Moses' Birth Story

August 23, 2026 Exodus 1:8-2:10 Moses’ Birth Story 13th Sunday after Pentecost Year A Prelude Greetings Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 124) One: Blessed be the Holy One. If it had not been God on our side—the people proclaim! Many: With God on our side, we find our help in the name of the Holy One! One: Blessed be the Holy One, who draws us from aimlessness, despair, and bitterness. Many: With God on our side, we find purpose, hope, and peace. One: Blessed be the Holy One, who calls us to love one another—neighbors, enemies, family and friends. Many: With God on our side, we find compassion, grace, and mercy for one another. Blessed be the Holy One! (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Invocation Living God, you draw us from the waters that offer both life and death, nourishment and destruction, peace and power. We gather as your people to remember your timely and tangible works. We call upon your many names as we have known you to be Redeemer, Counselor, Shepherd, and Friend. We worship you for who you are, and we draw near to become who you have crafted us to be. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Song O God our Help in Ages Past UMH 117 A Sermon for all Ages Scripture: Exodus 1:10–2:8 Object Lesson: A basket, preferably one resembling a Moses basket; optional baby doll and small blanket Good morning, everyone! I brought something with me today. [Hold up the Moses basket.] Does anyone know what this is? It’s a Moses basket. People sometimes use baskets like this as little beds for newborn babies. And do you know why we call it a Moses basket? It comes from the Bible story we're hearing today. Everybody Has a Birth Story Do you know the story about when you were born? Maybe your parents or grandparents have told you things like: "We couldn't wait for you to arrive!" or "You came earlier than we expected!" or "You had so much hair!" or "You cried all night!" Our birth stories are important because they tell us something about where our lives began. And sometimes, when we look back at the beginning, we can see that God was already at work before we even knew it. That's certainly true about Moses. Baby Moses Was in Danger When Moses was born, it was a very dangerous time. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, was afraid of the Hebrew people because there were so many of them. So Pharaoh made a terrible rule that Hebrew baby boys should not be allowed to live. But some brave women refused to go along with Pharaoh's evil plans. Moses' mother loved her baby and wanted to protect him. So when she couldn't hide him any longer, she got a basket. [Hold up the basket.] She made it waterproof, placed little Moses inside, and carefully put the basket among the reeds along the Nile River. Can you imagine putting a tiny baby in here? [If using a doll, place it gently in the basket.] But Moses wasn't alone. His sister Miriam stayed nearby and watched him. Then Pharaoh's daughter came to the river. She found the basket, saw the baby, and had compassion for him. Miriam came forward and offered to find someone to care for the baby. And guess whom she brought? Moses' own mother! Isn't that amazing? God Was Working Through People Moses' birth story teaches us something important. God was taking care of Moses—but notice how God did it. God worked through the courage of the midwives. God worked through the love of Moses' mother. God worked through the watchfulness of Miriam. And God even worked through the compassion of Pharaoh's daughter. A whole group of people helped save one little baby. And that little baby grew up to become Moses, the person God would use to lead God's people out of slavery and toward freedom. When Moses was lying in this little basket, nobody could see everything that was ahead of him. But God could. Your Story Is Still Being Written That's why birth stories are important. Your birth was the beginning of your story, too. You don't know everything that will happen in your life. You don't know all the people you will help, all the things you will learn, or all the ways God will use you. When Moses was a baby in a basket, he didn't know that someday he would stand before Pharaoh. He didn't know that he would lead God's people. He didn't know that God would give him the Ten Commandments. His story was just beginning. And your story is still being written, too. So whenever you see a basket like this, remember baby Moses and remember: God was with Moses at the beginning of his story. God was with Moses as his story continued. And God is with you as your story is being written. Let's pray. Prayer Dear God, thank you for the story of Moses. Thank you for the people who loved and protected him. Thank you for the people who have loved and cared for us. Help us remember that every life has a story, every child is important, and you can use each of us to do wonderful things in your world. Keep writing your love into our stories. Amen. Prayer for Transformation and New Life Sovereign God, we often forget important truths and lessons the past offers us, devalue the relationships brought to us, and misuse the power given to us. Help us to live in truth, with integrity, and for peace. May love and compassion guide us in all our actions and interactions. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Words of Grace Body of Christ, in the words of Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God–what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Receive the grace of God and the power of being in community to proceed in the newness of life as the One who loves us draws us from the threat of the depths into the hope of a blessed future. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Passing of the Peace Scripture Exodus 1:8-2:10 Sermon Moses’ Birth Story The book of Exodus is the story of How the God of our ancestors became the God of our future. It is the story of deliverance. We spent some time in the book of Genesis, which was the story of God’s promise. Exodus in the story of the promise in action. We will take some time learning this story at the end of September, the beginning of October. For today – we start at the beginning of the book. This story is 3 generations after Joseph went into Egypt. God used him to deliver the rest of his family from starvation. While in Egypt God fulfilled the promise – the descendants of Israel were multiplied to the point where the King Egypt considered them a problem. The king was afraid that they would take over and join forces with his enemies. So he enslaved them and was very mean. His intention was to destroy them. But history has other plans. The more the king tried to control the situation, the more the situation controlled him. This story is used to tell the world how God saved a family, a situation, a people – and eventually all of creation for years to come. Before the book of Exodus, these people were known as Israelites. After Exodus, they became the Hebrews – Hebrews means one who crosses over. Today they are known as Jews. The story of how God saves a nation begins with the Birth Story of their first leader Moses. Every superhero has an origin story. They have been telling origin stories even in ancient times. Roughly 1000 years before Moses, there was Sargon of Akkid. Sargon was born to a royal mother who put her son in a basket on the river. The basket was found by a poor gardener, who raised the child as his own and helped him to become a master gardener. The goddess, Isis found favor on the boy and mentored him to become a great leader of the Land Akkid. Years later, Moses was born a slave, who was put in a basket in the river. He was found by pharoah’s daughter and grew up to be a spiritual leader who delivered his people across the water and introduced them to the God of their destiny. Roughly 2000 years later – another baby was born in a manger. He never grew up to be a powerful soldier or to lead a great nation – that just wasn’t his interest. But like Moses he was a deliverer. The name Moses means the one delivered from the water. Jesus delivered all if his followers through the waters of baptism to new life. We tell the story of the life of Jesus all throughout the year. When we repeat this story we come to understand our journey to deliverance. Drawn Out Like Moses One Sunday morning, Rocky O'Daniel was crossing the bridge over the Bad River near Fort Pierre, South Dakota, when he saw a boy had fallen into a hole in the ice. Eleven-year-old Tony Nye flagged Rocky down and said his playmate was drowning. Mr. O'Daniel raced to the river, broke through the ice, and discovered it was his own son, Alan. A garden hose was thrown out and both father and son were rescued. When we know we are "Moses," too -- having been drawn from the waters of Baptism, we move forward, freed and delivered in faith, with joy and anticipation of what God has in store for us. Thanks be to God. The birth stories of Moses and Jesus are more than origin stories. They are stories of God’s presence in our lives, in history and in the salvation of all of creation. In Hebrew, the book of Exodus is called shemot – which means names. The book begins by saying – these are the names of the sons of Israel. These were the fathers of our faith, yet this is not their story. In typical biblical irony, Exodus is not a story about the fathers. It is the story of the nameless people who has faith. When the father’s died, they became powerless and oppressed. No men are names in the birth stories, not Pharaoh, not Moses’ father. His origin story is about five women bold enough to stand up to power, to hope for change and represent the power of the people. Shiprah and Puah were the midwives who refused to massacre Hebrew babies. Miriam was his older sister who saved his from death by putting him in a basket. His mother Jochabed nursed him and took care of him. And Pharoah’s daughter raised him in her fathers house, knowing that Moses was an Isrealite. These women delivered Moses from death. They delivered Moses, who delivered the Israelites, who delivered Jesus , who delivered us all. The moral of the story is in God’s upside down world, the powerless have power, the hopeless have hope, those in despair have salvation, and extraordinary grace is given to ordinary people. That is why Linda feels that it is so important to tell her story. God honors our commitment and takes over at the point of our obedience to work his might work. Let me illustrate and with this I close. There’s a great human-interest story that came out of the recent New York Marathon, the 1984 marathon. About 1,400 people enter that marathon each year. The course covers about 26 miles and it takes the runners through all the burrows or most of the burrows of New York. Most of the people never finish the race. The winning is usually somewhere between 2 and 3 hours. A woman entered that race this year, named Linda Down. And Linda Down was the last person to complete the race. It took her 11 hours, while it took the winner 2 or 3 hours. Linda Downs has cerebral palsy and she runs with the help of a crutch. Someone asked her why she even tried, and she replied, we’re living in negative times. Things feel impossible today. I thought that if I would try to do it, it might be an inspiration to others and maybe some others would try to do some big things too. And then she added, ‘but the last 11 miles was an act of God.’ The person doing the interview asked her, ‘what do you mean an act of God?’ And Linda Down replied, ‘with 11 miles to go, I ran out of my own strength. I didn’t have an ounce of energy left. I finished the race on borrowed power.’ All who trust God and take that ultimate step of commitment can depend on borrowed power – the power of God. And no pharaoh, not even the gates of hell can prevail against that power. Remember, don’t forget it, God honors our commitment and takes over at the point of our obedience to do his mighty work. Will you put yourself into the picture? ChristianGlobe Network, Inc., Collected Sermons, by Maxie Dunnam Origin stories, birth stories are important for us. They remind us of how God creates superheroes out of difficult situations. That is the story of salvation. The story continues in 2026. Let us pray……. Song God will Take Care of You UMH 130 Pastoral Prayer Like Miriam with Moses, you watch over us, Ever-seeing God. You do not leave us to drift on the currents of the world. you will not give us over to the power of evil. you have not left us alone, but gifted us with your Body, the church. Christ of Compassion: you could have used the wise, but you work through the foolish. you could have chosen the most gifted talkers, but you speak through children. you could command us to do anything you wish, but you beg us to open our lives to God's Wisdom. Helper Spirit: when we are reluctant to part with our treasures, you fill us with generosity. when we are hesitant to help others, you make us passionate to serve. when we are lonely and afraid, you surround us with loving sisters and brothers. God in Community, Holy in One, hear us as we pray as we have been taught, (LectionaryLiturgies.com, Thom Shuman) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Jesus had traveled with his closest disciples for some time when he sat down with them for a Q&A. “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” is the way we read the question. Some of the disciples answered in a pretty generic way: “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” But when Jesus posed the question more directly—“Who do you say I am?”—it was Peter who gifted Jesus with this answer: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” It’s a confession many of us have also made. It’s the cornerstone of the church, challenging us to keep on learning and growing in our daily lives. It’s because we recognize that the church of Jesus, the Christ, at its best, is a rock on which we can anchor our lives that we bring our financial gifts and offer our time and talents. So let us receive our morning offering. Prayer of Thanksgiving We will not proclaim our faith with our words only, but with our lives and these gifts we offer to you, O God. With confidence we pray this offering will help strengthen us and others to be continually transformed by your grace, your hope, and your peace. Amen. (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing prayer for YouTube We are called to do God’s work in our communities, and so, we go out on God’s side to love others. We are called to serve every person, in every place, and so, we go to work at the side of Jesus in the world. We are called to proclaim peace, and live it in our lives, and so, we go to be on the Spirit’s side. © Thom M. Shuman Community Time Joys and Concerns Benediction Beloved, God calls us to use our power wisely and in the service of those the world has disempowered. May God bless you with the courage to notice injustices in the world and the perseverance to keep showing up with God and one another as we empower one another to set the world aright. Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, May 2026. Additional Illustrations Courage That Claims Borrowed Power And that leads us to the final word, which hopefully will enable us to put ourselves into the picture. In Pharaoh’s wisdom, which really was foolishness, it wasn’t enough that he oppressed the people, he came to the position where he felt that he had to stamp them out all together. So he instructed the Hebrew midwives to kill all the sons that were born to the women of Israel. And here we come to one of the most glorious chapters in that history of preparation for Exodus. See it there in verse 17. But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. What courage and what commitment. Here was a subservient people, not just under the thumb, but under the oppressive heal of a powerful ruler. Yet, they did not bring themselves to obey his orders; they feared God and did not do as the king commanded them to do. When we make a commitment like that, desperate though we may be with all the odds of the world against us, we will be sustained in the commitment and God will move in to bless. That’s the answer to the potential of defeat and devastation that comes from change and conflict. God dealt well with those midwives. Listen to verse 20. So God dealt well with those midwives and the people multiplied and grew strong. And go on with verse 21, and because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Now I want you to hear this. God honors our commitment, and takes over at the point of our obedience to work his might works. Now don’t pass over that lightly. It’s the best word I can give you for the New Year. We meet five women of faith, compassion, imagination, and ingenuity who save the child whose name in Hebrew means "I drew him out." He is "the one drawn out." He is Moses! When nine miners from Pennsylvania were rescued from a flooding mine shaft, many recalled the dramatic rescue of eighteen-month-old Jessica McClure in Midland, Texas, back in the late 1980s. Jessica fell into a 22-foot well and was trapped for two and a half days. The entire community rallied to save her, and eventually a paramedic pulled Jessica to safety from a newly-drilled shaft. Later when asked, "Who saved you?" Jessica replied, "Winnie the Pooh." You see, her mother kept singing to her into the microphone, dropped down the well, her two favorite songs, "Jesus Loves Me" and "Winnie the Pooh." The literal meaning of Moses is "saved; delivered by God." Your name and my name is Moses, too. We have been drawn out of the dangers of sin, death, and the power of the devil. Our Savior is not Winnie the Pooh, but Jesus the Christ. First line of knew him not I was attracted to the exodus text because of the first line – Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. Is that sort of like getting a new bishop, who doesn’t know anything about you, and having to start building a relationship all over again. Or talking to an old district superintendent weeks before he leaves, and promises of what is going to happen being made, and just as things start to progress, getting a new superintendent who really doesn’t want to hear your story? Explanation of why he didn’t know them For the Israelites, it was. They had built such a good relationship while Joseph was alive, and now things were about to take a big turn for the worse. History really does say that the pharaoh – Hyskos- while Joseph was alive tended to like to have a relationship with his Semitic neighbors. He was very sympathetic to their needs. But as a new dynasty arose, the Semitic people became a threat. What happens if their enemies attacked , the Jews were so numerous that if they sided with the enemy – they were a force to be reckoned with. In this case, they had to be controlled – so they were put into slavery. Genesis was the story of the first family. Exodus is the story of how that family fell on hard times and how God delivered them. This is also a story of knowledge. Who you know and what you know about them Scripture says that pharaoh knew them not. But the good news is that God did know them. God knew their situation. God knew exactly what it would take to deliver them. Where is God in this story? Interestingly enough – this is the story of Moses. How Moses was born in extenuating circumstances that should have killed him. How he survived, how he was raised in the best possible household, how he had the best possible education, how he used it to bring his people out of the oppression put on them by the new Pharaoh. Someone pointed out to me that if you read the story – the characters of the story are Moses, Moses sister, Moses mother, the princess of Egypt, and her family, there are the two midwives who are supposed to deliver and kill Hebrew babies, and yet they are more afraid of God then they are the pharaoh- and they let the babies live. Nowhere in the story is the voice of God. Nowhere in the story is the name of God even mentioned. And yet – God’s presence is obvious. You read between the lines of the story – and you know that Moses survival against the odds is nothing but God. It is a lot like our lives. When we forget to pray to God, we forget to call on the name of God. Sometimes even in the church, we look at our business that we do, and say that there is no way that God could be in the midst of that. That is all the decision of man. And yet when you step back from it and you look at things a little closer, you realize that the only way that you made it through, was through the grace of God. When you look at the individual lines of history – you say I don’t hear God’s name nowhere. But when it is all said and done no one but could have cleaned that mess up. It was God who told the midwives to do the right thing, it was God who told the mother to protect her baby, it was God who made sure the baby was found by the right person, it was God who told pharaoh’s daughter not the kill the baby, it was God who kept him safe in the enemy household, and it was God who called him to deliver his people from oppression to freedom. And it is God who is head of our lives, our church , and our nation. Whatever we need to be delivered from our oppression, be it in our mind, body or spirit – God is sending it to us right now. Leaders may not really know our needs – but God does. The news said that Michelle Bachman claimed she knew what needed to be done so that we could pay $2 for gas. Wherever there is a mess – there is always a solution from God. Scripture says that pharaoh knew them not. But the good news is that God did know them. God knew their situation. God knew exactly what it would take to deliver them.

