What do you Treasure?

August 10, 2025 Luke 12:32-40 What do you Treasure? 9th Sunday after Pentecost Year C Prelude Greeting Call to Worship We are people who have been called to follow where God leads us. By faith we can obey, even when asked to walk into an unknown future. We are people who have been challenged to tell God's story to others. By faith we have the ability to share the good news. We are God's children who are invited to feast at the Table of grace. By faith we will embrace our sisters and brothers in Christ. (Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies) Invocation Song Take Time to be Holy UMH 395 A Sermon for all Ages PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of Abraham and Sarah, God of Jesus Christ, God of our mothers and fathers, you are a God who acts in history. Yet we confess that we are too busy with our own lives to perceive you at work in our time. We fall into fear and despair about our troubled world, as if you had no care for us. Forgive our lack of faith and help us to join you as you labor to bring new life on earth; in the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. Reprinted by permission of the publisher from Touch Holiness, ed. Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi. Copyright © 1990 by The Pilgrim Press. Assurance of pardon God’s grace is given freely. God’s love is steadfast. Receive the good news that you are forgiven, and live liberated from sin to the glory of God. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Terri Ott) Prayer for illumination God, your Word directs every step we take. Help us listen closely to your Word as it is read and preached today, so we may understand your message and follow your will. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Terri Ott) Scripture Luke 12:32-40 Sermon What do you Treasure? Fifth grade was an interesting year – during the first half of the year, we had Ms. Conner and during the second half of the year we had Ms. Johnson. They were two very different teachers, but they had one thing in common – they loved to leave the class unattended – for long periods of time. They would walk out of class so much, our class developed a whole different culture when they were not around. The teacher would give us a reading assignment and walk out of the room. Every time she was gone one of the bullies of the class would start a class wide conversation and soon the whole class was derailed. The time unattended would usually end with the bullies picking a fight. The new girl, Angela became the target of a lot of these fights. She would say something to Dinah, and Dinah would beat her up. No one in the class wanted to see Angela get picked on, but no one, not even the teacher could control Dinah. And Dinah wanted to keep it that way. I remember the first day after winter break like it was yesterday. The teacher walked out of the room. All of us are actually working on our assignment. Angela stands up and disturbs the peace by telling us that she has an announcement. She tells us that it is a new year, a new day, and from this day forward things are going to be different. She says she is tired of getting beat up everyday, and that she is no longer afraid. From now on, she was going to stand up for herself, and no one was going to hurt her anymore. As we sat and listened to Angela’s speech – we were all encouraged. We wanted to believe that things had changed. That bullies could no longer control the class. Maybe if Angela got peace, then there was hope for us all. Angela stopped talking, and we were all ready to clap for her, we were proud of her. But then Dinah stands up and says that she has heard enough, and that she is not going to let Angela disturb the peace. She picks a fight with Angela. The teacher returns in time to break up the fight and take them both into the hall. All of a sudden, we hear Dinah bop Angela in the nose, blood splashes on the floor and Angela screams. The principal comes, and both Dinah and Angela get suspended, just like they always do. Oh well, so much for a brand new day – Dinah’s behavior still has a stronghold on our class. Everyone goes back to the assignment – it is business as usual. Sometimes I feel like my life today is a lot like it was in fifth grade. Sometimes it seems like the bullies of the world are in control. You look at people getting away with bad behavior. You see people working hard, but nothing changes. Sometimes you wonder who is overseeing all of this. When will Christ step in and keep life fair for us all. If Jesus was here, would life be so out of control? If people knew that Jesus was watching them, would they behave differently? Jesus promises that he will come back a second time – but he doesn’t say when. Sometimes, his absence can cause a lot of anxiety and concern. Our scripture for today starts out with Jesus saying – do not be afraid little flock, because your father delights in giving you the kingdom. You know the bible spends a lot of time telling us not to be afraid. That is the one message that unites both the Old and the New testament. Do not be afraid. There is a lot about life that stresses us out.. But in Luke 12 – do not be afraid is not a word of comfort. It is more a word of……good advice, maybe even a warning…..a stern suggestion on how to live. He also tells us to be prepared for the unknown at any time. In this scripture, Jesus wants us to take account of our lives, our worries, our sense of security, our fears, our faith, even our treasures. Do we treasure the things in front of us or do we treasure the kingdom of God. We our behavior be any different if Jesus was standing in front of us? In my fifth grade class, the teacher was gone so much that out class developed a whole sub culture. It was someone’s job to watch outside to see when the teacher was walking down the hall. When Debbie saw the teacher, she would tell us all to get back to work. But there was a small group of us, who didn’t want to be a part of the drama, who were working all along. We didn’t have to jump when we got the signal because were already trying to stay on task. We learned later that our teachers liked to go to other classrooms and spend time talking to the other teachers. The good thing was that once the principal got involved in the fight in the hall, the principal asked the teacher not to leave the classroom so much. Heavenly Service There was once a blacksmith who worked hard at his trade. The day came for him to die. God sent his angel to the smith, but to the angel's surprise, the smith refused to go. He pleaded with the angel that he was the only blacksmith in the village and it was time for all his neighbors to begin their planting and sowing. He would be needed. The blacksmith did not want to appear to be ungrateful and was looking forward to having a place in God's kingdom, but could he put it of for a while? The angel went and made the blacksmith's case before God. And God agreed. Sometime later, after the harvest, the angel returned to bring the blacksmith to heaven. But again the smith requested that his return to God be delayed. "A neighbor of mine is seriously ill and it's time for the harvest. A number of us are trying to save his crops so that his family won't be destitute. Please tell God I am grateful for his blessings to me. But could you come for me later?" And the angel returned to heaven. Well, it got to be a pattern. Every time the angel would come to bring the faithful blacksmith to heaven, the smith would shake his head and explain to the angel that he was still needed by someone on earth. Finally, the blacksmith grew very old and weary and so he prayed to God to send his angel to bring him to heaven. Immediately the angel appeared. "If you still want to take me home, I'm ready to live forever in God's kingdom." The angel laughed and looked at the blacksmith with delight and surprise. "Where do you think you have been these years?" Keith Wagner, Do You Have a Backup Plan? God is present in our faithfulness. Luke 12 has two lessons for us – first to stay prepared, and second this is definitely a stewardship lesson. Actually all of Jesus words are a lesson in being a good steward of life. This lesson encourages us to take an audit of our lives. Where do you spend your time, how do you spend your money, where do you give your talents. Is God a part of what you do or not? Luke encourages us to put God first. But Luke is not so direct as Matthew. In Matthew Jesus says sell everything you have and give it to the poor. The early church used to do just that. No one could have anything for themselves. Eventually, the church let people keep their wealth, but willingly help others. Today, we don’t have to give everything to the poor, but Jesus does give us financial planning tips to live by. 1. Don’t worry – God not only provides for your needs, God provides for your discipleship journey. 