Sometimes Alleluia: sermon

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Sunday, May 26, 2024

Today is Trinity Sunday…we celebrate the three musketeers that are God three for all and all are one…It is a bit confusing. What makes it more confusing is for some it is a core theological belief for others …well they believe in God, period.

“There is a foundation-shaking reality behind our words and our actions in worship, an utter holiness beneath our feeble attempts to pray and praise such an awesome God. How do our liturgy and the beauty of our sanctuaries even begin to touch the hem of such a robe?”[1]

… I wonder how the text speaks to those in our congregation? how do we address this question of being born again? I know for some of us it may get our hair to stand on end for this term alone has and is a weapon used by other Christian groups to separate themselves from the pack claiming their way is the only way.

I also wonder how this text is heard by those who are beyond our walls, those not--or no longer--part of a community of faith; does this trigger in them what it triggers in me? I know people outside of faith communities experienced God's holiness and God's nearness in other ways and other images. Indeed, how much is God a part of our everyday thoughts? How much time and energy have we given to expanding and deepening our understanding of God, our images of God, our experience of God?

According to Henry G. Brinton, "Our problem today is not that we grasp too much of God, but that we experience too little of God. But if we expand our hearts and minds so that we may encounter God in fresh ways, then we discover a Lord who is extraordinary, not ordinary" [2]

So let us examine Nicodemus who is invited to see God in a new and different way…

Nicodemus. He was, we are told, a leader in his community.

We do not know much about him.

Maybe he was a lawyer, schooled in the tradition of his people. If so, he would have been a senior partner in the leading law firm in Jerusalem, with all the posh perks and a candidate to be a character in a john Grisham novel.

Likely he was an intellectual, perhaps an academic. If so, he would have been not only tenured, but a distinguished professor with a string of publications and an impressive series of academic lectureships. – Bob?

But then again, he could have been a major political leader in Jerusalem, no doubt, with his own political action committee, and all the funding at his disposal that he could have wanted.

In another setting he might have been a corporate CEO, well connected, with access to all levels of power, plus enough stock options to live carefully close to scandal, but always careful enough to stay clear. He could teach a few of our leaders today a lesson or two.

There is no evidence, we just don’t know but I wonder what it would have been like in downtown Jerusalem if he had been a reality star, successful, a handsome man, with endless promotional enterprises, always trending the latest looks, always trending on social media maybe with a big -time, multiyear contract.

Well, we don’t know. All that we know is that he is a very big, somebody important. Like all important people, his actions are very public, under public scrutiny and endlessly reported.

As the story goes, one night this important man went to a secret rendezvous. He instructed his secretary to get the limo with a trustworthy driver. You know one who will keep everything very hush. It might have worked too except he had been spotted and it was reported that “He came to Jesus at night.” Can’t you just see it…this big limo pulling up in front of some little mud and straw hut where Jesus was staying in Jerusalem. Jesus was there for Passover and in this Gospel, he had literally just cleared the Temple. Perhaps this is another reason for the secrecy.

So now we have this dramatic meeting between Nicodemus, an important man in the Jewish community, in Jerusalem, and Jesus. Maybe he went to see Jesus out of curiosity. Perhaps the story of Cana had moved him. Maybe he understood Jesus’ reaction at the temple and wanted to learn more. This is a huge public risk for Nicodemus that he comes in the cover of night…there must be something more…. Walter Brueggemann says of Nicodemus “he had everything, and he wondered, ‘Is that all there is? Is there something more? Is there something different? Am I on the right track?’”[3] Well, what would that motivation be for such an important man to take such a risk? Brueggemann says; “it must have been a gnaw about reality.”[4]

Now there is a turn of phrase one doesn’t hear these days a gnaw about reality! It means that well Life was getting him down. He was greatly or deeply trouble perhaps even to a point of anguish or despair.

So, Nicodemus enters this shadowy room, no lights, only an oil lamp. In the best of all pastoral sense …Jesus waits. Nicodemus hesitates, he knows once he starts to ask questions, he just might get answers. So, he starts off safe; “I have heard about you. I have heard about your water-to-wine miracle, but I have also heard about your teaching. I have the impression, good sir, that what you are doing is very odd and very special. I just wondered about it, because what you do sounds to me like the presence of God. We Jewish scholars of tradition know that God alone can do such things. Can you help me here?”[5] It is almost as if Nicodemus is seeking and affirmation of what he holds to be true…you know the old I believe this is what is happening right ok good.

But Jesus can see deeper. Jesus knows that Nicodemus is seeking more than affirmation. He can sense the yearning within Nicodemus and gets past his resume, gets past his superficial acknowledgements and aims straight for his deeper questions. That deeper sense of there is something more to this life that is gnawing at Nicodemus’ heart. Jesus looks at him, Jesus looks in him, with a deep spiritual seeing and says, “You got to start over! You’ve got to be reborn. You need to be made anew. Born again! Born form above! You must become vulnerable and innocent and see the world with a sense of wonder and awe as through the eyes of a child. You need to forget the earthly things that bind you. Your job, your trophies, your diplomas, your money, and your reputation. You must let all that go. Get it out of your head so that you may see the wonder that is the gift of God. You see me do miracles. I do them, because I have given up self. I have given up that self-centeredness that is tied to this existence and connected my life to God in such a way that power comes to me through me from God because of my emptiness. This is how it works with me and God and this is the invitation to you as well. Start over in vulnerability and innocence and awe and wonder. The way you are living now cuts you off, your sureness, your arrogant security keeps you from all the gifts of life for which you so much yearn.”

