Her Legacy Lives On

May 11, 2025 Acts 9: 36-43 Mother’s Day Year C Her Legacy lives on Prelude Greetings Call to Worship One: Today we celebrate our mothers, grandmothers, aunties, and all the women who have loved us. Many: Thank you God for giving us mothers. One: We remember with deep gratitude all the ways they demonstrated their love for us. Many: Sometimes we did not understand them, but we know that God understood. One: We take time to remember our mothers because a mother's love is most like God's love. All: For their tears, for their hugs, for their wisdom, for their unfailing trust in our abilities, we give thanks today. (United Methodist Board of Discipleship, LaGretta Bjorn) Opening Prayer (Do not Print) Loving God, we know your love because we have mothers. We thank you for the mothers who carried us in their wombs, nourishing, protecting, and bringing us into the world. We thank you for the mothers who did not give birth to us, yet loved us just the same. With gratitude we remember their words of encouragement when we have felt unsure or afraid; we thank you for their kindness when the world has treated us unkindly; we thank you for their soft, comforting arms and the gentle way they kissed away our tears; we thank you that they protected us with the fierceness of a lioness protecting her cubs; we thank you for the times when they corrected us rather than letting us continue down wrong paths. Help us to live so that their investment in us might not be in vain. We honor our mothers with lives of service to you in the name of the Risen Christ, for it is in his Name we pray. Amen. (United Methodist Board of Discipleship, LaGretta Bjorn) Song Easter People Raise your Voices UMH 304 A Sermon for all Ages Hello, children of God! Hmm…wow. So much for my great plans. I have some special tools and equipment here, but I don’t think I have the skills to use them correctly. I thought I would try my hand at sewing, because it sounds like fun, and it would be pretty impressive to be able to create things like clothing and blankets and gifts for people. I gathered all of these items that should go with sewing. (Hold up items as described) I have some needles, and some scissors, and fabric, and thread, and string…I thought it should be simple enough. I should be able to just put these fabric pieces together. But…I think I messed up a little (exhibit attempted, but obviously failed craft). In fact, I’m not even sure I used the right kind of tools here. This looks a bit like a big mistake. I guess I’m not cut out to be a seamstress. But you know what? I know some people who are excellent at making things using sewing. I have some friends who love to create beautiful clothing and quilts. I’ll bet if I take these tools to them, they might be able to fix my mess-up and make something new and useful! In the hands of people who know what they’re doing, things will be done right. This sort of reminds me of what God can do in our lives. He creates each of us with special skills and abilities that we can use for Him. But sometimes we make mistakes. Sometimes things get messed up and seem bleak and even hopeless. But God can turn our lives around and use even hardships for His glory. He can and will take all of our abilities and use them for His purposes. There’s a wonderful story in the Bible about a time that something that looked sorrowful turned joyful. In fact, this story features a lady who liked to sew. Her name was Tabitha. She’s also called Dorcas, but I kind of prefer the Tabitha name. Anyway, Tabitha made clothing for people, and she did a lot of great charitable things for people. Sadly, Tabitha got sick and died. Those around her were very sad, and they mourned as they remembered all of the wonderful things she made and did. They sent for Peter, that good old disciple of Christ, and he came to the house where Tabitha’s body was. As everyone was weeping, Peter knelt and prayed. Then he called to her and said, “Tabitha, get up!” And you know what? She did! It was like she’d just been taking a nap. Tabitha got up after being completely dead, and she was alive and well again! Naturally, word spread about this event, and it caused many people to believe in Jesus. A sad event was turned around and used for God’s glory and purposes. And I’ll bet Tabitha went back to making things for people, so that God could use her gifts for His purposes. The same thing can happen with us. God gives all of us special talents and ways to serve Him. You might feel that you are not enough for the task. Maybe you don’t know how to best live for the Lord. Maybe you’ve made mistakes and feel like things are hopeless. On your own, it might be tough to do, well, anything. But in the hands of the Master, anything is possible. God wants to use you, and will make it happen! God also wants to use all things for His purposes. Place your life and all things in His hands. No matter who you are, He can and will use you! And no matter what happens in your life, He will use that, too. Let’s say a prayer to thank God for the opportunity to use all gifts for His glory: (MinistrytoChildren.com, Kristin Highley) Prayer of Blessing for Mother’s Day (and other days): Holy One, today we pray for all who share in your creative power, your nurturing energy, your fierce protection, your unconditional love. Whatever titles they carry, Whatever genders they are, We offer this prayer for all who bear your Mothering Spirit: Protect the protectors; Comfort the comforters. Nourish those who provide nourishment for others. Grant your holy energy