Full Transcript for September 6, 2026 - “A Perpetual Day of Remembrance”

thank you, Ernest. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:48.240 Um as we enter into the season of creation, a time when all Christians everywhere are encouraged to renew their relationship with God, the Creator, we offer this prayer. 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:57.759 Father God, we offer you our gratitude for the gift of your creation, a wondrous tapestry woven by your loving hands. 00:06:58.160 --> 00:07:04.639 From the tiniest flower to the vastness of the ocean, each part of nature reveals your artistry. 00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:09.600 Thank you for this world of wonder and for entrusting it to our care. 00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:15.600 Help us to cherish it always, for it is a testament to your boundless love. 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:25.360 Grant us the wisdom to be faithful stewards of your creation and to encourage others by the actions we take and the examples we set. 00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:28.240 We offer this prayer in Jesus' name. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:29.120 Amen. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:33.199 Please stand now for the call on in Troy. 00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:50.559 Praise the Holy One. 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:57.200 Make your praise known in the gathering of the faithful, the hopeful, and even the questioning. 00:08:57.519 --> 00:09:00.799 Let our praise today be made new. 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:07.279 We come together to sing a new song and speak a new word of hope. 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:15.519 Come, let us worship the God who journeys with us, guiding us through division into the peace of reconciliation. 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:23.840 We bring our whole selves into worship, ready to listen, learn, and love our neighbors. 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:25.039 Amen. 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:35.200 Join me in singing for the fruits of this creation, which can be found on the screen or in your hymnal on page ninety-seven. 00:13:52.879 --> 00:14:10.879 Bitchie for the womb, my saving potentially for the wood my saving potentially. 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:57.679 With the wood and gorgeously, and here the door from the mountain and here goes and here the gentle break. 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:45.279 Send him to the dark, I scarce can take it in. 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:33.279 Let us prepare our hearts for prayer. 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:39.440 Dear Lord, we come before you today full of awe and reverence. 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:42.319 You are the King of King and Lord of Lords. 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:47.200 You are loving, just sovereign, and completely true. 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:49.839 You are the light in this world. 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:56.720 We confess that we have been impatient, we lose our temper and fail to love others the way you love us. 00:17:58.079 --> 00:18:01.759 Today we lay down our worries and focus on your majesty. 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:05.519 You know every good and bad thing we have done. 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:11.519 We confess our sins to you and ask for you to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:15.759 We stand in awe and wonder of the forgiveness you offer us. 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:20.720 We are so blessed to live here and to see your beauty everywhere we live. 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:27.119 You paint a stunning picture with sunrise and sunsets and the white caps of the waves and the ocean. 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:31.440 Thank you for your constant grace that meets us every morning. 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:34.559 For the countless blessings you pour into our lives. 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:39.440 We lift up people everywhere who are hurting, lonely, or in need. 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:45.200 For the brokenhearted and sick, bring your healing touch and comfort and strength. 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:51.039 For the oppressed and needy, who provide justice, safety, and daily provision. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:58.400 For our communities and leaders who bring wisdom, greatness, and a desire to see peace and community. 00:18:58.880 --> 00:19:01.599 Help us put your hands and feet in this world. 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:04.960 Share your love and light with everyone we need. 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:10.880 At this time we say the names aloud of those who are heavy on our heart. 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:32.640 And now let us unite together and pray the prayer Jesus tell us to say Father, who are in heaven, help be thy name. 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:39.279 Thy kingdom, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:42.240 Give us this day the daily prayer. 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:48.799 And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespassed against us. 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:54.240 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:59.680 For that is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:06.400 As God has blessed us, we now have the opportunity to give back. 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:25.200 May the ushers please come forward to collect our tithes and offering a lot of people. 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:59.119 Dear Lord, receive these gifts as signs of our trust in your saving power and our commitment to your work of healing and restoration. 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:08.720 Use what we offer to mend what is broken, welcome those who feel outside, and build a community where forgiveness and hope have the final word. 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:10.559 In Christ's name we pray. 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:11.519 Amen. 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:19.599 Our scripture reading this morning is from Exodus chapter 12, verses 1 through 14. 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:22.319 Listen for the word of God. 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:30.960 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, this month shall mark for you the beginning of the month. 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:34.720 It shall be the first month of the year for you. 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:44.400 Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:52.400 If a lamb household is too

