... instant messaging, always on call. In a 24/7 world, we need Sabbath like never before. Spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, in every way we are reaffirming the truth of the Old Testament call to remember the Sabbath—God's gracious gift. In fact, it is the last gift of the creation narrative: the day of rest. It was 25 years ago that Judy and I moved to Dexter—new appointment, new congregation, new ministry. I was making a frantic effort to make a good impression and to do everything ...
... is critical to the witness and mission of this congregation. The calling is for all of us to accept our place, our part, our task in this mission. Every time we receive new members, we remind ourselves of the commitment "to support the church with our prayers, presence, gifts and service". It's not an option, but an obligation. Preach the word. Be urgent in season and out of season. Do the work of an evangelist. 2. And Paul reminds him to keep the faith. I can't tell you how many times I have quoted St ...
... who experienced it, the death of President John Kennedy will always be seared in our memories as one of the transforming events of our life and times. For a strikingly handsome, gifted man, with so much potential, to die so unnecessarily was a real tragedy. And then, of course, just as tragic, the unnecessary and untimely death of his equally handsome, gifted son John, again at an all-too-young age. Those of us who remember the time, remember him as "John-John," the small son of the young President. Who can ...
... tickets which had to be stamped showing that you were there, and if you missed, someone came to find out why, concerned about your soul. And to this day, everyone who joins a United Methodist Church promises to support it with our "prayers, presence, gifts and service." Whether in the solemnity and liturgy of a sanctuary or on the sawdust trail or at Sunday Night Alive, Methodists commit to be present in worship, present in fellowship, committed to the gathering. Somewhere, I still have my string of Sunday ...
... absolute unique place in creation that Jesus, both wholly divine and wholly human, pushes and pulls us into claiming. It is the divine gift of human duality – of dust and divinity – that Jesus calls us to inhabit. We are human beings who were made “from the earth ... , cannot possibly separate itself from the singular. Indeed, a Christian community is defined by the practice of authentic love. Christ's gift of authentic love is the Magna Carta of the human soul. Let’s hear it one more time. For this is ...
... is now at hand. The great and often unfathomable streams of human experience and God's omnipotence seem to come to a unique intersection in time and space. The forces and energies of all that "was, is, and shall be" have brought to humankind the gift above all gifts. The Word came and dwelt among us. Considering the day and time, eyewitnesses were many. Let there be no doubt the Savior is on the scene. He comes in flesh and blood. Institutions of that day and time would not be able to defeat him. His ...
... are called to be sons and daughters in the highest and best sense. This royal invitation is given to us by Jesus the Christ coming among us. Yes, we are given the opportunity to become spiritual royalty. Of course, the decision is ours. Jews and Gentiles have access to the gift above all others. What shall we do with the babe in Bethlehem now among us? Today is the day of salvation not only for you and me. It is such a day for others throughout the world. When in doubt as to how to bring this about, fall on ...
... it takes to understand such all-pervasive sufficiency. Our acceptance of this truth gives us doctrinal grounding that is good forever and ever. To plead the weakness of humanity can only be a trapdoor that acts as a preventative in receiving his gift of baptism and the Holy Spirit. The gift wants to be given. Shall we go through most of life rejecting it? I humbly pray that will not be the case. 3. So much of life is a rewarding preliminary leading to something or someone better. This concept takes time to ...
... to synthesize in such a way that harmony can be the outcome is among the many things the Apostle Paul does well. The often-pesky church at Corinth desperately needed such a skill, written and practiced in charity. To follow his inspired advice comes as a gift to all of us, 2,000 years ago or today. The individualistic Christianity, largely the work of Protestants, has been and is both a bane and balm, for us. To do our own thing is commendable and perhaps essential but it can prove utterly destructive to ...
... all. The apostle places charity in his recipe for eternal life. He calls his readers to give to those in need. Our charity to others is not only in material possessions but in time and attitude as well. Charity requires that we realize that all is gift and, therefore, is not ultimately ours. All belongs to God and, thus, all must be shared with God's children. Saint Paul's recipe continues by an exhortation to right and proper speech. Again, he realized that humans often grow angry at others. Thus, he tells ...
... our decision; faith is our choice. As God said it to Abraham, "I place before you death and life; thus choose life." Too often we willingly choose the world and, thus, death, but if we wish we can choose the wisdom of God and life. Yes, we must use our gift of free will wisely, to always choose God's wisdom over that of the world. Often we hesitate; we are unsure how far we can go or how much we are willing to risk. Thus we balk and miss opportunities. A little story illustrates how our tendency to hesitate ...
... obedience. The abiding place of God's dominion is not built by human hands or ordained by human decree, nor won through human conflict; rather the holy city comes to us, a gift of divine grace, coming from heaven rather than arising from earth. John does not give details about just how he got there to see that new heaven, for even that transport was divine gift, but he does bear witness to what was seen. It is a vision we need to grasp — a traveler's tale we need to hear and understand. This world is not ...
Call To Worship God lives in us! All of us! Together we are given the gift of scripture, and together we may interpret that living word! What can stop us from taking hold of new ... With you we have nothing to fear. Amen. Prayer Of Confession God of discernment, how can we truly plumb the depths of your wisdom without a guide? We praise you for the gift of your community of faith! Help us to trust each other as we walk together through Bible study, trusting not to one expert but to the Spirit who calls us to ...
