Salty Light

February 8, 2026 Matthew 5:13-20 Salty Light Fifth Sunday of Epiphany Year A Prelude Greeting Call to Worship (Isaiah 58) One: Welcome to worship! Here we seek to let our light break forth like the dawn. Many: Here we come to call, trusting the Lord will answer. One: Here we’re welcome to cry for help, believing the Lord will respond “Here I am!” Many: We’re gathered, eager to gain courage to do as God directs: to share our bread with the hungry, One: to bring the homeless poor into our homes, Many: to provide clothing for those who are uncovered. ALL: As God’s own beloved children, let us worship God in this time, and in our actions toward “the least” of our sisters and brothers, siblings all. (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Opening Prayer God of Community, we rejoice in this time to worship you in this holy place, and through the wonder of technology, which gathers us from many places. Help us reach beyond the walls of this building, eager to see LIGHT emerging as we share bread and clothes, and welcome others to safe spaces. Inspire us always to open our hands, our hearts, our minds, that we might truly be followers of Jesus, the Christ, who shows us “The Way.” AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Song A Sermon for all Ages Have you ever been in a grocery store when, as you did your shopping, they offered samples of different food items to try? They do this to entice you to buy those items. If the samples didn't taste good, you probably wouldn't buy any, would you? This morning we are going to do a taste test. You will taste two different samples of a food item, and you will tell which one you liked the best. The first taste test is crackers. We have two saucers with one cracker on each saucer. Johnny, taste a cracker from each saucer and tell me which one you liked best. (Hopefully, Johnny will pick the salted cracker!) The cracker that Johnny liked best is actually called a saltine. Why do you think it is called a saltine? You are right, it is because it has salt sprinkled on top. The other cracker doesn't have salt. Do you know what else it doesn't have? Taste! The cracker really needs the salt to give it a good flavor. The second taste test we are going to do is popcorn. We have two small bowls of popcorn. The popcorn in one bowl has been salted and the other has not. Mary, come and taste the popcorn from each bowl and tell me which one you like best. (After she tastes it, ask Mary which one she liked best.) As you might guess, Mary liked the salted popcorn better than the unsalted. I agree with Mary. In my opinion, popcorn without salt is about as tasty as those Styrofoam peanuts they use to pack items when they ship them in a box. I'm sure you all knew that many foods taste much better with a little salt. It doesn't take much. In fact, when you are cooking, a recipe often calls for "a pinch of salt." Not much, just a pinch, but that little pinch of salt makes a big difference in the flavor. In our Bible lesson today, Jesus said to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth." What do you think that means? I think Jesus means that he wants us to improve the quality of life of those we meet each day. How can we do that? We can do that by introducing them to Jesus and by showing them that having Jesus in our life is like having salt on our food. Everything is better when we have Jesus in our life. There is a lot of hatred and bitterness in our world today. If you and I will show the love of Jesus in all that we do, we can be the salt of the earth like Jesus called us to be. Just a pinch of salt can do much to reduce bitterness and bring peace to our world. Heavenly Father, our prayer is that we may be the salt of the earth by showing the love of Jesus in all that we do. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. (sermons4kids.com) Affirmation of faith (from The Confession of 1967) We believe: The life, death, resurrection, and promised coming of Jesus Christ has set the pattern for the church’s mission. His human life involves the church in the common life of all people. His service to men and women commits the church to work for every form of human well-being. His suffering makes the church sensitive to all human suffering so that it sees the face of Christ in the faces of persons in every kind of need. His crucifixion discloses to the church God’s judgment on the inhumanity that marks human relations, and the awful consequences of the church’s own complicity in injustice. In the power of the risen Christ and the hope of his coming, the church sees the promise of God’s renewal of human life in society and of God’s victory over all wrong. The church follows this pattern in the form of its life and in the method of its action. So to live and serve is to confess Christ as Lord. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Owen Gray) Prayer for Illumination Gracious God, the words we read are ancient and true. On this day, may we hear them anew. Grant us hearts to discern your Spirit within them, and grant us courage to follow them in our lives this day. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Owen Gray) Scripture Matthew 5:13-20 Sermon Salty Light Once upon a time, (which means this is a fairy tale, a made up story from long ago, containing great truth) – Once upon a time, there lived a rich man who had three daughters. He was a little insecure and needed some reassurance one day so he called each of his daughters into his counting house (where he counted all of his money, of course,) and asked each one of them, “Dearest daughter, how much do you love me.” The first to visit his counting chamber was his oldest daughter and she replied, “O Father, I love you more than all the gold in the world.” The father knew that there was a great deal of gold in the world so he was happy with this answer and he gave her some gold coins to spend as she wished. The second daughter came in and was asked the same question. She replied, “O dearest most loving and special Father, the best father ever, I love you more than all of the silver in the world.” And the father was pleased with this answer. He gave her some silver coins so she could order some new dresses which she had been wanting. The third daughter came in and when she was asked the question she paused and then replied, “Father, I love you more than fresh meat loves salt.” The father exploded in a rage and ordered that the daughter be thrown out of the great house and not allowed to return. The servants threw her out of the house with nothing but