2. Set your priorities – Put God First. And 3. Invest in people and relationships, not things. Take care of people in need. This scripture reminds us that we all have to stand before God at some point – whether it be death or the second coming. When you are face to face with God – where is your treasure – in yourself and what you have achieved, or in heaven? What are your priorities? God wants us to strive for a stress free life. Do not be afraid. Let us pray. Song In Christ there is no East or West UMH 548 PRAYER OF THE DAY Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. We come convinced of many things but trusting very few. Holy God of limitless surprises, meet us here in this place as we touch that which we cannot see, that which we have not dared to hope. Written by Katherine Hawker. Posted on Liturgies Outside. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/07/opening-prayers-hebrews-11.html. Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Often when we come to this time in our worship, we move almost by rote. People who come frequently know it takes generous giving from many to keep the congregation “in the black.” We invite individuals and families to participate in the offering, encouraging one another to be “good stewards of the gifts God has given you” or to “return a portion of what God has given to you.” But in Jesus’ teaching in Luke 12, the faithful (called “little flock” as a diminutive word of affection) are directed: “Sell your possessions, and give alms.” The word “alms” is different than regular stewardship. It comes from a Greek word for “compassion” or “mercy.” Alms are a response of compassion in the face of the poor. Our offering time today gives us opportunity to share as stewards – regular giving for the support of this congregation – but also as people of compassion, giving “alms.” Please give now, putting your treasure where you want your heart to be! Every sermon that we hear is a stewardship sermon. Every sermon is a reminder for us to put God First. For us to care for the things that God cares for, and for us to invest in the world around us. Because when we invest, we make the world better for all of us. Today, let us be good stewards of the gifts that God has given us. Prayer of Thanksgiving God of mercy, you have made us in your image. Thank you for this opportunity to respond with compassion, in imago dei, giving alms, beyond our regular, weekly giving. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Invitation to Communion (just print the title) Jesus often helped his disciples and others recognize more about God. Often he spoke about God’s generosity and God’s desire to provide for believers. When we come to moment in worship, we see tangible evidence of God’s intention to “give (us) the kingdom”. This table holds gifts of bread and juice, true signs of God’s nurturing care. In this one loaf, we, who are many, are “membered”, each one of us one part (or “member”) of the one body of Jesus the Christ. In this one cup, we are united, like many grapes coming together to be made into juice. As we eat and drink, we can glimpse what God intends: enough for everyone, shared with all who come. No one is turned away, no one is forbidden. All are welcome at this table of the Lord. That, surely, is a sign of God’s Realm “in this very room.” (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Communion Announcements Remember to rsvp for Jean Erdman’s party. You can tell me today, and I will make sure that you are included on the list. Mr Utke made a display in fellowship hall of the entries that we made for the Kankakee County Fair. We are preparing for the Will County Fair, so he is taking a poll of which picture to participate in. What is God calling us to do in the future, what does god have in store for the ministry. All are invited to be a part of the conversation. The DS encourages us to being the gospel to the community. Once again the vote was 36 – 0 for reimagining the endowments. Closing Prayer for Facebook Children of God, by faith, God has brought us this far. Go now in the blessing of the God who goes before you and behind you, surrounding you on all sides with grace as we journey toward a better country in our neighborhood, our community, and beyond. Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, February 2024. Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction Go, clothed for compassion Attired with joy Covered by peace And dressed for action Knowing that the God who knit you together Goes with you In strength, gentleness, and power (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Additional Illustrations Sermon Opener - Ready or Not, Here I Come - Luke 12:32-40 When you were a child, did you play the game, "Hide and Go Seek"? The person who is "It" closes his or her eyes, counts to ten, and then searches for the other children who are hiding. "1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10. Ready or not, here I come!" Something like that is going on in our text. The master is off to a wedding banquet. His servants are at the family farm. Some are alert, ready for his return; some are not ready. The countdown has begun. No one knows exactly when the master will return. At the end of our story, Jesus says, "You ... must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour" (Luke 12:40). Clearly, Jesus is talking about his Second Coming. Clearly, Jesus is speaking of his return at the end of the world. Clearly, we must be ready to meet him when he returns in power and majesty. We don't know when that will be, but we are called to wait with patience and act with faithfulness, like good servants. The countdown has begun. We live between the lightning and the thunder. The First Coming of Christ is like the lightning. We wait; then comes the thunder. When we see the one, we know the other will follow. The countdown has started: 1-2-3-4.... The Second Coming of Christ is like that. We know it's coming, but we don't know when it will arrive. Between the lightning and the thunder we are called to wait with patience and faith and act with faithfulness and obedience to the master's teaching. The countdown has begun for the Second Coming. In addition, the countdown has begun for our death. At death, as well as at the Second Coming of Christ, we must be ready to meet the Lord face-to-face. We don't know when we will die, but we are called to wait patiently and act faithfully in this in-between time. "Ready or not, here I come" Jesus said.... Back to School Good Behavior Even though it certainly still feels like summer across the country, many schools are back in session in the next few weeks. Here is a story for all of the teachers, students, and school personnel who are getting ready for another academic year. Lutheran pastor Larry Henning tells a humorous story about when he was in the fourth grade. He writes: Our teacher, Mrs. Cannon, would periodically leave the room and say, I’ll be back in a few minutes. Just work quietly at your desks on your math worksheets. Now, my friends and I tried hard to figure out just when Mrs. Cannon was coming back. We would take turns going to the door to see if she was indeed making her return. Why this obsession about the exact timing of her return? Because in her absence, we were throwing chalkboard erasers around the room and didn’t want to get caught by her sudden and unexpected reappearance. Mrs. Cannon was a good teacher who was nice most of the time, but her wrath in response to willful disobedience was an awesome thing to behold. ... Meanwhile, our classmate Elaine never worried about just when Mrs. Cannon might reappear. Why? Because Elaine would be at her desk the whole time faithfully doing her math -- faithfully doing what Mrs. Cannon asked her to do. Whenever Mrs. Cannon would return, she would find Elaine faithfully at work. Elaine was so good! (I wonder whatever happened to Elaine.) The purpose of sharing this story -- a story that some of us may have variations on -- is to suggest an analogy to the gospel reading. In the story, Elaine is doing the work her teacher has set before her. So whenever her teacher returns, she is busily engaged in her work. She has no need to fear the return of her