A Heart to Succeed

August 16, 2026 Matthew 15:10-28 12th Sunday of Pentecost A Heart to Succeed Blessing of the BackPacks Year A Prelude Greeting Call to Worship Leader: As summer days fade and school bells ring, we gather in this sacred space. People: We bring our growing minds, our big questions, and our eager hearts. Leader: We bring the heavy loads we carry—of books and supplies, of hopes and anxieties, of tests and new beginnings. People: God meets us here, promising to walk with us into every hallway, classroom, and playground. Leader: Let us worship God, who gives wisdom to the student, strength to the teacher, and grace for every step of the journey. All: Open our hearts to learn, our hands to serve, and our spirits to grow! Amen. (Google Gemini, inspired by Words for Workers) Invocation Gracious and Healing God, in your presence, we find the fullness of joy, love, and life. Expand our vision and write a new way forward upon our hearts. We seek your wisdom and guidance. We need your comfort and conviction. We trust your provision and power. As we come near to you, we affirm your goodness and the goodness within us. Receive our presence and our dreams of the world you help us make possible. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Song This is a Day of New Beginnings UMH 383 Blessing of the BackPacks Blessing the Backpacks & students Pastor: I invite all students: - kindy, primary, secondary and adults who are studying to come to the front. If you have brought your school bag you can bring it with you. Parents you can also come with your children. Pastor: This week school is commencing for 2023. Today we have gathered together to ask for God’s blessing for these students. We especially acknowledge those who are beginning school or kindy for the first time. We offer prayers and blessings in support of them. Pastor: I invite you to join in at the appropriate time with the following: PRINT THIS PART POSSIBLY AS AN INSERT As we begin this new school year, we give thanks that God has given us the ability to learn many things in many ways. Adults: Learning takes place in school, in church, in our family, in our community, and in the world. Kids: Learning is a gift from God. We ask God’s blessing on this new school year, that it may be a time when we appreciate and fully engage in God’s gift of learning. Adults: We ask God to bless our schools and teachers. Kids: We ask God to bless our classmates and friends. Adults: We ask God to bless our principals, counsellors, librarians and other school staff. We ask God to bless those who prepare our lunches, those who drive us to school, and those who keep our schools clean and safe. Adults: We give thanks to God for books and computers and all the tools that help us learn. Kids: We give thanks to God for the gift of learning! DO NOT PRINT THIS PART Friends, will you please stand as you are able and raise your hands up high in that ancient posture of blessing... Now, imagine all the love, support, and encouragement pouring out of you - from the tips of your toes to the top of your head and out through your fingertips - onto all these lovely folks beginning a new year of learning, growing, and getting to know a little better God’s Sophia, God’s Holy Wisdom… Lift your hands and your hearts, and let us pray: Loving God, be with these people - students, teachers, administrators, custodians… Be with them and help them as they begin a new year of learning, teaching, growing, and serving… May their minds and their pencils be sharp; may their lunches never be forgotten at home; and may their Pink Pearl erasers help them to remember that mistakes are okay - in fact are the most important part of the process… God, thank you for glue sticks and homework folders and laptops and crisp new notebooks waiting to be filled; thank you for schools and libraries and teachers; thank you for gift of curiosity and for your Wisdom that is all around… God of Wisdom, bless these backpacks… We pray this and everything in the name of your Son, who left his parents so he could sit and learn at the feet of those rabbis in the temple… We pray this and everything in the name of Jesus, Amen. (Taken from various websites) Scripture Matthew 15: 10-28 Sermon A Heart to Succeed Keep Showing Up in Faith A Back-to-School Sermon There is something about the beginning of a new school year that feels hopeful. The school supplies are still new. The notebooks have not yet been written in. The crayons have not been broken. The backpacks are clean, the pencils are sharpened, and everyone has a chance to begin again. Success in school does not come simply from buying the right supplies or beginning with good intentions. Success requires persistence. It requires getting up, showing up, trying again, and refusing to quit. The same is true of faith. In Matthew 15, Jesus teaches us that persistent faith and a clean heart are essential—not only for school, but for the whole journey of life. What Comes Out of the Heart At the beginning of our passage, Jesus says: “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” The religious leaders were concerned because Jesus’ disciples were not following their traditional rules about washing their hands before eating. Now, this was not primarily about hygiene. Jesus was not telling children to stop washing their hands before lunch! Please continue to wash your hands. The leaders were concerned about ceremonial cleanliness. They believed that certain outward practices determined whether a person was spiritually clean. Jesus challenged that understanding. He said that what enters the mouth eventually leaves the body, but what comes out of the mouth begins in the heart. Evil thoughts, lies, insults, cruelty, jealousy, and hatred all begin inside us. In other words, Jesus says, “Do not be so concerned about looking clean on the outside that you neglect what is happening on the inside.” That is an important lesson as we begin a new school year. You can have a clean uniform and an unclean attitude. You can carry a new backpack while holding on to an old grudge. You can have perfectly sharpened pencils while using your words to tear someone down. Education can fill the mind with knowledge, but we also need Jesus to fill the heart with grace. The heart matters because what is in our hearts will eventually come out through our words and actions. When frustration enters the heart, angry words may come out of the mouth. When jealousy grows in the heart, gossip may come out of the mouth. When prejudice settles in the heart, exclusion may come out through our behavior. But when the love of Christ fills our hearts, encouragement can come out of our mouths. When gratitude fills our hearts, praise can come out. Keeping a clean heart does not mean that we never make mistakes. It means that we regularly allow God to examine us, forgive us, and change us. Before we begin each day, we might pray: “Jesus, clean my heart. Help me think what is good, speak what is kind, and do what is right.” That may be one of the most important back-to-school prayers we can offer. The Faith of an Outsider After teaching about the heart, Jesus travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon. There he meets a Canaanite woman. Matthew identifies her as a Canaanite for a reason. She belonged to a people who had long been considered enemies and outsiders. In 2011 – it is hard to believe that was 15 years ago. I attended the World Methodist Conference which took place in South Africa. Bishop Chacour’s talk One of the most compelling speakers of the week – was Bishop Elias Chacour. Bishop Chacour is a Palestinian Christian. Canaanites is an ancient name for present day Palestinians. Bishop Chacour told of a story of why he could hate the jews for what they did to his family – and why he cant afford to hate them. He told a story of how racism is alive and well in his world. And in spite of it he is a faithful Christian. He told us that in many ways he was just like Jesus – being born in the same land. Jesus is just a person Interestingingly enough – Matthew 15 tells a story of how He and jesus are not brothers. They may look alike, they may have been born in the same land. But one of them was born a jew and the other a Palestinian. Jesus makes it very clear that his mission is to the lost sheep of the house of isreal and no one else. If you read the entire book of matthew, you will find that of all of the miracles that he does to transform lives, there are only 3 times that he reaches out to those who are not jewish The Canaanite woman’s wit The story of the cannannite woman might seem a little strange to us as Jesus tells her that he cant give the food to the children to the dogs. Is he really calling her a dog? The jews thought of all gentiles (anyone who was not like them as dogs). Hebrew scriptures particularly tell Jews, not to associate with cannonites. They were to claim the promisland and to totally destroy all cannonaites. Not to get to know them, not try to understand them, not to relate to them. But to kill them without question. So it was the least he could do to call her a dog. Jewish religion is concerned with being clean. The only person capable of true cleaniliness are jews. Everyone else is dirty – thus dogs. Faith That Refuses to Leave This is where the conversation gets difficult. Jesus tells her that it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs. We should not ignore how uncomfortable these words sound. Jesus is naming the boundary that existed between Israel and the Gentile world. He gives voice to the very barrier that others believed should keep her away. But the woman does not turn away. She answers: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” She believes there is enough mercy in Jesus for her daughter. She seems to say, “Lord, I know there is enough goodness in you. I know there is enough healing in you. I know there is enough mercy at God’s table. I will not leave because I believe you are able to help my child.” Jesus answers: “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter is healed. We should remember that as school begins. The student whom others overlook may have something important to teach us. The child who sits alone may need someone to make room at the table. The person who comes from a different background may reveal something about God that we have failed to see. We must not allow pride, or popularity to determine who deserves our kindness. If Jesus welcomed the persistent cry of someone others called an outsider, then the followers of Jesus must make room for those who are ignored, excluded, or pushed aside. We are all born baby Bishop chacour himself said that many people find it hard to believe that he could be Palestinian and Christian. And yet he is proud of his heritage. As a matter of fact, the canannites would have been dogs to the jews, but they became some of the most loyal and faithful Christians in history. Since many Palestinians are muslim, bishop chacour said that many people ask him if he was born Christian. He explains to them that no, he was not born a