A Retreat with God

February 19, 2023 Exodus 24:12-18 A retreat with God Transfiguration Sunday Year A Prelude Welcome Call to Worship As God called to Moses from the mountain, we are called to be God’s people. As Jesus called the disciples to climb with him to the peak of another mountain, we are called to follow wherever he leads. As the disciples stood in awe at the sound of God’s voice, we are called to worship in wonder and praise. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Deborah Sokolove) Opening Prayer (Exodus 24, Matthew 17) Holy One, Light of light, God of all creation, long ago you showed yourself to the disciples in Jesus’ transfiguration— his face glowing like a field of daffodils on a bright, spring morning. Shine in us, around us, and through us, that the world may see your glory in the faces of your people— faces transfigured in the light of your love. Amen. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Deborah Sokolove) Song Every Time I Feel the Spirit UMH 404 Children’s Sermon Leader, wearing dark glasses, asks the children, "Do you know why I am wearing dark glasses?" (Pause) The Bible story for today says that Jesus took his friends Peter, James, and John up a mountain to pray. While they were praying, Jesus' face changed and his clothes became dazzling white, so bright it blinded their eyes. Then two men appeared, Moses and Elijah, and they began talking with Jesus about what would happen when Jesus went to Jerusalem. Suddenly a cloud came and covered them, and a voice said, "This is my Son, my Chosen. Listen to him." When they came down from the mountain, everything was "tranfigured." Talk together: If you saw Jesus in white robes coming down our center aisle to sit on the steps with us, what would you do? (Pause) Some of us might close our eyes, thinking this is too good to be true. Jesus here? In what way might Jesus be here with us right now? One of the ways is to use our faith imagination. Close your eyes. We are walking toward the hill where we can be alone. The sky is blue, the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and when we reach the hillside we sit down and invite Jesus to be with us. Suddenly he is there in bright, white robes. We are silent and feel the light breeze blow. A voice says, "This is my Son. Listen to him." We listen and Jesus speaks to us. (Pause) Then we do what we need to do and return to this place, knowing we can be with Jesus in our faith imagination whenever we wish. Now open your eyes. Prayer: Dear God, thank you for hearts to love, minds to think, and faith imagination to know your presence here and now, among us. Amen. (Elaine Ward, Sermonsuite) Prayer of Confession (Exodus 24, Matthew 17) Though we want to walk with Moses and see God’s holy radiance, we hide in the mist of our own desires, unable to perceive the presence of God’s grace. While we want a world of justice and peace, we walk in clouds of selfishness, unable to share God’s loving-kindness. Though we want to follow Jesus up the mountain, we cower in fear, unable to bear the light of God. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Deborah Sokolove) Words of Assurance (Matthew 17) In the blazing light of God’s grace, Jesus touches us to say, “Get up and do not be afraid.” In the name of Christ, all is forgiven. Amen. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Deborah Sokolove) Passing the Peace of Christ Scripture Exodus 24:12-18 Sermon - A Retreat with God February is always an interesting month weatherwise – you get all four seasons of weather in one month. It’s cold, its warm. One day its snowing, the next its raining and the next day it all turns into ice and you start all over again. This year, the weather has been a little unusual. But every February there is a point when you just know that the weather has broken and spring is on the way. It was very subtle this year – but it is a time when there is more rain than snow – and it gets very foggy. It is as if the clouds have descended on the land – giving everything a very mysterious feeling. In many ancient cultures it was believed that God lived in the clouds. So many religious places where built upon a mountain in the midst of the clouds. It is said that we all have those spiritual places where we can go to feel the presence of God. Today, that place may not be in the mountains, but in a church, in fellowship with friends, in prayer, in the sanctuary, sometimes we even find God in our daily routine. One teacher remembers the day one of our students came into class late. She asked him what was going, and he said that his mother had just passed away – and he came to school because that was the place that he needed to be. Where are the places in your life that you can do and feel God’s presence? Sometimes, if there is no other place for us to find God – we can find God in our imagination. Our sanctified imagination – the place where we can picture God, our prayers, the bible in our minds. Thursday, the pastors in our district all got together to meet with the bishop. Most of us there really appreciated his honesty, transparency and willingness to address many elephants in the room. He even gave us a handout of all he had to say – I will have to share this with Debbie and with church council. His talk called Identity, Integrity and Imagination. Church history is being rewritten right before our eyes. He said that so much of the church has been disrupted by the pandemic and other things. Our