Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18 & Exodus 2:1-10

Stories of Moses’ mother and of Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth, who would not leave her.

A beautiful sermon was given on Mothers’ Day by, what else, a beautiful mother.

Mothers are universal… they are found in all times and places. Even the Bible speaks of Mothers.

In the Old Testament there is Eve who may have made a mistake here and there, Sarah who happily gave birth late in life, Moses’ mother who gave him up so that he might survive and have a better life, and Naomi, a mother-in-law who insisted that her daughters-in law would have better lives away from her. And then among others in the New Testament is Mary who had the challenges and rewards of raising Jesus. They are all kinds of mothers in various times and places.

Mothers in the best of scenarios are gifts from God. They can be the biological ones who have loved, guided, cared for and influenced us through our lives. But, the mothering influence can also extend beyond biology. God has created us all as part of a larger human-kind spiritual family. In it are those we could also call our mothers as they have the capacity/gift to birth the spiritual nature in us and in others. The nature of motherhood is seen in their nurturing spirits. They are the ones (both male and female) who enrich our lives and cause us to be the people that we are and were meant to be.

On this day we give thanks to all who are mothers and to all who provide mothering. May we all strive to be among the latter. Happy Mother’s Day!

Scripture:   Acts 9: 1-26.  (Saul is converted on the road to Damascus)

The pastor was sick and the Lay Leader filled in this Sunday.  There was a discussion of the many facets of God.  The congregation members were challenged to contemplate the God that lived in their lives.  Here is one response…

It is common for people to answer the question “What is God?” with “Love,” but what else is he? There are numerous ways to answer this question because God is everywhere, but where I see God most often is in the connections we make with other people.

I have a sister who is only 18 months older than I. We are very close and I often see God’s work in our relationship. My sister can always make me smile no matter what I may be going through. When we were young and I would get scared at night she is the one I ran to sneak into bed with. As we got older I could go to her with any problem to get “tell-it-like-it-is advice” and actually hear it.

You know how sometimes you get advice that may be good, but not what you want to hear so you don’t follow it.  I was by her side when she gave birth to her children and she was by mine. I am a better parent because she is such a good one.  You could say that in our relationship God is love, but more; also understanding, comforting, and guiding. God is always there, observant, and teaching. I can think of a lot more ways I can see God in the connections I make with my sister or other people, but maybe it would be less boring if you think about what God is to you.

Scripture:         John 20:1-18

The tomb is empty.  Jesus appears to Mary and the Apostles.

In the Easter story we see the reaction of Christ’s followers when they find the empty tomb.  In addition to confusion and exasperation, they had many questions.  Where was His body?  Who took it and why?  Why were angels there and why didn’t Mary recognize Jesus?

Questions are a common denominator that we share with the early Christians.  Our questions might be about a job loss, a broken relationship, a why me and what do I do now.  Mary didn’t get what had happened, didn’t understand it and didn’t see the bigger picture.  We can identify with Mary.  We don’t always understand life’s happenings, and like Mary, we don’t recognize Jesus when he might be standing right there in front of us.  For Mary, her awareness/understanding came when He said her name and she recognized His voice.  That was her “aha moment” of “I Have Seen the Lord.”  Generations later, we still meet the risen Saviour.  He calls us by name and invites us into his presence.  Where are we going to see Jesus?  Possibly everywhere.  Like the disciples, let’s seek Him.  You see what you are looking for and expecting.

Scripture:  John 20: 1-8

The focus was on an extravagant gift.  The sermon was based on the story in John 12:1-8.  The story’s participants were Jesus, Lazarus, Mary and Judas.  The setting is a dinner party celebrating Lazarus’s recovery from the dead.  The host did not provide water for Jesus to wash his feet.  So Mary anointed his feet with a very expensive oil and and wiped it off with her hair.  Seeing this, Judas questioned why the expensive lotion wasn’t sold and the proceeds given to the poor.  Jesus countered by saying,”Let her alone.  Let her keep it for the time of my burial.”