the clothes on her back and she was left to wander in the woods. She decided to disguise herself so she made clothing out of the rushes she found in the nearby swamp. She knocked on the back door or a large mansion, owned by one of her father’s friends, and asked the servant who answered the door for a job so that she could eat. She would not tell them her name so they called her “Cap O’Rushes” because of her clothing. She was given a job washing the pots and pans and keeping the house clean. She worked very hard and everyone liked her work, but she seldom spoke. One day the servants were all abuzz because a great party was to be given. There was food to prepare, room to clean, silver to polish and lots of other things to do. Cap O’Rushes discovered that her own father was invited. She convinced the cook to let her prepare the meal for her own father, though of course they did not know he was her father. She prepared all of his favourite dishes, but did not use any salt at all. (Remember, this was back when people used a lot of salt and well before blood pressure had been invented.) When the food was brought to him and he began to eat he was most unhappy with the meal and the host ordered the cook be brought to apologize to his guest. The cook brought Cap O’Rushes and explained that she had cooked the meal for this particular guest. “What is the meaning of this”, he demanded. “You have embarrassed me. He says his food is bland and tasteless. Why have you done this to me and to him?” She turned to her father and said simply, “I love you as much as fresh meat loves salt”. He father recognized her and wept in sorrow as he asked for her forgiveness. His other daughters had been nothing but a trial to him and were always wanting more and more fine clothes and jewellery and he realized that this daughter had really loved him a great deal. I think that story is a good demonstration summary of the entire gospel of Jesus Christ. The heart of the gospel is God’s love for us. God loves us more than fresh meat loves salt. The challenge for us in our loves is always how we demonstrate our love for God. Our scripture is the second half of Matthew 5- In the first half Jesus is preaching to the people helping them to understand what it means to be blessed by God. Our lesson for today is intertwined – to be blessed by God is to be loved by God, but it is also to give God’s love to others. Jesus is stressing to us how important it is for us to make a difference in the world, without our strength and determination the world would be a very different place. • Not Enough Salt Contributed by David Ward on Sep 12, 2019 (message contributor) Dennis Kinlaw, former Asbury Seminary professor and Asbury College president, tells a story about growing up in rural Lumberton, North Carolina, during the depression. It was Dennis’ job, as a young boy, to rub salt into the meat his father brought home from hunting. He would rub salt into the meat until his young muscles were sore. Finally, when it was thoroughly salted, he would hang it up in the storehouse. One day company arrived, so Dennis’ mother asked him to get some pork out of the storehouse. Dennis ran out, got a big piece of pork off of a hook, and brought it into the kitchen. He laid it on his mother‘s cutting board and left. He was just about out the front door when heard his mother yell, “Dennis!” Young Dennis knew from experience that whenever his mother screamed his name like that he was in trouble, so he slunk his way to the kitchen and stood in the doorway, afraid to go in. Looking up at his mother from the doorway, he noticed she was not glaring at him but rather staring down at the meat. Dennis looked and noticed something unusual. He would say that it was the first time in his life he ever saw meat move. Stepping closer, he noticed maggots pouring out of the slice his mother had made into the pork. Dennis thought for sure he was going to get it. But all Mom said was, “Not enough salt, Dennis. Not enough salt.” Now it's easy to want to blame Hollywood, or TV, or liberal schooling, or the government for the decay of our culture. But maybe, just maybe, the real problem is “not enough salt.” If we feel the world is decaying around us, the problem may very well be “not enough salt.” Salt had as many uses in Jesus’ day as it does now and we who are on this side of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount have ventured all kinds of guesses as to what Jesus had in mind concerning comparing salt to those who were listening to him that day. Probably, more mysterious, did Jesus intend for us, in our day, to make some kind of personal connection with salt? For example, salt is used as a preservative. Could it be that the presence of Jesus’ followers in this world slows down the decay and disease of a sin-infested world? Salt is used as a disinfectant. Maybe Jesus’ followers are to be bring health and healing to the wounds of this world and its people. Salt is used as a seasoning, making food taste better. Maybe Jesus is saying that Christianity is to be to life as salt is to food, lending flavor to life. Salt is valuable or at least it was. The Greeks called salt divine. The Romans had a jingle of sorts that said, “There is nothing more useful than sun and salt.” Salt was used to pay the wages of the Roman soldiers. The word “salary” comes from the word “salt.” We use the phrase “salt of the earth” as one of the greatest compliments we can make of an individual, stressing their worth and usefulness. Jesus could be stressing the value of his followers contributing to the goodness and integrity of the world. Salt is used as a de-icing agent. Here’s a stretch. Maybe one of the tasks of Jesus’ followers is to melt the hard hearts of men and women who have turned away from God and their fellow human beings. Salt was connected with purity. The Romans said that salt was the purest of all things because of its connection to the sun and the sea. So then, if the Christian is to be the salt of the earth he or she must be an example of purity. The Christian sets the standard for the world instead of the world setting the standard for the Christian individual. Salt was an important part of the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. Reference is made in the book of Numbers to the “salt of the covenant.” Many of the offerings given to the Lord were to be sprinkled with salt as a sign of the covenant between God and the people. Is it possible that Jesus was saying his followers must be a living sign to this world of the loving relationship of God to