Christian – he was born a baby. A newborn baby – fresh and innocent from heaven. He has to be taught how to walk, how to talk and how to be a Christian. Just like any other baby born anywhere in the world. Matthew 15 is not a story of Jesus’ cultural identity – it is a story of what it means to be faithful. Stay faithful to the God that stays faithful to us God never abandons us – faith is making a decision to never abandon God. The Cannaanite mother understood the messiah better than both Jesus and the disciples. this woman comes to Jesus crying: “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” We do not need impressive words to get God’s attention. We need an honest heart that is willing to call upon the Lord. But after this woman calls out, Jesus is silent. That may be the most difficult part of the story. She asks for help, but there is no immediate response. She keeps crying, until the disciples become annoyed and ask Jesus to send her away. She could have given up. She could have thought, “Jesus did not answer the first time, so there is no reason to ask again.” She could have allowed the disciples’ attitude to drive her away. But she stays. She comes closer, kneels before Jesus, and says: “Lord, help me.” This is persistent faith. Persistent faith is not pretending that everything is easy. It is continuing to trust when life is difficult. It is praying when the answer has not yet come. It is coming back to Jesus even after disappointment. Persistence Is Part of Learning We all need persistence. We sometimes talk as if successful people are simply more intelligent or talented than everyone else. But success often comes from being willing to keep working when something is difficult. You may have a difficult day. Get some rest, pray, and begin again tomorrow. This applies to adults as well. Teachers will have days when the lesson does not go as planned. Parents will have days when they wonder whether they are doing enough. School staff will face problems most people never see. Churches may pray for young people and wonder whether their efforts are making a difference. Do not give up. A Clean Heart and Persistent Faith This passage gives us two back-to-school essentials: a clean heart and persistent faith. A clean heart helps us choose what is right. Persistent faith helps us continue when doing what is right becomes difficult. We need both. God calls us to keep our hearts centered in love and our feet moving in faith. Keep Coming Back to Jesus The Canaanite woman teaches us that persistent faith is not about having all the answers. It is about knowing where to go with our questions. She kept coming back to Jesus. When there was silence, she came back to Jesus. When the disciples wanted her to leave, she came back to Jesus. When she encountered a barrier, she came back to Jesus. That is our invitation at the beginning of this school year: keep coming back to Jesus. Bishop Swanson’s story of standing firm Last Friday – we attended evangelistic services at the churches throughout the area. I visited Kwamushu church, in a township. The church is so full of young people, that they cant fit them all in once church. Our preacher for the service was bishop james swanson – the bishop of dallas. His sermon was on faith – and how important it is for us to stand fast. He told a story of how he graduated in the top of his class and always believed that he would go to college. But because he was black, his counselor never even told him to go to college. He thought it was like high school. When it was time for school to start, you showed up, registered and showed up for class. So on the first day of school, he kissed him mother goodbye, took the bus and got in line to register for classes. When the clerk told him that he had not been accepted, the he could not register, he refused to get out of line. He had told his mother he was going to college, and he was determined not to disappoint her. He told the clerk that he was not getting out of line until she registered him. Finally he talked to someone in the admission office. It took him a year to take the ACT, send in his application and do all of the other things he needed to so. But he did get into school, and he was given all the scholarships he needed to pay for it. He went from a unknowing black student in the south – to a bishop of the united Methodist church. All because he had a need, patience, persistence and faith. Faith is a commitment to stay loyal to the promises of God no matter what, no matter how, no matter who. God never gives up on you – so why should you ever give up on God? Jesus can save anybody from anything. But we have to remember that God wants to save anybody. When you are excited, come to Jesus. When you are afraid, come to Jesus. When you succeed, thank Jesus. When you fail, come back to Jesus. From the perspective of faith, success means becoming the person God created you to be—learning, growing, loving your neighbor, using your gifts, and remaining faithful through every challenge. So, as we begin this new school year, let us ask God for clean hearts and persistent faith. May our hearts be filled with kindness. May our mouths speak encouragement. May our hands be ready to help. May our minds be willing to learn. And when the year becomes difficult, may we remember the woman who would not give up. And, above all, keep coming back to Jesus. Because there is still mercy at God’s table. And there is still enough love in Jesus for every child, every family, every teacher, every school—and every one of us. Amen. Song God of all Learning (Sung to the Tune of Morning has Broken UMH 145) Words used by permission of author, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette) Pastoral Prayer for the beginning of the school year Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment (DO NOT PRINT) Since 2024, the Wilmington Sharefest group has supplied Kleenex, zip-lock bags, disinfecting wipes, baby wipes, and paper towels for all students, regardless of income. These are what we call “communal” supplies each student is asked to supply at the beginning of the school year. This year the total cost is around $8000 and we are close to raising the funds. The Sharefest group would like to take this one step further and ask the parents receiving this benefit, especially those who are in an average or stronger financial situation, to donate funds that would be used not to reimburse our expense rather to purchase very basic supplies like paper, pencils, and crayons. These would be made available to the Principals in each of the schools to be distributed when requested by teachers, who are in the best position to know which students are truly in need. If you would like to donate to this cause, you can make the check out to the church and put “school supplies” in the memo line. The funds will be sent to Sharefest Will County to purchase the supplies mentioned. If you have questions, please talk to Steve Francis. Offertory Prayer Gracious God, you pour your blessing upon your people like dew upon the earth and oil upon the head, flowing beyond all boundaries we would draw. We thank you for the gift of unity—good and pleasant, beautiful and life-giving—meant not only for us, but for the healing of the world. Receive these offerings as signs of our desire to live together in your love, to practice radical welcome, and to share your abundance with all your children. Let what we give today flow outward in compassion and service, that our life together may reflect your kindom of peace, justice, and joy. Amen. (Psalm 133) (United Methodist Board of Discipleship) Announcements Closing Prayer for YouTube Our Lord and Savior, Thank You for bringing us together to begin this new school year. As we close our time today, we give You praise for the opportunities, friendships, and learning ahead. Bless our students with curious minds, confidence, and calm hearts. Bless our teachers, staff, and families with strength, patience, and joy. Protect us as we go our separate ways, and guide our steps through every day of this new season. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. (Inspired by First Baptist Church of Sevier) Community Time - Joys and Concerns Benediction Dear Lord, Thank you that you promise us That when two or more come together in Your name You are with us. Thank you Lord that you have been with us throughout this service, and that you are with us right now. Inspire us as we leave this place To love and serve You always. In the name of Jesus. Amen. (Lord’sPrayerWords.com) Additional Illustrations Sermon Opener – Great Is Your Faith – Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28 What would you think if I told you that on your tombstone would be inscribed a four-word epitaph? Well, you might respond, it would depend on who would write this epitaph--an enemy or a loved one. It might also depend, you might say, on how well this person knew and understood you. If a newspaper critic wrote of a concert pianist the four words: "He was a failure," you could always say: That was his opinion. But if one of the world's great musicians wrote, “He was a genius,” then you are apt to take the remark more seriously. There was a character in the Gospel who Jesus once described with four immortal words: Great is your faith. She was a Canaanite woman who came from the country to the north of Palestine, a country hostile to the Jews. She was presumably married, she had at least one child; but that’s all we know about her. We don't know whether she was a good woman or a bad woman. We don’t know her name. All we know of her is that in this single encounter with Jesus he spoke to her this four-word epitaph: Great is your faith. Only four words but they are enough to make her immortal. We can trust these words as being true because the expert on faith spoke them. Jesus searched for faith, as a gem collector would fine jewels. He did not always find it in his disciples. On no occasion that we know did he ever say of Peter, James, and John: Great is your faith. More often the words he spoke to them: You of little faith. On only one other occasion did Jesus praise a person for their faith. Interestingly, that was a Roman soldier stationed in Capernaum. We regard this Canaanite woman with more than just an academic interest. She awakens in us a feeling of admiration, perhaps even envy, because she stands where most of us would like to stand… The Rabbi's Apprentice - Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28 In 1797, prominent German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote a poem called “Der Zauberlehrling,” in which an apprentice of a master sorcerer is left alone with chores to do. Invoking magic that he was not yet properly trained to use, the apprentice commanded a bucket and broom to do his work. Because he could not properly control them, everything got quickly out of hand, and chaos ensued. Finally, the master returned and restored order to the mess. Walt Disney famously employed the plot of the poem in his musical “Fantasia,” starring Mickey Mouse as the “Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” While we laugh at the apprentice’s antics and enjoy the presentation, this fantasized idea of the role of “apprentice” may affect our idea of discipleship more than we realize. In our faith journey, we often think of ourselves as out there on our own doing our best to deal with situations out of our control. But this is not the kind of “discipleship” or “apprenticeship” relationship that Jesus expected from his disciples in his lifetime, nor is it the one He expects from us in ours. In Jesus’ time, a disciple or apprentice to the faith was much like an apprentice in any other kind of learned skilled labor. You didn’t learn and then quickly strike out on your own. But a discipleship relationship was a years long endeavor, which involved literally following the rabbis every move, listening to him talk, watching him interact with others, listening and asking questions as he taught, sleeping, eating, and learning every hour of every day by his side. If you were a carpenter’s apprentice, you ate, slept, and worked side by side with the master carpenter. If you were a builder’s apprentice, you ate, slept, and worked side by side with the master builder. If you were an apprentice of the faith, you ate, slept, and learned/interacted side by side with the master rabbi.... A Mother’s Faith Augustine's mother, Monica, was a fervent believer who prayed constantly for her son's salvation. She devoted her whole life to praying for Augustine's conversion. At one point, when Augustine was becoming devoted to the Manichaean philosophy, Monica begged a holy man to speak to Augustine, and show him why their beliefs were not true. The holy man refused because Augustine was known to have a great intellect, and would likely try to savage the holy man's arguments. The holy man assured Monica that he, too, had once been a Manichaean, and that Augustine was too smart to deceive himself much longer. At this, Monica began to cry. The holy man sent her away, saying, "Go, go! Leave me alone. Live on as you are living. It is not possible that the son of such tears should be lost." The holy man was right. After many years and a fierce inner struggle, Augustine was touched by a revelation in Scripture, and became a Christian. When Monica learned of her son's salvation, she remarked that she had nothing left to live for, for the greatest desire of her heart had been fulfilled. Nine days later, Monica died. And the son she had spent her life praying for, went on to affect the whole world. Monica never quit asking. "Live on as you are living," said the holy man. "It is not possible that the son of such tears should be lost." You are concerned about someone you love? Keep on asking God for help. Don't let your tears quench the flame of your faith in God. It may seem like God is ignoring you, but I assure you that is not the case. Don't give up. Keep asking. And keep on trusting. King Duncan, When You Need Help, adapted from Ruth Bell Graham, Prodigals and Those Who Love Them. Learning to Be Like Christ A householder keeps faith, keeps care, of all those in his household. This is what the Canaanite woman learns from Jesus' example. And this is what she reveals back to him. In other words, Jesus "learns" to hear his own words through the ears of her faith. That's why ultimately Jesus declares, "Woman, great is your faith" - not, "You are very clever." This is how philosopher Dallas Willard puts it, as he defines exactly what is a disciple: "One of those who have trusted Jesus with their whole life, so far as they understand it. Because they've done so, they want to learn everything he has to teach them about life in the kingdom of God now and forever, and they're constantly with him to learn this. Disciples of Jesus are those learning to be like him" (Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ, 241). Leonard Sweet, Collected Sermons, Sermons.com Thinking of Nothing Else: Concentration The famous one-time Catholic monk, Martin Luther, was legendary not just for nailing a piece of paper to the door of his home church citing 95 things that needed to be changed about it. He wrote and lectured extensively to his students at the university as well. Some of his students were very good learners, and others were not so good. But a few of his students realized that some of the most valuable instruction that Luther gave was not in the classroom, but was in the dining hall over a meal and a few drinks. His students began taking notes on what Luther told them in that relaxed atmosphere, and they eventually published these notes in what was known as Martin Luther’s Table Talks. One such example of the profound insight and truth Luther gave his students happened one day after class in the dining hall and they were all sitting around eating their meal and talking on the subject of prayer. A student of Luther’s by the name of Viet Dietrich preserved Luther’s words for us: “When Luther’s puppy, Tölpel, happened to be at the table, looked for a morsel from his master, and watched with open mouth and motionless eyes, Luther said, ‘Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise, he has no thought, wish, or hope’” (Table Talks, May 18, 1532). Martin Luther’s puppy reminds me of the woman in today’s Gospel lesson from Matthew. Although this woman was a Gentile, from the region of Tyre and Sidon (modern day Lebanon), she couldn’t think about anything other than Jesus healing her daughter. J. Curtis Goforth, O.S.L., I Ain’t Too Proud to Beg Don’t Take No for an Answer A story came across the wires from the Reuters news service about a family of ducklings that fell down a sewer grate in Vancouver. Their mother did what any parent would do. She got help from a passing police officer. The mother duck grabbed the policeman by the pant leg while he was on foot patrol. The policeman shoved what he thought was just a goofy duck away, but she persisted, grabbing his leg again when he tried to leave, and then waddling to a nearby sewer grate where she sat down and waited for him to follow and investigate. The policeman came to where she sat and saw eight little baby ducklings in the water below. Police removed the heavy metal grate with the help of a tow truck and used a vegetable strainer to lift the ducklings to safety. Mother and offspring then departed for a nearby pond. That mother duck did what the Canaanite woman did. She persisted in seeking help until she got it. And that is just what Jesus wants us to do. Be persistent in getting the help you need. Do not be intimidated by authority figures. And remember, we have a Friend who can help us even when human endeavors fail. Christ is waiting to help you today. King Duncan, Worried About Her Child, www.Sermons.com Have Faith Anyway The place was a suburb of Detroit. The speaker, Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel. The subject: "After Auschwitz, Can We Still Believe!" Jews and Gentiles alike filled the great synagogue to listen to the recollections of one who survived the furnaces of Dachau. Thin and fragile, Wiesel stood at the podium for nearly an hour telling one story after another of the horror and despair of those bleak days in the '30s. His stories were of people confused with their imprisonment and sometimes destroyed with their release. Painfully, silently, the audience relived the events of Wiesel's young life when he was the only surviving member of his family. Finally the stories ceased. His eyes dropped to the floor. There was no sound at all in that mammoth room for what seemed an agonizing eternity. Then he repeated the question, "After Auschwitz, can we still believe?" He shook his head slowly, sadly, "No, no,..." before concluding powerfully, "but we must!" Concerning whether or not to have faith, there is no choice. There was none for that Canaanite mom, none for Elie Wiesel, there is none for you and me. The message of this wonderful mother is "Chose to believe anyway!" You may not feel you are allowed to have faith, have it anyway. You may not feel God loves you, believe it anyway. You may come to understand that you are not included, include yourself anyway. Even the dogs get the crumbs that fall from the master's table. David E. Leininger, Hang In There! You Have Judged Yourself A story related to this text [summarized from Sunday and Holyday Liturgies, Cycle A, by Flor McCarthy] has a group of the very pious waiting in heaven for the judgment. As they are waiting and complaining about the wait, they begin to see some of the "sinners" they knew on earth coming into the waiting room: a corrupt politician, an itinerant woman who had been convicted of shoplifting numerous times, a prostitute, a drug addict, a man who spent most of his life in prison, etc. With each of these arrivals, the feeling of hostility increased in the first group. They glare at the others. They talk among themselves. Within a short time, words were spoken to those others, "What makes you think you're going to get in with that evil, sinful life you lived on earth?" "We’re relying on the mercy and grace of God. What makes you so sure you're going to get in?" "Our good lives, of course." They turned their backs to the others. Time began to drag on for the first group. They began to complain to one another. "If those other people get in, there's no justice. After all the sacrifices we've made. It's not fair." The Lord arrived. He turned towards the first group, "I understand you've been wondering why there has been no judgment." "Yes!" they cried out. "We want a judgment. We want justice." "The judgment has already taken place. You've judged yourselves. By judging these, the least of my brothers and sisters, you have judged yourselves. In rejecting them you have rejected me. You have shown yourselves unworthy of the kingdom of God." [pp. 151-3] Hare says something similar in his conclusion to this section: "We are defiled, Jesus tells us, by the unloving words that spring so readily from our mouths." [p. 176] Brian Stoffregen, Exegetical Notes Keep on Asking. Keep on Trusting. A young pastor sat beside a hospital bed in which his wife lay. It was nearing the time for them to become parents. Soon this young couple would bask together in the glow of the announcement: "It's a boy." Later, however, they would begin a desperate search for some specialist who could help the child. They were unsuccessful - little Ronnie was born mentally impaired. The entrance of this father into the school of suffering taught him many things. Recalling that first grief-fraught summer, Ronald Meredith wrote, "Grief teaches lessons that joy can never know. We discovered that there is a comradeship in pain." Unlike the Canaanite woman, Ronald Meredith did not see his son healed. But he has not quit trusting. He now looks forward to that great day when God's plan for us will be perfected. He believes that one day he will look at Ronnie and say, "Hi, Son," and for the first time Ronnie will respond, "Hi, Dad." They will need a lot of time to talk, for Ronnie has never been able to speak a word. The Canaanite woman saw Jesus heal her daughter immediately. It may be that Ron Meredith will have to wait until that day he and his son are united on that distant shore, beyond this world of limitations and adversity, when he will see his son fully healed - but he has not quit trusting....and neither should we. Keep on asking. Keep on trusting. King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com

