The Year of God's Favor

January 26, 2024 Luke 4:14-21 The Year of God’s Favor 3rd Sunday of Epiphany Year C Prelude Greeting A Call to Plenty Leader: We continue our worship series on the economy of Jesus. Six stone jars in which water was turned to wine at the beginning of his ministry was a sign and symbol of the transformation of the community into abundant life. But this takes understanding our purpose–not as those who simply take care of “our own,” but those who especially are called to alleviate suffering in this world, bringing the kin-dom on earth as it is in heaven. Today we hear Jesus lay out his purposeful plans clearly–the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of freedom for the oppressed. “Abundance” (sing refrain only) See music assets in your downloads God’s abundance is for all, no one is left outside, kin-dom come, all people one in trust and love abide. In this world of striving, we feel the yearn to earn. The world measures our worth in those earnings. But Jesus had different ideas. Where they sought answers to life’s uncertainties, he showed us how to live into God’s calling with conviction and integrity. When we feel our own resources are lacking, we can view our lives and practices again from the economy of Jesus. Let us pray: God of Purpose and Prophetic Hope, we come to you today, having made space on our calendars to seek your wisdom and clarity for our lives. In the midst of our discernment, remind us of your plans for us: plans for goodness and not harm, plans overflowing with hope for the future. Show us the actions we can take to ensure this hopeful future for all people. Amen. Song All Things Bright and Beautiful UMH147 A Sermon for all Ages Leader: Welcome, children! We are so glad you are here [and for those joining us through the screen, welcome to you, too]. Remember these six big stone jars from last week? We are talking about the generosity of Jesus and these BIG jars represent how BIG the heart of Jesus is for each one of us. He wanted everyone to have plenty of everything they need, and now it is up to us to keep helping him do that. If you could fill these jars with anything, what would it be? Hot chocolate? Jelly? Gatorade??? [let them respond] Wow. Those are great ideas. And I hope you get jarfuls of whatever you want. Jesus, however, told people that what we should do is fill the world with what everyone else besides us needs, especially if they don’t have enough food or clothing or help or love. He said this was his “purpose.” Do you know what “purpose” is? [let them respond, if they can] Purpose is when we think about what we want to accomplish in our lives, in this world. Jesus’ had a plan and a purpose that was very clear. He said we should take the advice of Isaiah (one of his favorite scriptures) and make sure people were cared for and respected and loved. And especially when they didn’t have things that they need, we should be sure to share what we have with them. We have our own “six stone jars” for each week! [maybe this week they are already on the chancel somewhere and you just need to bring over the second one] These are our piggy banks so we can practice the economy of Jesus. The first one had words of hope in it, affirmations that we gave away to make sure others felt loved and seen. Let’s see what the second one has in it… [lift it and shake it gently] Oh, here is another note on it [open a note that has been taped to the piggy bank]. “Dear children. Thank you for multiplying hope and affirmation last week! Remember that instead of putting things in this piggy bank, they are filled with the gifts you already have that you can give away. You see, in my economy, we don’t keep things locked up all the time just filling our banks with more and more and more. We look at what we already have, and the fun is in figuring out how to give it away! Always yours, Jesus.” Oooo, I can’t wait to see what is in this one! [open it and take out the set of two notecards for each child] Let’s see what these say. Looks like there are two cards for each of you. One says “I loved this toy, but now I want to pass that love to you! Enjoy!” I see… we are going to find a toy this week that we loved to play with once-upon-a-time and gift it to someone else! And here is another one: “I used to be able to wear this, but I’ve grown and can’t fit in it anymore. I left the warmth of love in it, and I hope you’ll feel like it is a hug from me.” This will be so fun to find something to share with someone who may not have a toy or piece of clothing that would make them feel special. And don’t worry if you can’t find something right away in your closet or toy box. These cards work anytime! I can’t wait to hear what happens when you give away all of this goodness! Let’s pray a repeat-after-me prayer, and then we’ll go [instructions per usual for your church]. Dear Jesus… [children repeat, etc.] thank you for showing us… how to to share… thank you for showing us… how to to care… help us to know… that there is no doubt… the gifts that you give us… can never run out… there’s so much in store… that we’ll give it away… making sure there’s enough… for ALL every day… Amen…   Water into wine Phenopthalien Sodium bicardonate Acetic acid Responsive Reading Psalm 19 UMH 750 Passing of the Peace (don’t print words) Leader: Just as our worth as humans is not dependent on the bottom line of our bank accounts, our relationships are not dependent upon the earning of favors and the limitations of “quid pro quo.” The peace of Christ has no limits, and we get more just by giving it. So may jar-fulls of peace be with you today. People: And also with you. Leader: You are invited to pass the “plethora of peace” among you, remembering to pass it to those