There is a long pause. Jesus waits. Nicodemus’ face gets kind of screwed up as he thinks this over. “This is not possible”, Nicodemus exclaims!” What he says is being biologically born again is impossible but what he is actually thinking is …you, you, Jesus are asking too much; I cannot give it all up. What he feels is a cold sense of alienation and impotence, a wish for newness, but afraid of what it all means. He says thinking biologically, but wondering socially “How can that be?” The question sounds like a conclusion: it could not be …could it?

Almost as if he is reading his mind Jesus says again “You have to start over.” Nicodemus, confused, sits in silence waiting for more from Jesus. In spiritual direction I have a practice that when someone says something simple and sweet I, will say nothing but wait, wait for the more to come. Nicodemus waits, and Jesus goes on using Hebrew… “It’s like the wind. You cannot make it blow; but when it does blow, you cannot stop it.”

Jesus was playing with words. Jesus knew that Nicodemus would understand that the Hebrew word for wind and spirit were one in the same, ruah:

“You do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So, it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (v.8)

Nicodemus is just more confused than ever. Then in the midst of his confusion Jesus says…Well The only one who has access to this is me. I am the one who comes from God and I, the son of man, will be lifted up (v14).

“The phrase, ‘Lifted up’, in the fourth Gospel, means lifted on the cross, made high in elevation by crucifixion. (I would argue it means to be lifted high through resurrection via crucifixion). The spirit is the power of God that enables us to contradict the world and the world’s expectations, and to sign on for the innocence and vulnerability and dependence…and freedom …that had not been, someone free for God’s way in the world, someone not captive to the pressures and demands and dictions of the world , someone called by God to be their true self, powered by the wind, dazzled by the (resurrected) one, as innocent as one born…again.”[6]

People do not see it, but this is a perfect text for Trinity Sunday. Jesus addresses the Spirit, Himself and God. And the midst of the concept of Trinity that scholars and theologians try to explain and create doctrine about ...we stand with Nicodemus!

We stand with Nicodemus in our confusion about it all. We stand in our need to get past this…Past this world that is so broken, the world cries for love every day and so we…we stand with Nicodemus with his question is this all there is …. we try and try and yet there is always more and where do we turn where are we called….

“Wait for the wind that will blow you to freedom;

and watch for the one lifted up in our midst.”[7]

Now that secret meeting is over. Nicodemus gets back into his limo, but he is not the same man as when he stepped out. Who could be after a meeting with Jesus. Nicodemus knows there is work to be done. If we follow the limo we might see it stop by a beggar on the street and instead of just tossing some coins out a window we see the passenger get out and walk into a local tavern with the man as they sit, talk and order a meal. Throughout the meal he had these odd words running through his head.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only son so that one who believes in him may have eternal life. (v.16)

Nicodemus understands that this is not an easy mantra but an invitation, and invitation to be reborn, innocent, vulnerable, open to the movement of the wind, with his heart moving towards the unseen, towards the resurrection. The world seemed open now, the way he saw the world was completely contradicted by this new way of being. As he took some water to share with his new-found friend, he could not help but wonder if, as he poured, it might turn to wine. He wondered if in the bread they shared, there might be new life. He was awe struck as an innocent child seeing the world anew as for the first time with all its possibilities.

So, we stand with Nicodemus in this wonder of trinity. In this wonder of God emptied into a man who walked and experienced all of life as fully as possible. A man who was crucified as a common criminal and yet was lifted high in the resurrection as the glorified Christ. Who sent the spirit, the comforter which is in this room as we speak. Stirring our hearts and our minds towards new birth and new ways of being.

It is a calling into relationship with God the creator, Jesus the Christ and the holy spirit. That is the trinity, but it is funny because the trinity doesn’t work without us. We have been invited into this sacred dance. This spiritual whirlwind if you will, we are caught up in the dance.

It is through this dance that we are fed spiritually and challenged to grow. We are called to share the news of this spirit that God loves you. No matter who you are, rich man, educated woman, beautifully transgendered person or something in between. It just doesn’t matter.

This is a radically strange and beautiful thing to be Christian. To be born of spirit and water.

The water being the physical outward sign that we are part of something, a community. A nice, neat package we are the United Church of Christ Bradenton. I have my membership. It doesn’t matter if you were originally received into membership in the Baptist church or the catholic or any other Christian church, all count as we proclaim one baptism.

Then comes the born of spirit part. The born of spirit part is the challenge. For it is the spirit who troubles the water. It moves us outside of these walls. It calls us to do so much more than just Sunday. It calls us out to participate and share the good news. The Good news that each and everyone is loved.

One of the things we do is we have the basket in the back for the food pantry. I see that fill up nicely. I wonder, just wondering out loud, what if we had our own food pantry? What would that take to make a reality? Is it needed here int his location?

I am wondering this is just a thought for exploration. Can we do a community supper or lunch maybe once a quarter that is for our communities here and friends and neighbors. 2 congregations, a school and their families, one meal free to anyone who wishes to come? This literally just came to me as I am writing this.

There is a habitat for humanity manatee. Here in Bradenton, they have the number one Restore shop in Florida and #3 in the USA. Might we as a congregation offer some volunteer time in the store or see if they have a build coming up that we can participate in.

I pray that the spirit is moving each and every one of you towards something new. Perhaps it is just something new for yourself like seeking a spiritual director, maybe joining the book group in the fall, or planning the community meal.

I pray that the spirit puts something on your heart that you may see a need and we as a community can help fill it. Look around your neighborhoods, your town, where is God calling us as a congregation to make a change? Where is the spirit leading this congregation as the loving presence of God to make a difference?

As the old song goes the spirit is a moving all over all over this land!