church has been fairly stable. But about 1/3 of churches all over the country have had to make some serious decisions. And only about 16 churches in our conference have asked to go into discernment in order to disaffiliate with the united methodist church. Once again, nationwide there have been over 1000 who want to leave. With all of that, this is an age of transfiguration. Well, that is an obsolete word. Technically only Moses and Jesus were ever transfigured. But we all have definitely been transformed from the circumstances of our world – if not outright disrupted. In this age of disruption – people are looking for the voice of God. Bishop Scherin said that it is important for us to make sure that the church is that safe space for people to come to find the presence of God. In scripture – Moses had a long history of meeting with God, talking with God. He was the only person to get a glimpse of God. But our scripture is not a story of Moses talking with God by himself. He bought his two nephews, his protege Joshua. And 70 community leaders. It was as if he had a congregational council meeting with God as the leader of the meeting. Our scripture is a part of a bigger story – contained in chapters 19-24. The community was getting bigger, so they needed a set of guidelines to govern themselves. God tells Moses to come up to the mountain to get the laws and to bring the community to ratify the covenant. They all come up to have a meal with God. Eventually Moses and Joshua and a body guard go further up the mountain to talk with God. When it gets cloudy – Moses goes even further up and talks with God for 40 days. But the important part is that this was not the work of just one person, but of the whole congregation. After this encounter, they not only have the ten commandments, but they also start building the first house of God. Everyone had a part in creating that safe space for the people to come to meet God. What about us today? How can we work together to help others feel the presence of God? How can we make sure that God is the heart and soul of our community? The presence of God is not something that we can see or identify – but you can feel it. In Deuteronomy, when Moses first encounters God – he heard a voice, but could see no form in the fire. In others stories – Elijah, Jesus, Paul – they could hear God’s voice very clearly – but couldn’t describe what God looked like. Arthur J. Gossip, was visiting his parishioners in a working district of Glasgow. At four o'clock, after an exhausting day, Gossip stood at the bottom of a fivestory tenement building where one of his parishioners lived on the top floor. It was a long way to the top and he was tired. Promising himself that he would come back tomorrow, Gossip turned to leave. Then he saw a vision. He saw a pair of stooped grey shoulders climbing the steps. He realized it was the Master. A voice seemed to say, "Then I'll have to go alone." Gossip suddenly felt revitalized and started up the steps. "We went together," he reported later. And that is the key to a spiritual life that does not leave usthat does not fade into a distant memory. When God speaks to us – it is usually a command. We are compelled to take some action – to move forward, to call someone, to get up and do something, or to come here. In our scripture, God told Moses to come to the mountain and wait. This story parallels with the gospel of Matthew when Jesus is called to go to the mountain with his disciples. The clouds appear and God says this is my beloved son listen to him. God’s command is listen. When God speaks there is always a command, but there is also a gift. God always tells us who God is, but God also tells us who we are. We get out identity through obeying God. When we met with bishop this week his talk was entitled he told us his call story. His name is Dan Schwerin – rhymes with tangerine. He told us how he felt God speak to him when he was 17. He also reminded us who we are as United Methodist – a biblical, conventenal, grace grounded, mission driven justice seeking global movement always renewed by Identity, integrity and imagination. Most clergy really appreciated our time meeting the bishop – who is soft spoken and very new in his identity as a bishop – but very transparent and willing to address several elephants in the room. I will have to share his worksheet with Debbie and the church council. But we have to find our identity as individuals, but most importantly as the church. What If? What if the church lived out its life in such a way others could not help but see it? What if Christians were so different that society became long-neck gawkers when looking to see the working of the congregation? What if Christians were the people at which children and adults pointed their fingers and said, “Hey, look at that!”