to those birthing new life in this world. Provide sacred rest for the weary, Divine wisdom for the bewildered, Grace upon grace for the brokenhearted. For all who gasp and pant with you in life-giving labor, Grant your blessing, Grant your peace. Amen. (From Expecting Emmanuel, Joanna Harader) Scripture Acts 9:36-43 Sermon Her Legacy Lives on May is the month of teacher appreciation, nurses appreciation, and even bus driver appreciation. In the midst of all of these appreciation days, I saw a Facebook post that said if there if your profession has to have an special appreciation day, then you are not getting paid enough for what you do for the world. I thought that sounds about right. May is also the month of rebirth. It is the month that we celebrate the gift of resurrection. – so our scripture for this morning is perfect for the fourth Sunday of Easter. It is the story of Dorcas, a woman who dedicated her life to serving those who were not celebrated, appreciated, or even acknowledged. Her mission was to make clothes for the widows. In those days, widows were a hidden part of society. They could not work, they had no means of support, they could not be seen, they were totally dependent on the kindness of others to survive. The old testament states that these are the people who we all have an obligation to take care. That was Jesus ministry – to take collect money to support the widows. That was Peter and the disciples ministry after the resurrection. That was Paul’s ministry to the gentiles – to raise money for the widows of Israel. Dorcas is the only woman in the bible who has earned the title of female disciple, because she diligently continued the mission of Jesus. You can’t tell the gospel story without acknowledging the contributions of women. In the midst of doing their work, women were the first to witness the resurrection. They were not named as disciples, and yet they were the backbone of the early church. Often times, they were behind the scenes cooking and taking care of practical things, so that the twelve disciples could be out in front telling the story and raising money for Jesus’ charity. Also they were the ones who financially supported the early church. So it is fitting that when one of these important benefactors dies, that they would call Peter to come and to do the funeral and to comfort the community. Dorcas was one of those important women. Everyone loved her, because not only did she support Jesus ministry to the widows. But she also held everyone thing together. She was known for helping the widows and for that matter anyone. She inspired others to believe and to help with the mission. When she died, the community lost a shining light that could not be replaced. Peter, not only comes to see her, he is able to put life into her body, and to bring her back to life. We never know if she returns to her ministry, or if she is as active in her new life as she was before, or if the community is just grateful to have her presence. What we do know, if that her gifts for ministry are present. At her wake, not only do the people gather to tell stories of how she helped them, they bring all of the clothes that she made for them as they honor her life and her ministry with them. This is a very fitting story for Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day is one of the most emotional Sunday’s of the year. Because it is a day that can trigger so many different emotions. There are so many things going on in our heads about mothers. But this morning, we seek to honor our mothers. And while this a happy day for most, we need to realize that, for some women, Mother’s Day feels more like a day of mourning than a day of celebration. It stands as a reminder of what some have lost. Perhaps it’s a woman who lost her child through miscarriage, stillbirth, illness, or tragedy. Perhaps it’s someone who recently lost or who is estranged from his or her mother. Perhaps it’s a mother who is challenged by a rebellious child. Or perhaps, it’s an infertile woman who is pleading and praying for the gift of motherhood. Perhaps it’s a woman who had an abortion before she came to Christ. We all have different experiences that color our view of things, and so there may be some here this morning with pain and suffering that makes it difficult to celebrate. Meredith Hodge was a woman like that. She was infertile and unable to have a child. Regarding Mother’s Day, she has written, “Infertility had darkened my heart and tempted me to despair. Anticipating [Mother’s] day in fear, internally I wished over and over: ‘Please don’t make the moms stand up. Please don’t hand out flowers to moms. Please, no one wish me a happy Mother’s Day.’” She went on to say, “It wasn’t anger or jealousy, but my attention was more focused on my isolation and brokenness. I was grieving the loss of my longtime dream to be a mother. I felt as though all eyes were on me: the barren, childless woman in the congregation, the one who ‘wasn’t blessed.’ I assumed people were staring at me thinking, ‘I wonder what’s wrong with her and why she doesn’t have kids yet.’ “It wasn’t until I applied the gospel to my circumstance, prayed for guidance, and allowed the Spirit to take over my heart that I began to see heart transformation and change in my response to Mother’s Day.” As we honor the mothers in our lives, as we honor the experience of mothering and nurturing that we have received. I think that it is important for us to remember the themes of our scripture – the power of the resurrection, the gifts of the spirit, the mission to help those who can’t help themselves and the contributions of women. Mother’s Day is a chance to acknowledge all of the women in our lives, and their faithful service. Who are the women in our lives who have contributed to the tapestry of our lives, of our church. How do we say thank you for all that they have done for us. This story in Acts 9 says that Peter was here and there. In other words Peter couldn’t sit still, he needed to go out and tell everyone the story of Jesus resurrection. Everywhere the he went, he was able to who others how the spirit was alive and at work in the world. When he is called to do Dorcas’ funeral – he asks everyone to leave and then he puts the spirit back into her body. He is able to do the same things that Jesus did – and bring her back to life. That was his way of acknowledging her part in Jesus ministry, it was his way of saying thank you. Wouldn’t we love to have the power to bring back those important women of faith, who showed us what love is, who supported us and who invested in us. On this mother’s day, all that we can do is remember them in or hearts. In the midst of their grief, those who loved Dorcas, not only used words, but they also used actions to who their appreciation for all that she had done for them. They bought her work in order to spread the good news of her faithfulness. They showed all of the clothes that she had made as a testament to her character and good works. Her good works spoke far louder then her words. We are the results of all of the Dorcas in our lives, their work lives on in us. We are living sermons of those who came before us. I read of a father who often reminds his children: “Your life is God’s gift to you. What you do with your life is your gift back to God. So do something great for God with your life.”[5] That’s good advice. So do something great for God. Make a difference to others by lifting them into life. For when you do, you too will be lifted up from your problems and brought back to life. You will experience the ecstasy of generosity because you will feel a little like how God feels when we allow him to love us. And when these sacred moments of generosity occur, I believe God smiles, for he sees the world the way he created it to be. As Peter is here and there and out and about, he shares the story of Dorcas to tell the power of the holy spirit working within us. The holy spirit worked within Dorcas life in order to make a difference to others. Her life spread love to the whole community. Her life was love in action. The Apostle Paul says that none of us live to ourselves and none of us die to ourselves. There is a link, a tie that binds us together, and although it is a matter of faith, something that is unseen, that cannot be weighed or measured, it becomes visible in the ways we practice mutual aid. There's a song that says, "They'll know we are Christians by our love." Let's hope so. Let's hope they know us by the mutual aid that we practice, by the caring we display for each other, by the words that we share and the lives that we live. And our living faith. Amen. CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Sermons for Sundays in Lent and Easter: The City of Justice, by Frank Ramirez I heard about a kindergartener who was asked to define love and he responded by giving the teacher a big hug and he said, “That’s the way we define love at my house.” And that’s why motherhood is such a beautiful model for Christian love – because mothers translate love into action every day. But, as much as your mother loves you, there’s only so much she can do for you. Someone has written a piece called “Reflections of a Mother”, and in it, says such things as: I gave you life, but cannot live it for you. I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn. I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe. I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you. I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in God’s family. I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God. I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot make Jesus your Lord. And it’s true. As much as your mother may love you, she can’t follow God for you. And that’s true of our love for one another here this morning. As much as we may love one another, we can’t obey the gospel for one another. That’s something we’ve all got to do as individuals. In the midst of all of the pain and the pitfalls of Mother’s Day, it is important to honor this day. It gives us a chance To honor the love in action that we have received from so many women in our lives. But it also reminds us – to be love in action in the lives of others. We all get the chance to participate in the continued work of the spirit. Let’s pray….. Song All Hail the Power of Jesus Name UMH 155 Prayers of the People (Do not Print) On this fourth Sunday of Easter, with the scent of lilies from the flower- ing cross not yet a distant memory, hold your resurrection glory before us as our guide and hope, O God. May this season plant seeds of new life and yield growth and maturity in Christ. May the gift of your Spirit be our steady leader and faithful friend. We praise you, Savior God. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! (Revelation 7:12) For mothers around the world today, we give you thanks, O God. We give thanks for the countless ways mothers and mother-figures nurture, educate and inspire. Bless the women who hold and heal, who shelter and protect, who liberate themselves and others from that which dis- courages and curbs potential. Within our varied roles and with our differ- ing gifts, help us recognize the Divine’s image in all her people. We praise you, Savior God. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! (Revelation 7:12) Righteous God, in a world torn by war, keep us from hate that hardens and scorekeeping with human lives. When our world is troubled and vi- olence the chosen path, draw near to judge and save. Guide our leaders with your wisdom. Help us walk with humility as our constant compan- ion. Move our hearts with compassion, justice and love. p2We praise you, Savior God. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! (Revelation 7:12) As the Body of Christ, hear us now as we pray as Christ taught us, (Presbyterian Outlook, Terri McDowell Ott) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment In the book of Acts, Luke tells about the beginning of the life of the church. The disciples keep finding ways to share the Good News Jesus had taught. In Acts 9, we hear of Peter coming to Joppa, where Tabitha had died. Peter heard others tell how Tabitha shared her talents with the widows, providing clothing for them. Then Peter prayed and gave what he could, bringing Tabitha back to life. In our life together, what can you give to build up the community? Some of us can create, some can provide compassion and care, some can bring new life to those drowning in despair or depression. Most of us can share financially, letting our checkbooks and wallets attest to the faith we claim. This is a time to offer your gifts. With joy-full hearts, let us present signs of our own identity as disciples of Christ. Prayer of Thanksgiving God, we offer these gifts to you. Please receive them. Help us translate this offering back into ways of building up these people and the ministries to which you call us. Use us. Use our talents and our treasure. Help us each, and all, proclaim the Good News of your love, which we know best in Jesus the Living Christ. AMEN (Disciples of Christ, Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Live into the hope of Christ’s resurrection! Honor the God who calls you to new life! May the grace, hope, peace and love of God our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer be with you now and always. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Terri McDowell Ott) Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction God’s hand holds us fast and will never let us go. Let us leave this place in sure and certain faith that we swim in the love of our Creator, to the east, the west, above us, below us, and within us. Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement Additional Illustrations She Knew the Good Shepherd Missionary Herb Schaefer tells about a thirteen-year-old Chinese girl who continued with her family to worship God secretly in their home during the Cultural Revolution in China, that time when religion was forbidden and worship was banned by the Chinese rulers. One evening the Red Guards burst into their small home and threatened them for worshiping Jesus. A small altar with a crude cross stood in one corner of the room. Determined to put a stop to their worship and command complete allegiance to the Communist state, the Red Guard lieutenant demanded they spit on the cross. They refused. The lieutenant became indignant and shouted at them that unless they spat on the cross they would be killed. Finally the elder in the group came forward, spat on the cross and left. One by one they followed, doing the same disgusting thing until only the thirteen-year-old remained. She refused to do what the others had done. "I cannot and I will not," she replied. Then she told the lieutenant the depth of her faith and said that she was willing to die for it. Remarkably the Lieutenant seemed pleased. "This is the kind of devotion we want for the new China: people who will commit themselves so totally that they are willing to die for what they believe." But he wanted that devotion directed toward Chairman Mao. "We will change you," he promised and left. She was spared, but she never saw the rest of her family again. The story doesn't end there, however. For shortly thereafter, that little girl fled to Hong Kong and was taken in. Later she entered the Lutheran seminary there and today she is a pastor of the Hong Kong Lutheran Church, serving the needs of countless souls. She prays for the day when she will be allowed to return to her village and minister to her people there and perhaps even to that Red Guard lieutenant who spared her but murdered her family. She was able to endure, to overcome that tragedy in her life, because she knew the Good Shepherd. Lee Griess, Taking The Risk Out Of Dying, CSS Publishing Company How many times have we heard, “Sorry, too late, or “The deadline has passed, or “Time has expired.” Life does not always give us a timeout to tend to urgent matters. Life does not always grant us double and triple overtime. Some things we must do now because the circumstances require immediate action. Time is the most important of all of our resources. It’s the only thing we can give to others and never get back. The clock is ticking down on all of us. We must find ways of giving our immediate attention to priorities that require our utmost urgency. Peter went with the disciples immediately and Tabitha was brought back to life. The people who loved Tabitha did not delay notifying Peter of the problem and Peter did not delay addressing the problem. They both were concerned about time. They both acted with the utmost expediency. They all had a