[1] http://www.ucc.org/worship_samuel_sermon_seeds_may_27_2018

[2] Ditto

[3] Brueggemann, Walter. The Collected Sermons of Walter Brueggemann. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011. 284-287

[4] Ditto, 285

[5] Ditto

[6] Brueggemann, 286

[7] Brueggemann, 287

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Today’s Gospel reading has us again abiding with, remaining in God. Living out the Great commandment to love one another “that our Joy may be complete!” Jesus is lifting up his followers claiming and proclaiming; I no longer call you servants but “I call you friends”. So Lovely, what a beautiful concept it calls to mind the old hymn Oh what a friend we have in Jesus… A friend of Jesus a friend in God….

Let me share this Fred Craddock story….

Fred explains that for some reason he had never preached on this verse before and he found himself a little nervous;

“From servant to friend – do you welcome, will you accept this promotion?...

I must acknowledge that my trembling before john 15:15 has an antecedent in a sermon heard almost twenty years ago on a kindred theme: Abraham was called a friend of God James 2:23 The preacher, a large man, made painfully awkward by a number of maladies, including poor eyesight, moved to the pulpit and read in crippled speech his sermon text James 2:23.

His opening words were, “Abraham was a friend of God. I’m sure glad I am not a friend of God.” His sermon was an explanation of why he was pleased not to be a friend of God.... (Fred goes on to explain)

I cannot recall being so engaged in a sermon… He recalled the story of Abraham, pilgrim and wanderer, who, after years of homelessness, died and was buried in a land not his own. “Abraham was a friend of God,” He said; “I’m glad I’m not. “He then spoke of others who had been called friends of God, faithful in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword. He concluded with Teresa of Avila, remembered by the church as a friend of God. He recalled her begging in public to raise funds for an orphanage. After a series of setbacks- flood, storm and fire repeatedly destroying the orphanage- Teresa in her evening prayers said to God, “So this is how you treat your friends; no wonder you have so few.” The sermon closed with Counsel: if you find yourself being drawn into the inner circle of the friends of God, blessed are you. But pray for strength to bear the burden of it.”[1]

Oh what a friend we have in Jesus… Cradock’s story does make one pause

One way this Easter season can be described is "trekking through John's Gospel!" This passage is more of the same of last weeks passage it is a continuation of Jesus’ farewell speech. So, we are still on the move, called to remain in Christ’s love. To make our Home in Christ and allow Christ to make a home in us.

This part of Jesus’ teaching opens with as the father has loved me so I have loved you and ends with I am giving you these commandments so that you can love one another. A Nice pair of Book ends. But the opening verse does make me ask or ponder and wonder: how has Jesus loved us as God loves Jesus? What is this mirror image supposed to tell us about Jesus' love for his people, the love in which we are to remain?

Well, there are some things we learn as we have walk with Jesus through the Gospels… “God’s love towards Jesus is demanding, full of presence and promise, rich in public displays of God's power. It prunes, cleanses, molds, forms, challenges, and supports Jesus in his ministry. This is the love of Jesus Christ in which we are invited to abide.”[2] or remain.

This is the Love we are called to live into, a love fully and completely around us at all times, Challenging us to do better, to be better. This love we are called into is full of the promise of being welcomed home into the eternal love that is God.

Jesus emphatically says this road of remaining in me consists in keeping his commandments (John 15:10). So, what is Jesus’ commandments he is requiring us to keep? This is the little trick in John…John assumes his readers and his community know the stories of Christ including the great Commandment. Jesus again urges his disciples to do this since he has kept God's commandments, and the results of such remaining, the results of that love were observable in all he did, and we can still live into that presence today!

One commentator reflects that in the first two versus of this reading we can imaging “a parent leaning over a young baby, with smiles, trying to elicit smiles, and with gestures encouraging the baby to do the same as the parent.” Of course, how many parents recall trying to get their baby to smile and they get everything other than a smile? Jesus knows we are human. Yet, Jesus' use of himself as the model for love, and for commandment keeping, is anchored in daily life. One imagines his encouragement: "You can do this! You can do this because I have done it, and I am here to show you how to do it."

“Verse 11; “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” This, this is an odd outcome, this is not one would expect to hear…the result of keeping Christs commandments is Joy--joy. And not just any joy, but the joy of Jesus the Christ, a complete joy. I would even venture to say an incomprehensible joy. But what does this mean? What does this Joy look like? I believe it means an exuberance of faith that nothing can destroy. It means a deep-seated sense of happiness that is not merely emotion alone, but also a lively pleasure in the things of God. It is such a deep-rooted joy that even in the most challenging of times we can find a comfort or even a bit of holy sarcasm…remember Teresa’s prayer…in the face of extreme adversity she can comfortably come to God and say so this is how you treat your friends…

This passage gives a view of what we are truly called to as Christians.

These words of Jesus effectively combine human action, the fulfilling of his commandments, love God with your whole heart and love your neighbor, with a radical human emotion as their effect, Joy! remaining in Jesus the risen Lord is not a matter of grim-faced respectability or dour commandment keeping −it is a joy, a holy hilarity!

Right here is the great commandment, as Jesus reminds us is "that you love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15:12). love one another. Jesus extends the depths and extent of this love by saying the greatest expression of love is dying for one's friends.

Let me say this… there are many ways of dying that do not require a cross.

Giving up time or a want, so that another may be happy, sacrificing a meal so another may eat, walking a little further down a road so one does not have to be alone. These are all little deaths, deaths of one’s own ego. Sacrificing of our time, talent and giving up our many ways of being self-serving and becoming self-sacrificing truly this is laying down one’s life for their friends.

Biblical commentators have pointed out some interesting issues of which to be aware of in verses 12 and 13. In these verses, Jesus is speaking of love between and among friends. What about the enemies? The strangers? Would one die for love of these as well? Well, well, well, what about that…if we love our neighbor no matter who that is…how can they be an enemy. Often one is heard to ask who is my neighbor? Who am I called to love, who is my friend that I am called to love? Well…mm mm…ok who is my enemy, who, I mean really who is your enemy? Who is so excluded from our world view that we can truly claim them as an enemy. In Mathew we are reminded you have heard love your neighbor, but I say love your enemies.