Our pastor then suggested perhaps we might identify with each of these individuals:  Lazarus who had been brought back to a new life?  Or Mary who showed gratitude for what Jesus had done for her brother?  Or Judas who was concerned about the expense which had lessened the common purse, which he held, by 300 denarii?

Pastor Moman asked the congregation whether they ever received an unexpected extravagant gift.  The query was directed to our “above average” congregation.  And, yes, there were some interesting responses, few dealing with money.

Thoughts to ponder:

Lazarus’s return from death

Judas’s rebuke

Mary’s gesture of kindness

Jesus’s prediction of a future use for the oil

Scripture: Joshua 5:9-12, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

The passage from Joshua recounts the end of a period in which the Jews had not done all the things God asked them to do, such as circumcision. It also marks the end of God providing manna, because they had arrived at the Promised Land. This was connected to the reading in Luke because it marked a change in circumstances.

The passage from Luke tells the familiar story of the prodigal son. Richard spoke about how we can see ourselves as each of the characters in the story.

The younger son’s behavior was offensive in asking for his inheritance before his father’s death. this would have caused hardship to the family. Richard spoke about how the son being forced to feed the pigs would have been offensive to the son, highlighting  his loss of faith and self respect. We aren’t told how he came to his senses but when he did, he returned to his father who welcomed him with open arms, as God welcomes us.

One of the most challenging roles in this story is that of the older son and his righteous indignation, challenging because we are too often tempted to take that attitude ourselves.

This story would have been offensive on several levels to the Jews who heard it. First would have been the younger son’s behavior, asking for the inheritance , then squandering it foolishly and being forced to feed the pigs. The father’s behavior in welcoming his wayward son would have been seen as offensive since the son had not earned the welcome. The Pharisees would  not have understood the nature of unearned grace and unconditional love as it comes from God. The ultimate gift is unconditional love. We can’t hide anything from God but he loves us anyway.

Pastor Moman was vacationing and Reverend Norm Campbell  ministered to the congregation.  The offertory hymn “Standing in The Need Of Prayer” reminds me that we all need prayer. We need to pray for others in support of them as well as receive the prayers of others since all of us are sinners.  Grace comes from the Lord and is not something we can earn. Sharing of Joys and Concerns in our church is a good way to ask for, and receive, prayer.

“Incline Your Ear” was the sermon title. Reverend  reminisced about some of his seminary days and that some persons attending seminary had not read the Bible, which is the word of God.  Reading the Bible gives us first hand information.  When we get our religion from others, we are getting the information second hand.  Following this course it is obvious that the information presented to the masses may have little resemblance to the original teachings.  This misinformation applies to religious teachings as well as non-religious.  When we accept Jesus, our sins area forgiven, but to follow Jesus requires us to study the Word and not rely on second hand information.  What we learn will direct the way we live and represents what we are to believe.  Jesus commands us to tend his sheep thus we must learn to be shepherds.  This can only occur if we read God’s word, the Bible, to inform ourselves.

I believe the sermon was well received up to the point where political statements were injected into the service and no mechanism was provided for anyone to refute the opinions of one person.  It is my opinion that worship services are not the place for political commentary.  Politics can be discussed in church when discussions can take place and differing views communicated.

The service continued with the receiving of the sacraments.  Opportunities for involvement and upcoming events were discussed.  Sadly one of my favorite hymns “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” was inadvertently omitted.

Services @ The Church Of The Saviour, 6205 Rucker Rd. (N.E. Indy) are 10:00a.m.

Maundy Thursday Service Thursday, March 28th at 7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday Service Sunday, March 31st at 10:00 a.m.

The Easter Egg Hunt will be on Mar. 31st–Easter at 11:15. We only need donations of wrapped candy. Please invite your grandchildren and children to come and participate. We will do it rain or shine.

Please bring your items and place in the boxes by the sharing wall.