teacher, unlike the boys in the story. In our lives, the Rabbi – the Teacher -- from Nazareth has given us work to do as well. We are to live as those who belong to God. We are to love as those who belong to God. If we are faithfully engaged in such work for the sake of God’s realm, then we need not fear those times when Jesus enters our lives, when Jesus returns in the stranger, or alien, or outcast. We will be ready, for our hearts are turned toward God, and we have been faithfully doing the work of love that we are given. Larry Henning, adapted by Mark Richardson, Ready to Risk If I Should Die Before I Wake Many of you are familiar with the childhood prayer "Now I lay me down to sleep, " but I was little surprised to learn that it is a shortened version of an Old English prayer, which goes like this: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, bless the bed that I lie on. Before I lay me down to sleep, I give my soul to Christ to keep. Four corners to my bed, four angels there aspread, two to foot, and two to head, and two to carry me when I'm dead. I go by sea, I go by land, the Lord made me by his right hand. If any danger comes to me, Sweet Jesus Christ, deliver me. He's the branch, and I'm the flower, pray God send me a happy hour. And if I die before I wake, I pray that Christ my soul will take. The prayer has an important refrain, that Christ is the keeper, the caretaker of our soul. And, when we slip into the unconsciousness of the night I suppose, on a daily bases, we are never nearer death. It was out of this fear of sleep that this prayer was written. At night, when we are vulnerable, we want someone watching over us. So, we prepare ourselves with a prayer: If I should die before I wake... Our text this morning asks us to be prepared, to be dressed ready for service. We are to keep our lamps burning for we do not know when our Lord returns. Brett Blair, www.Sermons.com Christ Return - Watchfulness There is a woman who is buried under a 150-year-old live oak trees in the cemetery of an Episcopal church in rural Louisiana. In accordance with this woman's instructions, only one word is carved on the tombstone: "Waiting." Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995, p. 275. __________________ Giving Up Our Comfortable Customs One of the favorite stories of the great Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegard, concerns an emperor, touring his domain and receiving the accolades of his people. When the entourage reached the market square of one village, his carriage was surrounded by cheering villagers and peasants. To the amazement of his neighbors, one brash young farmer stepped out of the crowd and approached the emperor’s carriage. "Give me a boon, Sire," he pleaded. "Grant me a special blessing." The villagers were even more amazed at the emperor’s reply: "Of course, my good man," he said. "Get into my carriage. Come with me. Live in my palace. Eat at my table. Marry my daughter. Be my son-in-law." The young man exclaimed his delight. To be the emperor’s son-in-law! Then he thought about it. No more Saturday nights at the pub with his friends. No more dirty, comfortable peasant clothes. He’d have to get dressed up. He’d have to take a bath - maybe every week. He’d have to clean his fingernails. He’d have to learn the manners of the court. He sadly shook his head and lowered his eyes. "No, Sire," he said. "I would be too uncomfortable. It would pull me out of my comfortable customs. It would be too hard to live up to. It would take too much of me." "If you want to do something for me, give me a plot of ground, a farm, a house of my own; but to live in your palace, eat at your table, be your son-in-law - this is too much." So he declined it. You see - he wanted the emperor’s blessing; but he wanted it on his own terms. He wanted to be blessed in doing what he wanted to do - not what the emperor wanted him to do. He wanted to be blessed right where he was, not moved out of his comfortable customs. He wanted the blessing, but not the responsibility that went with it. Carveth Mitchell, The Sign in the Subway, CSS Publishing Company. A Palace in Heaven There is a legend from the first century about the disciple Thomas who was sent by Christ to India. Thomas was employed by the local king Gundaphorus to build a new palace, and he was given money to buy materials and hire workmen. Thomas gave the money to the poor, but always assured the king that his palace was rising steadily. The king became suspicious when Thomas kept putting off his requests to see the work in progress and finally sent for Thomas. "Have you built my Palace?", he asked. "Yes", Thomas replied. "Then we shall go and see it now," said the King. Thomas answered: "You can not see it now, but when you depart this life you shall see it. I have built you a palace in heaven by giving your money to the poor and needy of your kingdom." The King was furious and had Thomas thrown in prison. All that night he considered how he should put Thomas to death. It seems good to me, the king said, to flay him and burn him with fire. But that night the king's brother dies and sees the kings palace in heaven which has been built by Thomas' charitable work. He makes a request to return to earth. His dead body is suddenly revived; he tells his brother of the magnificent palace awaiting him in heaven. Thomas is freed from prison and the king and his brother become Christians. Suggestion by Richard J. Fairchild: http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/c-or19sn.html. Adapted by Brett Blair. The Saddest Story Bishop Peter Storey from South Africa tells a story of three men in town for a convention. They were assigned rooms on the 51st floor of the convention hotel. They had been out for an evening -- having had a late dinner and entertainment. When they came in, the elevator was out of order. Can you imagine that? In a room on the 51st floor and no way to get there but to climb the stairs. It was a terrible dilemma, but they had no alternative. Being creative, they decided that they would devise a way to make that climb bearable. For 17 stories -- as they climbed the stairs -- they would tell funny stories. Then, for the next 17 stories, they would tell scary stories. Then, for the final 17 stories, they would tell sad stories. Well, it did work. For 17 stories, they laughed and laughed as they told funny story after funny story, taking their minds off of their arduous climb. Then, for the next 17 stories there were the scary tales -- and that helped because it seemed to energize them. Then as they began the last trek -- up the steps of the last 17 stories -- they began to tell sad story after sad story. When they got to the 50th floor, they had run out of stories seemingly. No one spoke up. Then it happened. One fellow broke the silence, "Fellows, here is the saddest story of all. I forgot the key at the reception desk." The key -- whether a door is being opened, or a door is being closed; the key is that we stay awake. Because we never know when we are going to be surprised by a new possibility; nor, do we ever know when something important is going to be taken from us. Maxie Dunnam "Should I replace the bandage on his ankle?" inquired the nurse of the doctor. "It looks well enough to be removed now." "Yes, give him a new bandage," said the doctor. "He doesn't really need it there but I want him to come back, so I can check up on something else about him. Without the bandage he won't return." Many times patients are brought to the doctor by members of their family for some hidden reason because the patient will not come for the true reason. This is done to avoid unnecessary rebellion or anxiety. It is important that the trouble be ascertained and the cure administered. People sometimes come to church for some selfish reason, but whatever brings them can lead to a good result. Many ask the question, "Why did this happen to me?" Defeats sometimes set the stage for victory. Those who suffer great sorrow may become equipped to give understanding love and help to others. The alcoholic may be more willing to receive assistance from one who suffered the same failing. Thousands of good deeds are performed daily in patterns that circumvent the barriers of human pride. Each of us may ask, "What hidden blessings has God in store today?" Challenging difficulties can cause us to build character and faith or give us opportunity to serve others in Christ's spirit. Read St. Luke 12:32 "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Something to Be Thankful for