small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one. 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:57.359 The lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat it. 00:24:58.240 --> 00:25:01.519 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year old male. 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:04.319 You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:08.400 You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the month. 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:14.240 Then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:23.519 They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lentil of the houses in which they eat it. 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:27.519 They shall eat the lamb at the that same night. 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:32.400 They shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:41.279 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roast it over the fire with its head, legs, and inner organs. 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:44.720 You shall let none of it remain until the morning. 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:48.720 Anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:51.599 This is how you shall eat it. 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:59.440 Your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand, and you should eat it hurriedly. 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:01.839 It is the Passover of the Lord. 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:14.319 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals on all the gods of Egypt. 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:16.160 I will execute judgments. 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.519 I am the Lord. 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:22.559 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live. 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:29.680 When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:33.359 This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:36.720 You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord. 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:42.000 Throughout your generations, you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance. 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:45.680 This is the word of God for the people of God. 00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:47.759 Thanks be to God. 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:10.720 O God of creation, God of justice, God of peace, we come to your presence with our hearts of joy and gratitude. 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:20.319 Almighty God, unto all hearts are open, all desires are known, and from you no secrets are hidden. 00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:29.839 Cleanse our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worldly magnify your holy name. 00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:31.839 In Christ's name we pray. 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:32.799 Amen. 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:38.079 Anybody has any soul food for you? 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.559 Do you have? 00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:42.480 What is it? 00:31:45.359 --> 00:32:00.240 You know, when you have your soul food, you bring the memories and stories to come together as you are about to dig in the dish. 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:25.359 There might be a more delicate definition about the soul food, but in general, the soul food refers to the dishes of the African-American community who are forcefully relocated from Africa to the Deep South. 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:40.160 It goes back to the days of slavery when the African-American people comforted one another by recreating the flavors of their homeland. 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:56.079 They utilized leftover ingredient because it's hard for them to get proper ingredients with their circumstances as slaves. 00:32:57.279 --> 00:33:09.359 Signature menu includes fried chicken, as you all know, mac and cheese, cornbread, collard greens and more. 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:49.200 And this story is intertwined with food. 00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:56.480 We hear this morning quite weird menus and puzzling mandates. 00:33:57.119 --> 00:34:04.799 Like a lamb roast in the hole, easily spread, and bitter herbs. 00:34:05.599 --> 00:34:10.800 And all of this to be eaten and nothing left till the morning. 00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:15.760 If there are something left over, it should be burned. 00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:31.119 And the most important part of this mirror called Seder in Hebrews, when you gather to eat, you got to share the stories of your ancestors. 00:34:32.079 --> 00:34:40.159 And also the marvelous act of deliverance of God on the night of Passover. 00:34:43.440 --> 00:35:11.599 As these people represent such historic event to it, tasting every different element of the mirror, the people of Hebrews come to understand who they are, where they are from, and most importantly, who God is, whose name is I Am, Who I Am. 00:35:13.360 --> 00:35:21.280 Yes, the day of Exodus turns the life of these people into a new beginning. 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:28.400 They set a new calendar as their history starts anew. 00:35:29.920 --> 00:35:33.039 Before this day, they were slaves. 00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:50.320 But from this day on, they are free people to worship not Egyptian idols, but God of the Hebrews on the way to the promised land through the wilderness. 00:35:52.239 --> 00:36:04.000 And the blood of sheep or goat that they smear on the doorpost tells you what happened on that historic night. 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:13.519 And easteries or unleavened bread reminds us that the salvation rushes in our lives. 00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:31.760 When they bite bitter herbs, which will bring forth tears on them, they come to understand and have first-hand experience the very bitterness of the lives of their ancestors. 00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:48.159 You got to eat in a hurry with weird mandates, like bears on your waist, sanders on your feet, and a staff in your hand. 00:36:49.920 --> 00:36:52.880 It's because you are on a journey now.