its people? Just before preaching this sermon the first time I was taking a respite at my seminary in Kentucky. I was doing research in the library when I discovered another use for salt I had not heard of before. In Jesus’ time, and since, salt has been used as a fertilizer. In fact, British farmers did just that during the Second World War when other fertilizers were in short supply. That makes a lot of sense, especially as Jesus used it in the phrase “salt of the earth.” Jesus may have been saying that his followers are to be the fertilizer that nurtures and furthers the growth of God’s kingdom in this world. Did you know that back in the Bible times and I’m sure at other times as well when one group of people conquered another group of people they would sow salt into the soil of the conquered people so that nothing would grow - thereby punishing them through starvation? Jesus never intended for his followers to use their salt as a weapon. And yet, too often throughout church history … even today … maybe even us … we stand back judging, criticizing, maybe even punishing, those whom with whom we disagree or we deem as sinners, instead enhancing and encouraging and nurturing. In the gospel lesson for today – Matthew 5 – Jesus has just went up on the mountain to talk with all of the people below who are following him and listening them. This is a mixed crowd, some are his committed disciples, some are his fair weather disciples, and some are just interested parties. But the point that Jesus us trying to make to all is what it means to be a righteous person. He is telling what it means and the gifts that God will give to those who are faithful. In verses 13-20 which we read for today he is continuing that conversation, and speaking more about the character of a Christian. It was said that in WWII that in some cities, people were asked to make black curtains to put on their windows, so that when the enemy planes flew overhead, they would not be able to distinguish towns and cities to drop bombs on them. Washington DC was of course very vulnerable to attack, so workers got to work making black curtains for the white house. One of the workers commented however, that it did not make sense to try and camouflage the white house. The white house was such an icon for America, it was so clear to everyone in the world where the white house was, it was such a distinctive house, and was so well advertised, that if someone was looking for it, they would have no problem finding it. There was just no way to hide its identity. In the Isaiah, Jerusalem is called to be the city on a hill. Jerusalem is built on Mount Zion, there is one road up and one road down. it is the city which all people would flock to in order to learn the ways of peace. God calls the church to be the city on the hill, the place where people look for light in a very dark world. Light transforms the situation. Light changes the situation. Light illumines. Light doesn’t hide, but is present. Jesus has the same message for us as Christians. Christianity should be so much a part of who we are, following God should be so much a part of our character, that there was no mistaking who we are. You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world. Salt, light, water, fire, are all key ingrediants for our lives. Today, we are told that we are to cut down on our salt intake, but salt is still an important part of our lives. What are some uses of salt ?........ (Doug Diehl, DugDeal’s Wordshop) Sodium is an extremely active element found naturally only in combined form; it always links itself to another element. Chlorine, on the other hand, is the poisonous gas that gives bleach its offensive odor. When sodium and chlorine are combined, the result is sodium chloride--common table salt--the substance we use to preserve meat and bring out its flavor. Love and truth can be like sodium and chlorine. Love without truth is flighty, sometimes blind, willing to combine with various doctrines. On the other hand, truth by itself can be offensive, sometimes even poisonous. Spoken without love, it can turn people away from the gospel. When truth and love are combined in an individual or a church, however, then we have what Jesus called "the salt of the earth," and we're able to preserve and bring out the beauty of our faith. David H. Johnson. In our scripture, Jesus combines salt with the power of light. We are to be salty and bright. We can shine our lights in so many ways. When you go to Menards, there is always a section of the store that is sectioned off at the front of the store that contains all kinds of lights. Each light has a different purpose, each light shines from a different source, each is a different color. Who knew that there could be so many different shades of a white light bulb. But when they shine- they make the lighting section the brightest place in the store. Each of us is called to shine with what we have, where we are – to reflect the light of Christ in our lives. Today we live in a world where the church seems irrelevant to people and people do not see the need of being close to God. It is more important that ever that we be the salt of the earth. Excerpt Emily Potter got a call from her sister, and it made her heart sink. “It’s cancer,” said her sister, talking about the report that their mother had just received. “Not my mom,” thought Emily. “Please not my mom.” Cancer had already devastated their family once before, and they had lost friends to it as well. The only way that Emily knew how to express herself was to create something. So, she made a sweatshirt that contained the word “salty.” She showed up to her mother’s first round of chemotherapy wearing the sweatshirt. And why did she choose that particular word? Emily says that being salty “means that I am extremely bitter, angry and resentful towards her cancer.” But it also sends the message that her mom is “tough and aggressive.” According to Emily, people with cancer are some of the toughest and most courageous people on earth. She wears her “salty” sweatshirt as a kind of armor, one that strengthens and preserves her bond with her mother. When she puts it on, she is saying, “I love you. I’m here for you. Let’s be salty. Together.” Sometime salt has to combine with anger, frustration, concern, even compassion, Summary Christians are salty when they work for the justice and inclusion for all. They are bright when they behave in ways that are good and right and true. (Proclaimsermons.com) Whatever we combine our salt with – sassiness, determination. We are called