sense of urgency in a matter of critical importance. The slightest delay could end in disaster. We feel like we know Tabitha because we all have been blessed to know someone like her somewhere along the way. Perhaps it was our grandmother, an aunt, or a neighbor lady. Perhaps it was an older gentleman from church, a customer on the paper route we carried as a youngster, or a former teacher. Some saintly soul whose skillful hands and generous spirit combined to leave behind a lovely legacy of good works. Personally, I know that all of Gladys' adult grandchildren still have Christmas stockings that she sewed for each of them when she was alive. Elizabeth's crocheted afghans are still gracing count¬less homes so many years after her death. Jack's carefully crafted stained-glass art hangs now in the windows of the homes of family and friends all over the country. And William built more book¬cases, picture frames, cabinets, and shelves than he could remem¬ber before he died, but those of us who have pieces of his crafts-manship all remember him. So it was with Tabitha. The family members, friends, and neigh¬bors gathered together in her home, clothed and armed with the good works that she had left behind. Together they admired her loving handiwork. Together they fondly remembered her. Together they showed the symbols of her goodness to the apostle. Why? Because that's what he had seen Jesus do. Years before, when Peter and the rest of the twelve had accom¬panied Jesus all along the dusty roads of Galilee, Peter had been in a similar bedroom. The twelve-year-old daughter of Jairus had died, and the house was full of mourners. But Jesus sent them away. Or at least out of the room. And then, accompanied only by a select few disciples and the grieving parents themselves, Jesus spoke to the little girl. And in speaking to her, he raised her to life. So, now, the disciple followed the example that he had seen set by the Master. He sent the mourners out of the room, and then he spoke to the corpse. "Tabitha, get up," Peter said, and the dead woman opened her eyes. Then she sat up. And then, next thing you know, Peter is leading her out to present her to her astonished friends and loved ones. Where Tabitha had been, she left behind symbols of love and generosity, tokens of thoughtfulness and sweetness. Where Peter had been, he left behind life and health, gladness and rejoicing. We consider the example of Tabitha, and we observe that the good works she left behind remind us of her Lord. For he is the original artisan, after all, and he has generously shared his handi¬work with us. We see both his skill and his sweetness in what he has made. The works of his hands inspire our praise and adoration. Likewise, we consider the example of Peter, and we see that the works he left behind also remind us of his Lord. We follow Peter, and we remember the one who sent his followers out "to proclaim the good news ... Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment" (Matthew 10:7-8). We remember the one who went about doing good (Acts 10:38) and then told Peter and the rest that they would do the works he had done and even greater works (John 14:12). The deeds and lives of his people, you see, remind us of him. For in the end, they are — we are — the good works that he leaves behind. Amen. CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Sermons on the First Readings, by David J. Kalas Now we are introduced to another woman. A woman role model? What? Right. A woman role model. She must have been a special lady, this Tabitha — Dorcas. I am not even sure if either of those was actually her given name, because both, in Aramaic or Greek, mean "Gazelle." A nickname? Was she swift? Fleet of foot? We have no idea. Perhaps the "gazelle" moniker applied because she was so quick to respond when someone needed help. "Always doing good and helping the poor" (Acts 9:36), says scripture. Good for her. A role model — a woman! Women have always been uniquely important in the life of the church, whether or not men want to admit it. It started with Mary. Women were accorded special status during Jesus' ministry; in fact, it was probably women who were major financial supporters of the itinerant rabbi and his friends. Women were the first witnesses to the resurrection. This is not a feminist statement but a factual statement: from the first day to this day, if it were not for the women, there would be no church. It is that simple. Have there been any women important in your Christian experience? What's that? Foolish question, you say. I guess, but I can think of some. Mom — it was at her urging that I knelt down by my bed one night at the age of seven and asked Jesus to be my Savior. There was Iris — Iris was our youth leader, always there, dependable as the day is long. There is my wife, Christie, of course. Her love over this past quarter-century-plus has taught me what grace is all about — she loves me no matter what. No, I cannot explain it, but no one can explain grace. There was Naomi in Fort Myers, Florida, a feisty eighty-year-old redhead who offered her preacher unfailing encouragement through difficult days. Speaking of feisty, I could never forget Mildred in Greensboro, North Carolina, who lived and breathed her church and would have eviscerated anyone who would do it harm. I also remember Judy, whose wonderful faith through some tough times was a beacon of inspiration to me. I could go on and on and on. So could you. Needless to say, no one is especially startled at such statements these days, but they would