In this day and age, we may feel we have enemies at times, but do we really? Aren’t our true enemies empire? Perhaps our enemies are attitudes of what mine is mine and what yours is mine, or attitudes of superiority which can easily be seen in white privilege and male dominance or the way society may scapegoat a particular ethnic population. The list could go on and on. But we do not, as Christians, have people as enemies. I believe we have behaviors, attitudes and egos to resist and hearts and minds to change!

Jesus reminds us “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”, Jesus then clarifies how he regards his disciples. They are not strangers, nor merely disciples, and certainly not just servants: they are friends.

Jesus notes the reason he calls them "friends" is he has shared the riches of all he has with them, in terms of his relationship with God. "I have made known to you everything..." (John 15:15). Here Jesus' offer of the intimacy of friendship is overwhelming. To live in the love of Jesus, Jesus the Risen Lord, is to be invited into friendship with God. There it is, we are invited. Through the Gospels Jesus has made known to us everything as well and so we are called to be friends of God.

Friends of God. The reality of the friendship with Jesus that is offered, in full disclosure is this; To know the Risen Christ is to know the heart of God. Then Jesus reminds us we did not choose Christ but Christ chose us…We are chosen just as the disciples are chosen John 15:16 and then we are reminded of what it means to be a disciple, a follower of Christ…Go and bear fruit ...fruit that will last.

We are receiving something we did not create, go searching for, or earn on our own. This is pure grace…the gifted-ness of God.

But there is responsibility attached to the work of fruit bearing. Not only are we to do it, but we are to bear "fruit that will last."

Bearing fruit means making wise choices and decisions for the work of and on behalf of God. It means acting thoughtfully over a life time; discerning what thoughts, words, and actions best serve the intentions of a loving God in this world.

Let us Pray as we continue to grow in God that we be that loving presence of Christ, just as Christ is that loving presence in us. So that all around us one by one hearts and minds may be changed, bent towards the arch of love. That truly is fruit that will last!

[1] The collected sermons of Fred B Craddock189-190

[2] Sermon seeds

Sunday, August 30, 2020

13th Sunday after Pentecost Sermon Stumbling block or a Rock?

Live Service Video

Let’s start with three deep breaths and relax….

This is a 6 minute video prayer for our centering and gathering time today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TascsWZPj8U

Opening Prayer

Ritual of Welcome for Virtual Worship

Taken from the book emergence blessings and rituals for unsheltering.

God is good! All the time! Welcome to the church in Diaspora on this blessed Blursday the 30^th day of the 8^th month of the year of coronavirus 2020! But who’s counting?

Welcome if your watching in hi-def, low-fi, or have to keep rebooting your screen or your soul because it’s so worn out. When glitches and hiccups happen, remember God dwells in the interruptions, too.

Welcome to you if you are Old or young, or a little bit of each; queer or straight, or a little bit of each; doubting or believing, saint or sinner, or a little bit of each. Welcome to people of all colors, all genders, all body shapes and sizes, all physical, mental and emotional abilities and moments.

Because we are here and there and everywhere, yet somehow still together as One today, this Body of Christ is whole and a little more perfect.

Now remember you have a whole body even though it sometimes seems-staring into screens-that you are nothing but eyes and brains. Welcome all of yourself to this moment, with a hand on your heart, and one on your belly, breathing more deeply, remembering that in many languages ‘breath’ and ‘spirit’ are the same word.

Now reach out your blessing hands in every direction.

Welcome the creatures you are sharing space with, then your neighbors, the strangers afar to this moment of peace and worship. Send out peace with your body, and feel it echo back.

let us begin today’s worship

Call to Worship #1:

L: Give thanks to the Lord!
P: We will sing God’s praises!
L: Seek the Lord and God’s strength.
P: We continually seek God’s presence in our lives.
L: Remember all the wonderful things that God has done.
P: Praise the Lord! AMEN.

The God of Abraham Praise # 24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNY73KVSY_8

(All candles lit.)

Matthew 16:21-28

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

²¹From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ²²And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” ²³But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

The Cross and Self-Denial

²⁴Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. ²⁶For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

²⁷“For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. ²⁸Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

The word of God for the people of God!

P: Thanks be to God

Sermon Stumbling Block or Rock?

Peter has just proclaimed who the disciples say Jesus is “the Messiah the Son of the living God!” but then Jesus swears them to secrecy…why? Well today’s Gospel gives us a hint. The disciples do not fully comprehend what it means to proclaim such a truth. The disciples do not comprehend the full weight of what is about to occur.

And Peter who had everything right just a few lines ago now gets everything wrong…there is much work to do.

“Peter acts like a spokesperson for the other disciples, but in another sense he speaks for himself. It is he alone to whom the divine revelation has been given; he is the only one about whom the special beatitude is spoken. (“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by the Creator in heaven.” Matt. 16:17) He is singled out as distinctive, honored by being the peculiar recipient of a heavenly gift.

Then something drastic happens in the narrative. Jesus begins to talk to the disciples about the immediate future, the journey to Jerusalem, his suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter again becomes a participant in the conversation, in fact an aggressive participant. He feels strongly that he must dissuade Jesus from going to Jerusalem and meeting such a dire fate.”^{^[1]}

You’re Not in the Driver’s Seat

^21-22Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, “Impossible, Master! That can never be!”

²³But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.”

“Security. Influence. Power. It is hard to resist their glorious lure.

Perhaps that is Peter’s challenge. He cannot help thinking that his close association with the Messiah will right all that is wrong about the world.

