The Resurrection of Tabitha

May 4, 2022 Acts 9:36-43 Mother’s Day Fourth Sunday of Easter Tabitha’s Resurrection Year C Opening Song Welcome Call to Worship (from Revelation 7) One: ALL, and that means ALL (here, on-line and in spirit), come to worship God! Many: With the multitude from all ages, we cry out with a LOUD voice, “Holy victory belongs to God and to the Lamb!” One: Together, we are ready to worship the God who shelters us. Many: Together, we claim the Lamb as our shepherd. One: Together, we sing praise to God, who guides all to the water of life. Many: With grateful hearts, let us worship God. (Center for Faith and Giving) Opening Prayer God of the ages, we offer you our praise this day, for the ways you continue to make your presence known to believers in every age. Thank you for the Lamb, who is our shepherd. Thank you for your tender care for each and for all. Thank you for welcoming those who come with joy, and those yearning for you to wipe away every tear from our eyes. We offer you our hearts, our hands and our voices. AMEN (Center for Faith and Giving) Song Great is Thy Faithfulness UMH 140 Candle Lighting for Mothers (Just print the bold responses and the line before) Leader: We gather this day in worship esteeming the Light of Jesus Christ—-who is both God and human, born of his mother Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is from God, the source of all light, that every good and perfect gift has come, including the gift of Mothers. May we thank God for this good gift, today and always. All: We light the candle of memory. (gold) Leader: We remember the light of the women in our lives who birthed us, adopted us, fostered us, nurtured us, cared for us, shaped us and disciplined us who are no longer beside us. May God’s light shine upon each one and may God’s comfort embrace each grieving family. All: We light the candle of honor. (pink) Leader: We honor the women in our lives who bring forth new beginnings, embrace us as their own, foster our growth, nurture us, care for us and help form us into better people by the power of their love which comes from God. May God’s blessings be upon each one. All: We light the candle of peace. (blue) Leader: We pray for the mothers who have buried children. We pray for the women who long to be mothers, but are not. We also pray for each mother-child relationship that has been strained or broken by action, in-action, distance or illness. May God grant peace to each one who finds this day difficult. All: We light the candle of hope. (green) Leader: We encourage the many mothers are overwhelmed trying to make ends meet who while exhausted love anyway. We encourage parents who must raise their children alone, grandparents and other guardians who nurture children in their parent’s stead. May God empower each one with hope. All: God, teach us to recognize Your light in all of its many forms as we remember, honor and reflect on especially the gift of Motherhood this day. Fill us with your hope that we might shine your light to the generations after us. Amen. Scripture Acts 9:36-43 Sermon Tabitha’s Resurrection So here we are at the fourth Sunday of Easter – we are looking at the resurrection stories – the stories of Jesus appearing to his disciples after the crucifixion and before the ascension. In these stories, the disciples are grappling with a new sense of faith, all the while grieving the loss of the times of teaching from Their Lord and Savior. They too are trying to understand the significance of the resurrection. Our scripture for today is one of several stories in the new testament about a faithful person being brought back to life. First there is the story of Lazurus, there is the story of the young daughter of a centurion, and we have this story, the story of Tabitha/Dorcas. I wonder if other than in the bible, whether you have a story of experiencing a resurrection for yourself. I do, I was about 4 or 5 years old. My grandmother took me with her to spend a few days with one of her nephews and his family. I think it was a significant birthday for him, and he had invited all of our pretty large family to join him. We travelled a few hours to get to their farm. I remember him talking about how excited he was that his daughter and her boyfriend were driving home from college to be there. So it seemed surreal when we woke up the next morning to be told that she has died in a carwreck. Everyone was already coming for a joyful celebration, the nephew decided that the gathering would go on, but for a different reason. This was the first person that I knew that died, and I spent a lot of time trying to process what this meant. The funeral was packed, I remember her in a pink open casket. Everybody, including me had to pass by the casket. After the funeral I lost it, I cried the whole day because I could not understand why she was not coming back. I was sitting on the bed crying when she came to me to tell me that everything was going to be okay, and that she would always be with me. At least that is what my 4 year old mind heard her say. It was many years later that I realized that she had two younger sisters that looked just like her. I just assumed that she came back alive and spoke to me twice. In my first experienced of death, I was relieved that it didn’t last forever, because they really do come back alive just like the preacher said about Jesus. That is my resurrection story – even today, 50 years later, the baby sister still keeps in touch with me. She has been a real comfort, especially after my mother died. She kept her promise to always be with me. The true significance of the resurrection is in the hope and peace that it gave to those who followed Jesus. Jesus promised to be with us even to the end of the age. Now this woman Dorcas must have been a very special person. She is the only person in the bible with he title mathitrea – or female disciple. We don’t know a lot about her life, but we do know that she served the