Marching to Zion

November 27, 2022 First Sunday of Advent Year A Isaiah 2:1-5 Marching to Zion Opening Song Welcome Advent Song Comfort, O Comfort My People by Sally Ahner Advent Candle lighting Call to Worship (Isaiah 2, Psalm 122) I was glad when they said to me, let us go to the house of the Lord! In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains. Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord!(United Methodist Ministry Matters, Laura Bartlett) Song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel UMH 211 Children’s Sermon Come rushing in, pretending to look for lost items or appearing very frazzled… Oh no, I’m late, it’s my turn to talk, where are my things? I’m not ready for this at all…where did I put the…? Oh, hi, kids! Well….I’m sorry. It looks like I can’t find…I’m not sure…you know, I am not very prepared right now. See, it’s my clock’s fault! (Hold up broken clock, or day planner or calendar). Yeah, it doesn’t seem to be working, so I didn’t realize what time it really was, and I didn’t know that… well, I guess I’m just not very ready today. Have you ever felt like something was happening, and you weren’t prepared for it? Maybe you had a test at school you didn’t study for…or a game or performance that you wanted to practice for more. Or you woke up late and felt rushed. What about preparing for visitors? What kinds of things do you have to do if you have a friend coming over, or family visiting for holidays? You probably have to clean your room, make sure you have plenty of snacks, figure out when company will arrive…(allow some child responses) Well, today we are talking about a very special sort of preparation. We are talking about getting ready for Jesus! Now, we are entering the season of Advent…do you know what “Advent” means? It means “coming”, and we are getting ready for the coming of Jesus! A lot of people around this time of year get ready for Christmas, maybe by shopping or decorating or getting busy with baking and wrapping andthings…but in the church, we are getting ready to honor the birth of Jesus. God came to Earth as a baby… the people in that time had been hearing prophecies and predictions about Him, and they were eagerly awaiting the birth of the Messiah. We know that Jesus already came, and we get to celebrate and be grateful for how God kept His promises in that way! But guess what? Jesus is going to come back someday! The Bible tells us that Jesus will return again, and all the sadness will go away and he’ll scoop us up and take us to Heaven! Do you know when that will be? Well…me neither. In fact, no one knows when Jesus will come back again. It might be tomorrow…it might be in a hundred years! But He tells us to be ready…wait…how can we be ready for something if we don’t know when or how it will happen?? Well, we want to prepare our hearts. God is always present with us, and He wants us to be mindful of that presence and live in a way that pleases Him. We should daily be in prayer and study our Bibles. And we can be excited that He will come back again. So as we get ready for Christmas, remember to be thankful for the coming of Jesus. And rejoice in the excitement that we will one day see Him face to face! Children’s Prayer MomentDear God, Thank you for coming to Earth for us Thank you for keeping your promises to save us Help us to live in your presence And know what it means to prepare our hearts for You Thank you for your love We love you, God! Thank you for Jesus. In His name, Amen! (Kristin Schmidt) Confession and Grace We gather together in this season of Advent anticipating hope, praying for peace, attempting to cultivate joy and share love amidst commotion, grief, despair and uncertainty. Moment of silence All: In a world full of hopelessness, We have sometimes forgotten that you are our hope, dear God. Consumed by the chaos of the world, We lean into helplessness instead of your loving embrace. We cling to the stony roads and the bitter rods Felt in days when unborn hope had died; We’ve forgotten that you promised us hope for a future. So, stimulate our memory, dear God. Remind us of that hope you assured us of. Be with us as we cling to it in the midnight hours of waiting. WORDS OF GRACE Let us know that God gives us unmerited hope for a future, peace like a river, joy everlasting, and love. No misstep can separate us from the gifts of God. Amen. (United Church of Christ, Rev. Mia McClain) Responsive Reading Psalm 122 UMH 845 Passing of the Peace Scripture Isaiah 2:1-5 Sermon Marching to Zion Advent always starts upside down and at the ending. There is a popular Facebook post that has been circulating for a few weeks now. Advent is about learning to wait and preparing ourselves. But the post explains, we are not waiting and preparing for Baby Jesus and Christmas. We are waiting and preparing for a better world. We are waiting and preparing for the second coming of Christ. In order to prepare for a better world, we have to get in touch with what needs to change about this one. Because of rumors and the images of films and television. We all have a vision of what the end of the world will look like. It is going to be a terrible time. There are going to be earthquakes, the government is going to fall apart, people are not going to have access to food and essentials. There is going to be a lot of chaos and confusion. And then Jesus comes out of the sky. And then comes the day that we have all been dreading – judgment day – Where we are on one side of the scale and a feather is on the other side, and we get punished for all of the bad things that we have done in life – and we have to beg Jesus to let us into heaven because deep down inside we are a really nice person living in bad circumstances. That is not how it works. That is not what judgement day is all about. God’s judgement is not intended to punish us, it is intended to hold us accountable. And it doesn’t happen at the end of the our lives, or even the end of the world as we know it. It happens in the midst of our lives. In a lot of ways the book of Isaiah is known as the book of judgement. The entire book is a warning of God’s impending doom on the nation if they do not return to the ways of God. People have gotten greedy, self centered. They think that life is about their comfort and not about the wellbeing of all people. Isaiah is reminding them that God is watching them and calling them back to being a kind and caring people who take care of one another. But instead of speaking judgment as a bad thing – Isaiah speaks judgement as a primary source of hope. Isaiah 2 – the beginning of a very long book is a vision of the way things could be. It is a vision of peace, justice and wellbeing. Even us who read it today – know that things will never be this way. It says Jerusalem will be the place where everyone will come to know peace. It is the nature of the wolf to kill the lamb, and yet Isaiah says that the wolf will lie with the lamb, and the weapons of mass destruction will be turned into tools used for feeding people. And then the world will turn back to being a place where God is the center of everything and we love one another. We all know that will never happen. That is about as likely as Jesus coming back to earth and living amongst us a second time. And yet Isaiah tells that story and the people find hope in it. And it is that hope that sustains them. Insert Martin Luther story. I Would Plant an Apple Tree The story is told of the Reformation leader Martin Luther being asked what he would do if he were to discover that the world were coming to an end tomorrow. Luther’s response: “I would plant an apple tree.” It was Luther’s way, I suspect, of asserting that our calling is ever to trust in God’s faithfulness and to seek to be faithful followers of Jesus, day in and day out. Our calling is to embrace the sharp edge of expectant hope, to affirm that, even now, God may well be at work in the world around us. Joel D. Kline, The Sharp Edge of Expectation As Christians – we are told that we are the people who should carry that hope to the rest of the world. And yet where does that hope come from in a world that is so obsessed with violence. So much so, that we spend thousands of dollars on ways to kill others. We all see the stories of the war in Ukraine, and how they are being ravished with weapons of mass destruction. And there have been countless wars before that one. The history of society has been the history of war. The story of Isaiah is told in the backdrop of a violent take over, where their country was being destroyed by opressors. And Isaiah reminds us that in order to find the peace of God, first we have to put down our weapons. And turn them into plowshares. Guns aren’t the only weapons that hurt people. There are many things that we use to tear down others. Monty Python. Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition In Monty Python's sketch, "The Spanish Inquisition," a man is being questioned in a way that surprises him and he says, "Mr. Wentworth just told me to come in here and say that there was trouble at the mill, that's all - I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition." As if on cue, inquisitors burst into the room and one of them says, "NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise…surprise and fear…fear and surprise…. Our two weapons are fear and surprise…and ruthless efficiency…. Our three weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency…and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope…. Our four…no… Amongst our weapons…. Amongst our weaponry…are such elements as fear, surprise…. I'll come in again." The inquisitors exit the scene to re-enter and begin the speech again. Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition. "If the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into" (Matthew 24:43). The Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. Mary Hinkle Shore, The Element of Surprise How are people being hurt today? What are the weapons besides guns that need to be turned around? How do we hurt others? What weapons do we need to put down? Story In the late 1930’s, Max Schneider, a tenant farmer, was having a tought time of it on the land he farmed in North Dakota. The great depression still had a tight grip on the nations, and farmers ere victoims perpahs as much as anyone in the country. Prices for cash crops had hit rock bottom and for Max and oter farmers, it cost as much to raise the crops as the money they received for harvest. Max countly continue to fee his family. As he and his wife discussed the situation, Max told her what he had hears from other farmers when he was in town. I don’t know if it is true or not, he said, but I hear that scrap dealers are buying up old rusted machinery – in fact, metal of any kind. I thought I would scout around the countryside and collect some of those old rusted pieces we see in the fields and sell the stuff to a dealer – I hear there’s one not too far from here. What in the world do they do with the stuff? His wife wanted to know. I a not sure Max replied after thinking about it for a moment. But I have heard that a lot of that scrap metal is being sold to Japan for war. They need it to make bombs and guns for a war that started in the Far East. His wife thought it was horrible to turn old machinery into bombs. Max agreed, but was willing to sell it if it meant some extra money. They needed it for the kids school clothes. For the next few years, Max roamed all over the county to find scrap iron. He did not make a lot of money, but it did help a little. Years passed, and the kids grew up, went to college, moved out of the house. He stopped selling to Japan when WWII started and they were not allowed to sell to Japan. When they retired they moved to Arizona. While there, they noticed that there were acres and acres of old planes just sitting as if they were in a junk yard. Max got an idea – what if he bought some of those planes and sold them for scrap metal. When he told his wife, she chuckled and asked if he was in the business again. I cant imagine what they would do with scrap metal now. Perhaps they will turn it into innovative farm machinery he said. It is not just a matter of putting our weapons down – how can we turn them into creative ways to help people to live better lives. When we think of Isaiah’s story – we think that it is not possible. When we look at our world – to think that we will never live in peace. And yet Isaiah’s message is that it is possible and that it starts with us. In order for the world to change, first we have to change. Little girl – I Don’t Like This World The door slammed. There was a rush upstairs. The man looked at the clock; it was time for his daughter to be home from school. Fourth grade was not going very well, and from the sound of the slam of the door, it had not improved. He went up to her room and asked about her day. “It was awful,” she said, and then she filled in the details. When she unzipped her backpack at school, her homework was nowhere to be found. Her normally charming teacher snarled at the class. The morning dragged on to lunch, when none of the cafeteria choices looked appetizing. The class went outside to the playground and her best friend decided to play with somebody else. To top it off, a big kid named Kevin had made fun of her on the bus. “It was a rotten day,” she sobbed, and he held her. After about ten minutes, she stopped quivering. He rubbed her back and she blew her nose. One more hug, and then he went downstairs. About a half hour later, he thought it sounded unnaturally quiet, so he sneaked upstairs to see what was happening. To his surprise, she was down on her knees with her hands clasped and her eyes shut, and she was murmuring something. “Honey,” he said, “is everything all right?” “I’m okay, Daddy, I’m just praying.” “That’s good,” he whispered. “What are you praying for?” “Dad, I’ve decided I don’t like this world, so I’m praying for a new one.” Whether she knew it or not, cute as she was, she was rooting herself in thousands of years of Christian tradition. Ever since Jesus appeared among us, Christians have been praying for a whole new world. That’s what lies behind Scripture texts like the one we heard from the twenty-first chapter of Luke. William G. Carter, Praying for a Whole New World, CSS Publishing Company That is what Advent is all about – praying for a new world. Being aware of the chaos and confusion and understanding that just because that is who it is, it doesn’t have to be that way. We are not getting ready for Christmas, we are getting ready for Christ’s reign in our lives and in the world. Judgement is not about punishment, judgement is about justice. Where there is justice, there is peace, where there is peace there will be wellbeing. Shalom only happens when God is the center of everything that we do. We don’t have to fight for God, or create God, or make people do anything different. All we have to do is recognize God in the world around us and stay focused on what God calls us to do for others. If Christ did come back, it could happen, would we even know that he looks like? Probably this advent – there is some work for us to do to get ready for his return. First we have to see the chaos and confusion of the world. We have to get in touch with the needs of the world for a saviour. Second we have to see the vision for how things can be better. Have hope that Christ has the power to make it so. And that Christ will use that power – one day. Every good deed that we do to help others puts us one step closer to Christ and his fulfillment of peace, justice and wellbeing for all people. This advent our them will be the hope of Isaiah. He encourages us to imagine a world of peace and set forward to live in it. We have to have the freedom to imagine that world and the courage to redeem it. This advent as we make our journey up to the house of God – Isaiah vision does include us. In verse 5 Isaiah has instructions for each of us – Come children of Jacob – let us walk in the light of the world. Amen. Song We’ve a Story to Tell the Nations UMH 569 Pastoral Prayer God of love and mercy, thank you for your great gift of your Child, Jesus Christ, who fills us with all that we need. Merciful God, we are fully aware that not all your children are able to bask in joy or peace during this season. We pray for peace within all walls: walls within our own homes, walls that surround each city and town. We pray that during this season of Advent we may usher your promise of salvation into our lives and that we may share the Good News of our Savior with others. We pray that the promise of your birth may be the promise that we live in and share at home, at work and at school. May we be moved to compassion and action in your name. We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ who taught us all to pray, saying... (United Methodist Board of Discipleship, Rev. Elizabeth Aguilar) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment (only print the prayer) Invitation to the Offering If this Advent is to be about more than going through the motions, then we must get ready for the Prince of Peace in new and radical ways. What can we do to signal our readiness for the coming of Christ into this very place? We can start with a total commitment of our resources and our lives to the cause of God’s peace in the world. When we give our financial gifts to the ministry of this church, the benefits travel widely through the connections of our denomination, but nowhere is the impact greater than in our own hearts. I invite you to use this time of offering as an opportunity to get ready for Christ’s arrival. Offering Prayer (Isaiah 2, Psalm 122, Matthew 24) Thank you, God. Thank you for the wake-up call, reminding us to be ready. Thank you for not giving up on your vision of peace. Thank you for the opportunity to gather each week in your house, that we might encourage one another to stay on your path. And thank you for the opportunity to give these gifts for your ministry, that together we might help the world be ready to receive the Prince of Peace, in whose name we pray. Amen. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Laura Bartlett) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook As you begin the journey of Advent, remember that you are partners with Christ in bringing in the realm of God, and that in the days of uncertainly as the world is transformed, be watchful and stay awake, remembering that Christ prays for you, and draws you into the very heart of God. May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and may God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, remain with you always. Amen (Presbyterian Outlook, Barbara Chaapel) Community Time Benediction Go forth and walk the path of the Lord. Go forth and live as one instructed in the ways of the Lord. Take the weapons of your life and turn them into instruments of peace and justice. Praise be to our God who shows us the way! (United Methodist Board of Discipleship, Randy Clay) Additional Illustrations Keeping Hope Alive At the university there was a piano teacher that was simply and affectionately known as "Herman." One night at a university concert, a distinguished piano player suddenly became ill while performing an extremely difficult piece. No sooner had the artist retired from the stage when Herman rose from his seat in the audience, walked on stage, sat down at the piano and with great mastery completed the performance. Later that evening, at a party, one of the students asked Herman how he was able to perform such a demanding piece so beautifully without notice and with no rehearsal. He replied, "In 1939, when I was a budding young concert pianist, I was arrested and placed in a Nazi concentration camp. Putting it mildly, the future looked bleak. But I knew that in order to keep the flicker of hope alive that I might someday play again, I needed to practice every day. I began by fingering a piece from my repertoire on my bare board bed late one night. The next night I added a second piece and soon I was running through my entire repertoire. I did this every night for five years. It so happens that the piece I played tonight at the concert hall was part of that repertoire. That constant practice is what kept my hope alive. Everyday I renewed my hope that I would one day be able to play my music again on a real piano, and in freedom." Source Unknown Modern Day Perils I will never forget one particular testimony I heard on one particular occasion in the church I served in Atlanta. He was a seminary professor, and he and his family were joining the church. And when it came his turn, he said, “I’m joining this church because those cannons across the street on the grounds of the State Capitol Building are pointed directly at us.” I thought at the time, “That’s a strange answer.” I had never noticed the cannons across the street. And I would look for them the next day, and, sure enough, there they would be, sitting there as mute relics of some war and pointing straight at the stone gothic sanctuary of my church across the street. I would note that, were they loaded, they could blow away the whole narthex. But at that particular moment in that particular Session meeting, I thought to myself, “That’s a strange answer.” “I’m joining this church,” he said, “because those cannons are pointed directly at us.” People join the church for many reasons, but have you ever heard a reason like that? As I got to know this seminary professor, I began to understand why he would join a church because of cannons pointed at it. Holding a Ph.D. from Duke, he was a student of Stanley Hauerwas. If you’ve never read any Hauerwas, I hope you will before you leave this place. Hauerwas has written widely about the modern-day perils of attempting to follow Jesus Christ in this culture. He and others have described Christians in our time as being something like “resident aliens” — faithful colonists in an otherwise