But Jesus’ announcement of the death-dealing events about to unfold in Jerusalem point to anything but the glory of security, influence, or power. What about the new church, and its authority to bind and to lose? What about withstanding the power of death (“the gates of Hades”)? How can these things happen if God’s own anointed one is to be tortured and executed?!

No wonder Peter protests. “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you!” Jesus’ response is swift and to the point: “Get behind me, Satan!”

Even in translation, the similarity to Jesus’ command to the devil in the wilderness is clear: “Away with you, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10). Could it be that Peter’s fervent wish, that God would prevent the horrors about to be visited upon Jesus, is something like the Tempter’s offerings in the wilderness?”^{^[2]}

Here is an interesting play on words in the Gospel…In the desert, with the tempter, Jesus says go away the word he uses is hypage. But to Peter Jesus adds opiso mou, hypage opismo mou. Behind me or after me…when Jesus called the disciple he said literally come opismo mou, come follow me.

Jesus is reminding Peter that he is getting ahead of himself and he needs to follow. Jesus is basically saying know your place man you still have much to learn.

“This is not the first time Peter falters, nor will it be the last. To be sure, Peter is the first to follow Jesus when called (Matthew 4:18-19) and he gets top billing whenever disciples’ names are listed in Matthew (for example, Matthew 10:2; 17:1; 26:37). He is an eager student, unafraid to ask for an interpretation after Jesus tells yet another enigmatic parable (Matthew 15:15). Nonetheless, Jesus calls him out for his “little faith” when fear gets the best of him as he steps out of a boat into stormy waters. Peter-the-Rock sinks like a stone (Matthew 14:28-33).

Later, Peter bravely vows to stick with Jesus no matter what happens, boasting that even the threat of death could never cause him to deny his Lord (Matthew 26:33, 35). He fails miserably in fulfilling both promises, staying far away when Jesus is arrested (26:58) and denying him repeatedly while Jesus faces trial and torture. He is nowhere to be found at the crucifixion, while the power of government-sanctioned violence is inflicted upon the Messiah.

The soaring height of Peter’s commitment is matched by the depth of his failure to follow.”^{^[3]}

I love Peter, Peter is my middle name. I am proud to say that I have, many times, lived up to Peters reputation. I have failed my proclaimed faith many times and I will again. It is what it means to be human and a follower of Christ.

^24-26Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

Mitzi J Smith professor of new testament reflects on this passage…

“Returning to addressing all of his disciples, Jesus admonishes them: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” This is a new teaching in light of Jesus’ imminent death. If Jesus’ disciples choose to continue following him, they must be willing to deny themselves (and not Jesus, as Peter will do in Matthew 26) and be able to envision the fate of the cross. Judas had it backwards; he thought he could pursue money and power and then follow in Jesus’ steps. Judas didn’t believe that Jesus would really lead them to the cross (Matthew 26:14-16, 47; 27:3-10). Jesus taught that “the one who wants to save his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit him if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what will he give in return for his life?” (Matthew 16:25-26). These words are reminiscent of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness: The devil dared Jesus to save his life (by turning stones into bread so that he could eat), lose his life (to cast himself down off the highest point of the Temple mount and God’s angels would save him), and to gain the world while forfeiting his life (to acquire all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worshiping the Satan). Before beginning his public ministry Jesus settled the question of his priorities; he sided with the poor who do not have the power to turn stones into bread; he refused to trivialize life and sided with those who are defenseless from the daily onslaught of violence; and he turned down ill-gotten material prosperity and power predicated on allegiances and partnerships with evil and oppressive forces.

Perhaps Jesus is also saying that if one thinks she has it all figured out (like Peter), she does not; that when we think our theology and faith is tight, right, and infallible, it just might be oppressive and death-dealing.”^{^[4]}

Wow I heard that! I am happy to admit I do not have it all figured out. I am happy to admit that what I do have figured out today may be wrong tomorrow. If anyone preaches otherwise run! If someone says they have the absolute truth…Run! Look at our history and how we have understood what Jesus and the bible has taught us.

Romans 13 alone has been used by “European royalty, going back as far as the Holy Roman Empire, to remain in power.

— Loyalists used it to promote obedience to King George and to counter the American Revolution.

— Southern slave owners used it to justify the subjugation of fellow human beings.

— Adolf Hitler used it to manipulate Christians and to sustain his power.”^{^[5]} Jeff Sessions used it to justify the policy of separating parents from Children

Ephesians has been used to justify spousal abuse

Politicians use Mathew 26:11 “The poor you will always have with you as a justification for cutting social programs.

David Gowler from Emory university explains it is because of the invisible gorilla in the room…

“Emory's Gowler cites a famous experiment that shows how people's perceptions can be easily skewed.

Researchers asked participants to watch a brief video of six people passing basketballs to each other. Three of the people are wearing white shirts, and three are wearing black shirts. The white shirted people pass one ball among themselves; the black shirted people do the same.

Viewers were asked to count the number of passes the people in white shirts made to each other. In the middle of the video, a person in a gorilla suit walks slowly into the middle of the frame, faces the camera and beats his chest before walking off.

Almost half the viewers did not see the gorilla because they were focused on counting the number of passes made by the people in white shirts, Gowler says. He's shown the video to his classes, and they miss the gorilla by a similar percentage. By focusing on the white shirts, their brains filter out the black shirts -- and the gorilla along with them.

People say they want to know what the Bible means, but they often miss the meaning because they're so focused on "what they expect -- or want -- to find," he says.”^{^[6]}

That is one factor, people are focused on what they want to find, the other is the bible is a living document. As we grow and live into its revelations, as we learn what the challenges of Christ’s teachings are we can see more clearly what our call is. Just as Peter grew into understanding what his call was. And though Peter learns for every two steps forward, much as all of humanity, he seems to take one step back.