00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:59.840 And at any moment God is coming to you and say, get out of here. 00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:01.920 You are now free. 00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:02.559 Go. 00:37:04.719 --> 00:37:11.679 And that's the moment at which their lives will be defined forever. 00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:19.360 Freedom or bondage, liberation or oppression. 00:37:20.079 --> 00:37:33.599 And the consequences of their decision would not simply remain on them alone, but on their offsprings, particularly on your firstborn. 00:37:34.320 --> 00:37:41.199 The most precious first love and the gift of parenthood. 00:37:42.400 --> 00:37:48.480 And now you may have said, Pastor, I have a question. 00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:50.559 What is it? 00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:52.079 Why? 00:37:52.639 --> 00:38:03.199 Why did God act so violently to sweep and cheer all the firstborns across Egyptian families? 00:38:04.880 --> 00:38:10.000 Do we believe a God of hatred and violence so much? 00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:18.880 Could this act of seemingly unthinkable massacre be justified at all? 00:38:20.239 --> 00:38:21.519 Good question. 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:40.559 You know, in any ancient days, people believed the firstbones of plants or even the firstborn of a womb of a woman are gifts of God's grace. 00:38:41.440 --> 00:38:47.039 So they believed it right to return the firstborns to God. 00:38:48.159 --> 00:39:06.480 So as you read now, if God the Creator and the original source of all firstborn, as they believed, has decided to cure them across all Egyptian households. 00:39:07.280 --> 00:39:07.920 Yes. 00:39:08.559 --> 00:39:11.280 It carries something serious. 00:39:12.480 --> 00:39:21.840 The message is this God withdraws his gift of grace from these people. 00:39:23.199 --> 00:39:23.840 Why? 00:39:25.039 --> 00:39:25.679 Why? 00:39:27.760 --> 00:39:45.280 God defies the power of Pharaoh, who does not care for the people's life, and denies the dignity of a people, especially for the foreigners, the slaves. 00:39:46.320 --> 00:40:06.239 Pharaoh represents the status core, life-threatening, life-killing, and the misuse of superpower, and the entire system to sustain it against God the Creator. 00:40:07.360 --> 00:40:29.920 You know, as we celebrate this month as the month for God's creation, we believe our God will never ever tolerate this pharaoh reality, killing people and the whole creation. 00:40:31.599 --> 00:40:37.920 As God hears the cries of the oppressed, the Hebrew slaves. 00:40:39.599 --> 00:40:51.039 In fact, Pharaoh was given many chances, nine times in the Bible, to turn around and change his actions and policies. 00:40:51.599 --> 00:40:54.960 But he stubbornly refused to do that. 00:40:55.920 --> 00:40:59.760 So God is now taking his final action. 00:41:00.960 --> 00:41:08.079 That the whole land of Egypt became the land filled with a wailing cry. 00:41:09.199 --> 00:41:13.599 That's what happened on the night of Passover. 00:41:14.639 --> 00:41:21.599 And that's the message profound from our God in it. 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:32.000 My sisters and brothers, our God is God of justice, God of liberation. 00:41:33.280 --> 00:41:53.199 And we believe in this God are called then and now to perpetually remember these mighty acts of God through our lives and our values we live out day by day. 00:41:54.639 --> 00:42:06.559 And the most remarkable thing in here is this story has been experienced through people's gut, their stomach. 00:42:08.079 --> 00:42:17.440 It's interesting to hear this story that this Passover story could not be forgotten. 00:42:17.920 --> 00:42:19.599 They could not forget. 00:42:22.079 --> 00:42:27.679 Partly because it is a very strange story, weird. 00:42:29.519 --> 00:42:33.920 But also the way they experienced it. 00:42:35.280 --> 00:42:41.599 The Hebrew people think the truth cares to your God. 00:42:42.639 --> 00:42:45.679 And your God never tells a lie. 00:42:46.480 --> 00:42:58.719 So in the Bible, in the Bible, the John's Gospel, chapter 7, Jesus says, Rivers of living water shall flow out of a believer's heart. 00:42:59.119 --> 00:43:13.280 And Jesus drew this word from Jeremiah chapter 2 and verse 13, where the original Hebrew word for heart literally means stomach and God. 00:43:15.039 --> 00:43:28.239 So what Jesus really meant when he said that, he meant the rivers of living water shall flow out of believers' God. 00:43:29.440 --> 00:43:32.800 The deep part of who you are. 00:43:34.400 --> 00:43:41.599 As for the Hebrew people, the story of Passover is written deep in their gut. 00:43:42.639 --> 00:43:47.679 And it's intertwined with the mirror they taste. 00:43:48.719 --> 00:43:58.639 That's the way this Passover story becomes a perpetual remembrance for the people of Easter. 00:44:00.960 --> 00:44:17.039 Sisters and brothers, this morning we are invited to a table that tells how deeply our salvation is inscribed into our God. 00:44:18.480 --> 00:44:26.719 As you are invited to come and taste and eat these elements of God's feast. 