hostile, post-Christian, secular society. He has tracked the decline of what he calls “the Constantinian arrangement” between the church and the powers-that-be, and he has asserted — rightly, I think — that that arrangement between the church and the emperor, which got started with Constantine, is breaking down in our time. I know enough about Stanley Hauerwas to have a sense of why a student of his would be intrigued at the thought of joining a church because it sits across the street from a hall of power and has cannons pointed at it. Theodore J. Wardlaw, Ethics and Eschatology Never Give Up Hope In Anne Tyler's novel, “The Amateur Marriage,” we witness a sad series of events. The book's main characters are Michael and Pauline, a pair of World War II-era sweethearts who get married and eventually have three children. But then one day their oldest child, Lindy, just disappears. She runs away from home and promptly falls off the face of the earth. For the first days, weeks, and even months, they watch for her return. They seize on any and every clue as to her whereabouts. The pace, they peer out windows, they listen for a key scratching at the front door's lock, they sit bolt upright each time they think they hear footfalls on the driveway. But Lindy does not return. Over the years, her absence becomes just another part of life. They never finally give up on the idea that they'd see her again, but they stop watching for her. At first they were certain she'd be back soon. They would not have been at all surprised had she walked back through that front door. Years later, though, the surprise flipped: after a while, they would have been surprised if she had come back. Lindy does return eventually, although her mother Pauline never lives to see it. When Lindy shows back up, her father says to her, "Your mother never gave up hope, I could tell." Of course, Pauline had gotten on with life. But she just had a way of glancing out the window that let you know the hope was still there. When she had the chance to take a cruise with a group of friends, she refused. She came up with a dozen excuses but everyone knew that deep down the real reason was that she didn't want to be gone in case Lindy came back. We may not live to see our Lord's return. But as we go through our routines in these days of Noah, we certainly want it to be true that as people look at the shape of our lives, they can say of also us, "Those Christians never give up hope. We can tell." Scott Hoezee, Comments and Observations

God Gives us Bread From Heaven

November 20, 2022 Thanksgiving Sunday John 6:25-35 God gives us bread from heaven Year C Opening Song Welcome Call to Worship We dwell in a land God has loaned to us Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth. We come with gladness to worship God. We enter God’s presence with joyous song. The first fruits of our labor belong to God Rejoice in the privilege of sharing God’s bounty. God has made us, and we belong to God. We are the sheep of God’s pasture. The God of peace greets us in this time of worship Enter with thanksgiving and heartfelt praise. We thank God for steadfast love to sustain us. We praise God for faithfulness to all generations. (Gathered by Love, Lavon Bayler) Song Come Ye Thankful People Come UMH 694 Children’s Sermon Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Needed: nothing Children’s Sermon Greet children with, Happy Thanksgiving! And, of course, Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks, isn’t it? We thank God for all the good things He’s done for us. What are some things that you want to thank God for this year? (Share something that you’re thankful for.) I want to play a little game today. Because the Apostle Paul wrote that we should… (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18.) “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” “Give thanks in all circumstances.” That means we should thank God when things are good and when things are bad. Let’s practice. Let’s pretend that you’re all on a sports team and I’m your coach. If our team just won a game, what could we thank God for? (We could thank Him for letting us win.) But what if our team lost? Then, what could we thank God for? (We could thank Him for letting us play well and have fun together.) Okay. Second example: What if it was a beautiful, sunshiny day outside? What could we thank God for? (We could thank Him for the nice weather.) But what if it was rainy all day? What could we thank God for, then? (We could thank Him for the rain to help the grass and other plants grow.) Okay. Last example: What if someone was sick, and we prayed that they would get better and then, they did get better? What could we thank God for in that situation? (We could thank God for healing the sick person and making them healthy again.) But what if we prayed, and God didn’t heal the person? What if the person died? What could we thank God for, then? (We could thank God for the good life the person had and that we’ll see them in Heaven again someday.) See? Whether things are good or bad, we can always thank God for something. That’s why Paul tells us to “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Let’s pray and give thanks now. Closing Prayer Father God, we thank You for being a good God. You are so good that no matter what happens, we can always thank You for something. Help us to see the good in every situation so that we can always give You thanks. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. (Rev. Stephen R. Wilson) Scripture John 6:25-35 Sermon – God gives us Bread from Heaven Have You Taken Inventory Lately? The renown teacher and author Dr. David McLennon tells a story of his very first job in a small town general store. This was the day before mails and supermarket chains at least it was in his community. At age thirteen he was hired as a handy boy. He would sweep the flour, bag items for customers, put up stock. On one particular Saturday, he recalled., he heard the owner say to one of the clerks "It’s that time of the year again, it’s time to take inventory." Dr. McLennon Wrote that this was a word that had not yet entered into his vocabulary. When an opportune moment arrived, he went up to the kindly older man and asked, Sir, what is an inventory? Patiently the owner explained that it was a time when you made a list of everything that you had--from groceries on the shelves to wrapping paper and string. Still somewhat puzzled, the young McLennon then asked, Why? "Well, responded the owner, its easy to forget exactly how much you have each year. Every now and then you have to take an inventory just to see what all you have." That little story, to me, pretty well sums up what Thanksgiving is all about. It is a time when each of us needs to ask ourselves the question: Have I taken inventory of my life lately? Have I made an effort to count all the things that I do have in life instead of complaining about the things that I don’t have. It is a good exercise especially when we are of a mind to brood or whine in self pity. Have you taken inventory lately? What I am suggesting here is not some shallow "count your blessings" platitude. But from time to time, in a genuine kind of a way, we need to sit down and do some talking to ourselves about all of the gifts and opportunities and challenges that God has given each one of us. Perhaps there is a deep underlying wisdom in the children's poem that says: "Count your blessings one by one, and you might be surprised what the Lord has done." Staff, www.eSermons.com I think that is one of the most important things that we can do for Thanksgiving is to take account of our blessings. There are some years when it may take a moment. But we have to realize that God is there for us in the midst of our lives. Sometimes we have to do it like Robinson Coruso – who when stuck on a desert island, would write down all of the bad things in his life, but for each bad thing he would also write a good thing. He was amazed to realize that he really did have good things happen to him. His list of good and bad was always balanced. Then there is the story of John Witherspoon, one of the signers of the declaration of independence. He was also president of the College of New Jersey at Princeton. He was also a presbyterian minister. One day he was in his office, when his neighbor burst in to tell him of a horrific accident that he had had. His horse had bolted, his buggy was smashed and he narrowly escaped injury. He wanted Witherspoon to pray with him to thank god for sparring his life. John Witherspoon indeed prayed, but before he did so, he told his neighbor that he had a far greater testimony. He told his neighbor that he too rode his buggy over that same road this morning. But not one things went wrong. His horse was calm and his buggy was okay. He too narrowly escaped death. He thanked God for being with him and keeping him safe. God got us all safely here today. God has been with us this morning, God has been with us all of our lives. And yet how many of us thank God daily for bringing us through and allowing us to go about our daily life. When things go wrong, we don’t have a problem asking why me. Yet when we have a feast and things are going well, how many of us ask why me? Why have you blessed me so extravagantly – and yet we are blessed by God each and every day. So today what is it that we have to be thankful for? How has God blessed us today? What is it that we have to be thankful for as a church? What is it that we have to be thankful for as a world. One big thing that we can be thankful for – we all survived a pandemic. We all know that the pandemic is not over, but we can be thankful that the world has found the courage to move on. For the first time in a long time, this thanksgiving we are free to make plans, to be with family, to move and go where we want to. This year we have a lot to be grateful for. Thanksgiving of course is a national holiday, and yet it is not considered a Christian holiday. There is nothing in the bible that tells us to get together as a nation in order to say thank you. And yet the bible is full of stories of thanksgiving, of celebrations, and of living a life of gratitude. John 6 is a story of gratitude. In chapter 5, and the beginning of chapter 6 – Jesus was on the beach teaching when 5000 men and their families showed up to listen to him, and he realized that they were listening to his words, they had been there all day, and that they must be hungry. This is the story of the feeding of the 5000 – where Jesus talks 5 loaves of bread and some fish and everyone has something to be thankful for that day. This is the first major gathering of what are called rice Christians. I would imagine that you have never heard of that term. A rice Christian is someone who only shows up for something religious when food is being served. We all would like to believe that we are such good people – and that we are so in live with God. But the reality is food is always a major draw for any