“Peter declares that his loyalty to Jesus will withstand the threat of death; that though the crowds forsake Jesus, he will not. We sometimes prefer to see Peter as weak, rather than as human. Perhaps Peter saw himself as superhuman. I don’t think Jesus calls us to deny our humanity but to commit to following him while fully accepting how vulnerable our humanity will be if we choose to be revolutionaries. Jesus was willing to be God’s revolutionary Messiah knowing the violence that could be done to his body as a consequence of pursuing justice, love and peace instead of the privileges of empire.”^{^[7]}

This what Jesus means by take up your cross, but for many of us, the concept of taking up the cross has become boring and inconsequential.

Clayton Schmit from Lutheran theological states;

“We have heard that we should take up our cross. To some degree, we followers of Jesus do this gladly. We especially do those things that are not too dear. We serve on boring church committees, bearing our cross without complaint. We give more than we think is financially prudent and hope it doesn't put a dent in our lifestyle. We help out those people who annoy us, thinking we are bearing a burden. The list of little crosses is endless. But, the passage pushes--and so the preacher must push--deeper. To take up the cross is to deny oneself, not to safeguard one's way of life by chastening it with little taxations. This leads only to "forfeiture" of life. Jesus demands more. The Messiah requires more.

The problem is we are pretty poor at cross bearing. The disciples wouldn't have thought themselves any better. They had seen crosses and knew how life-crushing they were. For them, the thought of carrying a cross was a life and death matter. In the end, many of them did die because they followed the Messiah. For us, to bear a cross is a metaphorical idea. No one really expects to die in the process. But, even to deny ourselves seems too much to ask. We aren't much good at that either. Here is both the challenge and the good news in this text: If we follow Jesus, we will be seriously called to bear certain crosses and lose hold of our lifestyle, if not our life. Yet, in all our weakness and human mindedness, it is Jesus' own death on the cross that enables us to do what we cannot.

God's power is revealed not in walks through the porticos of power, but through the dusty alleys of weakness and misery. That is where Jesus walked. That is where he leads us to walk. That is where he strengthens us to bear the burdens of discipleship. It is his burden we take upon our shoulders. It is his strength that bears the weight. We do nothing on our own, but he can do much through us. Without him, Peter was no rock, but a stumbling block. With him, Peter was the church. With him, we are not powerless to deny ourselves but able to bear all he may give us. Lloyd Ogilvie once put it this way: "We say, 'But, Lord, I cannot.' And God says, 'I'm glad to hear you say that. Through you, I can.'"^{^[8]}

When it comes down to the day to day we are nothing but copies of Peter. We are mere mortals. We are human. We sometimes get our understandings of the Gospel wrong. We feel there are tasks so great we cannot make a difference. We feel the task is too great and we are powerless especially when confronting empire.

Yet if we pause…if we pray…if we boldly step into the true messiness of ministry, we too can be Peter. Not stumbling blocks but Rocks upon which a church is continuing to be built.

Amen.

A call to prayer

God of All,
gather us into a time of prayer
for our family.
Expand our vision
to understand each human being
as our sister or brother;
and enlarge our hearts
to offer love for each other,
even as you love each of us.
Be with us now as we pray for members of your family.

God of Grace and God of Glory #436

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV2SSM6MD8I

Let us pray the prayer Jesus taught us

Our Creator, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kin-dom 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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kin-dom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen

Invitation to the Offering

Offering our gifts to God is a holy act. In this sacred moment, let us offer our gifts and our lives to the holy work of God.

‘Donate Here!

Doxology #778 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9My-_5s6bBQ

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God for all that love has done;

Creator, Christ, and Spirit, one.

Offering Prayer

In gratitude for your amazing works in the world,
we offer our gifts to further your work, Holy One.

Bless us as you blessed Moses before us,
that we may be a blessing of your holy work.

Guide our steps, and bless the offerings we bring,
that the world may be touched by your holy love.

Amen.

The office is open for regular hours

We are accepting donations for the kidz cupboard and the food pantry

I am available for one on one virtual visits or phone calls if you need any prayer we will be together again one day, but until then remember you are the hands and the feet of our lord in this world and in this world of no physical contact we can still smile, wave, chat, check in

Take My Life, God let It Be #448

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfNq1LXGmSA

Benediction/sending forth

Go into the world with peace and joy, delighting in the diversity

and blessings that God has lavished upon each one. Celebrate

the good news of the love of God with all people and offer peace

and blessing to each one. Go in peace. AMEN.

Just a note Bible study is on summer leave…

Keep an eye out for a bookstudy this fall with Rev. Dr. Robert Shore-Goss and Kathleen Oliver

[1] Brueggemann, Walter, and Charles B. Cousar. Texts for Preaching: a Lectionary Commentary, Based on the NRSV. -Year A, Westminster John Knox Press, 1995.

[2] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=4565

[3] Ditto

[4] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3362

[5] https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/biblical-verse-used-to-justify-evil-acts-letter/article_d84345b2-eab1-11e9-a2f1-d7a41d29aaef.html

[6] https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/22/us/misused-bible-verses-sessions/index.html

[7] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3362

[8] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=132

Sunday, August 23, 2020

12th Sunday after Pentecost Who do you say that I am?

Facebook live

Let’s start with three deep breaths and relax….

Opening Prayer

Opening Prayer (Romans 12)

Loving God,
call us together as your people;
transform us with your love.
Transform our hearts,
that we may love generously.
Transform our eyes,
that we may see your grace.
Transform our hands,
that we may serve others.
Transform our spirits,
that we may be the body of Christ,
gathered to worship
and sent out to serve. Amen.

let us begin today’s worship

Call to Worship (Psalm 124)

L: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

P: We belong to God.

L: When we feel overwhelmed,

P: God is on our side.

L: `When we are afraid,

P: God will keep us safe.