... to us, and to the world. Amen. Prayer Of Confession Were we to boast in ourselves our words would be in vain, but Merciful God, you found us when we were lost, and by your grace we are saved! This is a free gift, so we boast not in ourselves, but about your mercy and goodness. No brag, just fact — in the ages to come the immeasurable riches of your kindness will be displayed by grace through your son Jesus Christ! Amen. Hymns Marvelous Grace Of Our Loving Lord Amazing Grace Blessed Assurance, Jesus ...
... God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. One: Heart, soul, mind, strength.... All: God offers heart, soul, mind, and strength to us. In our worship we return the gift and seek to honor God in word, thought, prayer, and song. Amen. Prayer Of Confession God of heart, we pledge our love and the action of our love in your service, seeking to answer with compassion the needs of this world. God of soul, we look within to ...
... word is continually made flesh to dwell among us. Your light shines in our midst. Grant us the grace to see it, perceive it, and celebrate it! All glory is yours, now and forever. Amen. Prayer Of Confession What can we offer you today, Lord, that can match the gift of the Christ Child? Accept our gifts which we give as freely as you gave a light that shines in the darkness to a suffering world. Amen. Hymns Whilst By The Sheep We Watched By Night O Little Town Of Bethlehem 'Twas In The Moon Of Wintertime
... of good news. If Jesus' birth means something more than a respite from the day-to-day grind, then it must take root and blossom forth in what we say and do. As Saint Paul says, we are the Body of Christ. We have a responsibility to pass on the gifts Jesus brings to others. We begin with ourselves and then move to others. What can we do to make sure the light is accepted, that Jesus' incarnation makes a difference in our world? The light of Christ is like the light from a lamp that goes out in all directions ...
... open packages of argyle socks or paisley shirts? How many of us have gazed into a box to discover slacks and skirts, blouses and vests; sweatshirts and pajamas, all of a dizzying array of colors and styles? When I was a boy, clothing was a staple for Christmas gifts, because there was little available cash for frivolities like toys or games. But new clothing is really great. Personally, I'm partial to L.L. Bean. But you tell me. What does it feel like to wear a new suit? Come on, level with me. It feels ...
... is doing? What are the old ways that must be abandoned as we step forward to meet a God who enters history in the twenty-first century? Where, in our lives together, can we meet Christ anew? How, in this day and time, can we rise up to receive the gift of newness of life from a God who loves and forgives, a God who has blotted our mistakes and refuses to hold them against us? The truth is, that no matter how we view it, we are challenged to receive God in a fresh and powerfully new way. God hasn ...
3095. Rock Turning
Mark 1:1-8
Illustration
Douglass M. Bailey
... Catholic schools in Cleveland's inner city. Day after day after day, they focus their faith and energy on the education of inner-city youngsters, youngsters whose lives are at risk in so many areas. One day, out of nowhere, a wonderful gift was given to these nuns. The gift was to pay for the entire Order to go on a vacation. Vans were supplied, and all the necessary money for their trip was contributed anonymously. So, that summer, the nuns closed their Order house and headed to the vacation spot of their ...
... what he means by this "assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1ff.). Like God's love, however, the litany of what is faithfulness remains inexhaustible. A few examples remind us that: 1. Faith is a gift - Our faithfulness is a gift by the grace of God. As Martin Luther re-discovered to his great relief, justification is through faith but is always mediated by grace. 2. Faith is salvific - Acts 10:43 and John 1:12 both specifically link the forgiveness of sins ...
... cautions in this week's text that Christians become conscientious doers as well as hearers of God's word. Our desire for pure knowledge, untempered by wisdom, can lead to a similar threat. Steeped in knowledge, we can still sit comfortably, doing nothing. Wisdom, the gift from God, is necessary to guide the use of knowledge, as well as our use of the material goods, time, and energy we may reap as an offshoot of increased knowledge. Our lust for knowledge for its own sake has become a kind of idolatrous ...
... week's texts. The essence of the gospel is relationship, for it is the love of God made flesh which makes possible the fulfillment of all other relationships. Special relationships have been the hallmark of God's dealings with humanity. The unique gift of divine breath at creation bound God to humans and made them "little lower than the angels." God chose to enter into relationship with a particular people - the Hebrews - joining them together with an everlasting covenant. But God was dissatisfied with the ...
... . In Isaiah's prophecy, God has already given them the headiest draught of all - the new exodus. But now God offers the special children, Israel, hand-held drinks of divinely-granted water. Isaiah knew that his people longed with a parching thirst for the quenching gift of freedom. What do we now thirst for? If God were to ask "What’s your drink?," how would we respond? Few communities are as schizophrenic about an issue as is the church about drink. Half the churches celebrate Jesus the wine-maker and ...
... lee - the Holy Spirit's presence will descend on a global, universal scale. John Habgood, Archbishop of York, has re-examined the most beloved of Jesus' parables, the Good Samaritan. Keeping in mind Jesus' dual emphasis on word and work, Habgood focuses on the continued gift of Christ's presence among us. Habgood first skips to the end of the parable, finding one focus of the story in its last line, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37). Here word and work come together dramatically. The priest and Levite, both ...