Jesus Provides

August 2, 2026 10th Sunday After Pentecost Matthew 14:13-21 Jesus Provides Prelude Greeting Call to Worship As we gather and as we disperse, as we rise and as we sleep, as we eat and play and work, We offer God praise. As we wash our car, scrub the dishes, rinse the grime of the day from our hands, We offer God praise. As we feel the tips of the grass on our feet, the wind against our face, the sun on our backs, We offer God praise. Come, let us worship God who creates, redeems, and sustains us to live out our praise in all we do! We come as people formed by grace to offer God praise with our whole selves now and in all the ordinary moments of our lives! Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, May 2026. Opening Prayer Loving God, out of our fear, our anxiety and our discouragement, we come to you. In our energy, our excitement and our delight, we come to you. Help us recognize your presence in the midst of our own situations, even as we seek your blessing for our own lives, and for the life of ALL your creation. Walk with us in this hour and in each day as we limp and laugh with you. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Song Come Sinners to the Gospel Feast UMH 616 A Sermon for all Ages Children’s Sermon: “Jesus Makes a Little Enough” Scripture: Matthew 14:13–21 Suggested objects: A small piece of bread and a small cup Good morning, everyone! Today’s Bible story begins with a very large and hungry crowd. More than five thousand people had gathered to hear Jesus. When evening came, the disciples said, “Jesus, these people are hungry. Send them away so they can find something to eat.” But Jesus surprised them. He said, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” The disciples looked at what they had. It did not seem like much—only five loaves of bread and two fish. Can five loaves and two fish feed more than five thousand people? It sounds impossible! But Jesus did not ask the disciples to give what they did not have. He told them to use what they already had. They brought their small meal to Jesus. Jesus took the bread and fish, looked up to heaven, thanked God, broke the bread, and gave it to the disciples. The disciples shared it with the people. And something wonderful happened: everyone ate until they were full—and there were even leftovers! This story teaches us that something small can become enough when we place it in Jesus’ hands. A small gift can help someone. A few kind words can encourage someone. A little bit of food can be shared. One child’s loving action can make a big difference. We remember this every time we celebrate Holy Communion. Look at this small piece of bread and this small cup. They do not look like a large meal. Yet Jesus takes this small meal and uses it to feed many people—not just our bodies, but our hearts and souls. Christians around the world come to Christ’s table and receive the bread and the cup. Through this small meal, Jesus reminds us that we are loved, forgiven, and part of God’s family. At Communion, Jesus also tells us what he told the disciples: “Use what you have.” Bring your love, your kindness, your gifts, and even the small things you can do. When we place them in Jesus’ hands, he can use them to bless more people than we could ever imagine. Let us pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for taking small things and making them enough. Help us to use what we have and share it with others. Thank you for feeding us at your Communion table with your love and grace. Take our small gifts and use them to bless many people. Amen. (ChatGPT 6) Responsive Reading Psalm 17:1-7,15 UMH 749 Scripture Matthew 14:13-21 Sermon Jesus Provides Imagine….. We Know How the Disciples Feel You know how the disciples felt when the crowd showed up... The two of you haven't had a night out without the kids in weeks. You finally get away. The waiter has just brought your appetizer when the baby-sitter calls and tells you the youngest has a high fever and has started throwing up. You've been planning this vacation for six months. Your reservations are all made and three days before you are scheduled to go your mother calls and says your Dad is going to have a quadruple bypass as soon as the doctors can get his sugar stabilized. You haven't had a day off in three weeks. Friday morning your sister calls, says her father-in-law has died and wonders if you could take her kids for the weekend. It has been a very long day. You woke up before dawn because your arthritis hurt so much. You had to go to the grocery store and take your dog to the vet and on the way home your car started to act up and you had to leave it at the garage and get a taxi to take you home. All you want to do is go to bed when the phone rings and it's your friend who lost her husband last month and she just needs somebody to talk to. And always, when we think we have given all we have to give there is always more need: the starving people in the midst of a famine; refugees from war; the devastation of floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes; to say nothing of our neighbors who are hungry; the children who need someone to care about them; the youth in our community who have nowhere to go and nowhere to grow. We know how the disciples felt. Matthew doesn't have to tell us. Roger G. Talbott, Good News for the Hard of Hearing, CSS Publishing Company. Jesus takes time out of his personal grief to show compassion Jesus was grieving the death of his closest cousin. He needed time to pay his respects. He went away to be alone, but the people and their needs followed him. He put his own needs aside to listen and to talk. He was motivated by compassion. They say that misery plus mercy equals compassion. And compassion leads us to health and healing. Compassion can take us to unexpected places. But compassion always makes a difference. Dr. Jake find compassion in helping others The doctor has never been to Kenya before and to say he was overwhelmed didn’t begin to hint at his inner turmoil. Five chiorpractors from four corners of the united states had volunteered their time, all costs, and expertise for two weeks. They had been sponsored by a church organization fo the Jake it seemed a little too churchy. They stayed in a colonial era hotel that separated them from the locals. But each day they went to the tent. A white tend, open on all sides, welcomed in all of Africa’s ailing. At least it seemed that way to Jake. There are at least 2000 of them, he stated incredulously to one of the other doctors and he was correct. Outside in the sun, beneath the pepper trees, an army had appeared. They had heard the news – free medical care by American doctors. So they stood in the burnt brown grass waiting for their turn at the benches. Jake used a simple wooden bench and under the head of each patient he placed two books to lift their necks. The bible and Margaret Meades coming of age. Jake, like the other doctors did quick assessments of the patient before him. Then he began his adjustments. But a few thoughts lingered – These people are really ill. Some of them suffer from more than one ailment. Some are HIV positive and I am giving them adjustments. But maybe, I’ll help just one. What else can I do? Each day he and the others worked for hours. Once a fight broke out. Too many needed care. This went on for seven days. On the last day, Jake hammered physically, and emotionally let off some steam by wandering in the street market. Soon he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to face a man. Doctor, doctor please look at me. Jake turned – oh no, I cant do anymore. A muscular Kenyan man faced him. Look what you did, his face radiated a smile. I don’t need my cane. I can stand up straight. Jake thought that he recognized him, but there had been so many. Doctor I have something for you. I have looked for you all over this town. He unfolded a piece of paper and handed it to Jake. It was an old newspaper article. That was me. I ran in the Olympics for Kenya. I couldn’t stand for twenty years. Now I don’t need a cane. Here, you keep this article. I signed it for you. Jake accepted the gift and he didn’t know what to say. But he did know what to think. Maybe it wasn’t too churchy. I asked for one and you gave me one. – thanks. Jake came back from his mission trip a changed man. I was so proud to see so many people volunteering for sharefest yesterday. I am interested in hearing your stories – of the people you helped and the difference it made in our life. Compassion certainly made a difference in Jesus life and mission. He wanted to tell everyone about the value of compassion. He invited everyone, including us to follow his example. The lesson that Jesus teaches us – to compare God’s abundance with the world’s scarcity. We know what scarcity feels like. But we should also know that in the toughest situations, God provides – we know what it means to have enough. The Churches favorite story Our scripture for today is the churches favorite story – the story of enough – the feeding of the 5000. This is the only story in the new testament that is told in all four gospels. Each gospel has a slightly difference version, but the story is the same. Our scripture in Matthew is the only one that is associated with John the Baptist’s death. This is the beginning of Jesus ministry – that takes place in the desert. This is also the comparison of two very different feast. First we have the feast of Herod. It is a gathering of the rich, there is lots of food being served. People are fed, but it is not enough to fill them. John D. Rockefeller was asked at the height of his career by a reporter, "Mr. Rockefeller, how much is enough?" And he responded, "Just a little more than I have." Dan Matthews, "Our Mentality of Scarcity Among God’s Abundance" That was before he became a disciple of Jesus – and he learned that enough is what you give to help others. The feast of Herod leads to death – literally the death of John the Baptist. But also death to all of those who attend – looking for more and never finding it. In his grief, Jesus decides to have his own feast. This is a gathering of poor people, barely making it. They are looking for hope in the word of God. Jesus feeds them the word, but he also feeds them 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. When they are ready to leave, they have enough. Their spirits and their bellies are full. This is s feast that leads to life. God’s abundance is also enough. They understand compassion and generosity. The Loaves and Fishes Still Work Educator Parker J. Palmer was en route to a conference when the plane he was on made an unexpectedly long layover at an airport. A truck that was supposed to