Theme: The testimony of the Church

Exegetical note
It should be surprising, if not sobering, to most congregations to find that in all of the Gospels, Jesus is quoted as using the word "church" only in Matthew, once here and twice in chapter 18. What we have, then, in Matthew's inflation of Mark's version of this incident is a retrospective testimony of the Church's recognition of Peter as its Rock, and of Jesus as God's "Son" as well as the Christ.

Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 95)
Leader: Come, let us …