gathering on any day. We are having a full meal for coffee hour – today should be a good day for us all. I don’t have a problem admitting that I am a rice Christian – I love food. I love the idea of eating. Every Saturday – I spend my whole day watching channel 11 – because they have cooking shows on all day. I don’t even bother to make the recipes, I just love watching food on tv. There is this soul food restaurant in Georgia – every day at 7am they do a video of their buffet, highlighting all of the food that they have and they put it on Facebook. OMG – watching this video is the highlight of my day, it has become my daily devotion. Now I will never drive to Georgia just to eat at this restaurant – Chicago has plenty of soul food restaurants- But somehow just watching their food feeds my spirit. So in John 6 – Jesus feeds the 5000. But he also chastises them for thinking that the gospel is just about food – even though it really is. Jesus tells us – you came to listen to me, not because you were looking for spiritual miracles, but because you ate all of the food you wanted. He doesn’t say that that is a bad thing, he ways that we shouldn’t be in search of food that does not last. Jesus doesn’t have a problem feeding us, he just reminds us that there is more to life than food. He gives us food, but he also gives us life. There are 3 lessons for us in the book of John – Jesus is the provider of our bread, Jesus is the bread of life because he is the word of God, and that Jesus is the bread of the church – communion and baptism. Jesus does not just feed us, Jesus encourages us to think beyond our needs and the needs of the world for something more. In the book of John, Jesus tells us that he is the living bread and that he is the living water of life. When we take communion and take his bread and his juice, we get so much more than food. Living water is water that moves an has a life of its own – like a river. Living bread on the other hand – is bread that has yeast. Yeast is what makes the bread rise, and gives you the power to make all difference kinds of bread. The metaphor of Jesus, the Bread of Life, is a metaphor that meets hungering humans where we think we are empty in our stomachs but then points us to where our real emptiness lies in our souls. Jesus' image goes through our stomachs to get to our souls. One thing that makes bread such a good medium and metaphor to convey the image of soul-sustaining nourishment is the life-giving process it goes through to become a fragrant loaf. Except for a few special unleavened varieties, what really makes bread for most of us is yeast. A tiny one-celled organism that grows and metabolizes its own food with great speed, yeast organisms "work" in the dough, slightly fermenting and releasing gases so that the bread begins to rise. This natural process is common in many foods yeast organisms often get into and ferment many things we didn't plan on. Ever find yourself spitting out a big swig of too-old orange juice? The taste that tingled on your tongue was produced by yeast. Yeast is ubiquitous. Indeed, part of the challenge of Passover preparations is to create completely unleavened bread (matzo) for the celebration. Part of the pre-festival celebration involves a ritual "search" through the house with a feather, to seek out and sweep away any yeast that may remain inside and could contaminate the matzo. Jesus, the Bread of Life, is energized in each one of us by divine yeast by the Spirit of the living God, who sent Christ to be among us, to be for us, to be in us. To benefit fully from this Bread of Life, we must keep our lives, our spirits, "yeasty" vital and ever growing. What can you do to create "yeast" in your soul? Here's one suggestion. Try using "y-e-a-s-t" as an acronym for your spiritual attitude. "Yes." Are you saying "yes" to nourishing possibilities the Bread of Life is offering you? You've heard of the "placebo" effect. It's when your body thinks it's getting something helpful and healing, and so generates a helpful and healing response throughout your system. But scientists are now talking equally about the flip side of the "placebo" effect. They're calling it the "nocebo" effect. It's when your inability to think "yes," your negative mood and outlook, your worried fixation on worst-case scenarios, can keep the "nocebo" effect working in your physiology. (For more on the "nocebo" effect, see the recent book of Harvard Medical School professor Herbert Benson, Timeless Healing [New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996].) Because of the "Seven First Words of the Christian" "I can do all things through Christ" a yeasty spirit thinks "YES." "Energize." Why is it that the Energizer Bunny that keeps going and going is always going somewhere else the night the lights go out and you dig out your flashlight?! Unlike batteries, however, a properly maintained yeast colony can keep going and going and going. Ever make sourdough bread using "sourdough starter"? "Starter" is really a combination of yeast cultures, water and flour. You dip out what you need for the day's biscuits, bread or pancakes, give the rest of the starter a stir, "feed" it more flour and water, and tuck it back in your frig. In pioneer days, women treasured their "starter" and nurtured it along for years. Sometimes one starter was passed on from mother to daughter to granddaughter. That's perpetual energy. And that is what the Bread of Life can bring to your own spirit. "Access." In order to be continually fed by the Bread of Life, we must keep in constant touch with the source of life's true energy supply. Living out of the stored power of the Spirit enables us to be fed by Christ's gift any time we need it. We can access this always available power reserve in various ways. For some of us, direct intercessory prayer brings us the closest to God's Spirit and God's love. For others, music opens the soul and sets it resonating with the Spirit. For many, creating and/or contemplating works of art, form within us the prayers that enable us to reach out and grab the gift of life. Stanly Kunitz once called "art" the "chalice into which we pour transcendence" (As quoted by R. Scott Colglazier, Finding a Faith That Makes Sense [St.Louis: Chalice Press], 83). Find your own unique way of accessing the energy of bread ... and you will never go hungry. "Search." Today's crowds thought they were seeking the Bread of Life. All they were really looking for was a free lunch. Jesus' words to them, his corrections and counsel, were intended to make the hungering crowd search their spirits for their true motives and desires. Likewise, when we feel filled-up with power or contentments we should search our own spirits to make certain we are feasting on what God provides, not on what our own egos or selfish desires have cooked up. "Trust." If we are filling up on the Bread of Life, we should be able to trust in the Spirit's presence and power in our lives. It is that trust that allows us to take what appears to others as "risks." Trusting in the Spirit lets us "go for it" when conventional wisdom or cautious hedging would advise us to sit on the sidelines. When our spirits are resting in trust, they can do anything. For we know no matter where we go, no matter what difficulties we may encounter, a constant food supply is always at hand, always guaranteed. Only Jesus can satisfy the hungry heart. Only Jesus has the Words of Eternal Life. We are all rice Christians, in search of something that is going to fill us up. I listened to a sermon by Zan Holmes, who is a retired Methodist minister – who said that the good news is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. The only place to find living bread that will last forever is in Jesus christ. I hope that you are hungry this morning – today we have plenty of food – food for our bellies, but also food for our spirit. We can be grateful for what God has done for us. But gratefulness is only the beginning of our faith. It gives us that faith to feed others. Or at least to tell them where they can get a good piece of bread. Happy Thanksgiving to all of my fellow rice Christians. May we find an abundance of gratitude in our lives this week. Just as I look forward everyday to watching that soul food buffet, I will use that as my cue to go to God in prayer and devotion – to take account of all that God has done for me that day. I hope that we all remember to say thank you everyday for what God has done for us. Amen. Song – Now Thank We All our God UMH 102 Prayer God of infinite patience and power, how it must try your patience to watch us hurl ourselves into a season of greed and grumbling. Your blessings, your bounty, have been poured out to us that we may be strengthened to be your people in service to others. Yet we persist in attaching ourselves to the great “gimmies” of our world--“gimmie toys, gimmie wealth, gimmie power.” Today we have gathered here with an opportunity to step out of the race to possess, to praise you and thank you for the wonderful ways in which you have blessed our lives. We spend a lot of time looking for the big blessings, when all around us are the delightful blessings of everyday living--family, home, friends, the ability to enjoy laughter and share tears. There are so many ways in which you have touched our lives with your love. Help us develop for all of our lives an attitude of gratitude, never failing to thank you each day for your love and your blessings. Help us reach out to one another and to all those in need with this compassionate love. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name, AMEN. ( United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment (do not Print) Almighty, Creator God, we humbly bring our gifts to you this day. On Calvary’s cross, your son redefined for the world what it meant to rule, what it meant to be a king. In his life, teaching and interacting with people, Jesus redefined what it means to give in a way that pleases God. May we in this season live and give in a way that reflects the reign over us and the one who lives within us. In the exalted name of Christ, we pray. Amen. (Luke 23:33-43) (Discipleship Ministries) Prayer of Thanksgiving For all the ways you love us, we say THANK YOU! For the ways you provide for us, we say THANK YOU! For the opportunity to give, we say THANK YOU! For the kingdom work this offering will do, we say THANK YOU! For letting us be a part of your work, we say THANK YOU! May the thankful words on our lips ( ReWorship Blogspot) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook The bread of heaven gives life to the believer. Receive the bread, eat and live. We will turn to God daily for nourishment. We will give thanks with grateful hearts. The bread of heaven gives life to the church. Share the bread; share your stories. We will gather in the community of faith. We will share the bread and share our lives. The bread of heaven gives life to the world. Pass on the gift with joy to neighbors near and far. We will bless the world with acts of love. This is our highest thanksgiving to God. Amen. Amen. ( Gathered by Love, Lavon Baylor) Community Time Benediction Beloved of God, place your whole trust in God’s absolute abundant love. Feel the powerful presence of God in your life and know that God’s blessings are with you. Go in peace, and may God’s peace always be with you. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Additional Illustrations Humor: We're Getting a Divorce An elderly man in Phoenix calls his son in New York and says, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; 45 years of misery is enough." "Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams. "We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the old man says. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her." Then he hangs up. Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this." She calls Phoenix immediately, and screams at the old man, "You are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?" The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay," he says, "They're coming for Thanksgiving and paying their own fares." Traditional Back during the dark days of 1929, a group of ministers in the Northeast, all graduates of the Boston School of Theology, gathered to discuss how they should conduct their Thanksgiving Sunday services. Things were about as bad as they could get, with no sign of relief. The bread lines were depressingly long, the stock market had plummeted, and the term Great Depression seemed an apt description for the mood of the country. The ministers thought they should only lightly touch upon the subject Thanksgiving in deference to the human misery all about them. After all, there was to be thankful for. But it was Dr. William L. Stiger, pastor of a large congregation in the city that rallied the group. This was not the time, he suggested, to give mere passing mention to Thanksgiving, just the opposite. This was the time for the nation to get matters in perspective and thank God for blessings always present, but perhaps suppressed due to intense hardship. I suggest to you the ministers struck upon something. The most intense moments of thankfulness are not found in times of plenty, but when difficulties abound. Think of the Pilgrims that first Thanksgiving. Half their number dead, men without a country, but still there was thanksgiving to God. Their gratitude was not for something but in something. It was that same sense of gratitude that lead Abraham Lincoln to formally establish the first Thanksgiving Day in the midst of national civil war, when the butcher’s list of casualties seemed to have no end and the very nation struggled for survival. Perhaps in your own life, right now, intense hardship. You are experiencing your own personal Great Depression. Why should you be thankful this day? May I suggest three things? 1. We must learn to be thankful or we become bitter. 2. We must learn to be thankful or we will become discouraged. 3. We must learn to be thankful or we will grow arrogant and self-satisfied. The Gratitude Attitude In A Second Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Rev. John R. Ramsey tells how in one church a certain person provided him with a rose boutonniere for the lapel of his suit every Sunday. At first he really appreciated it but then it sort of became routine. Then one Sunday it became very special. As he was leaving the Sunday Service a young boy walked up to him and said, "Sir, what are you going to do with your flower?" At first the preacher didn't know what the boy was talking about. When it sank in, he pointed to the rose on his lapel and asked the boy, "Do you mean this?" The boy said, "Yes, sir. If you're just going to throw it away, I would like it." The preacher smiled and told him he could have the flower and then casually asked what he was going to do with it. The boy, who was probably no more than 10 years old, looked up at the preacher and said, "Sir, I'm going to give it to my granny. My mother and father divorced last year. I was living with my mother, but she married again, and wanted me to live with my father. I lived with him for a while, but he said I couldn't stay, so he sent me to live with my grandmother. She is so good to me. She cooks for me and takes care of me. She has been so good to me that I wanted to give her that pretty flower for loving me." When the little boy finished, the preacher could hardly speak. His eyes filled with tears and he knew he had been touched by God. He reached up and unpinned the rose. With the flower in his hand, he looked at the boy and said, "Son, that is the nicest thing that I've ever heard but you can't have this flower because it's not enough. If you'll look in front of the pulpit, you'll see a big bouquet of flowers. Different families buy them for the Church each week. Please take those flowers to your granny because she deserves the very best." Then the boy made one last statement which Rev. Ramsey said he will always treasure. The boy said, "What a wonderful day! I asked for one flower but got a beautiful bouquet." That's the thankful spirit. That's the gratitude attitude. And it's that attitude that should guide our giving and our lives. Like that boy's granny, God has blessed us so much. God has been so good to us that giving shouldn't even be a question. It should just flow from us naturally. John R. Ramsey, Second Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Adapted by Billy D. Strayhorn, “The Gratitude Attitude" The Source of Thanksgiving I will remind you of that wonderful Children's holiday classic "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." It was released a few years ago as a movie staring Jim Carrey. You'll recall in the story how the Grinch enters all the homes by way of their chimneys disguised as Santa Clause. He takes all the presents and ornaments, the trees and stockings, and even their food down to the last morsel. He drags his loot up to his mountain and then looks down upon Whoville with a sinister grin. He is listening for the cries and wailings of the people to start as they wake up on Christmas morning to discover a Christmas lost. What he hears instead surprises him. Up from the town of the Whos comes a joyful Christmas carol. They are singing. "Why?" he asks. It is because, he learns, Christmas resides not in things but in the heart which is thankful. He could not steal their gratitude. Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com First National Thanksgiving Proclamation Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; Whereas, both the houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness!" Now therefore, I do recommend next, to be devoted by the people of the states to the service of that great and glorious being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be, that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country. George Washington, 1779. Jesus, the Bread of Life, is energized in each one of us by divine yeast by the Spirit of the living God, who sent Christ to be among us, to be for us, to be in us. To benefit fully from this Bread of Life, we must keep our lives, our spirits, "yeasty" vital and ever growing. What can you do to create "yeast" in your soul? Here's one suggestion. Try using "y-e-a-s-t" as an acronym for your spiritual attitude. "Yes." Are you saying "yes" to nourishing possibilities the Bread of Life is offering you? You've heard of the "placebo" effect. It's when your body thinks it's getting something helpful and healing, and so generates a helpful and healing response throughout your system. But scientists are now talking equally about the flip side of the "placebo" effect. They're calling it the "nocebo" effect. It's when your inability to think "yes," your negative mood and outlook, your worried fixation on worst-case scenarios, can keep the "nocebo" effect working in your physiology. (For more on the "nocebo" effect, see the recent book of Harvard Medical School professor Herbert Benson, Timeless Healing [New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996].) Because of the "Seven First Words of the Christian" "I can do all things through Christ" a yeasty spirit thinks "YES." "Energize." Why is it that the Energizer Bunny that keeps going and going is always going somewhere else the night the lights go out and you dig out your flashlight?! Unlike batteries, however, a properly maintained yeast colony can keep going and going and going. Ever make sourdough bread using "sourdough starter"? "Starter" is really a combination of yeast cultures, water and flour. You dip out what you need for the day's biscuits, bread or pancakes, give the rest of the starter a stir, "feed" it more flour and water, and tuck it back in your frig. In pioneer days, women treasured their "starter" and nurtured it along for years. Sometimes one starter was passed on from mother to daughter to granddaughter. That's perpetual energy. And that is what the Bread of Life can bring to your own spirit. "Access." In order to be continually fed by the Bread of Life, we must keep in constant touch with the source of life's true energy supply. Living out of the stored power of the Spirit enables us to be fed by Christ's gift any time we need it. We can access this always available power reserve in various ways. For some of us, direct intercessory prayer brings us the closest to God's Spirit and God's love. For others, music opens the soul and sets it resonating with the Spirit. For many, creating and/or contemplating works of art, form within us the prayers that enable us to reach out and grab the gift of life. Stanly Kunitz once called "art" the "chalice into which we pour transcendence" (As quoted by R. Scott Colglazier, Finding a Faith That Makes Sense [St.Louis: Chalice Press], 83). Find your own unique way of accessing the energy of bread ... and you will never go hungry. "Search." Today's crowds thought they were seeking the Bread of Life. All they were really looking for was a free lunch. Jesus' words to them, his corrections and counsel, were intended to make the hungering crowd search their spirits for their true motives and desires. Likewise, when we feel filled-up with power or contentments we should search our own spirits to make certain we are feasting on what God provides, not on what our own egos or selfish desires have cooked up. "Trust." If we are filling up on the Bread of Life, we should be able to trust in the Spirit's presence and power in our lives. It is that trust that allows us to take what appears to others as "risks." Trusting in the Spirit lets us "go for it" when conventional wisdom or cautious hedging would advise us to sit on the sidelines. When our spirits are resting in trust, they can do anything. For we know no matter where we go, no matter what difficulties we may encounter, a constant food supply is always at hand, always guaranteed. Only Jesus can satisfy the hungry heart. Only Jesus has the Words of Eternal Life.

