Opening Prayer: Almighty God, allow me to experience Your kingdom to the fullest, in righteousness, peace, and joy, and living in the power of Your son’s resurrection. Amen.

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Reflect: What does Paul equate with the power of God? How are God’s power and wisdom compared in this passage? How do we experience God’s power?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “The Kingdom of God is Justice and Joy”
The kingdom of God is justice and joy,
For Jesus restores what sin would destroy.
God’s power and glory in Jesus we know,
And here and hereafter the kingdom shall grow.

The kingdom of God is mercy and grace;
The captives are freed, the sinners find place.
The outcasts are welcomed God’s banquet to share,
And hope is awakened in place of despair.

The kingdom of God is challenge and choice;
Believe the good news, repent and rejoice!
His love for us sinners brought Christ to His cross,
Our crisis of judgment for gain or for loss.

God’s kingdom is come, the gift and the goal-
In Jesus begun, in heaven made whole.
The heirs of the kingdom shall answer His call,
And all things cry, “Glory!” to God All-in-all.

Closing Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hollowed be Thy name.  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.  Lead us not into temptation, but delver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.