Community Thanksgiving Service November 21, 2021 Matthew 6:25-33 Fresh out of business school, a young man answered a want ad for an accountant. Now he was being interviewed by a very nervous businessman who ran a small business that he had started himself. “I need someone with an accounting degree,” the businessman said. “But mainly, I’m looking for someone to do my worrying for me.” “Excuse me?” the accountant said. “I worry about a lot of things,” the business man said. “But I don’t want to have to worry about money. Your job will be to take all the money worries off my back.” “I see,” the accountant said. “And how much does the job pay?” “I’ll start you at eighty thousand,” said the businessman. “Eighty thousand dollars!” the accountant exclaimed. “How can such a small business afford a sum like that?” “That,” the businessman said, “is your first worry.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could pay somebody to do our worrying for us? It is amazing how many things we can find to stress us out--even at Thanksgiving. Or maybe--for those of you responsible for cooking for a large family or those who are entertaining relatives--we find ways to stress out especially at Thanksgiving. I think that we can all agree that there is a lot for us to worry about this year, we still have not overcome the COVID pandemic, people are still getting very sick every day, it has wreaked havoc on our lives, it affects our families, it affects our jobs, it still affects our abilities to even gather for basic reasons, and as winter and Christmas is approaching stores do not have things in stock, business and other organizations are not able to stay open. And as we look forward into the future – there seems to be no end in sight, each season brings with it a new set of challenges. Like I said there is a lot for us to worry about. But I also want to remind you that Thanksgiving did not develop as a time of celebration. It was a time when the early settlers were digging more graves than huts to live in. And in the midst of their suffering, that made an intentional decision that they needed to come together, to gather in unity with neighbors and friends. As the harvest started to come in they realized that they had to acknowledge the presence of God and to take account of what they had in life. The renown teacher and author Dr. David McLennon tells a story of his very first job in a small town general store. This was the day before mails and supermarket chains at least it was in his community. At age thirteen he was hired as a handy boy. He would sweep the flour, bag items for customers, put up stock. On one particular Saturday, he recalled, he heard the owner say to one of the clerks "It's that time of the year again, it's time to take inventory." Dr. McLennon wrote that this was a word that had not yet entered into his vocabulary. When an opportune moment arrived, he went up to the kindly older man and asked, Sir, what is an inventory? Patiently the owner explained that it was a time when you made a list of everything that you had from groceries on the shelves to wrapping paper and string. Still somewhat puzzled, the young McLennon then asked, Why? "Well," responded the owner, "it's easy to forget exactly how much you have each year. Every now and then you have to take an inventory just to see what all you have." That little story, to me, pretty well sums up what Thanksgiving is all about. It is a time when each of us needs to ask ourselves the question: Have I taken inventory of my life lately? Have I made an effort to count all the things that I do have in life instead of complaining about the things that I don't have. It is a good exercise especially when we are of a mind to brood or whine in self pity. Have you taken inventory lately? When we take time to think back on our lives, when we think about the last 18 months. I am sure all of us have had some challenges, some horrible things to happen. But when we look back, I am sure that somewhere in the midst of our struggle, we have also seen God. There have been some blessings, some unexpected grace, some new lessons, some new visions. When we take account of the times in our lives – it always helps us to see God more clearly. Thanksgiving is a time for us to count our blessings. We were not able to gather for community Thanksgiving service last year. That is why I think this service is more important than ever this year. For us to gather as the community of Christ and to take account of what God has done in our churches and in our community. And then again, when we think of our churches – there are things that we still have to worry about. The church has changed over the last 18 months – if it wasn’t in the midst of change way before then.\ There is an old Irish poem by an unknown author that goes like this: “Why worry? In life there are only two things to worry about: Whether you are well, or whether you are sick. Now if you are well, you have nothing to worry about. And if you are sick, you only have two things to worry about: whether you get better, or whether you die. If you get better, you have nothing to worry about. And if you die, you only have two things to worry about: whether you go to heaven, or whether you go to hell. Now, if you go to heaven, you have nothing to worry about. And if you go to hell, you’ll be too busy shaking hands with your friends that you won’t have time to worry. So why worry?” But our scripture – Matthew 6 reminds us that the antidote to worry is gratfuleness. And you cant have gratefulness with the presence of God. What do atheist and those who don’t believe in God do when they are grateful and they have no one to thank. One family that didn’t go to church gathered together and when it came time to eat – they thanked Paine and Webber for the meal. Their employer may have provided the money for the meal – but they did not truly provide everything that went into preparing that meal. When you look to God, you are never without blessing. Not only is being grateful the antidote to worrying, it also keeps the blessing flowing in our lives. A recent study found that people who jot down what they are thankful for each week feel more optimistic about their lives, exercise more, and even have fewer visits to the doctor than people who write down things that annoy them or even neutral events. There is something about the spirit of gratitude that is healing to the body and the soul. When University of Connecticut psychologist Glenn Affleck interviewed 287 people recovering from a heart attack, he discovered that people who found some positive benefit from their attack were less likely to suffer another attack within eight years. He recommends that each day we write down one or more things we are grateful for, and read the journal