L: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

P: Blessed be the Lord!

Oh God our help in ages past #25

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=210670516645378

(All candles lit.)

Matthew 16:13-20 Peters Declaration about Jesus

^{Peter’s Declaration about Jesus}

¹³^{Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.}

The word of God for the people of God!

P: Thanks be to God

Sermon who do you say that I am?

A fourth-grade teacher was giving her pupils a lesson in logic.

"Here is the situation," she said.

"A man is standing up in a boat in the middle of a river, fishing.

He loses his balance, falls in, and begins splashing and yelling for help.

His wife hears the commotion, knows he can’t swim,

and runs down to the bank.

Why do you think she ran to the bank?"

A girl raised her hand and asked, "To draw out all his savings?"[1]

So today the disciples are faced with a similar situation –like being in class when the teacher asks a very important question. They want to seem intelligent so they blurt out an answer –not always the right one –but an answer none the less.

Well this morning Peter blurts out an answer that is both correct and amazing which is pretty good for Peter but don’t worry he messes it up in the next passage.

We are familiar with all the miracle stories. We have heard of the wedding at Cana, feeding the people, healing the Canaanite woman’s daughter. Great things have been happening everywhere that Jesus and the disciples have gone.

So today Jesus asks two essential questions first he asks who do the people say I am. What rumors or understanding of what has been happening around them is going on? Christ is asking the disciples for a summary of the crowds. All of them regarded him as some kind of prophet or of one sent by God, But the answers never really hold much conviction. The disciples in verse 14 tell Him many people think He is John the Baptist or one of the great prophets. And, this is where it gets interesting this is when the story gets personal. Jesus asks “What about you? Who do you say I am?”

Jesus asked this of His closest followers and yet only one of them had any kind of an answer. “The rest just stood there and looked at him. They flat out didn’t know what to say. You know, the fact that these were his closest followers and friends That didn’t know how to answer such a direct question makes me wonder, what if I he were to ask us that same question today?”

What would you say? Does the answer come quickly or would it be difficult in today’s secular climate to make such a bold answer?

If we look at Jesus’ actions, if he were here today doing many of the things he did then how would you answer? A Methodist Minister named John Nadasi had some pretty interesting insight to this he states people would see him as a criminal.

“Why?

Well, he would have everyone mad at him.

the FDA for turning water into wine without a license,

the EPA for killing fig trees,

the AMA for practicing medicine without a license,

the Dept. of Health for asking people to open graves,

for raising the dead and for feeding 5,000 people in the wilderness,

the NEA for teaching without a certificate,

OSHA for walking on water without a lifejacket

and for flying without an airplane,

the SPCA for driving hogs into the sea,

the NATIONAL BOARD of PSYCHIATRISTS for giving advice

on how to live a guilt free life,

the NOW for not choosing a female apostle,

the ABORTION RIGHTS LEAGUE for saying that whoever harms

children, it is better that they had never been born,

the INTERFAITH MOVEMENT for condemning all other religions,

and by the ZONING DEPT for building heavenly mansions without a building permit.”[2]

I am sure if we tried we could think of even a few more to add to that list and I admit I take exception to the statement that he didn’t name a female apostle for I believe they were named and then washed out by male hierarchy. But that is just my suspicion considering the prominent role women had in certain aspects of the Gospel they are not just women in passing but named. That is another sermon.

One interesting aspect of this is the apostles first response to Jesus’ Question. “The disciples answer by naming people who are dead. John the Baptist, a contemporary of Jesus; Elijah, a harbinger of the messiah and of the role John the Baptist plays in the gospel stories; Jeremiah (a favorite in Matthew), or one of the prophets.

Perhaps John represents the spirit of a movement that Herod could not kill despite John's beheading. Elijah represents the hope of divine activity for Israel's sake. The prophets delivered God's word with its creative power. The disciples' answer implies the perception that divine creative power is stirring that the imperial powers of Rome cannot kill.”[3] But I would venture to say that a clear understanding what Messiah is or would be is not there yet.

This is why Peter’s response is so amazing. Jesus even tells us it is amazing basically saying wow there is no way this came to you through your own process for “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but my Father in heaven!” This concept of being the Son of the Living God and Messiah is a concept beyond the Jewish people of Jesus time, beyond the apostles standing there. and it may even be beyond us still today.

This reading today challenges us to our soul. To our core of Christian belief…How? Well the question Jesus asks of Peter is one still being asked to us today and I bet each one of our responses is a little different.

According to the UCC statement of faith this is our calling;

We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify:

so we are called to testify to the works of Christ …to testify to his mission of reaching out to the marginalized, the oppressed, to all people with love and empathy and compassion…

God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death.

Before us are choices and we are free to make choices that lead to full lives in God or lives that are selfish and isolating but more importantly each one of us is an image of the creator an image of the divine and such this is how we are called to respect and care for each other… there are no exceptions everyone is an image of God.

God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

This statement means that God is active, seeking us out. This is not a passive inert God but a god moving in this world in our lives walking besides us and engaging us in something bigger and beyond ourselves and beyond this world towards the reality of the kin-dom of God.

God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles.

God Judges all humanity…sounds harsh but by that will of righteousness that is declared through the prophets and the apostles I interpret that to mean God created us just as we are and in his Judgement, he calls us to be better. God knows we are human and knows we are not perfect and knows we will stray from the path but his judgement is not one of shame or punishment but one of love that calls us and challenges us to grow in God’s love to be better because we can be, we can always be better as individuals and especially as one people created in the image of God.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.

Jesus was born to deliver us from our sins and in dying destroyed death as it once was, opening Gods experience to our human experience. “reconciling the whole of creation to its creator” … In many ways, this was the beginning of centuries of a healing process, for human kind had chosen to so alienated itself from God and that we are still working toward that goal of bringing us all back to the loving creator.