? What if we so lived the love, salvation, peace, and hope of God that we seemed out of place in the world around us? What if we were truly transformed into the very people of God? Wouldn’t it be fun, exciting and wonderful if people were lining the sidewalks around our churches just to see what makes us so odd? Stephen E. Loftis, Transfigured My last story is an old legend… There is a modern parable. In this parable Jesus goes walking one day along the streets of a big city. He roams rather aimlessly, letting his feet take him where they will--the way you or I might do when we're just out walking. On his walk, he sees many people and many things, but only three stay on his mind. When he returns home that night, God the Father asks, "Did you enjoy your walk today, My Son? Did you see anything interesting?" Jesus answers, "Oh yes, Father, I enjoyed the walk and three times I saw myself along the way. The first time, I saw myself in a priest walking along with his hands clasped and muttering to himself. He was in much anguish for his people. The second time, I saw myself in a lonely lad who used his "˜street smarts' as a means of survival. He was an accomplished pickpocket. The third time was when I saw myself in a woman with a child in each hand. Her husband had left her and she struggled to love and care for her children without the help of their father." Whereupon, the following dialogue takes place between Jesus and the Father. . . . "When will you ever learn, My Son?" the Father says with a sigh. "But I did learn, Father," Jesus replies. "Did I not send you to earth, My only Son, to tell them about My goodness, and My love?" asks the Father. "Yes, Father," Jesus says, "and I did. But I also listened, and they told Me about their pain." "Is not their pain of their own choosing?" the Father asks. Jesus answers, "Father, whatever it comes from, pain is pain." Sternly now, the Father says, "My Son, You let your human heart carry you away." "Yes Father, I did," Jesus whispers. Then the Father smiles, and reaches out and embraces His Son, happy that His son went walking in the big city streets that day. (4) Moses came down from the mountain and gave us the law; Jesus came down from the mountain and gave us himself. We have been called to create safe space for all of God’s children to come and feel the presence of God. Amen. Song Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies UMH 173 Pastoral Prayer for Transfiguration Sunday Gracious God, God of the covenant, the cloud of your splendor and the fire of your love revealed your Son on the mountain heights. As your Son drew apart to be in prayer with you, we offer our prayers for the transformation of the world and the church. We pray that as we gather around the table we may be transformed by the grace of Christ. We pray that the food we bring will be used to show the love that you have for us and all creation. We pray that today we may be a living sacrifice for those who need to know the truth of your life-giving Gospel. Holy Father, mighty and immortal, you are beyond our knowing, yet we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ, whose compassion illumines the world. Transform us into the likeness of the love of Christ, who renewed our humanity so that we may share in his divinity. Help us to share the risk and challenge of living our faith. By your Spirit, turn our fear to courage and our confusion to confidence Sovereign Lord, Father of all in the power of the Holy Spirit, grant to us the strength to turn our face toward Jerusalem to bear our cross, so that your glory and love and mercy may be revealed. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. — posted on I’m Just Saying by mrawle2000, a United Methodist Elder in the Louisiana Conference. Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Invitation to the Offering Can you call to mind a time in your life when you were so inspired, you wanted to move mountains? Some moment when you were so filled with gratitude you were willing to respond with super generosity? We hear of Peter’s moment on the mountain, seeing Jesus “transfigured” (changed into glory in the presence of Moses and Elijah), which led to Peter’s offer to build three dwellings; one for each of these heroes of faith. Matthew records the remarkable story of God breaking into that moment, claiming Jesus as God’s own Son and instructing the disciples to listen to Jesus. And the three disciples responded with fear! You may find fear a first response to your desire for super generosity. However, Jesus spoke into the moment, with the familiar words, “do not be afraid”. Today, I want to speak those words to you, as well. Do not be afraid to respond in gratitude, with super generosity, to your own moment of recognizing the amazing blessing we’ve received: this gift of life. It will not last forever, so I encourage you to respond with gratitude, as you offer your most generous gifts for Christ’s work here and to the ends of the earth. Prayer of Thanksgiving Loving God, we offer you the gift of our lives, recognizing all you provide for each of us. Please receive the symbols of each of our lives presented in this offering. And accept, as well, the good intentions of our hearts and minds as we offer you our time and talent, that we might live in gratitude rather than in fear. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook May the shining radiance of God warm you. May the dazzling splendor of God surprise you. And the glory of God transform you. May you come up to the mountaintop. May you remember the experience with wonder and awe. And may you come down renewed and empowered For the glory of God and the hope of the world. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay) Community Time Benediction (2 Peter 1, Matthew 17) Walk in light and truth. See the light of Christ in every face. Be the light of Christ to all you meet. Amen. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Deborah Sokolove) Additional Illustrations Children know that kind of exhilaration instinctively. In his book SERMON IN STONE, Mel Ellis tells of a class of geography students. They had taken a tour of the earth by book. At the end of the semester they were asked to list what they considered the Seven Wonders of the World. The top picks were the following: Egypt's Great Pyramid, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, the Panama Canal, the Empire State Building, St. Peter's Basilica, and China's Great Wall. While tallying the votes, the teacher noticed that one little girl had not turned in a paper. She approached the student and asked if she was having problems with her list. The girl responded, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher replied, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help." Reluctantly, the little girl stood up and began to read her paper. "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are to touch and to taste, to see and to hear, and then to run and to laugh and to love." Can you make a better list of the seven wonders? PITY EVEN MORE THE PERSON WHO YEARNS FOR THE MOUNTAIN OF EXULTATION, BUT REFUSES THE VALLEY OF SERVICE. Once Billy Graham took part in a television show in London that included some wellknown British personalities. The host was discussing the current evangelistic crusade in Earls Court. He askedas they always do"Do all those people who come forward really `last'?" A prominent actress seated next to him didn't like the question. She commented, "What if they don't?" Everyone looked a bit startled, including Graham. She went on: "What if, in all their lives, they have just that one beautiful moment with God as they come and stand at His altar? Isn't that better than nothing?" (2) Well, perhaps. Then again, perhaps not. Some people have a mountaintop experience and they exclaim, "This is it!" And they think they have captured the essence of the Christian faith in a bottle that they can slip in their pocket and take back home with them. Later they open the bottle on Easter or Christmas eve, and they find it empty. The experience has not lasted. It is now but a pleasant, though distant memory. But, because they have been on the mountain even for a moment, they think they possess the real thing. They think they know what it is to follow Jesus. It might be better if they had never ascended the mountain if they have substituted a momentary experience for a lifetime of discipleship. The mountaintop is not enough. Christ still walks that valley today. Bear with me for a moment while I draw a parallel to the world of faith. TO SOME CHRISTIANS, FAITH THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE AN ELEMENT OF MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE IS NO FAITH AT ALL! It is like a rose that has no scent. Have you noticed that many people today seem to be hungry for some experience of the supernatural? The dramatic upswing of interest in the existence of angels, of witches, of near death experiences, etc. speak of a longing that people have to go beyond the merely rational. Francis Caponi, a Roman Catholic priest, was drawing parallels between Elvis Presley and Jesus Christ. He noted an interesting phenomenon. "Both of their figures," he said, "are discerned in billboards, refrigerator rust stains, [and] strangely shaped vegetables." (5) He was referring, of course, to those strange reports that pop up from time to time of apparitions of Mary, of Jesus, even of Elvis. Be careful. Our minds have a tendency to organize reality in a way that does not always fit the facts. John Mowery tells the story of a mountain climber who was desperate to conquer one of the world's great mountains. He initiated his climb after years of preparation. But he wanted the glory to himself; therefore, he went up alone. He started climbing and it was becoming later, and later. He did not prepare for camping but decided to keep on going. Soon it got dark . . . night fell with heaviness at a very high altitude. Visibility was zero. Everything was black. There was no moon, and the stars were blocked by clouds. As he was climbing a ridge at about 100 meters from the top, this proud climber slipped and fell. Falling rapidly he could only see blotches of darkness that passed. He felt a terrible sensation of being sucked in by gravity. He kept falling . . . and in those anguishing moments good and bad memories passed through his mind. He thought certainly he would die. But then he felt a jolt that almost tore him in half. Yes! Like any good mountain climber he had staked himself with a long rope tied to his waist. In those moments of stillness, suspended in the air he had no other choice but to shout, "HELP ME, GOD! HELP ME!" All of a sudden he heard a deep voice from heaven. "What do you want me to do?" "SAVE ME," he cried. "Do you REALLY think that I can save you?" asked the voice. "OF COURSE, MY GOD," he replied. "Then cut the rope that is holding you up," said the voice. There was another moment of silence and stillness. The man just held tighter to the rope. The rescue team says that the next day they found a frozen mountain climber hanging strongly to a rope . . . Two feet off the ground. (5) Someone today in this room is hanging two feet off the ground. You are facing a tough, uphill battle. You are lonely and you are scared. But you have not been able to let go and let God. I pray that you will let go of the rope. You are not alone in this universe. Someone has come into this world from another world. Someone knows what you are going through. He has suffered too. He is who He says He is. Won't you trust Him with your life?