once a week. (1) You may have heard of the three sisters in planting. Native Americans would plant corn, beans and squash together. The three crops would support one another and keep important nurtients in the soil. Well there are three sisters in faith as well. I’m no master gardener, but in my small-scale gardening, I’ve learned about companion planting. Some flowers, vegetables, and herbs grow better together. They don’t just tolerate one another; they encourage one another’s health and fruitfulness. But some plants can’t grow together. One steals nutrients, blocks the sun, or entices pests that hinder the growth of other plants. The same is true in our life. Faith, humility, and thankfulness are companion practices, supporting and sustaining one another. As one increases, so do the others. But unbelief and boasting choke out the tiniest seedlings of thankfulness. Whereas humility and gratitude feed off each other, gratitude and pride cannot coexist in proximity. Either we’ll view ourselves as the source of good things and take the credit, or we’ll acknowledge God behind everything we have and redirect the glory to Him. As our lives center on God, gratitude grows. When self-focus sprouts and spreads, gratefulness withers.4 —Dustin Crowe, The Grumbler’s Guide to Giving Thanks: Reclaiming the Gifts of a Lost Spiritual Discipline This year as we gather together tonight in faith – may this moment lead to beautiful things in the coming days in our churches, in the community because of us, and in our own lives. Covid has changed us, COVID has changed the way we do church. Many people who were worshipping with us are not in the pews tonight or any Sunday. There are more young people facing the struggles of growing up with no knowledge of faith. People who we saw last year are disillusioned with the church, but they are still present in the community. We have to remember God and we have to live out our faith in tough times, so that the doors can be open and others feel safe to return to God and bring others with them. In our community of 5000 1250 of those people have no church home and may not know the power of putting God first in their lives. Our work is cut out for us to make sure that next thanksgiving they know the power of thanking God for all that we have. But it start right here, right now with our own faith. With our ability to be grateful and to know that God is present when we live life with a grtful heart and take inventory of what God has given us. An estimated 1.5 million people are living today after bouts with breast cancer. Every time I forget to feel grateful to be among them, I hear the voice of an eight-year-old named Christina, who had cancer of the nervous system. When asked what she wanted for her birthday, she thought long and hard and finally said, “I don’t know. I have two sticker books and a Cabbage Patch doll. I have everything!” The kid is right.5 —Erma Bombeck, quoted in 10,000 Sermon Illustrations I long to be like that girl and know that as long as I have God – I have everything. Did you know that humans are the only cretrures capable of worrying. We are the only creatures capable of praise. Said the Robin to the Sparrow: “There is one thing I would really like to know, Why these anxious human beings Rush about and worry so.” Said the Sparrow to the Robin: “Friend, I think that it must be That they have no heavenly Father Such as cares for you and me.” Matthew 6 where our scripture comes from is the sermon on the mount. Those who are listening are used to struggle. They worked tirelessly, but there was never enough. Life was a challenge, if they survived today – that was no guarantee about tomorrow. And yet Jesus stands before them and tells them not to worry. If God takes care of the Robin and the Sparrow, then surely God will take care of us. They believed them. Do we ? There is an old Irish poem by an unknown author that goes like this: “Why worry? In life there are only two things to worry about: Whether you are well, or whether you are sick. Now if you are well, you have nothing to worry about. And if you are sick, you only have two things to worry about: whether you get better, or whether you die. If you get better, you have nothing to worry about. And if you die, you only have two things to worry about: whether you go to heaven, or whether you go to hell. Now, if you go to heaven, you have nothing to worry about. And if you go to hell, you’ll be too busy shaking hands with your friends that you won’t have time to worry. So why worry?” Don’t worry – be holy. Practice your faith, find gratitude in every day. Look for God in every circumstance This thanksgiving I wish you healing, restoration and joy. But don’t stop there – find God in everyday afterwards. Here are 12 suggestions to building thanksgiving into your everyday life. – write thank you notes, make a monthly call to someone, surprise your spouse and other family members with a second thanksgiving, just because, spend a day a week in prayer, write notes to those who have really influenced you, at work – sponsor a thank you break, wherevery one is free to take a break and be grateful, help neighbors in need, start a journal, go to church, be active in your faith and the life of the church. As we are intentional about our faith, may we encourage others to do the same and to come back to church with us. And one day we will all be one in the kingdom of God. Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, "Certainly the preacher won't think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this." Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, "We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this." It is not always going to be like this. One day in Christ it will be so much better. Peace. Sermon Opener - In All Things Be Thankful - Ephesians 5:20 Back during the dark days of 1929, a group of ministers in the Northeast, all graduates of the Boston School of Theology, gathered to discuss how they should conduct their Thanksgiving Sunday services. Things were about as bad as they could get, with no sign of relief. The bread lines were depressingly long, the stock market had plummeted, and the term Great Depression seemed an apt description for the mood of the country. The ministers thought they should only lightly touch upon the subject of Thanksgiving in deference to the human misery all about them. After all, what was there was to be thankful for? But it was Dr. William L. Stiger, pastor of a large congregation in the city that rallied the group. This was not the time, he suggested, to give mere passing mention to Thanksgiving, just the opposite. This was the time for the nation to get matters in perspective and thank God for blessings always present, but perhaps suppressed due to intense hardship. I suggest to you the ministers struck upon something. The most intense moments of thankfulness are not found in times of plenty, but when difficulties abound. Think of the Pilgrims that first Thanksgiving. Half their number dead, men without a country, but still there was thanksgiving to God. Their gratitude was not for something but in something. It was that same sense of gratitude that lead Abraham Lincoln to formally establish the first Thanksgiving Day in the midst of national civil war, when the butcher's list of casualties seemed to have no end and the very nation struggled for survival. Perhaps in your own life, right now, there is intense hardship. You are experiencing your own personal Great Depression. Why should you be thankful this day? May I suggest three things? 