babies tight Surely someone will reach out ahead
[00:45:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]
[00:45:25] And show you a safe place to land
[00:45:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]
[00:45:31] Imagine yourself in a building Up in flames being told to stand still
[00:45:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]
[00:45:45] Rose, why don't you sleep?
[00:45:50] It's on faith You don't know who will catch you But maybe somebody will The ocean is wide Your head is sinking Don't need room for your best Hope is all that you have So say the Lord's prayer twice, hold your baby's hand
[00:46:19] Surely someone will reach out a hand And show you a safe place to land Little scared, but you're strong To the sun Little scared, but you're strong In this danger To the sun Little scared, but you're strong
[00:47:24] In this day To the sun We've come to the time in the service where we get to talk about offerings and announcements.
[00:48:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:48:28] First off, there are multiple ways to give.
[00:48:32] There are carts in the back where you can make any kind of deposit.
[00:48:38] You can give online.
[00:48:40] You can give in person.
[00:48:42] You can send via the mail.
[00:48:43] any way that you would like to help to support our ministries.
[00:48:51] Also today, youth group is meeting in the youth room at 1.30.
[00:48:57] No, let's try that again.
[00:48:59] 11.30.
[00:49:00] I missed the one there.
[00:49:02] 11.30 to 1.00.
[00:49:02] We're supposed to go ice skating.
[00:49:04] I think we'll talk about that.
[00:49:06] But we'll be in the youth room at 11.30.
[00:49:11] Next week, this is important.
[00:49:13] it's Hamlin's Women's Sunday so that's going to be a great week we will actually have the County Commissioner Rena Moran here to speak so come back this will be a great week and then I'm gonna turn this over to Paul to talk a
[00:49:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:49:31] little bit more now just a quick announcement 74 religious and political organizations in minnesota have declared next friday january 23rd to be a day of prayer and fasting for truth and freedom they request that we don't go to work on friday that we don't go
[00:49:58] to school or to restaurants or to stores next friday there will be a mass march in Minneapolis at 2 p.m. to protest the unconstitutional brutality of ICE enforcement in Minnesota. These 74 organizations, which include Isaiah and
[00:50:20] Faith in Minnesota, request that we consider that with all eyes on Minnesota right now, is it time for us to stand up to authoritarianism and show the nation what democracy looks like if you have questions if you have questions or if you want more
[00:50:49] information about this uh there'll be a meeting i had 11 15 today in the parlor and we'll try to
[00:50:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:50:56] answer all questions thank you thank you at this point please rise as you're able for our final hymn
[00:51:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:51:07] closing him is this little light of mine it's a little bit different than the version in your
[00:51:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:51:10] hymnal but just sing along and join in i'm sure you'll get it quickly first i want to thank you
[00:54:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:54:01] everyone for being here this morning let's go out with that kind of enthusiasm into the world today emily thank you for the message meaningful and powerful i want to invite everybody downstairs there is coffee warm drinks cold drinks key teas things like that so come downstairs and be part
[00:54:23] and continue in community and finally i'm going to turn the last words over here to emily
[00:54:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]
[00:54:29] hear this benediction go forth in peace and love and joy wherever we can find it this week in jesus name we pray amen