have been almost scandalous in New Testament times. Women's place in society was not much more than property, and Jesus' willingness to speak to women in public and even include women in his entourage was just a bit outrageous. Beneath the surface of this text lies several hidden treasures. Among these are service and witness, faith and resurrection, testimony and promise. Tabitha, or Dorcas as translated in the Greek, holds the distinction of being the only woman in the New Testament who is specifically referred to as a disciple. Dr. William H. Willimon writes in The Interpretation Bible Commentary, "She merits the only use of the feminine form of the Greek word for 'disciple' in the New Testament." There is also in this text a sub-theme of faith and resurrection. Faith in the promise of God to raise those who died in Christ to new life again, and faith in the power of resurrection in life's everyday disappointments. While our text tells of the personal resurrection of Tabitha, it also reveals the communal resurrections for the widows, once the down-trodden of the community. The resurrection of Tabitha represented hope in the midst of despair, faith in the midst of failure, victory in the midst of defeat. When will the breakthroughs occur -- when will we become living sermons? It must begin at the household of faith, with the people of God. During this Easter season we have an opportunity to break down barriers that separate us from one another, and demonstrate that which we say we are about. Women in ministry, pulpit exchanges, ministry in cross racial settings, ministry to persons who are homeless, ministry to persons living with AIDS, persons from different cultural groups, persons from different religious expressions, and people who need to know that God cares for them regardless of who they are, where they've been, or where they are now. God's redemptive grace is for all people. Our challenge in today's world is overcoming the temptation to follow the crowd. The desire to be among the in-crowd often damages our witness. It's so easy to discriminate against others when we have the support of the crowd. It takes real courage to confront injustice and stand for what models Christ's example. A living witness must look beyond the status quo and seek to reach people at their point of need. Taking the gospel where people are will sometimes take me into places that are unfamiliar. When we commit to "walk the walk" and not just "talk the talk," then we're released to share the good news with integrity, compassion, and love. CSS Publishing Company, TURNING OBSTACLES INTO O, by Rodney Thomas Smothe A minister recently shared with me an experience of one of his friends. His friend had cancer. He was undergoing chemotherapy treatment, and the prognosis was not very good. Then, at Christmas, he received a special treat from his nine-year-old granddaughter. His granddaughter made a Christmas stoc_esermonsking for him and she sent it to him along with this letter. Dear Granddaddy, Here is a stoc_esermonsking for you. This year the only thing I'm asking for for Christmas is for my grandfather (you!) to get better. I wanted some other stuff, but I can have that anytime I want. But there's only one of you. You're the best! Maybe Santa will come to your house and put magic stuff in your stoc_esermonsking that will make you all better. Love - Laura Just as you and I feel the pain of our loved ones, God feels our pain. Just as we reach out in tenderness to those who need it most, God reaches out to us. In our times of pain, we must continue to trust in God's loving presence in our lives. Trust In God's Power In April of 1995, our country experienced the worst act of terrorism ever exacted on U.S. soil -- the bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City. Don Hull of the Oklahoma City Police Department was one of the first to arrive on the scene. As he crawled through the debris and smoke, he saw a baby that looked to be dead. The baby had a gash on the side of its face but no blood was flowing from the wound. The baby's arm was also severely twisted. Even though he was looking for possible survivors and even though he knew the baby was dead, Hull felt compelled to pick him up. As he did so, he could hear the baby gasp for air. Suddenly blood burst forth from the baby's wounds. It was as if picking the baby up had jump-started his heart. Holding the baby tightly against his chest, Hull crawled out of the wreckage of the building. Twice on the way out he had to administer CPR to keep the baby alive. The baby turned out to be Joseph Webber. Joseph's dad says that his son would not be alive today if not for the efforts of Don Hull. He goes on to say, "It is nothing less than a series of miracles that Don Hull saw Joseph, that he picked him up, that he felt hope, that he breathed life into him and carried him out. It is truly miraculous. The work of God."2 Even in the face of great adversity, God can do miraculous things through those who respond faithfully to his call. If we will follow the compelling heart and the gentle nudgings of God's spirit, we can be effective servants for the kingdom of God. We are unlimited in what we can accomplish for God, but we must seek God's empowerment of us. It is that power that enabled Peter to raise up Tabitha and it is that power that will enable us to rise above the constraints and the trauma of life in this world. Testify To God's Faithfulness When God empowers us to overcome the difficulties of life, our call is to bear witness to others. We must share the