The Gifts of the Congregation

August 15, 2021 1 Corinthians 12:1-12 The gifts of the congregation 13th Sunday After Pentecost Year B – non lectionary Opening Song Welcome Call to Worship Leader: There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; People: Christ is just like the human body—a body is a unit; and all the parts of the body are one body, even though there are many parts. Leader: We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, or slave or free. People: We were all given one Spirit to drink. Come, Holy Spirit! All: Let us worship God! Stewardship Moment Every believer has a calling. In order to fulfill our calling to the utmost, God has provided each of us with a unique set of spiritual gifts. Knowing and leveraging our spiritual gifts enables us to be more effective members of the body of Christ. According to 1 Corinthians 12, the Spirit of God, acting in a direct and intentional way, desires to bring fullness and balance to every body of believers. This is His will, and it can only be realized through the sharing of our spiritual gifts with one another. The concept is both profound and exciting. We are commanded by God to be good stewards of the gifts He has given us. Good stewardship therefore compels us to know, understand and utilize our spiritual gifts to better fulfill our calling, and by doing so, bring our unique contribution to the body of Christ. Serving with our gifts is a powerful form of stewardship. You would think that Christians already know everything there is to know about serving. After all, we are taught from a very early age that serving others is the path to pleasing God. While there is a fair amount of truth in that statement, there is also much confusion as to what actions best constitute Christian service. At the basic level, serving is giving—giving of our time, talents and treasures, and giving of our prayers and affections. To think deeply about acts of service is to come face to face with the heart and message of Christ. The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28). This knowledge compels us to always seek ways to achieve a fuller expression of our life of service. Ministries and churches have long sought to increase the volume and effectiveness of the service we provide in the name of God. The sobering reality is that, unless each of us accepts and learns to function within the framework of our giftedness, the church as a whole will not maximize its impact. Who will benefit from better stewardship of this collective giftedness? The answer is simple. Everyone we come into contact with. The ripple effect is endless. For our local brothers and sisters in faith, the sharing of our gifts builds them up. Our individual gifts mesh with theirs to produce a rich and beautiful tapestry of service. Leveraging our spiritual gifts, we all contribute to the experience of a healthy and whole family of Jesus Christ. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God,” (1 Peter 4:10, NASB). Significantly, without each of us serving with the full knowledge and power of our unique spiritual gifts, the Kingdom experience is incomplete, and the resulting outcomes are partial rather than whole. The criticality of spiritual gifts to our collective well-being has been neglected for far too long. It’s time to embrace and be good stewards of the unique gifts God has endowed each one of us—with arms and hearts wide open. Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to understand and use my unique spiritual gifts to glorify you and build up others. Amen. By Diana Myers Prayer of Thanksgiving Almighty God and everlasting Father, we thank You that You are our bountiful Provider and for the many gifts that we enjoy so freely from the fruit of the earth. May we be wise servants and faithful stewards with the many blessings that we have received at Your hand. May we take of what You have given to us with a grateful heart, and cheerfully give back to You a small portion of the abundance of Your grace, that we have received at Your hand. Keep our hearts ever thankful towards You, and give us a tender compassion for those around us that are hurting or in need. May we be willing to share our portion with others and may we show forth the love of God in our lives, with a cheerful and gracious disposition, especially to those who are disadvantaged and needy. Accept our offering of prayer and praise and thanksgiving for all that You have given to us, and receive we pray, these small tokens of our love, knowing that all things come from You and we offer back to You of the bountiful goodness that You have given to us. In Jesus' name we pray Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/offertory-prayer-for-gifts-and-giving-1134 Song Whom Shall I send? UMH 582 Scripture 1 Corinthians 12:1-12 1 Corinthians 12:1-12 Common English Bible Spiritual gifts 12 Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. 2 You know that when you were Gentiles you were often misled by false gods that can’t even speak. 3 So I want to make it clear to you that no one says, “Jesus is cursed!” when speaking by God’s Spirit, and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; 5 and there are different ministries and the same Lord; 6 and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 7 A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. 8 A word of wisdom is given by the Spirit to one person, a word of knowledge to another according to the same Spirit, 9 faith to still another by the same Spirit, gifts of healing to another in the one Spirit, 10 performance of miracles to another, prophecy to another, the ability to tell spirits apart to another, different kinds of tongues[a] to another, and the interpretation of the tongues to another. 11 All these things are produced by the one and same Spirit who gives what he wants to each person. 12 Christ is just like the human body—a body is a unit and has many parts; and all the parts of the body are one body, even though there are many. Sermon The gifts of the congregation So yesterday I started to read this book. Someone gave this book to me as a gift, probably about 3 years ago. The title is called The second mountain – the quest for a moral life. Judging from the title, it did not seem like something that appealed to me. I am still not sure of why the person (another pastor) gave it to me. But it was a brand new book, and it cost $28, so I felt obligated to read it before getting rid of it. It turns out I love the book, once I started reading it yesterday I couldn’t put it down. the author is a writer for the new York times. And basically he says that in life all of us have to climb two mountains in life. First we climb the mountain of establishing our life. Our parents tell us and prepare us what we should be in life, and we set off on our life journey establishing a career, a family, a lifestyle, we get a job, get a car or other transportation, we buy a house of find someplace to live, we start a family – that takes up a lot of our life, - that is the first mountain that we must climb. but once we get there we look around and wonder if that is all that there is to life? Usually once we have climbed that mountain in life, we are still fairly young and we still have a lot of life left and we really start to question our lives and what our purpose is – according to the author that is the second mountain that we must climb. “It all started with two questions put to me by my grandmother during one of our family’s regular Sunday afternoon visits with her in the nursing home where she spent the last 3 years of her life. She was always glad to see us. There were smiles and hugs all around every Sunday. But once in a while she would let her guard down and tell us just how difficult life had become for her. Grandma had outlived her husband and two of her sons, and she was bedridden. One day she said to me, “Why doesn’t God let me die?” That was the first question. Naively, I said what many of us have said in response to questions like that; “Maybe God has something more for you to do.” These words would prove to be prophetic. Years later I would recognize that moment as the beginning of what was to be a great change in my life. “The second question was much less dramatic than the first. Grandma simply asked, “What did the preacher say in church today?” We had to admit that we didn’t know, because we hadn’t been in church that day. We knew that we didn’t dare tell her any stories, because the pastor called on her regularly and she was sure to find out the truth. We went to worship the following Sunday, and every Sunday after that, so that we could give Grandma accurate reports about the content of the services. Sometimes we actually took notes during the sermon so that we wouldn’t forget what the preacher said. “This went on for about a year, and as the Sundays passed we found ourselves more and more drawn to the gospel message. One day, my wife and I both realized that we were going to worship for ourselves, because we wanted to go, and not just so we could give a good report to Granma. We became excited about god and the church. It was a genuine conversion experience for both of us. Christ became real to us for the first time in our lives. Grandma didn’t have to pump us to tell her about church anymore. We shared without being asked, because we couldn’t help ourselves. “That’s how it all started, but that was only the beginning. God wasn’t finished with me yet. A few months later, at the end of the ordination service at Annual Conference, the Bishop invited everyone who felt called into ordained ministry to come forward to the altar. I had a very strong feeling that I ought to go. It felt like someone was tugging at me, urging me to go. I didn’t understand what was happening to me. My father and I had just purchased a business together. It was no time to be thinking of a career change, so I overruled the feeling. I remember literally hanging onto my chair to prevent myself from going forward.” [Lectionary Stories: 40 Tellable Tales for Cycle A by John Sumwalt] Well you can imagine how this story ends. Once God starts knocking on your door for one thing or another, God can be pretty persistent and Stephen Groves, the man in the story, did in the end get both a college and seminary degree and become an ordained pastor. But what I liked about his story was that it wasn’t only about his calling. It also was about the struggle his grandmother was having the discern what God was doing in her life and how with a simple question she planted a seed in her grandson that would have an impact on many people. You know it is usually God who encourages us to climb that second mountain – to start to think about how we can use our gifts, our talents, our life in order to help others to make that climb. It is usually that small still voice inside of us that is edging us on, telling us to do more, hinting that there is something more to life. the church is the place where we start to climb that second mountain of meaning and I guess you could say a moral life. The church incidently is also God’s storehouse of good things. It is the place where God cooks up those plans that will change the world. It is the tool shed for tools that will be used to do some amazing things in the world. We are the tools by the way. God has whispered in the ear of each one of us. God has give each one of us a job to do, God has given each one of us special gifts and talents to use in the world. One thing that I like about this book is that the chapters are really short – so that I don’t get bored. But in one chapter he says that there is that one thing in life that as a child we are drawn to, it fascinates us and keeps our attention. And that as we grow older, we may have less and less time for it, but we do not forget it. And as we get older – that is the thing that we are drawn to when we want to wind down and get in touch with our spirits. That is our god given gift Most of us have heard the bible story of Jonah and the whale – and how God called Jonah to do something and he ran away, but God persisted until he finally answered God’s call. Close: years