deliver the refreshments for the next leg of the journey broke down. Finally the pilot decided that it was more important to get his passengers on their way than to wait for the snacks to arrive, so he took off. As soon as they were in the air the passengers started grumbling. “A ticket is a contract,” one said loudly, “and snacks are part of the contract.” “I ought to sue,” another muttered. A man stood up and said, “I’m a lawyer. How many are willing to join in a class action suit?” A minor mutiny was in the works. Then something interesting happened. A flight attendant came on the public address system. She began with the familiar information on such flights: “Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned off the seatbelt lights. We have now attained a cruising altitude of 30,000 feet.” Then she said something quite extraordinary: “Having served many of you on the first leg of this flight, I know some of you still have your bags of peanuts, which you stuffed in your pocket. How many do we have? Five? Please open them and share them with the people around you. I’m sure some of you have mints. Would you pass these around, also? Those of you with newspapers, you can only read one section at a time. Spread the other sections around for others to read. Some of you are parents or grandparents. Take out the pictures of your children or grandchildren and show them to others.” With that brief announcement she changed the emotional climate of that flight. Later, when the flight attendant came near Parker Palmer’s seat he asked her, “What’s your name? What’s the name of your supervisor? I want to write a letter of commendation. That was the best example of group leadership I’ve ever seen.” To which, she replied, “The loaves and fishes still work.” King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com The loaves and fishes still work today. We too have a chance to learn compassion and generosity. The beginning of faith is in the wilderness In the story, one feast takes place in a palace. Another takes place in the wilderness. Jesus spends a lot of time in the wilderness. Just like the Isrealites who came to know God in the wilderness. The wilderness in the bible is desolate, deserted, a place with no words only silence. But it is always the place to go to find faith. Where are the wilderness spots in your life? Where are the places in your life where you are searching for the meaning of enough? Where are the places where you have found the riches of God in the midst of the sparseness of life? One of the places where Christ finds us in the wilderness if communion. Communion is intended to be our wilderness meal. We come together in the brokenness of the world. The meal does not fill us up- but the sip of grape juice and the cube of bread is enough to feed out spirits. And our spirits feed our mind and out body. The scripture says that Jesus blessed the bread, broke the bread and shared the bread with us. When we have enough, there is enough in us to share with others. Sometimes in life we are the members of the crowd – hungry and willing to be fed. Sometimes we are the disciples feeding others, and sometimes we are the body of Christ – inviting people to come to the feast and experience enough. As a matter of fact, Christ words to us in the scripture is you feed them with what you have. In the hands of Christ, what you share is always enough. Jesus does provide. You Feed Them – Generosity A man was packing a shipment of food for the poor people of Appalachia. He was separating beans from powdered milk, and canned vegetables from canned meats. Reaching into a box filled with various cans, he pulled out a little brown paper sack. Apparently one of the pupils had brought something different from the items on the suggested list. Out of the paper bag fell a peanut butter sandwich, an apple, and a cookie. Crayoned in large letters was a little girl's name, "˜Christy -- Room 104.' She had given up her lunch for some hungry person. Jesus says to us, "You feed them!" This is an incredibly rich world. We are rich people and we serve a rich God. "You feed them!" King Duncan, You Feed Them! She gave what she had and it was enough – we are encouraged to do the same. Let us pray…… Song One Bread One Body UMH 620 Pastoral Prayer Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Perhaps some of you can sympathize with Jesus. He’d been working non-stop, healing, teaching, and responding to the demands of the crowds. When he heard of the murder of John the Baptist, he tried to break away for some time alone. Yet when he looked up from the boat he’d taken across to what he hoped would be a deserted place, a crowd had already gathered! Instead of turning around, or simply dropping anchor out on the water, Jesus came ashore, and “had compassion for them.” Even when we are exhausted, discouraged, uncertain, or downtrodden, we have the model of Jesus standing before us. Jesus engaged, once more, with people who needed food in that deserted place. So he took what was available, gave thanks to God for the bread and fish, and gave the food to his disciples to pass to the crowds. Today, can demonstrate our compassion – our “pity with” others. Not the only way, but one way to respond to the needs of others comes by sharing our morning offering. Will you put compassion to the forefront for this moment? Will you respond, knowing a portion of our offering goes to ____________________ (support the food pantry, provide new underwear for those coming to our free clothing shop, pay our minister as he/she/they counsels with disconsolate folks)? Let us present our gifts as signs and symbols of the compassion we know most clearly from the life of Jesus, the Christ. Prayer of Thanksgiving* As one family we sing while these, our gifts, to God we bring; who in love has made us one in the church of Christ, God’s Son. Use us and use our gifts, good Lord, for holy service in the world. Hope to all your people give as to your glory we now live. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Invitation to Communion Each time we come to this Table, we hear an invitation extended to all who will come. Here there are no tests to pass, no threshold of giving to exceed, no affirmation from some authority to present. Here we find the gifts of God for the people of God, presented in simple bread and juice. Counting on the compassion of Jesus Christ, we recognize our hunger and our thirst may be assuaged here even as we remember in a deserted place, long ago, Jesus took simple foods, blessed them, broke the bread and gave the bread and fish. So, today, knowing these gifts will not fill our stomachs, but can satisfy our soul hunger, we remember Jesus taking bread, blessing it, breaking it, giving it. With gratitude, come to receive the bread of life and the cup of salvation. *Adapted from Gifts of Many Cultures, Maren C. Tirabasi and Kathy Wonson Eddy, 1995, Pilgrim Press, p. 126. (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Communion Announcements Closing Prayer for YouTube Go into a world of abundance, with eyes open for the miraculous workings of our God, and as you go, may the blessing of our triune God, creator, redeemer and sustainer, be with you always. (Presbyterian Outlook, Baron Mullis) Community Time Benediction Beloved, may God bless you with the discernment to stop and notice God at work all around you, the inspiration to offer up praise in the middle of the busyness of life, and the peace that comes from beholding the face of God and knowing deep in your bones that we are not alone—God is with us. Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, May 2026. Additional Illustrations It Don't Add Up Perhaps you have heard the story of the football coach who had two quarterbacks. The first team quarterback was gifted, aggressive, and a born leader. The second string quarterback was, let us say, limited. Oh, he was athletic enough but unfortunately, he lacked a mind for strategy. The championship game was in progress, the score was tied, the home team had the ball, and the clock was ticking down. An opposing player broke through the line of scrimmage and slammed the star quarterback to the ground with such force that the signal-caller had to leave the game. Time was running out. The coach had no choice but to put in the back-up. The substitute trotted onto the field, huddled the team, and strode up to the line of scrimmage. Surveying the opposing team, and much to everyone's surprise, he changed the play at the line. The ball was snapped, the quarterback handed it off to the half-back who busted up the middle and sped all the way into the end zone with the winning touchdown! An amazing play. Moments later, in the ecstatic dressing room, the coach grabbed his second-team quarterback by the shoulder pads and said, "Son, that was great! How did you know to call that play?" The boy said, "Uh, well coach, it weren't easy. I got up to the line and looked across at two of the biggest players I've ever seen and I seen their numbers. One of 'em was wearing a six and the other one was wearing a seven, so I just added them numbers together and got fourteen and called number fourteen." The coach hesitated a moment and said, "But son, six and seven make 13." The boy, quite unmoved by the correction, said, "You know what coach? If I was as smart as you, we would have lost the game." Things do not always add up the way they are supposed to, do they? Traditional Stories, www.eSermons.com How Much Is Enough? The Wall Street Journal ran an article some time ago describing the fastest growing business in America today: the development and the construction of mini warehouses, these small storage facilities that you see in every town and in every city. We first fill the closets and the attic and the basement and the garage and then we go across town and rent some space to store our stuff. The reality is that in the midst of all this abundance of stuff, we have a mentality of scarcity. We think we need a little more. We are yearning to buy, if the price is right. In short, we can't get enough of what we don't need. Imagine our present day culture in any historical perspective. We have more possessions than any culture in the history of the world. We think of ourselves and our own personal value in terms of how much stuff we have. And our basic way of seeing the world is by virtue of scarcity. And if we are honest, almost no one of us is free of that yearning to have a little bit more. Oh, we don't want to be accused of being greedy. We simply don't quite have enough. "Maybe other people do," we say to ourselves, “but I don't. I need just a little bit more.” Moving Fences Many years ago, there was a woman who lived in a small village in France. Trained as a nurse, she devoted her life to caring for the sick and needy. After many years of kind and selfless service to the village’s families, the woman died. She had no family of her own, so the townsfolk planned a beautiful funeral for her, a fitting tribute to the woman to whom so many owed their lives. The parish priest, however, pointed out that, because she was a Protestant, she could not be buried in the town’s Catholic cemetery. The villagers protested, but the priest held firm. It was not easy for the priest either, because he too had been cared for by the woman during a serious illness. But the canons of the Church were very clear; she would have to buried outside the fence of the cemetery. The day of the funeral arrived, and the whole village accompanied the woman’ s casket to the cemetery, where she was buried--outside the fence. But that night, a group of villagers, armed with shovels, sneaked into the cemetery. They then quietly set to work--moving the fence. More astounding than Jesus’ feeding of the crowds with a few pieces of bread and fish is Jesus’ transforming the crowd into a community, a community united in their need for one another, in the bread they share, in the love of Christ who has brought them together. Christ empowers each one of us to perform our own miracles of creating community when we "move the fences" to include outsiders, when we welcome the rejected and forgotten to our tables, when we give of what little we have, joyfully and gratefully, for the sake of others, when we welcome one another as we would welcome Jesus. Jerry Fuller, Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes We Have Nothing But . . . Barbara Brown Taylor, an Episcopal priest and college professor, tells the story of nine teenagers from Vermont who went to a Navajo reservation out west for a week-long mission work project. When they arrived, the Navajos pretty much ignored their presence. They didn’t give them much of a welcome, nor did they offer to help them with any of the work. It wasn’t that the Navajos were hostile or rude. They just didn’t believe that the kids would actually show up. And even when they did, they doubted that they could accomplish much of anything in one week. Besides, they had been promised all kinds of things before by previous work crews, but had seen only meager results at best. They had good reason to be skeptical. However, these kids from Vermont and their adult sponsors were different. They didn’t know how to do much -- they didn’t know how to build a sheep pen or put a new roof on a house -- but they were determined to give it their best shot. And they did. About halfway through the week, a funny thing happened. The Navajos, who up to that point had been watching from the sidelines, now began to pitch in. A group of Navajo teenagers decided to help fix up Annie Begay’s hogan. Apparently they figured that, if these kids could come all the way from Vermont to work, they could help, too. At the end of the week, the youth from Vermont, their sponsors, and the Navajos who had joined the effort -- all of them working together had completed forty-two of the forty-six projects they had set out to do. Taylor concludes: "We went into the week skinny, with only five loaves and two fish; but we came out fat, with twelve baskets to spare. That’s because God made good to match our gifts . . . . It’s something to remember when our own resources look too meager. How many loaves have you?" Story told by Barbara Brown Taylor, quoted by Richard Donovan in SermonWriter The Miracle Everyone Was Waiting On Only one miracle made it into all four gospels. It transpired on the grassy hills by the shores of the Sea of Galilee at a time when Jesus' popularity--and also his vulnerability--was cresting. Wherever he went, a throng that included many deranged and afflicted trailed behind. The day before the big miracle, Jesus crossed the lake to elude the masses. Herod had just executed John the Baptist, Jesus' relative, his forerunner and friend, and Jesus needed time alone to grieve. Doubtless, John's death provoked somber thoughts of the fate awaiting him. Alas, there would be no secluded retreat. A huge swarm of yesterday's multitude made the ten-mile journey around the lake and soon hundreds, even thousands of people clamored around Jesus. "He had compassion on them," says Mark, "because they were like sheep without a shepherd." Instead of spending the day renewing his spirit, Jesus spent it healing the sick, always an energy drain, and speaking to a crowd large enough to fill a modern basketball arena. The issue of food came up. What to do? There are at least five thousand men, not to mention the women and children! Send them away, suggested one disciple. Buy them dinner, said Jesus. What? Is he kidding? We're talking eight months' wages! Then Jesus took command in a way none of them had seen before. Have the people sit down in groups of fifty, he said. It was like a political rally--festive, orderly, hierarchical -- exactly what one might expect from a Messiah figure. Unavoidably, we moderns read Jesus' life backwards, knowing how it turns out. That day, no one but Jesus had a clue. Murmurs rustled through the group on the packed hillside. Is he the one? Could it be? In the wilderness, Satan had dangled before Jesus the prospects of a crowd-pleasing miracle. Now, not to please a crowd but merely to settle their stomachs, Jesus took two salted fish and five small loaves of bread and performed the miracle everyone was waiting for. Three of the Gospels leave it at that. "They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish," reports Mark with masterful understatement. Only John tells what happened next. Jesus got his time alone, at last. As the disciples rowed back across the lake, fighting a storm all the way, Jesus spent the night on a mount, alone in prayer. Later that night he rejoined them by walking across the water. Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew, Zondervan, 1995, 175-176. Many Kinds of Bread In the English language, in some contexts, the word "bread" is synonymous with food. In other parts of the world, that's not true. For example, in Eastern Asia, when you say "food," people automatically think of rice. In Malaysia, the same applies to sweet potatoes. For every culture there is a "staff of life." For most it's bread. It's the basic thing you need to stay alive. But all these words - bread, rice, and sweet potatoes - can also refer to the emotional and spiritual basics that keep us alive. There are a few people without whose love and presence in my life, I would find it difficult, if not impossible, to survive. There's one or two I wouldn't mind getting away from a while, just to see how I would do without them, but I need most all of them. And without a faith that receives regular nourishment from the Word of God, all of the Word of God, and all of the people of God, I could not survive. Bread is the biblical metaphor because that was the staple, basic, bottom-line food source of Jesus' day. If Jesus had been from Malaysia, it would have been sweet potatoes, and communion could get a little messy. Johnny Dean, How Much Is Enough? Give Them Something to Eat One billion of the world's richest people consume 80 percent of the earth's resources. The other five billion make do on the other 20 percent. The world has 840 million chronically malnourished people, most of them women and children. Seven million children in the world under the age of five die each year from malnutrition. The Department of Agriculture in our own country, estimates there are 3.8 million families who experience hunger and up to 12 million families concerned about having enough food to feed their families. Hunger is real. The disciples say send them away. Do we not offer similar suggestions? Let the government feed them, let social services take care of them, let the unemployment office help them, let the homeless shelters take them in. Meanwhile, the government is knocking on the door of faith-based communities saying, "When are you going to help?" Leaping from the pages of scripture Jesus exclaims, "Do not send them away. Give them something to eat." J. Howard Olds, Faith Breaks, www.Sermons.com God Lets Us Help Ethan Allen was a big, voluble, rather flamboyant Vermonter, Colonial patriot, a somewhat controversial hero of the American Revolution. He organized a rag-tag army of freedom-lovers known as the Green Mountain Boys. On May 10, 1775, Allen and his "Boys" captured from the British the strategic Fort Ticonderoga. Having returned from this successful venture, Allen did something which he was wont to do sometimes as the mood suited: on Sunday morning he attended church. During the service the pastor offered a long prayer, a great deal of which was an offering of praise to God for the liberation of Fort Ticonderoga. How great was God, and how good, to have wrested that fort from the enemy! Ethan Allen, having sat through as much of this as he could endure, interrupted the pastor, saying, "Parson Dewey ... Parson Dewey, please mention to the Lord that I and the Green Mountain Boys were there!" The plain fact is, of course, that wherever God has done things in the world somebody has been there helping him do them. Yes, perhaps Jesus could have fed that multitude without the five loaves and two fish which the disciples brought to him, but he didn't. He let his disciples help, and he used what they brought. Leonard W. Mann, Life-Size Living, CSS Publishing Company Contrary to What We KNOW The chief objection that modernists have with the story of the Feeding of the 5,000 was answered by St. Augustine over 1500 years ago. Augustine said, “Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we KNOW about nature.” The miracle here was that a weary but compassionate Jesus understood the true power of the Creator God – the Father of the universe. And He acted in accordance with that knowledge: with miraculous results. John Bedingfield, Do You Believe in Miracles? ________________________________________ At Least One Dollar Dr. H. King Oehmig tells a story of the time that a church congregation from Cartersville, Georgia wanted to begin a Habitat for Humanity group. It was in the early days of Habitat, so the group went to Americus, Georgia to meet with Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat for Humanity. The group toured the Habitat facilities and saw a presentation on how groups operate. Then Mr. Fuller took time from his busy schedule to go and talk to this group. During the course of their conversation, one of the folks from Cartersville said, “Mr. Fuller, we think this is what God’s calling us to do. But before we begin, how much money do you think we should have in the bank to get us off the ground?” Fuller leaned toward the man and in a very low and serious voice told him, “It would be wholly irresponsible, completely negligent, totally feather-brained if you started an affiliate without at least one dollar.But you have to have one dollar. Don’t dare make a move without it!” King Oehmig says that that day, the Cartersville group learned, “as the disciples discovered with Jesus that evening, when He told them to feed the masses themselves – that faced with the Gospel imperative, we were searching for a reasonable alternative to faith.” Just like modern America searches for a reasonable alternative to a miracle. John Bedingfield, Do You Believe in Miracles?