to season our lives with our devotion to God. Finally – there is a saying that children will become whatever we name them. If we name them trouble makers, they will make trouble, if we name them smart – they will become smart. Conclusion: This Is Our Calling Jesus doesn’t say, “Try to be salt.” He says, “You are.” He doesn’t say, “Create your own light.” He says, “Let it shine.” This is the calling of disciples: To live so faithfully, love so clearly, and serve so consistently that our community experiences the presence of God through us. May we be salt that makes a difference right where we are planted. May we be light that cannot be hidden. And may everything we do—here, at home—give glory to God. Amen. (Chat GPT 5.2) Song Pastoral Prayer Lord of bright and abiding Light, you have shown us, in the person of Jesus your Son, a new way to live. You have poured your light into the world and have asked us to live in the light rather than run and hide in the darkness of doubt and despair. You promise to be our light all of our days and ask us to place our trust in you. The journey in this light is risky. It means that we will have to be very serious about our service to you, giving you our best and offering hope and light to others. In this new year, we bring to you the names and situations of others for whom light seems to be a stranger. They struggle with ill health, economic hardship, broken and damaged relationships, loss of loved ones, and anxiety. We place them in your care. Let your light shine on them, bringing healing and hope. Help us to be bearers of that light in all that we do; for we ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen. (written by Nancy C. Townley from Worship Connection): Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment In a world in which we can so easily turn on a light, it may be challenging to remember Jesus was speaking to his disciples out on the mountain side, with no electric lights, no lighted pathways, no flashlights. When the sun went down, everyone knew it would be DARK! So describing the disciples “light of the world” would have had a deep significance. What about for you? If you can, imagine how YOU are “the light of the world.” How do you let your light shine? What good works can be seen when you’re around? What happens because of you that allows others to give glory to God? Each week, we provide an opportunity for each one of us to shine some light as we share our financial offerings. With our gifts, this congregation is better equipped to _________________________ (Provide food for the food bank? Bring children and youth into community through youth groups? Help people claim their identity as followers of Jesus?) Imagine how bright the light shines when we all provide resources! Let your light so shine so we are not hidden or under a bushel basket, but so others from all around can see and rejoice in the Light! Prayer of Thanksgiving Illuminating God, thank you for the ways you encourage us to let our light shine. Please accept these gifts, multiply them, and make possible the vision for us to use them wisely, that we might let our good works be seen and celebrated, day by day. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Song Announcements Closing Prayer for YouTube Go, dear friends, to love and serve the Lord. Go shine light into darkness. Go be salt of the earth. Go enjoy the wonders of our world, which God has made. Go stand beside those on the margins. Go form faith. Go have your faith formed. And go to share God’s love, knowing that you are uniquely beloved. Amen (Presbyterian Outlook, Owen Gray) Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction To those huddled in the shadows of fear and worry, God sends us to be light. To those whose lives and hopes have lost all flavor, Jesus sends us to be salt. To a society where love is tossed aside as easily as a food wrapper, Spirit sends us to be faithful carers of everyone we meet. (c) Thom M. Shuman Additional Illustrations Consider our lesson for today. Jesus says to his followers, "You are the light of the world. . . ." Can you imagine that? Here was a motley crew of farmers and fishermen and tax collectors and housewives in a tiny and remote village in an obscure part of the world and Jesus was saying to them, "You are the light of the world." Talk about a statement of faith! Let's go farther than that. Talk about a crazy idea! Light of the world? That bunch? It must have sounded absurd at the time even to them. Only Jesus could have seen that through this motley crew God would indeed change the world forever. At the time, however, it probably sounded like so much idle chatter. "You are the light of the world," he said and so they were. Now do you want to hear something really absurd? So are we. Jesus says to us this morning that WE are the light of the world. Think about that for a moment. Sink your teeth into it savor it. You and I are the light of the world. What does it mean? Well, let me suggest some possibilities. The Temptation We Face Everyday "One night at the end of a special Saturday night worship service," writes Warren Hudson of Ontario, Canada, "a thunderstorm unleashed a bolt of lightning that plunged the church into darkness." With the congregation seated in total darkness, the pastor felt his way to the kitchen to find some candles. The pastor handed out the candles to everyone present. Persons lit their candles in much the same way as many churches do on Christmas Eve, each person lighting the candle of the person next to them. The worshipers then made their way through the church's winding hallways to the front door. "Peering out, we could see the rain coming down in sheets," Warren remembers. With traffic snarled, people were running for the nearest shelter. Looking around they realized that the entire city was in darkness. "There in the darkness we stood," Warren writes, "a little band of Christians, each clutching a light, not sure whether to venture out into the storm or stay inside the church in hopes that the storm would soon blow over." There in the darkness the light of truth struck him. In this most dramatic way he realized what it means to be the "light of the world." He writes, "It occurred to me then that this is the temptation I face every day. It is easy to play it safe and be a good Christian in church. It is a lot harder to venture out in faith into the storms of the world." Warren Hudson, adapted by King Duncan, Collected Sermons,www.Sermons.com Changing the World It was during the early days of television. A workman was placing