ago in a revival service at Evangel Temple a man stood up and told how at a young age he felt the call to ministry. But his family own a successful business and his dad wanted him to take over that business, which he did. He said, even though I am a successful businessman in Montgomery, I am one of the most miserable men alive, because God won’t uncall me. Tonight, obey God’s call, obey God’s voice, and go dig up that buried talent and use it for God. Paul speaks of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians. Paul says that there are 3 types of people in the world and in the church - those that can hear and talk with God and know what their gifts are, those who can’t hear God directly but still know what their gifts are, and those who can’t hear God and have no idea of what their gifts are – we all fall in one of those categories. And even though Paul says that we have gifts, he also tells us that gifts are not given to individuals but to communities. That is one reason why when we learn what our gifts are – we have to climb that second mountain – be willing to give and help others. God gives each community a gift, so that the community – the church – the congregation can fulfill its mission to reach out to others. In chapter 12, Paul specifically mentions several gifts – words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, the gift of healing, the gift of prophecy, the gifts of miracles, the gifts of discernment, the gift of speaking in tongues, the gift of being able to interpret tongues. When those things are present – you know that the holy Spirit is with that congregation. In 1 Corinthians chapter 13 – one of the most famous bible chapters in history – Paul says that the greatest spiritual gift present in a congregation is the gift of love. This month we have been celebrating the gift of music that is present in this congregation. And today we honor the 50 year ministry of Marcia Mellott. We are truly grateful for her gift of music, of leadership, of creativity and a willingness to give in a kind hearted caring matter. Her ministry has been a perfect example of what it means to climb that second mountain. She worked diligently in the school system teaching music, but also worked diligently in the church and the community – freely giving her talent to the world. She also has that greatest gift – the gift of love. I have been grateful for her cheerful, fun, and loving spirit that comes through in all that she does. Marcia thank you for your service and may God continue to bless you. You are truly an inspiration to all who know you. You have touched us as a community – let each of us be reminded that we are the tools that God will use to make the world a better place. Let each of us check that small still voice that encourages use our gifts each and every day to make a difference. Prayer God of love and of life, let us take time to look deep within ourselves and discover the gifts you have blessed us with. May we take the time to direct our lives in a way that best uses our own unique combination of gifts. May our education help us discover where our strengths and interests lie. May our faith guide us in realizing our gifts. May we always be open to the direction of the Spirit and never forget the love you have for each of us. Give us, O Lord, the perception we need to look within ourselves and discover the beauty and gifts we posses. Give us the courage to show others the talents they have. Help us serve others in the community and in so doing build up your kingdom. We ask this through Jesus, our Lord. Amen. Song Many Gifts, One Spirit UMH 114 Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending the Lord Jesus to live and die for me, and thank You for bringing me into Your family because I have trusted Jesus as my Saviour. Thank You that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and that You have sent Him to indwell my heart and to lead and guide me into all truth. I pray that You would take my life and use every part of me, to Your praise and glory. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending the Lord Jesus to live and die for me, and thank You for bringing me into Your family because I have trusted Jesus as my Savior. Thank You that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and that You have sent Him to indwell my heart and to lead and guide me into all truth. I pray that You would take my life and use every part of me, to Your praise and glory. Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/Prayers-about-Spiritual-Gifts Community Time – Joys and concerns Benediction Children’s Time See what this is? It's a gift. You know if you get something covered in pretty paper or the big bow, you're getting something pretty special. We give each other gifts on birthdays and holidays, because we care for that person. They may be a family member or a friend. We love gifts. They're usually something we want. Your family member specifically picks out that gift with you in mind, because they want you to like it. Well when you were born, you were given gifts specifically picked out for you. These gifts were given to you by God. We also like to call them talents. The talents God has given you can be whatever you're good at. Sometimes it involves a sport, maybe you have a musical talent, or maybe you're good at science and math, or maybe you are more artistic and can draw really well. Whatever the case, God made you good at something for a reason. He wants you to serve Him with your talents. The Bible says in Colossians 3:23-24, “whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord not for men since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward it is the Lord Christ you are serving.” What that verse says is that with your gift you can serve the Lord. It doesn't matter what other people think of you, as long as you're doing what God wants you to do. So don't be ashamed of your gift, or try to use a different gift that's not yours. Use the talent God gave you and you can bless others with your talent just as if you're giving them a wrapped gift. Additional Illustrations