The Age of Resurrection

Rev. Harriette Cross First United Methodist Church of Wilmington November 13, 2022 Veteran’s Day Luke 20:27-38 The Age of Resurrection 22nd Sunday After Pentecost Year C Opening Song Welcome Call to Worship L: This nation, under God, depends on each generation accepting the call to serve both God and country. P: Everywhere we look we are reminded of the commitment our veterans made in presenting their bodies as a living sacrifice. L: So today we honor them as we shout a resounding…. P:THANK YOU! L: THANK YOU! That we are free to come and to worship the One who presented His body as the ultimate living sacrifice for ALL. P: Come, let us worship! Opening Prayer: Father, we could never thank our military men and women enough for their courageous service and sacrifice to our country and its people. Yet today we lift up our voices to express gratefulness and honor to these military troops both from the past and present. Show us ways in our communities, churches, and families to thank and love them better. Keep and protect these heroes and their families, in the powerful name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Song The God of Abraham Praise UMH 116 Children’s Sermon On Veteran’s Day, we honor our military heroes who have fought for freedom. These men and women are warriors who fight against evil. Today, I’m going to tell you a story recorded in the Bible about another warrior who became a hero. His name was King David. King David shows us what a hero looks like and how we can become heroes of the faith. Do what’s right. David was responsible for the sheep in his father’s field before he became a warrior or a king. Even though it was hard work, David took care of the sheep and did what was right when nobody else was looking. What right things can you do when nobody is looking? Difficulties prepare us for greater challenges. Before David became famous for fighting Goliath, he had some difficult things happen in his life. Once while he was watching the sheep, a bear tried to attack. David killed the bear with his slingshot. Another time, he killed a lion with a slingshot. When David faced Goliath, he was prepared because of the times he had to fight the lion and the bear. When you go through hard times, ask God to help you through them in a way that will prepare you for the future. Heroes have convictions and beliefs based on God’s Word. David was treated unfairly many times throughout his life. King Saul, the man who was king before David, was jealous of David and tried to kill him many times. David hadn’t done anything wrong, but he had to run for his life. King Saul was unfair to David, but David still treated Saul the way God’s Word said. David showed the king love and respect. When you’re treated unfairly, do you do what God’s Word says and treat people like you want to be treated? Heroes help others. When David was king, he did what he could to help others. Once he had his men search for his friend’s crippled son so that he could invite him to the palace and treat him like royalty. Heroes have the courage to repent and fix what they’ve done wrong. David wasn’t perfect. He did some very bad things. He even stole the wife of another man. But when he was confronted, David had the courage to confess his sin and take the consequences. Heroes are honest even when under pressure. When David was running from King Saul, he found Saul alone in a dark cave. David cut a piece of Saul’s robe. The next morning, David told Saul what he’d done. The king could have killed him, but he was still honest. Saul felt bad and stopped pursuing him because he told the truth. Do you tell the truth even when it is hard. Heroes resist temptation. David helped a man named Nabal by keeping robbers away from his sheep, but Nabal wouldn’t even give his men food and lodging. David could have attacked Nabal, but he resisted the temptation and left Nabal alone. What temptations do you need to resist? Heroes do more than required. Heroes honor others by doing more than expected. David honored God by bringing the ark God’s way. He went the extra mile. We can all become heroes of the faith, but like David, we need God to help us. The most important thing David did to become a hero was to spend time with God and to rely on God. By Tamera Lynn Kraft A Litany from The Book of Worship for United States Forces (1974), no. 625 Leader: Let us give thanks to God for the land of our birth with all its chartered liberties. For all the wonder of our country’s story: People: We give you thanks, O God. Leader: For leaders in nation and state, and for those who in days past and in these present times have labored for the commonwealth: People: We give you thanks, O God. Leader: For those who in all times and places have been true and brave, and in the worlds common ways have lived upright lives and ministered to their fellows: People: We give you thanks, O God. Leader: For those who served their country in its hour of need, and especially for those who gave even their lives in that service: People: We give you thanks, O God. Leader: O almighty God and most merciful Father, as we remember these your servants, remembering with gratitude their courage and strength, we hold before you those who mourn them. Look upon your bereaved servants with your mercy. As this day brings them memories of those they have lost awhile, may it also bring your consolation and the assurance that their loved ones are alive now and forever in your living presence. Amen. Scripture Luke 20:27-38 Sermon – the Age of Resurrection The Questions we ask A Theological Curveball A certain minister has made it a policy for many years to refer "six-year-old theology questions" to his wife. Since she has taught very young children for many years, he says, she has a much better grasp than he does of how to address the questions which little kids ask. The other day, a first-grader brought a drawing of a skeleton into class where she teaches English as a second language. The titled across the top of the drawing read "Inside of Me." It was designed to teach children that everyone has a skeleton inside of them. He unfolded it proudly and showed it to the class. One little girl from India was astounded at the thought that she and others had this scary-looking skeleton inside them, and so she pressed the issue a bit farther. "Even you got one of these inside you, Mrs. K?" The teacher replied, "Yes, I have one, too." The next question was the theological one. "Even God got one inside him?" Now in a class made up of children from many different countries, cultures, and religious backgrounds (most of them not Christians), you can imagine that this question had the potential for major theological debate. I doubt if I'd have had the presence of mind to give the answer the teacher did; but, as usual, her expertise in six-year-old theology saved the day. "If God needs a skeleton, I'm sure he has one," she replied. "God has everything he needs." This apparently satisfied the theological curiosity of the class, and they got on with the lesson. Asking questions is an essential part of learning. If we don't know something, we look for someone who does and we ask. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask. We learn by asking questions about what we don't know. Larry R. Kalajainen, Extraordinary Faith for Ordinary Time, CSS Publishing Company Sadducees – not stupid question, but stupid people We have all heard that saying that there are no stupid questions. The only dumb question is one that you don’t ask. I think that Jesus would agree with me – that there is no stupid questions, but sometimes there are stupid people who ask questions. I know that is a pretty strong statement, but it is an explanation of the story in Luke 20. This story is included in both Matthew and Mark. But for Luke he puts this story on the Tuesday before Jesus is crucified. The priest have been looking for any excuse at all to attack Jesus. Each time they ask a stupid question – a question that will prove that Jesus is a fraud – Jesus understands the trap well enough to avoid it. And this question is no different. The Sadducees where rich priest, who were in charge of the temples. They were very conservative – anything that was not expressely written in the first five books of the bible – did not exist as far as they were concerned. The words of Job - I know that my redeemer[a] lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.[b] 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet[c] in[d] my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Means nothing to them. The did not believe in the resurrection – even though the words are in the old testament. The sadduccees were sad u see – because they did not believe in anything that they could not see. In their world there was nothing to hope for, nothing more than words on paper to believe in. There was no eternal life. That is why in this case there were stupid people asking a stupid question. If there was a resurrection – which they didn’t believe in anyway, and a woman married seven different men, who would be her husband in heaven. Jesus had to explain that not only do you not understand resurrection, not only do you not understand heaven, before you try and talk about life after death, you should have an understanding of life. I love it when Jesus tells us that god is not a god of the dead, but the living. Nothing in life disappears Dr. Wernher von Braun, well-known for his part in the U. S. space program, says he has “essentially scientific” reasons for believing in life after death. He explained: “Science has found that nothing can disappear without a trace. Nature does not know extinction. All it knows is transformation. If God applies the fundamental principle to the most minute and insignificant parts of the universe, doesn’t it make sense to assume that He applies it to the masterpiece of His creation—the human soul? I think it does.” What is life? what is death? Jesus says that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But he says that they are indeed alive. But if we cannot see them, if we know that they have passed on, if we know where their graves are – then how are they among the living? What is the relationship between life and death? Jesus’ lesson for us today is that resurrection is the connection between life and death. The Sadducees were not stupid people, as a matter of fact, they were considered to be the elite of society. Everyone else looked up to them. But unfortunately, they could not see anything beyond the life that they could see in front of them. They had no imagination. Their question about marriage was about the continuation of life as they knew it. Jesus tells them that eternity is about spirit and love of God. Jesus challenges us all to look at eternity – not life as it is, but life as God intends for it to be for us all. A very old woman approached a wise man named Jacob and said “I want to ask you something. I am going to die soon. I have a great deal of money, if you are so smart, why not tell me how I can take it with me.” What is it that I can take with me to heaven? Jacob replied everything of value – he said it to her as if this was common knowledge. The woman’s greed was excited, she wanted to know more about how to take her money with her to the other side. Jacob grew calmer as he answered – in your memory. Memory said the woman confused, memories can’t carry wealth. Jacob replied to her – that is only because you have already forgotten what is of value in life. What is truly of value to our lives, our church, our future? How can we stay focused on the things of God, How do we seek eternity and not survival? How can we stay focused on asking God the right questions? For the last month during our stewardship drive, we have been focused on what it means to live a devoted Christian life. We have talked about giving our selves to God through prayer, presence, gifts and service. Bettylou has been very intentional about focusing on the higher purpose of giving, she has said nothing about practical everyday money. Money is only a part of giving ourselves to God. Jack Benny had a long running gig – I even remember this from the Jack Benny Show – a robber comes up to Benny, points a gun at him and demands your money or you life. Benny just stands there staring into space. Again the robber says your heard me, your money or your life. After one of the agonizing slow pauses that