television transmitters at the very top of the Empire State building in New York City. Seeing him at work up there, so far off the ground, a reporter thought this would make a fascinating human interest story. So, when the workman had completed his task and had returned to the ground, the reporter approached him and asked, “Aren’t you frightened to work under conditions like that that? Isn’t it dangerous to work so high off the ground?” The workman replied, “Yes sir, it is dangerous.” Then he added, “But then, how many people can say that they have changed the skyline of a city like New York!” God offers us the privilege of changing the skyline not of a city, but of the world. We can help make this world healthier, more humane, more harmonious, and more blessed. God made a good world. Now He wants us to help Him make it good again. We can do that. By God’s grace, we really can do that. If we can, surely we must. James McCormick, Selected Sermons, www.Sermons.com What’s your favorite color? Is it more 450? Or do you tend towards 600? Maybe even 700? In case those numbers don’t immediately mean anything to you, on the visible spectrum scale for light 450 nanometers means “blue,” 600 is yellow, and at 700 nanometers you are seeing red. But we don’t “see” numbers, do we? We see the beautiful, variable, illuminating colors that light takes on as it is refracted and reflected before our eyes. We don’t experience nanometers. We bask under a blue sky? Or we bath in wonder at the beauty of a sunset that melts from orange to red to crimson and purple. Whether we catalogue light as 550 nanometers or perceive it as “green” is all a matter of perspective. Are we dissecting the idea of “light” into its most basic components (measured nanometers)? Or are we responding to the expression of that light as we experience it in the world (colors)? In Matthew’s account of the “Sermon on the Mount,” immediately after Jesus lays out his “blessed be” Beatitudes, he lifts up two metaphors of how disciples of the kingdom will be known to this world. They will be the “salt of the earth,” they will be the “light of the world,” a light that will “shine before others.” Salt sharpens flavors. Light sharpens both sight and insight. Jesus is calling would-be followers of the kingdom to sharpen lives by living on the sharp, the cutting edges, the places where new perspectives, new tastes, and new visions are embraced. Light does not just banish darkness and illuminate corners and crevices. Light also works to provide a new perspective… A Light in the Darkness Let me tell you a story about one of the most remarkable young men who ever lived. This young man had been left blind in both eyes by a childhood accident. In nineteenth-century France, when this young man lived, blind children had little help and few hopes. But then a kindly priest, Father Jacques Palluy, took an interest in the lad. He was amazed at the boy's intelligence and eagerness to learn. With his parents' permission, Father Palluy enrolled the boy in the Royal Institute of Blind Youth in Paris. Thrust into a new and frightening environment, the boy was lonely and depressed. In time, however, he found friendship and encouragement. Unfortunately he was frustrated by the institute's lack of books in raised print. He also found the symbols in raised print confusing. So he set out, at twelve years of age, to invent his own system. After three years he perfected the method, but he encountered indifference and hostility when he tried to convince the world that his system was better. Even with the support of the institute's director, he was told again and again that he was too young to have created a workable alphabet for the blind. Years passed. This young man grew older, was made a teacher at the institute, and became a fine organist, always hoping that his method would find acceptance. But his health was frail. It was not until he lay in bed, dying of tuberculosis, that he heard that the first steps were being taken to popularize his system. Though he did not live to witness it, Louis Braille's alphabet became the universal method of reading for the blind. His courage and hunger for knowledge enabled him to triumph over disability and disease and open new worlds to future generations. He found a way to become light for those who lived in darkness. King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com Salt has the properties of flavor, of preserving, of healing, of preventing germs, of cleansing, and many other things. In Jesus’ day salt was also used in cooking. Every house or neighborhood would have had a stove in front of it. The fuel for these stoves would have been animal manure. In order for the manure to burn, they would add salt to it and make it into patties. Once all of the salt burned from the patties, they were no good. The Hebrew word for earth is the same word for an earthen stove. We are the salt used to burn the manure of life. In other words, we have a mission and a purpose as the people of god. As the church we are the body of Christ for the world. Our challenge is to not just be Christ, but to be Christ crucified and resurrected. this is the last sentence of Matthew and it will be my last point. The scribes were professionals, usually priest who had been given the task of putting God’s word into writing. The Pharisee were committed lay people, who committed every part of their lives to God and doing what God said was right. Jesus was saying that they were pretty good people, they were faithful and righteous. Jesus set the bar pretty high for us. They were the best of the best, and we are being called to be even better. They were extraordinary, but we are called to be even more. As Christians we are to give the world an unheard of amount of generosity, love, and understanding. Such as the world has never seen. Your are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. The good news is that we don’t have to do anything or know anything. All we have to do is to love God. From Basement to Craft Fairs Doris was most comfortable when she was busy at work in her secluded spot in the basement of her parents' home. She had been born with a deformed left arm which wasn't of much use to her; hence, she had chosen not to participate in sports nor in the school band. But she had studied art and in that she excelled. Her quiet personality stemmed partly from her physical impairment and partly because she hadn't received much encouragement to excel in anything. But she did have her little workshop in the basement, where she spent a good deal