1. We must learn to be thankful or we become bitter. 2. We must learn to be thankful or we will become discouraged. 3. We must learn to be thankful or we will grow arrogant and self-satisfied. How to Be a Pilgrim The Pilgrims had the courage to act on their commitments, no matter what. Do we? Sociologist Robert Bellah, author of Habits of the Heart, is impressed by the power of religion. He once said, "We should not underestimate the significance of the small group of people who have a new vision of a just and gentle world. The quality of a culture may be changed when two percent of its people have a new vision (and act on it)." Christians make up far more than two percent of our town, far more than two percent of Massachusetts, far more than two percent of Americans. So, why don’t we have a greater effect: on issues of the environment, on justice for the needy, on the quality of life on Cape Cod? Could it be we need more courage to act on our commitments? To be a Pilgrim means to stand up for what you believe, no matter what. To be a Pilgrim also means sharing what you have, and turning thanks into giving. The Pilgrim colonists willingly shared all they had. During their first three years, all property was held in common. At one point, they were down to five kernels of corn per day for food. Still, they divided the corn kernels up equally. And, the original group of fifty that survived the first winter shared their limited food with the sixty newcomers who arrived in the spring. One of their finest moments came in 1623, at the first real Thanksgiving. The small colony hosted over ninety Native American braves for three days. There was eating and drinking, wrestling, footraces, and gun and arrow-shooting competitions. It was the Pilgrims’ way of saying "Thank you" to God, and to the Native Americans who had helped them survive. To be a Pilgrim means sharing and turning thanks into giving. How thankful and giving are we? Alex A. Gondola, Jr., Holidays Are Holy Days: Sermons for Special Sundays, CSS Publishing Company With Heart and Hand and Voices Martin Rinkert was a minister in the little town of Eilenburg in Germany some 350 years ago. He was the son of a poor coppersmith, but somehow, he managed to work his way through an education. Finally, in the year 1617, he was offered the post of Archdeacon in his hometown parish. A year later, what has come to be known as the Thirty-Years-War broke out. His town was caught right in the middle. In 1637, the massive plague that swept across the continent hit Eilenburg... people died at the rate of fifty a day and the man called upon to bury most of them was Martin Rinkert. In all, over 8,000 people died, including Martin's own wife. His labors finally came to an end about 11 years later, just one year after the conclusion of the war. His ministry spanned 32 years, all but the first and the last overwhelmed by the great conflict that engulfed his town. Tough circumstances in which to be thankful. But he managed. And he wrote these words: Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices; Who wondrous things hath done, In whom his world rejoices. It takes a magnificent spirit to come through such hardship and express gratitude. Here is a great lesson. Surrounded by tremendous adversity, thanksgiving will deliver you...with heart and hand and voices. Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com Better Not Bitter If we are not thankful then we can become bitter. If we are not thankful, then it becomes too easy to sit around and ponder the question: why me? Dr. Jim Moore, retired pastor of St. Luke’s UMC in Houston wrote a book entitled "You Can Grow Bitter or You Can Grow Better". He writes that he got the idea for the title from a young woman who once came to him in a most tragic moment in her life. She had tears in her eyes and her knuckles were white as she twisted a handkerchief. She had just received word that her twenty-six year old husband had been killed in a farming accident, leaving her alone with three pre-school age children. One moment he was alive and vibrant, the next moment gone. "I don't know how I am going to be able to get along without him," she sobbed. "But I do know one thing. I can either get bitter or I can get better." One way that we can get better rather than bitter is to develop a thankful heart. We must learn to be grateful to the Lord with whom we shall spend eternity. Our morning prayer should always begin: O Thou who has given me so much, I pray that you give me yet one more thing--a grateful heart. Staff, www.eSermons.com God’s Provision The words "harvest" and "thanksgiving" are linked together in many cultures. Most who till the soil know that our feeble human efforts do not produce crops; crops require sun and rain and other variables that are beyond our control. The early settlers and the indigenous people they found here also recognized the importance of God's provision for survival. Hundreds of years later, a commemorative meal serves as a reminder for us to thank God for those things necessary for our survival. Safiyah Fosua 3. HOW TO BE A PILGRIM The Pilgrims had the courage to act on their commitments, no matter what. Do we? Sociologist Robert Bellah, author of Habits of the Heart, is impressed by the power of religion. He once said, "We should not underestimate the significance of the small group of people who have a new vision of a just and gentle world. The quality of a culture may be changed when two percent of its people have a new vision (and act on it)." Christians make up far more than two percent of most town, far more than two percent of Americans. So, why don't we have a greater effect: on issues of the environment, on justice for the needy, on the quality of life in our own city? Could it be we need more courage to act on our commitments? To be a Pilgrim means to stand up for what you believe, no matter what. To be a Pilgrim also means sharing what you have, and turning thanks into giving. The Pilgrim