widows and the poor just as Jesus told her to. Crowds had gathered at her house mourn her and to bathe her body. She died way too soon – if anyone could bring her back to life, it would be one of Jesus disciple. They send for Peter, who is 25 miles away. When he arrives at the house, everyone shows all of the garments Dorcas had made just for them. Funerals are an opportunity for the living to remember the ways that they have been touched and changed by this person. It a chance to gather in community and to share our grief. Jesus has told the disciples that a faith of a mustard seed can move mountains. He also demonstrated the power of resurrection and bringing people to life. Peter sends everyone out of the room and repeats Jesus miracle – she has come back. This resurrection story has a happy ending- Dorcas gets to continue to serve. Unfortunately, not all resurrection stories have a happy ending. In 1977, Dr. Martha Myers moved to Yemen to serve as a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology. Her target audience was Yemeni women who often lack medical care and, because of their religion, were prohibited from seeing a male doctor. Myers worked at a Yemeni hospital founded by American Baptists. But she also traveled into the most remote areas around the hospital to make house calls for her patients. Her love and commitment earned her both admiration and enemies. One day, a patient of Dr. Myers told her husband that she had never experienced such love and compassion in her life as she did at Dr. Myers’ hospital. That was the wrong thing to say to her husband. Concerned that his wife might be influenced by the doctor’s Christian faith, her husband promptly went to the hospital and gunned down Dr. Myers and two of her colleagues. At the time of her death, Dr. Martha Myers had served the women of Yemen for more than 25 years. The result? Over 40,000 Yemeni people attended Dr. Myers’ funeral. The former president of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board, Jerry Rankin, said, “Martha’s colleagues said the gunman did not take her life. She lost her life to Christ years ago when she trusted him. Martha was not living for herself, but to serve others.” (7) For one moment, I want you to listen to this quote and put your name in it: “She lost her life to Jesus Christ years ago when she trusted him. Martha was not living for herself, but to serve others.” Does that describe your life right now? Is it how people will describe you after you are gone? You and I were made to be Jesus in the world. That means living with a sense of purpose and translating our compassion into action. And if we commit to living this way, then our lives will have an eternal impact too. Resurrection is not just about immortality, but also about new life especially within the community. The message is in how it changes lives and situations. Even in Dorcas story, we never hear about how she is affected. But the story ends by saying that those in mourning, saw the change and not only came to believe themselves, but they brought others to the miracle of resurrection. So let me ask you, how many Dorcas’ do you know. I only know one, and I just remember that she always felt that she had to live up to the reputation of her name. And the only Tabitha that I know is the little girl character in Bewitched. But the good news is that I know countless women with he title Matritea. – female disciple. There are countless women who have been an example for me, who want to make a difference, who are always in service, who opened the doors of life for me and for others. This Mother’s day let us honor those female and male disciples who have made a difference. Just as the resurrection of Dorcas was a bittersweet moment – this day can be bittersweet for so many. Resurrection is always the story of death and life. And yet resurrection shows us how Christ is present with us in the community around us, and the disciples who lead us. Let us pray…. Song Awesome God TFWS 2040 Prayer Help us to move beyond the “sampler” prayer so often found printed on pillows, on wall hangings: "The Lord is my Shepherd." Help us to understand what those words truly mean, O Lord. We can count on you. You are the one who holds our lives, guides our steps, comforts and sustains us. You want for us the lush greenness of verdant pastures and the alluring draw of still waters; yet you know that our lives will not be smooth; there will be rough times. We can count on you, Lord. We can place our trust in you. Help us to feel the power of the Psalmist’s words: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” Nothing can trouble, nothing can threaten. You are with us. As we reach out in love and service to others, remind us that the work we do in your name, with love and compassion, is an echo of your tender mercy and loving care. Strengthen us and give us enthusiasm to follow the Shepherd all the days of our lives. AMEN. (Nancy C. Townley) Offering Moment for Stewardship (from Psalm 23) Perhaps the most well-known of all 150 Psalms is one you may have memorized as a child. The 23rd Psalm sometimes is a night-time prayer, sometimes recited at funerals, and often is sung in our own time of worship (CH 78 and 79; either of which could be sung during this service, by the congregation, as an offertory, or by the choir). Have you ever thought about this familiar Psalm as a report of what God gives us? Like a shepherd caring for sheep, God gives us abundant nourishment, safe water, and leads us toward peace in life. With God’s leading , we need not fear, knowing God is with us. Our cup overflows! We may not have everything we desire. We may live with challenges and difficulties. But this Psalm speaks to each of us, reminding us we’re followed by goodness and kindness, everywhere we go. What better response could we make to God-the-Giver than to offer back our lives! Offering our time, our abilities, and our finances (which can all work together), becomes