message of the good God has wrought in our lives. In this way our times of difficulty can be opportunities for bringing glory to God. A fifteen-year-old boy was taken in for open-heart surgery. His heart lacked the oxygen necessary to live an active life. The surgery would last for several hours. The boy's parents anxiously sat alone in the surgical waiting room, wondering how they would pass the time and hoping that all would be all right. After sitting alone for a few minutes, they saw a familiar form walking down the long hospital corridor toward where they sat. It was a man who was a good friend of theirs. He was also an active deacon in their church. As he got closer to them, they could see he was carrying something under his arm. He sat down with the boy's parents and he showed them that he had brought his checkerboard and checkers with him to help them pass the time. So, for the next three hours, they played checkers together. Before they knew it, the time had passed. The surgery was over and all was well. When we have experienced God's presence and God's power in our lives, we are changed. We are left wanting to witness to others about this glorious transformation in our lives. The things we do and the things we say reflect our new master. And when we encounter people in need, we can carry Christ's gracious and compassionate presence to them. Similar to Tabitha, they too may be raised from death to life." CSS Publishing, Lima, Ohio, Returning To God, by Douglas J. Deuel Dorcas, in our text, falls ill and dies, leaving behind her a whole group of poor widows to whom she has ministered and for whom she has provided clothing and support. Widows in Israel were among the destitute, having no one to protect them or to furnish them the necessities of life. Thus, there are repeated admonitions in the Old Testament to show mercy toward widows, orphans, and strangers, and Dorcas is an example of that mercy. But now Dorcas is dead, and the poor widows, whom she has helped, weep in grief, not knowing what will become of them or to whom to turn. Their grief is overcome with joy when Peter raises Dorcas from the dead and presents her alive to the bystanders and church in Joppa. The result is that many in Joppa, who do not belong to the church there, are converted to faith in the Lord. Once again, Luke, the writer of Acts, is presenting us with the on-going power of the Spirit that is rapidly converting the Mediterranean world. No one deserves a special day all to herself more than today's Mom. A cartoon showed a psychologist talking to his patient: "Let's see," he said, "You spend 50 percent of your energy on your job, 50 percent on your husband and 50 percent on your children. I think I see your problem." Source Unknown. A Sermon Opener: This is a Mothers’ Day sermon. I’m preaching without apology and with appreciation for that time—honored institution without the benefit of which we wouldn’t be here! Every Mother’s Day sermon I’ve run across starts with an explanation —— this one’s no exception. As ministers, we’re reminded not to get too sentimental about motherhood because: (a) for some, motherhood is an accident, and not always a welcome one; (b) for some, biological motherhood isn’t possible; (c) for some, mothers weren’t all that nice; (d) for some, motherhood under the very best of circumstances is still less than abed of roses and a primrose path. If I can take some liberties with poet Wilhelm Busch’s words, I’d have to say: “(Mutter) werden ist nitch schwer; (Mutter) sein dagegen sehr.” (To become a (mother) is not so difficult; on the other hand, be-ing a (mother) is very much so!) So, with all those qualifications, why bother with Mothers’ Day at all? I’ll tell you why —— because for all its stumbling blocks, pitfalls and broken dreams, for all the soiled diapers, soiled wallpaper and spoiled plans, we’re talking about a beautiful ideal, a natural part of God’s creative plan to bring love and caring to light. Motherhood is a constant demand for the gift of love and caring. Proclaim, “A Mother’s Day Sermon,” May 14, 1989. I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the loving God, who was born of the promise to a virgin named Mary.. I believe in the love Mary gave her son, that caused her to follow him in his ministry and stand by his cross as he died. I believe in the love of all mothers, and its importance in the lives of the children, they bear. It is stronger than steel, softer than down, and more resilient than a green sapling on the hillside. It closes wounds, melts disappointments, and enables the weakest child to stand tall and straight in the fields of adversity. I believe that this love, even at its best, is only a shadow of the love of God, a dark reflection of all that we can expect of him, both in this life and the next. And I believe that one of the most beautiful sights in the world is a mother who lets this greater love flow through her to her child, blessing the world with the tenderness of her touch and the tears of of her joy. An Affirmation from John Killinger's, Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise. Illustration: "As we began to pastor our first church, my wife, Lori, and I found we were going to have a third child," Bill wrote. "Several weeks later, Lori was going through her clothes, which no longer fit. Watching her, our 5-year-old son asked, ‘Mom, now that you're going to have a baby, are you going to have to wear 'eternity' clothes?'" (Source: Bill McKibben, Woodlake, California) Eternity clothes? Yes, it seemed that way at the time!