joining us remotely. Scripture Luke 4:14-21 Sermon The Year of God’s Favor At the time of George Washington’s second inauguration, congress set the date for March 4th. Because of travel in the winter, it was difficult to do it any sooner. By the 1930’s, horse travel was no longer a consideration. The date was changed to January 20th at noon. This time in between the election and the inauguration allowed the new administration to have enough time to put together an administration, but to shorten the time in between, when neither administration was in charge. The Opening Moments of Jesus’ Ministry Every four years the new president of the United States gives his inaugural address. In it, he articulates his program or his plan of action for his term of office. See if you recognize the President who made the following remarks: "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." - Abraham Lincoln, 1865. "This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." - Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933. "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." - John F Kennedy, 1960. Today's Scripture is Luke's version of the opening moments of Jesus' public ministry. We might call this his inaugural sermon. Mickey Anders, Jesus' Mission and Ours Luke is good at telling the story of how this man Jesus becomes the messiah. Once the hope of the world becomes an adult, in order to begin his ministry, he must first listen to the spirit of God, and them find what it means for him. He is baptized by his cousin, John. During that time, the spirit of God speaks to him and tells him that he is on the right path. After baptism, he goes off alone in the woods to listen for the spirit. When he returns to society, the spirit leads him to go back home, to his synagogue to not only find the source of the spirit, but also to proclaim the spirit to others. The spirit is a key character in Luke’s telling of the story of the messiah. We will be reading from Luke all year, I will encourage you to look for the work of the spirit in each story. Where does the spirit lead Jesus? As we listen in on the story, where does the spirit lead each of us? When Jesus goes into the temple – he reads from the book of Isaiah. But he also gives his first sermon – one of the shortest sermons, but also one of the most prolific. The scripture says that the spirit calls us to help the the blind to see, the death to hear, to free the captive and to proclaim the year of the Lord. Jesus Sermon – This scripture has been fulfilled right here today. The spirit was at work in so many ways just in that one sentence. This Scripture has been fulfilled right here today. The spirit is at work in the senses – in sight, hearing, and speaking. The spirit was at work in that congregation, within Jesus, and within anyone who sees, hears, or proclaims those words. The spirit is at work today in us, and this scripture get fulfilled in each of our lives. Now each of us is challenged to find how the spirit is at work in our lives, and to think of how the spirit encourages each of us to do the work of the spirit for others. How does the spirit help you to find meaning and purpose in your day, that way it gave meaning to Jesus? From that day forward, Jesus became very clear about what he must do, and he spent the rest of his life doing it – declaring the year of the Lord’s favor to everyone. When we look at the life around us, what do we see, what so we hear, what needs to be said, who needs to be free? Sermon Opener - Good News - Luke 4:14-21 The story is told of a Franciscan monk in Australia assigned to be the guide and "gofer" to Mother Teresa when she visited New South Wales. Thrilled and excited at the prospect of being so close to this great woman, he dreamed of how much he would learn from her and what they would talk about. But during her visit, he became frustrated. Although he was constantly near her, the friar never had the opportunity to say one word to Mother Teresa. There were always other people for her to meet. Finally, her tour was over, and she was due to fly to New Guinea. In desperation, the Franciscan friar spoke to Mother Teresa: If I pay my own fare to New Guinea, can I sit next to you on the plane so I can talk to you and learn from you? Mother Teresa looked at him. “You have enough money to pay airfare to New Guinea?” she asked. Yes, he replied eagerly. “Then give that money to the poor,” she said. “You'll learn more from that than anything I can tell you.” Mother Teresa understood that Jesus’ ministry was to the poor and she made it hers as well. She knew that they more than anyone else needed good news. On a Saturday morning, in Nazareth, the town gathered in the synagogue to listen to Jesus read and teach. It was no big surprise. He was well known in the area; it was his hometown. He was raised there. They wanted to learn from him. So when he read from the Isaiah scroll, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor” everyone understood these words to be the words of Isaiah. It is how that prophet from long ago defined his ministry. When Jesus finished that reading he handed the scroll to the attendant and sat down. In that day you sat in the Moses Seat to teach to the people. Today preachers stand in a pulpit. So all eyes were on Jesus, waiting for him to begin his teaching… Francis of Assisi gave us a wonderful prayer to help us to find meaning in our day Prayer Our Father, each day is a little life, each night a tiny death; help us to live with faith and hope and love. Lift our duty above drudgery; let not our strength fail, or the vision fade, in the heat and burden of the day. O God, make us patient and pitiful one with another in the fret and jar of life, remembering that each fights a hard fight and walks a lonely way. Forgive us, Lord, if we hurt our fellow souls; teach us a gentler tone, a sweeter charity of words, and a more healing touch. Sustain us, O God, when we must face sorrow; give us courage for the day and hope for the morrow. Day unto day may we lay hold of thy hand and look up into thy face, whatever befall, until our work is finished and the day is done. Amen. Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226 The spirit is alive and well today, and still telling us what to do. We just have to listen, with Jesus as our guide. As we go forward in our year – how do we listen? Let us pray…… Song In Christ there is no East or West UMH 548 Prayers of the People Leader: In the economy of Jesus, we are purposeful with our investments. Rather than maximizing returns, we focus on maximizing goodness in the world. We share from our abundance with those in need, seeking out the people and places in this community in need of support that we can gratefully provide. Leader: Each week of this series we will be focusing on naming gifts of abundance we have received in the week, instances where we have seen the abundance of Christ at work in the world, and we will ask for the wisdom and strength to change so that abundance is more available to all. There are notecards in the pews/seats and, if you wish to do so, you are invited in the pause between these petitions to write your observations and we will add them to the six stone jars as a sign of thanksgiving and commitment. In this pause, O God, we ponder the many gifts you have given us. Our gratitude seems never enough for the plenty you provide. We call to mind the gifts of creation, of relationships, of sustenance. [pause] In this pause, Christ Jesus, we ponder the ways your love is still at work in the world. Our awe and wonder at the goodness of others is profound. We call to mind acts of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. [pause] In this pause, Holy Spirit, we come asking you for strength. The temptation to live by the economics of not-enough is so strong in us. We ask for revelation in our thinking and doing, so that we might live with purpose in our plans. [pause] Loving God, Christ Jesus, Holy Spirit, we are yours. We bring to you now the concerns of our day, of our communities, knowing that already you are present, already you are working to bring about comfort and healing. Today we pray for…. Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Invitation to Offering Offertory Prayer Faithful God, who calls us to follow and empowers us by your Spirit, we bring these gifts to you in gratitude and hope. May they be used to proclaim good news, set the oppressed free, and bring sight to the blind. Transform our offerings into acts of love and justice that reflect the mission of Jesus in this world. In his holy name, we pray. Amen. (Luke 4:14-21) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook The jars are full in the Kin-dom of God. The plans are full of the purpose we need and the purpose we are called to embody in the world. We are transformed in the economy of Jesus, bearing the witness of dividends of grace. We have heard the call to invest our interest in the transformation of our communities. And so we go, doing likewise in the world, with the help of God, the guidance of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Now and forever. Amen. Community Time Joys and Concerns Benediction May the Holy Spirit bless you with inspiration to recognize and pay attention to all the ways the Word of God springs to life around you in the familiar rhythms and customs of your day, so that you may find and bring God’s love, peace, and hope wherever you go. Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2024. Additional Illustrations Took a walk in the neighborhood, when it was late winter, not quite warm outside, but certainly much better than it was. There were two little girls selling lemonade in order to buy a present for their mother. He realized that he had left his wallet at home, so said that he would be right back. He turned to walk the block back home, heard footsteps running behind him, a little voice said mister, you don’t have to pay for it, the lemonade is free. Walking had exhausted him, he told her that he didn’t want any lemonade. Jesus reminds us that God’s grace is free, don’t have to pay for it, reject the good news, because it is too much work. Free – means at no cost to you. Freedom from sin, sickness, poverty, and death. Martin Buber, the great Jewish theolologian had his house invaded by Nazi’s – asked if he had any subversive reading material – went to the shelf and handed him the bible Epiphany: The Joy of Fulfillment - Luke 4:14-21 I've read some books where it seemed the author had no purpose in writing. When that's the case, I'm glad if I can discover it early, so I don't invest too much time in a meaningless search. In some instances, however, I've been slow to recognize the problem, perhaps because I've been looking so earnestly for the author's point that I didn't realize he was without one. No such charge can be made against Luke, the Greek physician who gave us the Gospel which bears his name. He knew why he was writing, and he was obviously excited about his assignment. In a sense, you and I can feel that we are eavesdropping when we read this Gospel. Luke addresses himself, in the opening paragraph, to someone named Theophilus. We don't know who this was. Some say he was a friendly Roman official who had only a disorganized knowledge of the faith, to whom Luke wanted to give more basic instruction. Others say that this is only a general term to refer to all who "love God" or "are loved by God" -- the two