God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

Through us here today the holy spirit is doing something. The Holy Spirit is moving something that is a part of the process of renewing the church through the faithful. Now I will say something here that many may not like but there are many faithful Christians and each one of us have had a glimpse at the truth, and none of us have got it all right. But that is the miracle and the glory of the church each one of us moved by the Holy Spirit to do the best we can and hopefully the world will be better for it. This is why we hold the Christian church in prayer for we are often at odds with one another and our call is to find common ground in caring for the poor, the marginalized and the disposed, to do the best we can and pray that the spirit of God will continue to draw us closer together as we work towards being the kin-dom of God here on earth.

God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.

This statement sums up what I have been saying. This is hard but it is what we are called to be as the Federated church of Marlborough God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, there is a cost to discipleship and part of that is actually saying who Christ is and be bold in a world that may challenge us. to be servants in the service of the whole human family, we do not get to pick who we serve, we do not get to say I’ll pray for you but not you, we do not get to say there is only one way and a best way or an easy way to serve Christ. We just don’t! We are called to serve the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, now just because we are called to serve the whole family does not mean we are complacent after all resistance is a spiritual practice… but when we show our opposition and our resistance, spiritually, this means no harm shall come to another by my hand… This is hard stuff…to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory. This is the gift of the hard work, we get to take rest at Christs table, we get to share in Christ’s victory over death, but in the mean time we are called to all this other stuff …all this work…but in the end the profession of faith says this

God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end.[4]

So, when all this is said and done who do you say that I am is not an easy question and in this day and age it is challenging. I know many have been wounded and abused by the church and I see Christian bashing all the time. You see we all get lumped into the same boat. Most people who are not active in a church or a Christian community do not know the difference between Pat Robertson from the 700 club or Patrick Rogers a UCC minister in Ft Lauderdale.

Many times, it is the one who has the most money that gets the airplay and that is what defines Christianity for many people. So many times, before we can answer the question “Who do you say that I am?” We, as the United Church of Christ; a United and Uniting Church, we as the federated church of Marlborough that is UCC, Methodist and UUA, a Church that loudly and proudly proclaims No matter who you are or where you are in life’s Journey you are welcome, A Church that believes in a truly extravagant welcome and a Loving God, we get lumped in as Christian and all the baggage that comes with that. That is hard and harsh at times.

Many times I have had to say, or write because a lot of this comes out in social media, that I am not that kind of Christian. I say who I believe Jesus is by relating my experience of a Church that works to heal division. A Church that seeks out injustice and works to correct that.

These denominations that make up this Church claim have a history of many first.

Our past includes the first churches to speak out against slavery, the first ordained African American Pastor, the first foreign mission society, and the first woman pastor. I think this partially answers the question “who do you say I am?”[5]

United Church of Christ has many mission projects we partner with and this may answer the question as well. Such as we currently as a denomination work with Border links in Arizona, heifer international, Habitat for Humanity, the fuller center for housing in Macon Georgia, and “The Appalachia Service Project (ASP) which repairs homes for the poorest families in Central Appalachia with the vision that substandard housing in Central Appalachia might be eradicated and everyone who comes into contact with this ministry will be transformed.”

Globally we have many projects including the Southern Asian Initiative. “The Global Ministries Southern Asia Initiative invites you to walk together in hope with partners in the Southern Asia region as we discover what it means to live faithfully.

Despite a complex history of cultures, spiritual traditions, growing economies, and emerging technology, Asia has also been home to the largest number of the poor in the world. Of late, the region has become more susceptible to violent conflicts, terrorism, fundamentalism, bigotry, human rights’ violations, and caste-based violence.

However, Asian churches, mostly minority communities, find themselves at the crossroads of being rooted and relevant while also remaining connected with their faith traditions. Amidst human suffering, need, and injustice, churches in the region aim to stand together in faith and hope. We in Global Ministries stand with them as we receive and share good news together!”

Southern Asia Initiative

As I have been exploring and rambling on it has come to me that maybe the Answer to who do you say I am is no longer a vocal proclamation. Perhaps we need to be more than that, we need to be proclamation in action. Such as our food pantry or kidz cupboard. Our blood drive and our Christmas toy efforts. The practice of sending cards, reaching out to each other and just checking in. I believe that may answer the question of “who do you say I am?” Much louder than any proclamation can.

When we work to live the best lives, we can. When we choose to struggle to grow together as community, when we reach out to those who are marginalized, abandoned and scorned by society, when we live as blessed and beloved children of an all loving all welcoming God that is when we best answer the Question!

So in light of all this, in the light of all we have heard to day I’ll repeat the question. Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” I am wondering in what unique and new ways we might be called to expand our answer?

[1] John Nadasi, Who do oyu say that I am?, July 24, 2002, accessed July 23, 2017, https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/who-do-you-say-that-i-am-john-nadasi-sermon-on-confession-of-sin-49631.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Marilyn Salmon, Commentary on Mathew 16:13-20, August 24, 2008, accessed August 23, 2017, http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=134.

[4] Robert V. Moss, United Church of Christ Statement of Faith, 2017, accessed August 23, 2017, http://ucc.org/about-us_what-we-believe.

[5] United Church of Christ, UCC Firsts, accessed August 23, 2017, http://www.ucc.org/about-us_ucc-firsts.

[6] https://www.globalministries.org/southernasiainitiative

A call to prayer

There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy #23

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOZMzkzCs0E

Let us pray the prayer Jesus taught us

Invitation to the Offering

God has blessed us with an abundance of gifts. We are called to offer all that we are to God—our bodies, our spirits, our minds, our time, and our money. As the body of Christ, we are called to be in ministry with others. With true generosity, let us give of ourselves this morning.