The Power of the Congregation

September 30, 2012 James 5:13-20 Mark 9:38-50 “The Power of the Congregation” 18th Sunday after Pentecost Year B Cut your bills in half A man was recently arrested for a scam that he had going. He was advertising that he had a sure fire way to guaranteed to cut all of your bills in half. You had to order a kit with all the necessary tools that you need. The kit was $250. But inside the envelope was a pair of 50 cent scissors. A surefire way to cut bills in half As we look at the last chapter of James this morning. It may not offer a surefire way to cut your bills in half. But it does offer a surefire way to cut your worry in half. And that surefire way is through prayer. But for James, it is more complicated than that. In chapter 5 – James talks about the power of prayer – but he more specifically talks about the power of the prayers of the righteous. The righteous are those who follow the ways of the righteous. Elijah and the righteous There is a story of Elijah visiting his rabbi on a regular basis. And one day he was six hours late. When he finally arrived, the rabbi asked what took him so long. Elijah said that he had a very important task. First he had to wake up Abraham, wash his hands, wait while he prayed, and then put him back to sleep again. The he had to wake up Issaac, wash his hands and put him back to sleep. And then he had to wake up Jacob, wash his hands in purification, wait for him to pray and put him back to sleep. The rabbi asked why he didn’t just wake them all up at the same time and let them pray together. Oh if I Let them pray together, their prayer would have been too powerful. The world can only take them so much goodness in one place. James says that there is power in the prayers of the righteous. As a matter of fact, James says that there is power in coming together as a congregation once a week. There is power in our worship for ourselves and for the world. Are you suffering, then pray, are you celebrating – then sing, are you sick, then call the elders to pray over you. The church was the first HMO – the church was the place where you come if you have a problem. The church is a place of healing and well being. The people of the church have the power to change things. James says that when you are sick – you should have the elders pray for you and anoint you. But who are the elders? In the United Methodist Church elders are ordained clergy. In many other denominations elders are lay people who have been special training or special authority to do the work of the church. But I think that it is important to point out today that is not James understanding of elder. Because for James – an elder is someone who is a part of the church. You don’t have to have special training, or be of a certain age. You just have to have a relationship with God that is lived out in the church. If you know God – you know all that you need to know to be an elder. We all have the power of healing – the power of healing is given to ordinary church members – with the understanding that faithful church members are not ordinary. We get our power from God. From trusting in God and following Jesus. John Wesley says that everything that happens to us is a result of prayer. God hears the prayers of the faithful. If you look in Mark 9 – it talks about what it means to be a faithful follower of Jesus. To be a disciple. There is a lot in Mark 9 – but I want to talk about the middle verse, where Jesus says that if our hand sins, it is better to cut it off then to go to hell with it, or because of it. A man’s arm goes to jail I heard a story of a man in court because he had robbed a store. The lawyer’s defense was that it was the hand and not the man who was guilty. The hand was not a part of the man’s body, and did something the man did not want. The judge sentenced the hand to ten years in jail. The judge said that the hand had to pay for what it had done. The man was free to accompany the hand to jail, or he could leave it behind. Everyone in the court room was surprised when the defendant thanks the judge – detached his artificial arm and walked away. In our ordinariness, we are still human and we are still prone to sin. James reminds us to stay connected to our community. Mark reminds us to disconnect ourselves from the parts of us that make us sin. Of course Jesus would know that the sin is not in our hands, or our feet, or our eyes. The sin is in our heart. Remember what goes in our ears and eyes, comes out of our mouth, lives in our heart and is acted upon with our hands and feet. It is the sin in our hearts, not the sin our hands and feet that lead us down the wrong path. Have you wandered away from righteousness, James says – let the elders lead you back to God. Confess what is in your heart James says that one of the most important aspect of being a disciple is being able to confess what is in our hearts and to let it our, so that we can be free. The community of elders should always be a safe place for us to confess and be held accountable. Confession is healthy, because it releases us from bitterness. If we hold it in our hearts, it destroys us. If we let it go – we can move on. The good news Bishop Woodie White, a retired United Methodist pastor – lives in Chicago for awhile. But he said that no matter how bad things get in our lives – everything always ends with the good news of Christ. It has been an interesting ride through the book of James. He has said some pretty harsh things to us. but he ends in the good news. Are you suffering – pray, are you in need of testifying about what God has done for you – sing; are you sick – ask the elders to pray for you – and if you have sinned – confess and ask forgiveness. The good news for today is that there is power in the prayers of the righteous – all of us together are the righteous. We are the elders of the church. Not because of what we know, but because of who we serve. Our strength is in how we work and trust together. Faithful – let us unleash the power of God - Let us pray…..