00:44:27.519 --> 00:44:28.159 Yes. 00:44:33.039 --> 00:44:36.079 How deep God's love for you. 00:44:37.199 --> 00:44:44.800 When Jesus offered last supper, he shared a Passover mirror with his beloved disciples. 00:44:45.840 --> 00:44:51.519 It was Jesus Himself given to them as the Lamb of God. 00:44:51.920 --> 00:44:54.800 Even to the one who betrayed him. 00:44:55.920 --> 00:45:13.119 As we hear the story of Passover, it is a story of blood of Jesus smeared on our heart, each and every one of us, as a mark of his own. 00:45:13.760 --> 00:45:22.480 So that the power of evil, the rule of Pharaoh, shall not possess any of us. 00:45:23.440 --> 00:45:24.079 Never. 00:45:25.360 --> 00:45:32.000 So my friends, the blood of Christ save us forever. 00:45:32.400 --> 00:45:40.800 As it represents the unconditional and sacrificial redemptive love of God. 00:45:41.679 --> 00:45:44.559 And his justice in it. 00:45:45.920 --> 00:45:53.119 Yes, through this

blood of Jesus, we are created as new people, a new community. 00:45:53.519 --> 00:45:56.880 Yes, we are pass over people. 00:45:58.239 --> 00:46:01.119 Redeem and liberate. 00:46:02.960 --> 00:46:04.480 May God bless you. 00:46:04.800 --> 00:46:30.639 May God grant you the blessing of remembrance, of the day of your redemption, and the call for salvation, and the great exodus of your journey of life, and the mighty power of our God, who defies Pharaoh even now and forevermore. 00:46:31.199 --> 00:46:35.119 In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 00:46:35.760 --> 00:46:36.400 Amen. 00:46:38.400 --> 00:46:42.320 Now I invite you to the table. 00:46:43.119 --> 00:46:51.440 As we prepare this table, I want to remind you again that we unite Methodist Church practice open table. 00:46:52.639 --> 00:47:06.800 That means no membership needed to take this mirror or even to be baptized or not, you are welcome to taste and take it. 00:47:07.199 --> 00:47:11.599 As you're earnestly yearning for God's grace now. 00:47:12.639 --> 00:47:20.960 As you see, the communion steward will hold a common cup. 00:47:21.360 --> 00:47:23.599 You are invited to take it. 00:47:24.159 --> 00:47:32.800 If you have any issues of your individual need for health, there would be individual cup at the end of the pew. 00:47:33.840 --> 00:47:45.920 And for the gluten-free bread and wine, the passengers and I will hold for you to come as you are ready. 00:47:47.440 --> 00:47:50.159 And the altars are open for you. 00:47:50.320 --> 00:48:00.079 So please join me at this time with the great thanksgiving found on your screen together. 00:48:03.119 --> 00:48:04.719 The Lord be with you. 00:48:06.480 --> 00:48:08.079 Lift up your heart. 00:48:10.079 --> 00:48:12.960 Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 00:48:15.679 --> 00:48:24.719 It is right and a good and joyful thing always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. 00:48:25.039 --> 00:48:31.280 You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. 00:48:31.599 --> 00:48:38.800 When we turn around and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. 00:48:39.039 --> 00:48:48.400 And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending Hymn. 00:49:10.559 --> 00:49:27.199 By the baptism of his suffering death and resurrection, you gave birth to your church and delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the spirit. 00:49:27.519 --> 00:49:39.360 On the night in which he gave himself for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, and broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples and said, Take it. 00:49:39.760 --> 00:49:42.639 This is my body which is given for you. 00:49:43.440 --> 00:49:45.679 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:49:46.000 --> 00:49:51.119 When the suffer was over, he took the cup and gave thanks to you. 00:49:51.760 --> 00:49:56.800 And gave it to his disciples and said, Drink from this all of you. 00:49:56.960 --> 00:50:03.360 This is my blood of new covenant poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. 00:50:03.599 --> 00:50:08.239 Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. 00:50:08.719 --> 00:50:27.679 And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice in union with Christ's offering for us as we proclaim the mystery of faith. 00:50:28.239 --> 00:50:34.000 Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. 00:50:34.320 --> 00:50:42.719 Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here and on these gifts of bread and wine. 00:50:42.960 --> 00:50:50.719 Make them before us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. 00:50:51.039 --> 00:51:06.800 By your spirit, make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the word until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet. 00:51:07.039 --> 00:51:19.840 Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. 00:51:20.639 --> 00:51:21.119 Amen. 00:58:21.519 --> 00:58:29.199 Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Holy Spirit to give ourselves for others. 00:58:29.440 --> 00:58:31.920 In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. 01:02:16.159 --> 01:02:17.119 In your God.