are the Benny trademark – he replies – I am thinking about it. We laugh – but when it comes to giving money to the church – we all have to think about it. Your money or your life is the question of Christian stewardship – will we choose to give God our money – our so much more. Can we think beyond the situation that we see in front of us? Do we stay focused on the here and now or eternity? Stewardship is not an either/or question – it is a both/and. The church needs your money and your life to fulfill its mission. Jesus reminds us that God is the God of the living Stewardship is staying amongst the living. There was a man who had been listening to his pastors request for pledges in the church and he knew in his heart that he wanted to give, but he was in such dire straits financially, that he felt that it was dangerous to pledge. He was afraid that he couldn’t afford to give even $10 a week, without risking a bill that wouldn’t get paid. He talked with he pastor. After listening to his fears the pastor said – what if you give $10 each week and I held onto it. If at any time you need it back, you can just ask. The man was really happy about this, he felt like he could pledge without risking anything. He was about to thank his pastor and leave, when the pastor ask him – why would you trust me with that and not God? Can we trust God with our lives? Today, we have a chance to turn in our pledges – what part of our lives to we dedicate to God? We will turn in our pledged during the offering. If you don’t have a pledge card, they are available in the narthex. You can also bring them in next week. Or as soon as possible. The finance committee is waiting on them so that we can put together the church budget for next year. The budget is one of those places where the reality of here and now and the hope of eternity work hand in hand. You know Jesus was not a tither - he didn’t give 10% of his income. He didn’t have a job, but he gave 100% of his life to being eternity here on earth. He ask us to give what we have to do what it takes. When we pledge, we have a chance to connect to the future of our church, but also directly to God. Finally, I found this quote that I thought I would use at the beginning of my sermon. That didn’t happen, but it is the perfect ending quote. Quote: “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” —Joseph Campbell On this Veteran’s Day – we honor our heroes. But we also get a chance to be heroes – by giving our pledge. Amen. Song – Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise UMH 108 Pastoral Prayer You, O God, are our God. You are with us in all the times of life to offer hope and light and comfort. We come to you now with thanks: thanks for our freedom; thanks for our peace; thanks for our prosperity and security. On this Remembrance Sunday, we thank you, especially, for the women and men who gave of themselves in times of war to help to ensure the blessings that we enjoy. The names, the faces, the stories come to us, once again, and we honor them, their courage, their sacrifice, their willingness to put themselves in harm’s way for a better cause. May we never forget. We pray that wars and rumors of wars would cease, But if there is a need, let those of us of younger generations go forth as faithfully as did our ancestors that the cause of peace and justice may be defended and upheld. That freedom found in our county and the freedom found in and through Christ is always worth fighting for. With our Freedoms today we pray for the sick of our congregation and community. On this day, we lift up in prayer …. Be with them and all of us offering healing and hope and strength to see beyond our problems to the glory of your Kingdom. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. who taught us to pray: Our Father… Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Prayer of Thanksgiving We praise you, God, for the abundance you pour out, day by day. Thank you especially for Jesus, the One we claim as “Christ”, whose words continue to guide us. Please receive these gifts and help us put them to full use. Teach us again to stand firm and hold to the traditions of Jesus’ followers, offering our very selves and these symbols of our lives, back to you. AMEN (Center for Faith and Giving) • Gracious and loving God, giver of all that is good and true and beautiful and life-giving. These cards represent our sweat, they represent our lives, they represent our dreams. The pledges which we make on them are but tokens of the awesome gifts that have been given to us and they are pledged in thanksgiving for all we have received, for all we have been inspired to be, for all we are challenged to become, in this place. www.episcopalchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/03/Prayer_Over_Pledge_Card.pdf Prayer Over Pledge Cards - Episcopal Church Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook We remember today all those who have come before us and given the greatest gift to our democratic nation -- their lives. Their duty, their honor and their lives are precious gifts that must be given to the future of our country and our families. The duty of our veterans past and present is the fiber of the word freedom and is stronger by our recognition of service and sacrifice. May God uphold their sacred work everyday. Amen. (Hampton Library) Community Time Benediction We go from this place rejoicing in God’s love. We commit our lives to serving God by serving others. God’s love has made us new. God’s peace goes with us in all that we say and do. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) This liturgy was prepared by CPT Jenna Moon, the Chaplain of the 321st Ordnance Battalion in Cross Lanes, WV. She has been serving in the military for 16 years. She is the former pastor of three United Methodist churches in Grantsville MD.

For All The Saints

All Saints Day November 6, 2022 Luke 6:20-31 For all the Saints Year C Opening Song Welcome Call to Worship One: Come, a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us as we gather. Many: May the lingering echo of saints resound in our songs. One: May their stories open a space for the Spirit to enter us anew. Many: In remembering them, may we find ourselves re-membered. One: May the God of every generation form us anew for this generation. Many: And may a new joy rise in our lives and in the life of the world. ( United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Rev. Dr. Bob Cross) Invocation God of every age and time, inspire us today with memories of saints whose energy still lingers, hovering around and within as encouragement and strength. Wrap us anew with a felt sense of your persistent presence, granting a new energy to offer You everything of our hearts, minds and souls. Yes, Love of Life, root us and ground us in this. And let it be more than enough for today, as we gather in the name of Jesus. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, The Rev. Dr. Bob Cross) Song For All the Saints UMH 711 Children’s Sermon Full Children’s Sermon: Good morning children. Many churches celebrate this Sunday as “All Saints Day.” On this day we remember all the believers in the family of God that have gone before us, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and others that we read about in the bible as well as the many other men and women of God who were disciples of Jesus Christ down through the ages. I want to say more about this but first I wanted to show you something I brought from home. (Hold up your family photo album.) Do you know what this is? That’s right. It’s my family picture album. I’d love to show it to you. Look at this elderly man here. This is my grandfather Ernie. He was a wonderful man. He had a bad leg because he was injured in the war but he worked very hard on his orchard growing apples. I’ve always been inspired by how much he loved us and how he was such a hard worker. And here is my grandmother MacKinnon. In the summers we used to go with her to the lake. She was very caring and looked after us if we ever got hurt. I often look at this photo album because it reminds me of family members I used to know and even one that I never got to meet because they died before I was born. (Put down the photo album and hold up your bible.) Do you know what this book this is? Right, it’s a bible. I like reading the bible too. As believers in Jesus Christ we are all part of the family of God. The bible is a book about members of the family of God that goes back many, many years. (Open up the bible.) This part of the bible talks about a man names Abraham who had great trust in God. This part talks about Moses who led God’s people out of slavery in Egypt. This part talks about God’s son Jesus and about the disciples, John, James, Peter, etc. We call them Saints. Saints are people who have been “set apart” for God’s holy / special purposes. In a sense we are all saints, but we like to specially remember them because they knew Jesus and were the first to follow him. What I want you to understand is that these Saints that are mentioned in the bible are really part of our family – the family of God. So you see that the bible is like our family album. It tells the story of great men and women of faith in the family of God; the same faith family that we belong to! Children’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the many and wonderful saints that followed Jesus down through the ages. Help us to follow their good examples and to remember what a blessing it is to be in the same family of faith. We ask this in Jesus’ name – Amen! Feel free to use this story on Sunday morning but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider linking to this site. Thank you. A.H. Prayer for Transformation and New Life Loving God, Grant me grace to release everything too much or too little into your transforming fire of refinement. Sear in me the strength of your saints – generous and gentle, focused and fierce – just enough to answer every devilish temptation distracting or denying Your Holy hope for my re-formation. Yes, Love, form me anew from the inside out, centering others ahead of every selfishness that dares me to choose anything less than You. Release me from the burdens and brokenness of my own making, that I may be readied to meet You in every ordinary saint whose path crosses mine in the gift of this day. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins) Words of Grace Hear the good news! Jesus tells us that the Holy One is a God of grand reversals. Weeping turns to rejoicing, hunger is answered with fullness, honesty of heart is answered with grace upon grace. Every energy that diminishes is interrupted with a newness of life made possible by the One who is always searching us out with forgiving love. In Jesus, God revealed that grace and forgiveness has already arrived, and it includes you and me. It is the Good News! You can trust it with your life. The saints knew it and now you do, too. Thanks be to God! Amen and Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins) Scripture Luke 6:20-31 Sermon For all the Saints I am convinced that one of the most deadly illnesses in the world is grief. It makes all of the other things in life that we deal with so much worse. When we suffer a loss, and that loss starts to live in our thoughts and in our bodies it can take its toll on us. We all suffer loss, we all have an experience with death. All of us are dealing with unresolved grief. So as we take the time to honor those whom we have lost this year, our grief and sense of loss is real. So it may seem ironic that our scripture for today is about how to be happy. But Luke 6 speaks more of a holy happiness – not the emotion of happiness. Happiness in the midst of struggle. Finding Peace, justice, and wellbeing – when things in life don’t support that. Happy – what does that mean? What does it mean to be happy? What does it take for you to be happy? What does being happy have to do with serving God? Jesus must have given some thought to that same question. There are two different stories of how Jesus answers that question. The first story of how Jesus answers that question is in the book of Matthew – given in what is called the Sermon on the Mount. After Jesus calls his disciples – he takes them up on a mountain top and tells them what it means to be a happy Christian. He gives them 8 condition of what it means to live a blessed life – called the 8 beatitudes. In Luke, Jesus also talks about the beatitudes in Luke - But this time after going up on the mountain to pray – he comes down to level ground to speak with the people. In Luke this sermon is called the sermon on the plain. Jesus gives 4 blessings, but he also gives 4 woes. Four statements of how life should be, and four statements the life we should be wary of. He is telling us that there are two kinds of happiness in the world. One has lasting consequences, and one does not. There is the happiness that the world gives, and there is a holy happiness – that we can only get from being connected to God. The word beatitude is a latin word – that means blessing. The old testament gives several beatitude list – the 10 commandments are a sort of statement of blessings. I have decided that I will wait until I preach on Matthews list of beatitudes before I get on my soap box about the true meaning of being blessed. Because Luke’s sermon the plain has a slightly different meaning. In this context – the word beatitude is closer the to latin meaning of the word – meaning happiness. Happiness as a tangible condition of life. Matthew uses a more spiritual definition of the word. Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who are sad for they shall be comforted. Luke uses a concrete, economic definition that applies to the lives of those who have gathered to hear Jesus. Happy are those who are poor, those who are hungry, those who cry and those who are rejected. Those are the 4 conditions in Luke for being blessed. That would have been 99% of the people who were on the plain listening to these words. They had nothing, they lived hand to mouth everyday, and there was no hope things would ever change. A family had sold everything possible to pay bills and to put food on the table. Nevertheless, a burglar broke in one night when the family was gone. The family returned and found the door knocked off its hinges. "œWhat did the burglar get?" the police officer asked. The head of the house just shook his head. "œPractice," he said. It's not easy being poor. What did Jesus mean, "œBlessed are the poor?" A quote from Helen Keller sums of Jesus point best. She said that blessings in life don’t have anything to do with our condition in life. Life can be full of suffering, but it also can be full of overcoming – that is holy happiness.are Luke gets even more direct about the difference between worldly happiness and holy happiness. Because he gives 4 blessings, but he also gives 4 woes. Woe to those who are rich, woe to those who are filled woe to those who are laughing now, woe to those who are popular. You have received your blessing and will receive nothing more. The word for woe is an interesting Greek word – meaning consolation. – or paid in full. In other words, those who have in this life have received their reward, and there is nothing else for them to receive. But those who rely on God – shall receive their blessing from God. There is more to come. Is Luke saying that we should strive to be poor, and that there is something wrong with being rich. Not exactly. He is just telling us that there is a difference between worldly happiness and holy happiness? What does happiness mean to you? Where does your happiness come from. Which list describes your condition in life? Poor, hungry, weeping, hated, excluded, reviled defamed? Or rich full, laughing, well thought of? There is a true story about a Quaker who put up a sign on the vacant piece of land next to his house. It read: This Land Will Be Given To Anyone Who Is Truly Satisfied. A wealthy farmer who was riding by stopped to read the sign and said to himself, “Since I have all I need as a wealthy man, I certainly qualify. I might as well claim the land.” He approached the Quaker to seal the deal. “And art thou truly satisfied?” the Quaker inquired. “I am, indeed. I have all that I need.” “Friend,” said the Quaker, “if thou art satisfied, what dost thou want the land for?” We can all be hungry for a better world. We can pray for the day when all will be taken care of. We can consider ourselves happy in all circumstance. If our happiness comes from God, not from others. Our scripture goes on to give us a second even stronger message. Not only are we called to recognize our own need and dependence upon God. We are called to recognize the need and vulnerability of others. And then to offer to them, through our lives, the rich soil of compassion and justice. We are called to be in solidarity with the poor, the hungry, with those who are weeping. We are called to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Biblical scholars point out that the Beatitudes are what is called a “performative word.” These predictions about blessedness are not going to happen — they are already happening. This is not about what might be. This is about what is. This is God’s agenda, God’s vision, God’s kingdom. The reality described by the Beatitudes will happen, is happening, whether we choose to be part of it or not. Only a few of us are called to be the poor. A few more of us are called to work with the poor. But all of us are called to be for the poor — because that’s what it means to be God’s people. My friends, our scripture readings for today remind us that “human happiness” and “holy happiness” are often two different kinds of reality. Jesus is suggesting that “blessing” is more than enjoying ourselves. The goal of life is more than self-fulfillment. And prosperity is more than getting what we want. Happiness is to be open to God. Blessedness is to be fully alive and in harmony with God’s ways both in the good times and the bad. Let us be comforted and instructed by the words of the psalmist: Happy are those who delight in the Lord. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. (Psalm 1) (Susan Andrews – the sermon Holy Happiness) We come together today to remember that true happiness comes in living together, supporting one another, and working for a world where all are given true peace, justice and wellbeing. Coming together today will not take away our grief. We are a part of a community that has worked for that goal since the beginning of time and our work is not done. Saints are those who participate in that work. The candles that we light remind us of their presence, their example, their work. Let their light lead us and inspire us to continue to stand, to be the saints of God. Who in all time and in all things bring God’s Kingdom to earth. Song My Hope is Built UMH 368 All Saint’s Day Prayer Bless the many parted souls who lived their lives with grace. Bless the saints in heaven, gathered in that special place. May we tell their stories and remember all the ways they lived their faith and spent their days. There is glory and reward, even if at first there’s strife. Oh, blessed saints, you help us see a path that’s to eternal life. May we always hold them dear and know their life and place. May we know their inspiration and aspire to their grace. (Loyola Press) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment (Don’t Print) In Ephesians 1, believers are reminded we 1) are adopted as God’s children 2) are given forgiveness and redemption through Christ 3) are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. What an inheritance we’ve received! We also have a history of receiving financial inheritances from those who have loved this church over our history. As we celebrate All Saint’s Day, we remember these who have provided an inheritance for the on-going witness of this church. (You might name 3 or 4 specific names, especially if they would be remembered by many, or if their gifts are events/spaces/rooms named for them.) While weekly, monthly and annual financial gifts are necessary, the financial gifts offered by earlier saints provide examples of ways we, too, might provide an inheritance for this fellowship. (If you have a flier in the bulletin or a slide on the screen with information about how to create such a gift, call attention to it now.) Know this community of faith will celebrate your decision! For each gift, given today, or planned for years from now, we are grateful. Let us joyfully offer our gifts. Prayer of Thanksgiving (Print) Loving God, thank you for the inheritance you provide for each of us. We ask you to accept these gifts of gratitude. Help us use them wisely and well to extend your Realm on earth. AMEN (Disciples of Christ, Center for Faith and Giving) Remembering our Saints Prayer UMH 713 Candle Lighting Service Communion UMH 13 Invitation to Communion (Don’t Print) (consider using CH#649, “Give Thanks for Life” as a communion hymn. While not explicitly focused on communion, it uses language of “thanks”, provides images of light from Christ, and wheat as a sign of resurrection) Around this table, we’ve come to break bread, to drink from the cup, to remember – and to anticipate. Like a diamond, this ritual includes a multitude of facets. Today, we focus on thanksgiving and memory. With memory, we call to this present moment the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. With thanksgiving, we share simple sips of juice and morsels of bread as signs/emblems of Jesus blood and body. But with eyes of memory, we also see and call to mind loved ones no longer present, who shared bread in the past around this very table (perhaps invite people to name one or more – aloud or in silence –). And with an attitude of gratitude, we give thanks that this meal is a rehearsal for the banquet to which Jesus invites all. So let us feast! Communion (don’t print) This text is used by the pastor while the congregation uses A Service of Word and Table II (UMH 13–15) or III (UMH 15–16) or one of the musical settings (UMH 17–25). The pastor stands behind the Lord's table. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. The pastor may lift hands and keep them raised. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty (almighty God), Creator of heaven and earth: God of Abraham and Sarah, God of Miriam and Moses, God of Joshua and Deborah, God of Ruth and David, God of the priests and the prophets, God of Mary and Joseph, God of the apostles and the martyrs, God of our mothers and our fathers, God of our children to all generations. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: The pastor may lower hands. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The pastor may raise hands. Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit. The pastor may hold hands, palms down, over the bread, or touch the bread, or lift the bread. On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." The pastor may hold hands, palms down, over the cup, or touch the cup, or lift the cup. When the supper was over he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." The pastor may raise hands. And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. The pastor may hold hands, palms down, over the bread and cup. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. The pastor may raise hands. Renew our communion with all your saints, especially those whom we name before you— Name(s) —(in our hearts). Silence may be kept for the remembrance of names. Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, strengthen us to run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father (God), now and for ever. Amen Copyright: “The Great Thanksgiving for All Saints and Memorial Occasions” Copyright© 1972 The Methodist Publishing House; Copyright © 1980, 1981, 1985 UMPH; Copyright © 1986 Abingdon Press; Copyright © 1987, 1989, 1992 UMPU. Used by permission.” Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook Go forth from this time of worship as a flowing stream through a parched desert, pouring the love of God upon the hearts and lives of all you meet so that hope might take root and blossom. As you go, know that the God who created you, the Christ who redeems you and the Spirit who empowers you is with you today and ever more. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Rev. Dr. Bob Cross) Community Time Benediction Beloved of God, trust that the Holy One still forms saints. They might be standing next to you. They might just be you. Trust that God has formed your life to be part of something larger than you could possibly imagine. So go, anticipating that God is already blessing you to bear good news into the world. Yes! Yes! Yes! Amen and Amen! (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins) Additional Illustrations