ways the name "Theophilus" is translated. However that may be, we are sure that Luke's Gospel speaks to us and that the purposes which he meant for the unknown Theophilus are being fulfilled in us as well. Luke explains that others have "done their best" to write reports of the things they knew, from eyewitnesses, about the life of Jesus. We don't know how many such books or tracts were available in the first century. With the kind of impact the gospel was making on so many lives, it was natural that anyone who knew anything about Jesus either first- or secondhand -- would want to tell others their version of the story. The best and most significant of these accounts survived, perhaps simply because God meant it to be so. But from the human side we can see a reason, too: no doubt the most beloved books were copied and recopied for sharing. We know as much by the fragments which remain to this day in such relative abundance. But Luke has his own reason for telling the story…. ___________________________ Act As If You Do Love In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity _______________ The Pearl of Great Price I remember the story of Theophane the Monk. He was traveling along a path one day and ran into a young man. He asked the young man where he was going. The young man replied, "I am looking for the pearl of great price." Theophane said calmly, "Well, look no more. I have it." Theophane produced the pearl of great price. The young man was in pure delight to see and find what he was looking for. Then Theophane said, "Here, take it." And he gave the young man the pearl of great price. The young man was delighted and danced for awhile and then sat under a tree to contemplate. "The pearl of great price! I have it! But is it better to have it or to have the ability to give it away like Theophane the Monk? How long will this question rob me of my joy?" God calls us to live on the edge, not with ancient word recited and unlived, but with a living word to be given away in us and recited in the rituals of daily life. Richard A. Wing, Deep Joy for a Shallow World, CSS Publishing Company _________________ ___________________________________________ Turning Everything Upside Down Jesus' message is for us, too. His plan of ministry is our plan of ministry. If we truly seek to be Christ like, we must try to do as he did, live as he lived, spread the good news in the way that he called us to share the good news. And we do try. We seek to do all the things listed by Isaiah that Jesus shares here. But, I must admit my own guilt - my ministry is more comfortable than challenging. Sure, you are a challenging bunch of people - Yes, I'm still in the midst of my first year of ministry here. Sure, we've faced grief and loss as a congregation. Yes, I'm busy with meetings left and right. But when, I must ask myself, was the last time I brought the good news to the poor? Perhaps only through a can dropped off for Salvation Army collections. Is that what Jesus is getting at? I can't say yes without kidding you and myself. When was the last time I proclaimed release to the captives? When did I help the blind to see? Have I freed those who are oppressed? Who is oppressed today? At best, I have tried to proclaim the year of God's favor - but how can I convince people of God's favor when they are poor, captive, blind, and oppressed? Jesus says he comes to turn everything upside down, and confuse everyone's expectations of how things are supposed to be. Those who are captive find release, even when we still seek to hold them guilty. Those who are oppressed are freed, even when it means we must give up our role too often as oppressors. Those who are poor receive God's good news, even when it means we must share from our abundance, even when we want the good news all for ourselves. Jesus challenges us to a radical ministry that defies the normal order. Can we do it? Beth Quick, The Mission, the Vision ___________________________ Turning Everything Upside Down Jesus' message is for us, too. His plan of ministry is our plan of ministry. If we truly seek to be Christ like, we must try to do as he did, live as he lived, spread the good news in the way that he called us to share the good news. And we do try. We seek to do all the things listed by Isaiah that Jesus shares here. But, I must admit my own guilt - my ministry is more comfortable than challenging. Sure, you are a challenging bunch of people - Yes, I'm still in the midst of my first year of ministry here. Sure, we've faced grief and loss as a congregation. Yes, I'm busy with meetings left and right. But when, I must ask myself, was the last time I brought the good news to the poor? Perhaps only through a can dropped off for Salvation Army collections. Is that what Jesus is getting at? I can't say yes without kidding you and myself. When was the last time I proclaimed release to the captives? When did I help the blind to see? Have I freed those who are oppressed? Who is oppressed today? At best, I have tried to proclaim the year of God's favor - but how can I convince people of God's favor when they are poor, captive, blind, and oppressed? Jesus says he comes to turn everything upside down, and confuse everyone's expectations of how things are supposed to be. Those who are captive find release, even when we still seek to hold them guilty. Those who are oppressed are freed, even when it means we must give up our role too often as oppressors. Those who are poor receive God's good news, even when it means we must share from our abundance, even when we want the good news all for ourselves. Jesus challenges us to a radical ministry that defies the normal order. Can we do it? Beth Quick, The Mission, the Vision ___________________________