of her time. She cherished the hours spent there because she was doing the one thing she felt confident she could do well -- painting. Yet even her parents weren't much aware of -- nor appreciative of -- her growing artistic ability. During her last two years in high school and the two years following graduation, she devoted increasing time to oil and acrylic still life paintings. As she looked out of the basement half windows at the familiar Wisconsin countryside, she captured ever more vividly the seasonal changes and the varieties that nature offered. The completed unframed canvasses were standing in ever thickening rows beyond her little nook in the basement. Doris' secret talent was clouded by only one fact -- she was the only person who knew about it. That is, until her favorite cousin Denise came to visit. Denise was quite the opposite of Doris -- a bubbly personality, outgoing and adventurous. She hadn't seen Doris since her high school graduation and now Denise had come to spend a week with her. Doris would not have shown her cousin all those canvasses stacked in the basement, but Denise's inquisitive nature soon led her to the dozens of paintings that stood facing the walls. "Doris, where did these paintings come from?" Denise asked, remembering that Doris had taken a few art classes in high school. "Did you do this wonderful work?" Denise asked with her hands on her hips. "They're nothing special," Doris tried to apologize. "Wrong! They're marvelous!" Denise argued. She spent the next half hour quickly going through one stack after another, while Doris stood by a bit embarrassed. "Doris, you need to get these paintings out where people can see them and buy them," Denise pleaded. "People will buy good paintings like these." Doris demurred, offering timid apologies for the paintings and her talent. But Denise would have none of it. "There's arts and crafts shows everywhere during these summer months, and I'm going to help you get these paintings out where people can see them," Denise challenged. And for the next few weeks there was no stopping Denise. She extended her visit beyond her original plans. "I don't have a job yet anyway for the summer," she rationalized. "I want you to sign your name to every one of these paintings," she instructed Doris. After four weekend arts and crafts shows, more than two dozen of Doris' paintings had been sold. As she and Denise headed back to Doris' home on a Sunday evening, Doris reflected the warmth of her feelings as she admitted, "I guess people do like my stuff." "Well, like I said, you have to get it out where people can see it," Denise commented as she gave her cousin a hug. Merle G. Franke, Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit, Cycle A Ann Landers printed a story a few years ago from a lady who had attempted suicide. She lay unconscious for three days before the police found her and took her to the hospital. But they went above and beyond the call of duty by calling her every day and once she returned home they would visit her and bring her cards and flowers on a regular basis. They went out of their way to show kindness and love. We are not all called to be police, or nurses, or firemen. We are not all called to have to faith of the scribes or Pharisees. But Jesus point is that whomever we are, and whatever we are doing, we are called to show compassion and to go out of our way to express it. That is what being a Christian is all about. God loves you, how to you show the love of God in your life? Let us pray….. Weekly Sermon Illustration: The Salt of the Earth Monday February 03, 2014 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid." The following is an excerpt from Buechner's sermon "The Church" (originally published in The Clown in the Belfry and later in Secrets in the Dark). Jesus calls us to show this truth forth, live this truth forth. Be the light of the world, he says. Where there are dark places, be the light especially there. Be the salt of the earth. Bring out the true flavor of what it is to be alive truly. Be truly alive. Be life-givers to others. That is what Jesus tells the disciples to be. That is what Jesus tells his church, tells us, to be and do. Love each other. Heal the sick, he says. Raise the dead. Cleanse lepers. Cast out demons. That is what loving each other means. If the church is doing things like that, then it is being what Jesus told it to be. If it is not doing things like that-no matter how many other good and useful things it may be doing instead-then it is not being what Jesus told it to be. It is as simple as that.

The Church in our Hearts - repreach of New Heaven, New Earth 5/26/19

May 25, 2025 Revelation 21:1-10, 22:1-5 The Church in our Hearts 6th Sunday of Easter Year C Prelude Greeting Call to Worship Call to Worship In the beginning, the voice that whispered us into being still whispers, saying… Let there be light! In the wilderness, the voice that fed us from the heavens still feeds us. saying… Let there be light! In the story we share with this God of mystery and amazing love, the voice calls to us each and every morning, saying… Let there be light! Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement Opening Prayer (keep it bold) God of the stars and galaxies, God of the seed and Earth, we thank you that you continue to come to us, to amaze us, to laugh with us, to cry with us, to comfort us, and to show us that your love shines through us and your creation, bringing light to a darkened world. May this beauty and peace be reflected in this sacred circle. In the name of the Christ-presence, we pray. Amen. Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement Song Battle Hymn of the Republic UMH 717 A Sermon for all Ages Hello, children of God! You know what I’ve noticed? Life can be tough. It is full of challenges and difficulties. And there are a lot of things that we need in order to face the hardships that come our way. (As you describe, hold up items one by one.) For instance, tissues! Sometimes we feel sad, and need a tissue to dry our tears. Or you might get a cold and need that tissue to blow your nose. You might also feel sick and need medicine to help you get better. Or sometimes you get hurt, and you need a band-aid to patch things up. Or how about this? Flashlights! There are times when things get dark, or perhaps the power goes out. It’s important to have a flashlight ready to guide your way. Oh, and don’t forget about sustenance! We need snacks and plenty of water to keep us going. Phew, this sure is a lot of gear to lug around! Wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t need all of this? In fact, wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t face sickness, or sadness, or darkness at all? Well, guess what? I have some great news for you. Someday we won’t need tissues or band-aids or medicine, or even water! We have some beautiful promises from God about how things will be in Heaven. God tells us that He is going to make all things new. When we finish this life on Earth, a new home awaits us, better than anything that we can imagine now. God says that He will wipe away every tear. We won’t need tissues! There will be no more sorrow or sickness. There won’t be pain. We won’t even need the light of flashlights or the sun, because the light of Jesus will shine brightly. We won’t need water, because God will give us living water. All of these things that trouble us now will be gone. No burdens, no hardships at all! Of course, we don’t know all of the details. We don’t know when we will go to Heaven, and we don’t know exactly what it will be like. But we have the hope that it will be wonderful. It’s sort of like when you have a rough week at school, but you know there’s something special or fun waiting for you when you get to the weekend. You can think about that special thing and feel a little better when times get rough. It is the same way in our lives. Yes, we have joyous moments, and we want to make the most of every day. But sometimes things get hard. When those times come, we know that this world is not our home, and difficulties won’t last forever. God promises us eternal life with Him, free from all trials and pain. We can rest assured that something spectacular is waiting for us! So when we feel sad or Copyright © Ministry-To-Children – Permission granted for any non-profit use. Please copy, share, upload this PDF elsewhere. I.E., upload to your church website, Facebook, Pinterest, or anywhere to bless others! Written by Kristin Schmidt . Scripture from ESV®encounter challenges, we remember that there is hope in Heaven. God will make all things new, including our lives! Let’s say a prayer to thank God for the hope of Heaven and a future with Him. Children’s Prayer Moment: (Have kids repeat each line, if desired) Dear God, Thank you for the hope of Heaven We know you will comfort us with your peace And wipe away our tears. Help us to remember that when things are hard. Thank you for loving us We love you, God! Thank you for Jesus (Ministry4children, Kristin Schmidt) Affirmation of Faith UMH 880 Scripture Revelation 21:1-10; 22:1-5 Sermon The Church in our Hearts Imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today... Aha-ah... Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion, too Imagine all the people Living life in peace... You... You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world... You... You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one I am sure that many of us are familiar with this popular song by John Lennon. I have always been touched by the words – imagine a world with no war, no country, no walls – all of the things that divide us are nonexistent. I can go along with the song well until it says imagine a world with no religion. No religion – what does that mean? Interestingly enough – John Lennon is speaking of the same world that is spoken of in revelation 21 and 22. A new heaven always light. A place where everyone is happy, a place where the gates are open 24 hours a day. A place flowing with peace. But the most noticeable thing about this place - there is no temple, no church, no mosque, no place for people to gather to be in the presence of God – because God is present everywhere. People don’t have to look for God – or go anywhere to seek God – God is present in every moment, every situation every life. John Lennon says that you may say that I am a dreamer, but I am not the only one. The author of Revelation – John says that he was taken to this place in a dream. Many people have seen this place in a dream, this perfect paradise. We see it in images of the wizard of Oz – and the emerald city. In Disney land, that place where we can go where all of our dreams can come true. We speak of this place even in faith – heaven – the place where God lives. The place where there is no sun, no moon – but ever present light. Light is a universal representation of God. That is why we light so many candles in church – to show God’s presence. And where there is light, where there is God’s presence – people are naturally attracted. There is a story of a farmer, whose wife was about to give birth. It was storming outside and they had to summon the doctor to their house. As the doctor arrived, the power went out, but the baby was about to come. So the doctor asked the husband to get a candle and to hold it up, so that he could see to deliver the baby. The husband held the light, as the doctor did his work – and soon after his wife gave birth to a baby boy. They were overjoyed, but the doctor soon said wait a minute – another one is coming – and there was a little girl. And minutes later the doctor said wait – another one is coming. After the third baby was born, the husband stepped away with the candle. The doctor said o wait come back, I can’t see without the light. The husband said no – no more light, the babies are attracted to the light, it’s the light that is making them come out. I gotta stop them from coming. It is the light that attracts us all. When God created the earth, what was the first thing that God did – God said let there be light– where the light is we know that there is healing, there is peace, there is community, there is the ability to live. Heaven is the place where God is always present – a place that needs no sun, no moon, no outside life force – because God is totally present. There are many other great attributes to this city – a river, trees, a city that never sleeps, the gates are always open, there is no need for protection – because it is a place of perfect peace. When we hear of this place – it makes no sense in our world. Many of us shy away from the book of revelation, because it seems to make no sense to us. And it seems like a fantasy land in comparison to the world that we live in. This world makes no sense to us, but to those who John was talking to it made perfect sense. And it wasn’t a fantasy land, it was the promise of God coming in the future. It was a sign of hope that no matter how bad life got – there was something to look forward to. John explaining what heaven looks like was a challenge for the people – to face the