Luke 22:7-38 Eat at His Table

Luke 22:7-38 NIV
Jesus ate his last meal with his disciples on the night in which he was betrayed by one of them. They discussed many things over this meal just as any normal family might. He gave them direction. He gave them warnings. He gave them hope.

All would not be easy, but no matter what might befall them they (and us) are to remember his promise that all who follow him will eat at His table in the Kingdom conferred upon Him by the Father. We are invited to partake in a foretaste of this feast to come even as we are invited to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion often.

May God open your heart and mind to receiving the Kingdom as you partake of this Holy meal at His table often.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 10:13-16 Let The Children Come

Mark 10:13-16

One of the practices that I have seen in many smaller congregations here in the Midwest is the practice of having a children's sermon at the beginning of the service and then "dismissing" them so that they can go to Sunday School. It is not too much different here at Zion. It is not a great practice; but, it happens. There are practical reasons that congregations do this. One reason being that we are located so remotely that if the Sunday School were at a separate time from Worship parents wouldn't know what to do with themselves while the children are in class (of course they wouldn't attend a Bible study; that's a silly thought you're thinking!) and in most cases the children would never be at worship if Sunday School were before or after worship. So, what we have opted to do for many years is start Sunday School classes 15 minutes before worship. They hear and discuss stories from the Bible during this time and so are hearing the Word through their teachers. Following my sermon, the children join us; actually, they join me at the altar rail, where they kneel. I do not do a children's sermon; rather, we talk for a few minutes about what they learned in Sunday School. They are not always too excited about answering questions; especially when they didn't pay attention. But, here comes the parts that they love being included in. They lead the appointed Creed with me (yes, most of them know it by heart at a very early age) and then they pray the prayers of the church. Each child (that can read) prays a petition or two. They then go out and share the peace of the LORD with the rest of the congregation prior to two of them receiving and bring the offering forward. And... now comes the main reason that we have the children coming up after the sermon instead of for a few minutes at the beginning of worship. It never made sense to me to begin communing children so young and then sending them to Sunday School during worship so that they don't receive the Lord's Supper again until Christmas Eve, Easter morning or when they are too old for the Sunday School classes we have to offer. The children come forward; some with their friends; some with their teacher; some with their parents for Holy Communion. They need to be able to come and receive the Sacrament. They need to be fed. Children who are not yet receiving the Sacrament (as well as adults who for whatever reason do not) come to the Table, as well. They come for the laying on of hands and a blessing.

A couple of years ago, we tried integrating the Sunday School youth even more into worship and it is working. On the last Sunday of every month, Sunday School is held at Worship (not in the basement classrooms). No, they don't have a lesson like they would normally. They are learning how to worship. They help lead worship. They read the lessons for the Sunday and they pray all of the prayers: Prayer of the Day, Prayers of the Church, Offering Prayer; they lead the Creed, and they collect the offering. Sometimes, they provide special music. On these last Sundays of the month, they all come to the Lord's Table first as a group. We are small and they are small so they all usually fit. Together, they receive the Lord in His Supper. Together, they receive His blessing.

This mixing of Sunday School and Worship is not an ideal situation; but, we have attempted to ensure that they feel fully included when they do come. One of my pet peeves over the years at more than a few congregations was the habit of including our youth in the life of the congregation is to have them rake the church yard. This is not what I nor what most children would consider welcoming. Let them come. Let them be blessed. Let them be a blessing to us all. They are gifted and most of all: They love Jesus.

Let the little children come and may God help us all to learn how better to include them in the life of the whole congregation.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 22:23-33 - Married To Man Or To The Lamb

We have today one of my many favorite scripture readings.

First, we need to make note that the Sadducees were once again testing Jesus as they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. I understand that is why they were "sad, you see?" (sorry, couldn't resist temptation)

Secondly, I have never quite figured out how this desire to be reunited with our family after death has become such a priority in our concept of the Kingdom of God. I imagine that this imaginary widow may have (or may not have) loved at least one or more of these seven brothers. She may (or may not have) genuinely grieved the loss of every one one of them. My personal desire is to be reconciled to God first and then all my brothers and sisters in Christ. As, I have said, on many occasions previously. "There is a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ shed for you." All who believe will be and are united with God and with one another in the Kingdom of God.

Years ago, I studied with a certain Christian sect. They were pretty insistent that in the New World we would live with our families. I just could never figure out which family that was. I would live in the same house with my husband and children, my husband's parents and their children and their children; as well as my sisters and their children and their multiple husbands' parents and all of their brothers and sisters and children. Families could get quite large and I could just never figure the point of it all. Sounds just a might carnal for a spiritual kingdom to me. But, that's just me. I'm thinking that maybe (just maybe) in the Kingdom of Heaven we will find amazing joy and the peace that surpasses all understanding; as we find ourselves in the presence of God.

The marriage I am looking for in the Kingdom is found in Revelation 19:9: "Then the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' And he added, 'These are the true words of God.'"

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 21:12-13 - House of Prayer

"Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 'It is written,' he said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” (Matt 21:12-13 NIV)

The story about Jesus throwing the money changers out of the temple has always made me just a little anxious. Small congregations (maybe large ones, too) often have fund-raisers to support their budgets. We sell stuff in order to pay the bills. Sometimes, these fund-raisers come in the form of meals or maybe art and craft fairs or even a rummage sale. I worry that maybe we're not trusting God to provide for us through the generosity of His children's offerings to Him and His work through the congregation. I am of the mind that anything that comes in to support God's work through the church should be a free-will offering to the glory of God and not an exchange for services. After all, when Jesus paid our debt on the cross, he did that freely and willingly. I guess, in today's economy, purchasing a product or service could be considered a way of supporting a congregation and mission. At least the world would see it that way. I'm not so sure God sees it that way. Even the U.S. Government does not consider that a charitable contribution. 

We do have traditional fund-raisers at Zion. I call them traditional because they have existed since long before I was born. Events like the Hunter's Supper, Women's Bazaar, or Ice Cream Social can be great times of fellowship and evangelism. I am always praying that everyone involved keeps the focus on welcoming our neighbors; rather than, primarily exchanging goods for money. For the last two summers, I have helped the youth organize a rummage sale at Zion for youth retreats. We do not put a price on anything, which makes the organizing a whole lot easier. We ask for donations of whatever one feels the items are worth to them and that they can afford. The results are very good, indeed. We also have fund-raisers, usually concerts, where proceeds go directly to other charitable organizations, such as St. Vincent De Paul, or Toys for Tots, or to support mission congregations in Russia. Members of the whole community provide the music as well as a light lunch for all of our guests following the concerts, again with no charge. These latter fund-raisers have no entrance fees; free-will offerings are suggested for the concert, but not imposed. The congregation usually over-flows into the narthex and the library with these events. These are wonderful opportunities to welcome and fellowship with our neighbors as we support those in need.

But, I am always on guard to keep the focus of "fund-raisers" on welcoming people to God's house, rather than selling. This is, after-all, a house of prayer. May God help us to continue trusting in Him alone for all our needs. May God help us to continue welcoming people into His house of prayer, in all that we might do for His glory.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. All are welcome at Zion!