a regular and life-long “thank you”. Today, I invite you to be a grateful lamb, filled with all the gifts offered by the Shepherd…and eager to offer more than our words. Let us share our gifts, our tithes and our offerings! Prayer of Thanksgiving Shepherd God, We offer these gifts to you, filled with gratitude for all you offer us. Receive what we’ve presented, and inspire us to use these resources to help create a world in which each person knows abundance, safety, and security. AMEN (Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Facebook Closing Prayer Let us go forth knowing that we are led by God, that we are sheltered by God, that God never leaves nor forsakes us even in the bleakest valley. In God, may we hunger and thirst no more, and may a peace that surpasses all understanding abide with us, now and forever more. Amen. (Rev. Mia M McClain – UCC Worship Ways) Community Time Benediction Go forth in peace and hope this day, for God is your guardian and guide. Bring news of God’s love to all whom you meet. AMEN. (Nancy C. Townley – Ministry Matters) Childrens Sermon Tell kids: Gifts don’t always come in boxes, especially gifts from God. The gifts God gives are often in the shape of people. He gives us special people, like Moms, to love us and raise us with kindness. (Show kids a gift box with a lid. Place a picture of a Mom in the box.) Do you see this box? Inside it is a gift more valuable than gold and silver. More expensive than jewels or a fast car. No gift is better than this gift. (Open the box and show the picture.) This is my Mom! She’s a nice lady who loves God and taught me all about Him. She is more precious than any gift I have ever received. Additional Illustrations He Knows Our Names There is an old story of a census taker who was making his rounds in the lower East side of New York, who interviewed an Irish woman bending over her washtub. “Lady, I am taking the census. What’s your name? How many children have you?” She replied, “Well, let me see. My name is Mary. And then there’s Marcia, and Duggie, and Amy, and Patrick, and...” “Never mind the names,” he broke in, “just give me the numbers.” She straightened up, hands on hips, and with a twinkle in her eye, said, “I’ll have ye know, sir, we ain’t got into numberin’ them yet. We ain’t run out of names!” The image of God as the Good Shepherd tells us that is the way it is with God. He knows us by name. Donald B. Strobe, Collected Words, www.Sermons.com Numbers. Our lives are filled with numbers. Each year we file our income taxes. Now that's an exercise in numbers to end all numbers games. Pages upon pages of numbers: earned numbers, spent numbers, invested numbers, and saved numbers. When it is finally prepared, we send it off to the Internal Revenue Service with our Social Security number on it. And the IRS takes all those numbers and puts them into a computer, along with the numbers of thousands and thousands of other people. And to them, we become a number. The government knows us by our tax number. The state knows us by our driver's license number. The bank knows us by our account number. And when we retire, we'll be remembered by our Social Security number. And it goes on and on. In fact, sometimes I wonder if anybody knows us at all without a number! And that's why this morning's Gospel reading is so significant, because it tells us that God knows us. He knows us intimately, in fact, better than we know ourselves. And that's important to remember. In spite of the fact that the image of sheep and shepherd is foreign to our experience, the words of the Gospel this morning hearken for us a truth that our human hearts long to hear. The Old Testament writer put it even more clearly when he wrote, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Jesus says it this morning, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me, and I give them eternal life." Lee Griess, Taking The Risk Out Of Dying, CSS Publishing Company Missionary Herb Schaefer tells about a thirteen-year-old Chinese girl who continued with her family to worship God secretly in their home during the Cultural Revolution in China, that time when religion was forbidden and worship was banned by the Chinese rulers. One evening the Red Guards burst into their small home and threatened them for worshiping Jesus. A small altar with a crude cross stood in one corner of the room. Determined to put a stop to their worship and command complete allegiance to the Communist state, the Red Guard lieutenant demanded they spit on the cross. They refused. The lieutenant became indignant and shouted at them that unless they spat on the cross they would be killed. Finally the elder in the group came forward, spat on the cross and left. One by one they followed, doing the same disgusting thing until only the thirteen-year-old remained. She refused to do what the others had done. "I cannot and I will not," she replied. Then she told the lieutenant the depth of her faith and said that she was willing to die for it. Remarkably the Lieutenant seemed pleased. "This is the kind of devotion we want for the new China: people who will commit themselves so totally that they are willing to die for what they believe." But he wanted that devotion directed toward Chairman Mao. "We will change you," he promised and left. She was spared, but she never saw the rest of her family again. The story doesn't end there, however. For shortly thereafter, that little girl fled to Hong Kong and was taken in. Later she entered the Lutheran seminary there and today she is a pastor of the Hong Kong Lutheran Church, serving the needs of countless souls. She prays for the day when she will be allowed to return to her village and minister to her people there and perhaps even to that Red Guard lieutenant who spared her but murdered her family. She was able to endure, to overcome that tragedy in her life, because she knew the Good Shepherd. Lee Griess, Taking The Risk Out Of Dying, CSS Publishing Company