colonists willingly shared all they had. During their first three years, all property was held in common. At one point, they were down to five kernels of corn per day for food. Still, they divided the corn kernels up equally. And, the original group of fifty that survived the first winter shared their limited food with the sixty newcomers who arrived in the spring. One of their finest moments came in 1623, at the first real Thanksgiving. The small colony hosted over ninety Native American braves for three days. There was eating and drinking, wrestling, footraces, and gun and arrow-shooting competitions. It was the Pilgrims' way of saying "Thank you" to God, and to the Native Americans who had helped them survive. To be a Pilgrim means sharing and turning thanks into giving. How thankful and giving are we? 22. SEVEN THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR Seven things to be grateful for: For automatic dishwashers. They make it possible to get out of the kitchen before the family come in for their after-dinner snacks. For husbands who attack small repair jobs around the house. They usually make them big enough to call in professionals. For the bathtub the one place the family allows Mom some time to herself. For children who put away their things and clean up after themselves. They're such a joy you hate to see them go home to their own parents. For gardening. It's a relief to deal with dirt outside the house for a change. For teenagers. They give parents an opportunity to learn a second language. For smoke alarms. They let you know when the turkey's done. 23. HAVE YOU TAKEN INVENTORY LATELY? The renown teacher and author Dr. David McLennon tells a story of his very first job in a small town general store. This was the day before mails and supermarket chains at least it was in his community. At age thirteen he was hired as a handy boy. He would sweep the flour, bag items for customers, put up stock. On one particular Saturday, he recalled, he heard the owner say to one of the clerks "It's that time of the year again, it's time to take inventory." Dr. McLennon wrote that this was a word that had not yet entered into his vocabulary. When an opportune moment arrived, he went up to the kindly older man and asked, Sir, what is an inventory? Patiently the owner explained that it was a time when you made a list of everything that you had from groceries on the shelves to wrapping paper and string. Still somewhat puzzled, the young McLennon then asked, Why? "Well," responded the owner, "it's easy to forget exactly how much you have each year. Every now and then you have to take an inventory just to see what all you have." That little story, to me, pretty well sums up what Thanksgiving is all about. It is a time when each of us needs to ask ourselves the question: Have I taken inventory of my life lately? Have I made an effort to count all the things that I do have in life instead of complaining about the things that I don't have. It is a good exercise especially when we are of a mind to brood or whine in self pity. Have you taken inventory lately? What I am suggesting here is not some shallow "count your blessings" platitude. But from time to time, in a genuine kind of a way, we need to sit down and do some talking to ourselves about all of the gifts and opportunities and challenges that God has given each one of us. Perhaps there is a deep underlying wisdom in the children's poem that says: "Count your blessings one by one, and you might be surprised what the Lord has done." 28. GOD IN THE ORDINARY Once upon a time, there was a far-away land that was ruled by a vicious king. His iron hand reached into every corner of his subjects' lives. Every corner - except one. Try as he might, he couldn't destroy their belief in God. In his frustration, he finally summoned his advisors and asked them: "Where can I hide God so the people will end up forgetting about him?" One suggested hiding God on the dark side of the moon. This idea was debated, but was voted down because the advisors feared that their scientists would one day discover a way to travel into space travel and God would be discovered again. Another suggested burying God in the deepest part of the ocean. But there was the same problem with this idea, so it was voted down. One idea after another was suggested and debated and rejected. Until finally the oldest and wisest advisor had a flash of insight. "I know," he said, "why don't we hide God where no one will ever even think to look?" And he explained, "If we hide God in the ordinary events of people's everyday lives, they'll never find him!" And so it was done. And they say people in that land are still looking for God - even today. 31. TOO MUCH TURKEY In 1953, the Swanson food company found themselves with too much turkey on their hands after disappointing Thanksgiving sales. One innovative employee came up with the idea of packaging individual servings of turkey and vegetables in an oven-safe aluminum tray. Thus was born the first TV dinner. 49. THANKSGIVING DAY - DO NOT WORRY It is interesting that on Thanksgiving Day, our lesson from the Gospel should be on being anxious. Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you — you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Interesting text for Thanksgiving, isn’t it? On the other hand, maybe it’s right on target. After all, gratitude is the perfect antidote for anxiety. Looking over the total scope of your life, hasn’t God been good to you? Do you think the future will be any different? A man invited a friend to go hear a preacher, saying, “I want you to hear the most thankful preacher I’ve ever heard.” The two men weathered a storm to hear him preach. On the way they thought nobody would be there; that even the preacher wouldn’t come. But when they got to the little country church, there was the preacher seated on the platform. The stranger said to his friend, “He has nobody to preach to. There’s a storm outside. It looks like we will have a flood. He won’t have anything to be thankful for tonight.” “Yes, he will. He’ll thank God for something.” When the preacher stood up, he bowed his head and prayed, “Dear Lord, it is stormy outside. It looks as if the roads will wash away before we can get out of the church tonight. It’s an awful storm. But we’re thankful that it’s not always this way.” The only way you can thank God for “all things” is to couple the “all things” of Ephesians 5:20 with the “all things” of Romans 8:28: “And we know that ALL THINGS work together for good to them that love God. . . .” If you really believe that, you can thank God even for the bad things in life.8 Few Americans have had more setbacks than the Pilgrims who made seven times more graves than huts. They still set aside a day for giving thanks.

God will not forget you

God has not forgotten
8th Sunday after Epiphany
February 27, 2011
Isaiah 49:8-16
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Year A

Erma Bombeck said that the only thing that she ever listened to from the Bible was the command to consider the lilies of the field… she missed the whole point of the text. Jesus did not tell us to consider the lilies, but to consider their situation. If God takes care of them in all of their beauty, then surely God will take care of us also. Even though it is a good idea to consider the lilies.
If God takes care of nature, then God will surely take care of us.

We tend to think that our problems are too big for God to really understand. We tend to think that we have to come up with our own solutions to our problems. In reality, there is nothing going on in our lives that is too big for God. We would prefer worry and strife in solving the world problems, instead of relying on the true source.

The world has changed a lot. There was a time when you were planning a trip, you could call AAA and they would map out your whole trip for you. They would give you a map of how to get there, where to stop, where to eat, and what to see.

The Bible, God’s word is the same. Every day the holy spirit gives us a sense of direction, and the holy spirit gives us an answer.

The theme of the scriptures for today is to trust and obey.

Isaiah 43 – there are three different writers for the book of Isaiah. They were addressing three times in the history of the Israelites, but it seems that they seemed to have the same old problem. They were discouraged, they felt that nothing was going their way, they felt that God must have forgotten about them.

When we worry, we come to all sorts of conclusions. We think our problems are God’s fault, leaders, fault, neighbors fault, or someone else’s fault.

I got an email from a former parishioner, who go t so mad at me that he left the church for some reason he recently sent me an email talking about what would happen if Obama’s health bill passes. He was a republican and knows I am a democrat, so he thought I would have cared.

The problem is that blaming leads to judging. And judging stands in the way of us being what God called us to be.

Paul says that we are servants of Christ, and stewards of God’s mysteries. We are to live for Christ’ hope for the world – to take care of the things that God cares about.

That goes back to the need to trust and obey. Worry is a sign that we need to step back and ask God.

In keeping with the journey theme – we are all on a trip from here to there, to who we need to be.

The parishioner that I talked about earlier, went on a yearly trip to Hawaii. He and his air force buddies would always join together in February.

There was a couple who was taking a trip to Hawaii. The husband was intentional about renting cars ahead of time, so that when they arrived at each island, all of the details would be taken care of. When he got to the first island, their car was not ready. To help out, the company gave them an upgrade from a Ford Escort to a Ford mustang. It seems the same thing happen at the next island – the car was not ready. Instead of the car they ordered, they were given a Lincoln town car. The same thing happened at the next island and they were given a BMW. At the next island they drove a Mercedes. After the trip was over, the wife asked her husband how he liked the trip. His response was the it would have been a wonderful trip if only the rental car had had their cars ready for them when they came….
That’s how we are – always complaining when God does not do what we ask – never paying attention to the fact that God does not give us what we ask for, because God has so much more in store for us.

With discouragement comes the old friends of hopelessness and blame.

God’s plans are so much better than our plans.

In Isaiah 43 God says…
I answered you
I kept you
I helped you
I have given you

We need to stop worrying and listen. It is not what you expect, but it is what you need. Just trust and obey.

Can a mother forget her child? How much more I will not forget you.

When I was a child, if I was not prepared for a test, I used to write the answers on my hand. But by the time I got to school, the answers had worn off, because they were written in pen.

God says that not just your name, but YOU are engraved on God’s hand. God cannot forget you!

Let us pray…..