present day with fear or with hope. It was a challenge for each of us to choose hope. The hope of Christ in our lives. There is one more interesting feature of heaven. It has a river running through it, but there was no sea surrounding it. The Jews are afraid of water, and think that every evil thing in the world comes out of the sea – the sea was the place of chaos, or evil, even of sin. Heaven has no sea – meaning it has no evil or ill will. Only the healing presence of God. It says that the cowardly, the vile, the murderers, will be thrown into the sea – and there is no sea in heaven. The light of heaven is God, the light of earth is those who hold God in their heart So there is that. But the best part of heaven, is the ability to see God face to face. God will dwell in heaven. Dwell literally means pitch a tent amongst us. When the scriptures speak of Christ coming into the world to be with us – it speaks of Christ being God dwelling amongst us. Not in heaven, but in earth. The scripture speaks of 4 things that will be news: a new heaven a new earth, a new Jerusalem, and new life. This story is intended to give a glimpse of heaven, but a glimpse of heaven on earth. In the challenges of life, we can face life with fear, or with hope of something better. Pastor James Moore of Houston, Texas, tells a story about a young man whose wife had died, leaving him with a small son. Back home from the cemetery, they went to bed early because there was nothing else he could bear to do. As he lay there in the darkness, grief-stricken and heartbroken, the little boy broke the stillness from his little bed with a disturbing question, “Daddy, where is mommy?” The father got up and brought the little boy to bed with him, but the child was still disturbed and restless, occasionally asking questions such as, “Why isn’t she here?” and, “When is she coming back?” Finally the little boy said, “Daddy, if your face is toward me, I think I can go to sleep now.” In a little while, he was quiet. The father lay there in the darkness, and then in childlike faith, prayed this prayer: “O God, I don’t see how I can survive this. The future looks so miserable, but if Your face is toward me, somehow I think I can make it.” That’s what the Messiah came to teach us: that God’s face is always toward us As it is in heaven, so may it be on earth. The vision of heaven in revelation 21 and 22 has been the inspiration for many modern poems, songs and movies. In the 90’s there was a movie that came out, I think it was based on a book. I know the movie was called a River Runs through it. It was an autobiographical story about the family of John McLean in Montana. He had two boys, both who loved to fish. One of the boys went on to become a professor at the University of Chicago. The other was killed in a fight. The movie ends years later with the other son, his family and his mother listening to one of their dad’s sermons. Talking about how all that we have to give to our loved ones and others is unconditional love. The river in the movie represents home, the place of true love, the place of flowing to a new future, a place the reminds us of the river ever flowing through heaven. Today we are sitting here in a temple with open doors, near a river, and trees. The lights are on, and the presence of God is here with us. – All of the symbols of heaven are right here, reminding us that heaven begins right here on earth. Heaven begins right here, with us – the light of God is inside of us. We have the power of Christ. How can we be a beacon of hope for the world today? How do we become the temples of God in the world? How do we bring the peace, hope and light to others who cannot see? By not just imagining, but living in that world today. Let’s Pray. Song Shall We Gather at the Water UMH 723 Pastoral Prayer Empowering Spirit, God of our mothers and fathers, Creator and Redeemer of all life, We pray to you for your love-grounded peace. We ask you to open our minds, free our hearts, bless our bodies, and grace all our relationships. We ask this of you because you have promised to help us, just as you illumine in Revelation's prophetic vision. You come to make a good world, a new creation-place where we can enjoy health, decency, safety, and even joy. We pray to you, O God, to inspire us into this daringly just world. We pray for new creation where love is greater than jewels and more luminous than the sun or moon. Let that love be shared around the tree of life. Bless us again in your image and free our frightened souls. So, shall we gather at the river? Shall we soak in the river of many healings? Shall we make every place where nature communes with humanity a temple for your creation? Yes, O God, we shall gather at your river and your tree of life. We shall bless the tree and the river and all living things. We pray in the name of Jesus, in the way of love-grounded peace. Amen Written by Rev. Cooper Wiggin, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment God has shown us the meaning of generosity in the beautiful diversity of creation, in the overflowing love of Jesus Christ, and in the never-ending gift of the Holy Spirit. God has blessed us abundantly. Now God calls us to be a community that blesses others. Today, through the sharing of our love, our talents and our material possessions, let us rejoice in what we’ve been given and in what is ours to give as we receive our morning offering. Prayer of Thanksgiving We offer our gifts to you, Holy God. Today we offer not only our finances, but our growing community to any who are lonely, our hearts to any who are grieving, our hope to any who have lost their way, our lives to any who are tossed aside by the world. We make our offering because we have first been led, lured, lifted and loved in your Spirit. With gratitude we share our gifts and our lives, Amen (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook Let us go forth knowing that our spiritual and religious journey as Christians begins with one word, one name, one person: Jesus. Now let us be an example of what that means so others can witness our compassion and solidarity to the weeping, to the joyful, and to those we don’t share common ideologies so that all might be refreshed in body and in spirit (United Church of Christ, Ellie Hutchinson) Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction Peace…peace I leave with you. Peace…peace I offer you. Peace…as we walk into the world to be the presence of the Holy to all we meet. Peace…peace…peace…peace. Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement