The Bucket List Vs. The Gutter List
Children's sermon
Illustration
Preaching
Sermon
Worship
Object:
This week's texts from Colossians and Luke call us to live in a Christ-like manner -- and both Paul and Jesus tell us in fairly explicit terms that living that way sets us apart from many of the values and behaviors that characterize the secular world. Paul exhorts us to "set [our] minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth," and provides a laundry list of the earthly passions we ought to let go of, including (among others) fornication, greed, slander, and lying. In the gospel passage Jesus notes the perils of greed and covetousness, telling us that "one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions" (and refuting the familiar maxim "He who dies with the most toys wins"). Jesus illustrates his point with a parable that can be uncomfortable for many of us who have internalized the maxims of hard work, saving, and profit as traditional virtues. We are an affluent culture, accustomed to the accumulation of material goods as a measure of success -- and thus we are likely to see the farmer in the parable as a good businessman who is smartly reinvesting some of his profit by building more and larger barns to store his bounty. So it's quite startling to hear the farmer called a fool because he is storing up treasures for himself but is not rich toward God. Isn't wealth the reward we earn (and deserve) for hard work and success in our businesses and careers? Don't we expect that doing well gets us "ample goods laid up for many years" so that we can "relax, eat, drink, and be merry"? In this installment of The Immediate Word, team member Ron Love tells us Jesus answers that question with a resounding "no" -- not when that means hoarding wealth for ourselves in an attempt to satisfy our thirst for money, power, and ego, because that prevents us from focusing on the kingdom of God.
Team member George Reed shares some additional thoughts on the Hosea text, which gives us the tender imagery of parental care for a child as well as the anger and disappointment a parent feels toward his wayward children. God tells us that he "will not execute my fierce anger" -- instead of roaring like a lion, he speaks to us in anguish. Even then, however, we often don't hear the still small voice of God because we're too busy roaring at one another. Are we listening? Can we hear God talking to us, or is the only time we pay attention when he roars like a lion? While a lion's roar is very intimidating, George reminds us that the real reason God roars is to call to us in the same way that a protective lioness calls to her cubs.
The Bucket List vs. The Gutter List
by Ronald H. Love
Luke 12:13-21
THE WORLD
At the age of 63, Bill Clinton has mellowed. He recently emulated Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson's fictional characters from the movie The Bucket List -- who systematically went about fulfilling their list of things they wanted to do before they died -- and made his own list known at the 18th International AIDS Conference. Clinton has an A-list for those things that are important to him, and a B-list for those activities that would just be fun. Among the items on his A-list: "I would like to live to see my own grandchildren." First on his B-list: "I'd like to climb Kilimanjaro before the snows melt." For those who remember a younger Clinton and his trysts with Paula Jones and Monica Lewinsky, his "bucket list" might have been more aptly termed a "gutter list."
There are many good people who go to work and return home to care for their families. They relax, go to church, and volunteer in the community. They have a good understanding of the bucket list -- those things that are important. Sadly, what captures the headlines is the gutter list -- those things that are detrimental to themselves and to others. While we all yearn to hear good news, perhaps it is best that these stories are reported since they infringe upon the well-being of society and impede people's tranquility and life enjoyment. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of gutter-list stories:
* Two French soccer superstars, Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema, are facing charges in connection with an underage prostitution ring. Prostitution is legal in France if a woman is 18, but Ribery and Benzema paid for sex with a 16-year-old. Not only did they have sex with a minor, but the government also stepped off the curb with them, as the investigation was postponed for two months so they could compete for the French team in the recent World Cup (though Benzema was controversially omitted from the squad).
* It seems BP cannot escape bad publicity, and rightfully so. An investigation being held in Kenner, Louisiana, has revealed that BP was aware of a leak on a safety device called a blowout preventer (BOP) on the Deepwater Horizon -- but continued drilling anyway. Ronald Sepulvado, the BP well-site leader, reported the problem to his superiors. He assumed they followed up on the report, only to discover that it was ignored in order to continue to implement cost-saving short-cuts. The death of 11 men and a great environmental catastrophe followed.
* In a column for the Washington Post titled "BP: Drenched in Oil and Blood," Jonathan Capehart details another ugly incident that has recently come to light . In order to secure an oil deal worth more than £500 million, BP lobbied in 2007 for the release of Abdel Basset al-Megrahi -- the man responsible for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in the sky over Lockerbie, Scotland -- from British custody and his return to Libya. Jack Straw, the British Justice Minister at the time, said in sworn testimony that he changed his mind regarding the release of al-Megrahi after strong lobbying from BP, as the company insisted that al-Megrahi's transfer was essential to their business and the economic growth of Britain. Capehart cuts to the heart of the matter when he writes: "Oil and water don't mix. But blood and oil apparently do." The evidence leads us to conclude that BP is a company that places profits above human life, human rights, justice, and the environment.
* Steve Jobs, the head of Apple, has been trying to defend the poor reception of its latest version of the iPhone by saying it is an industry-wide problem. According to Jobs, "You could go on YouTube and see videos of Nokia phones and Motorola phones and other phones doing the same thing." But those companies immediately countered that their cell phones do not have a similar reception problem because (unlike the newly released iPhone 4) they avoided using a metal rim -- which is known to create poor reception -- on their equipment. A spokesman for the company that makes BlackBerrys said: "Apple clearly made certain design decisions, and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple." Failure to take responsibility occurs when self-interest takes precedence over the community good.
* But it's not always about money; sometimes it is our vanity and ego that runs amok. Charice Pempengco is only 18 years old, yet she recently had Botox injections and underwent a 30-minute Thermage anti-aging procedure in an effort to make the Asian singer's naturally round face look narrower. Why? So she could look more attractive for her first appearance on the television show Glee . In Pempengco's own words: "All people will be anticipating how will Charice look? Is she good enough to pit against Rachel Berry? So of course, there is tremendous pressure."
The stories are endless -- if we allow the gutter list to guide us rather than the bucket list. It is the problem of focusing on the secular rather than the spiritual.
THE WORD
One commentary titles this passage from Luke as "The Threat of Covetousness." Covetousness is a threat to our spiritual well-being if we are solely focused on the accolades that can be obtained in our daily living. Searching and securing those things that satisfy our quest for money, power, and ego will prevent us from focusing on the kingdom of God. Somewhere sharing, forgiving, and caring will be lost. A covetousness behavior must be replaced by restoring ourselves to the covenant that God made with Abraham and fulfilled in Jesus the Christ. It is to live a Sermon-on-the-Mount life.
In Jewish tradition, when a father dies the oldest son receives two thirds of the inheritance, with the remainder being distributed among the other siblings. In our lesson it is the younger brother who asks Jesus the question, for he has yet to receive his portion of the inheritance from his older brother. Jesus refuses to make a judgment between the two brothers; instead, he tells them "The Parable of the Rich Fool."
In this story there was a rich man who had more than he could ever spend on himself in his lifetime. Yet dissatisfied with his wealth, he desired to accumulate still more. He spoke to his inner self -- his soul -- asking, "What shall I do?' His answer was to build more and bigger barns. But then God spoke to that same soul, saying, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" That night the man was to die, and it would be a question of who would receive the unused possessions contained in those multiple barns. Jesus concluded, "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." The lesson to the younger son and to all readers of the gospel is do not covet but be a part of the covenant.
When Mother Teresa's journals and letters were discovered after her death, revealing that she was plagued with doubts about God throughout her ministry, critics came thundering forth. They questioned her sincerity. They said her ministry in Calcutta was ego-motivated. It was contended that while she may have been a great humanitarian, she was not a Christian. Mother Teresa did have legitimate doubts, but these do not dispel the sincerity of her faith as she remained true to her vows of poverty and chastity and steadfast in her mission. There are not any hospitals that bear her name, but her name is etched upon many souls. Mother Teresa built no barns -- only clinics.
CRAFTING THE SERMON
You may want to follow or adapt the following sermon outline:
I. Begin by discussing the difference between a "bucket list" and a "gutter list." Share some scriptural passages that describe each one. Make a list of some of the things you have seen in the news or have observed that would be cataloged in one list or the other.
II. Retell the parable of the Rich Fool. Discuss how we are a part of that story, depending on how we prioritize what is important to us in daily living.
III. Discuss how we can move items from the gutter list to the bucket list. Offer scriptural passages that will redirect our focus and priorities in life. Share stories of individuals who were unable to tear up their gutter list and how unfortunate things were for them. Share stories of people who truly knew how to live by a spiritual bucket list and the joy and happiness it brought them. Return to the parable of the Rich Fool and outline how, instead of being a covetousness person like the farmer, we can be live in a steadfast covenant with God.
ANOTHER VIEW
A Roaring Lion
by George Reed
Hosea 11:1-11
It is difficult enough to properly interpret the communications of another human being that we are well acquainted with -- so it is understandable that trying to interpret the mind of the Divine, which comes to us filtered through a human spokesperson who speaks a different language and who lives in a very different culture, time, and geography than we do, is especially difficult. Add to that the tendency for us to project our own inner thoughts and feelings on others, and it's a miracle we ever get even close to understanding God at all.
The image of God that Hosea uses in this week's reading is that of a roaring lion. For those of us who live in a time of great angst, conflict, and incredible anger, it is understandable that so many folks assume God is angry at us. Having been a pastor for a long time, I no longer talk about what I was taught in church but rather what I have learned. I try to be forgiving and understanding of the difficult task of teachers. As I was growing up in the church, I certainly learned that God was an angry God who one had best be terrified of and willing to do anything to placate.
I suppose that's one of the reasons I keep going back to the Great Commandment of Jesus. If all of God's instructions are seen as trying to accomplish the goal of making us fall in love with God and serving others, then it is easier for us to hear what Hosea is trying to tell us. Although God has every reason to be angry with us for constantly choosing a way in life that leads us to death, God's anger is really frustration based on great love. Most parents know the feeling. When our children choose poorly, it breaks our hearts and we are overwhelmed with the pain -- and we often roar at our children. God does a bit of venting from time to time as well.
But the roar that Hosea talks about is not that of anger but the strong call that will bring the children home. The call must be loud and reverberating because it needs to reach all of God's children. From the ends of the earth, God calls all of us home. The image of God being the heartbroken parent who cannot banish the rebellious child but still finds great love growing warm in the heart is a very tender one. God is like one who lifts an infant to the cheek and tenderly loves that one. God is like a loving mother who stoops to breastfeed the toddler.
God understands that his anger is frustrated love, and opts to exercise loving kindness instead of revenge. Hosea understood that never-failing love of God that Jesus would teach his disciples. It is important for us as preachers to not let our frustration and anger color our interpretation of God, but rather for us to draw closer to Jesus so that we can properly interpret the roar that sounds so frightening to us as being the call of love.
ILLUSTRATIONS
There is a Buddhist story about a wrestler who wore a precious stone in an ornament on his forehead. During a certain wrestling match, the stone was crushed into the wrestler's forehead and was covered with dirt and blood. When the wrestler touched his forehead, all he felt was the dirt and blood. He sadly thought that he had lost the precious gem. But when he went to the doctor, the first thing the doctor did was to thoroughly cleanse the wound -- and in doing so he discovered the gem, pressed into the wrestler's skull. He held up a mirror and showed the wrestler the embedded gem. The Buddhist teacher tells us that the dirt and blood are like the greed and other interests that obscure the divine nature in each of us. The doctor holding up the mirror is like the Teacher who shows us the divinity in ourselves that is obscured when we allow our selfish interests to dominate our lives.
* * *
The father's tone was harsh toward his five-year-old son. "Not now, Tyler," he said as he was looking for something in the electronics aisle of a large store -- and intent on finding whatever it was he was looking for. Tyler kept asking questions that a five-year-old would ask, such as "What are you looking for?" and "Can I help?" His father kept dismissing him. It was obvious that the father was irritated and lacked patience. Back and forth the conversation went. Surprisingly, Tyler did not seem discouraged with his father's curt responses.
After the father made his purchase and was about to leave the store, Tyler could be heard asking another question. Tyler wanted to do something with his father. To those observing this interchange it was not a revelation that the father once again dismissed his son, telling him that he did not have time to play a game. Tyler looked sad. Those standing in line at the cash register felt badly for the young boy. When they returned home, the five-year-old asked, "Can we play Clue?"
We may have the latest technology and gadgets, but unfortunately we have forgotten what is really important -- our relationships with those we care about the most. It is time for the church to say enough to the greed that surrounds us every day. There is more to life than consuming more and more things and having the latest products. Jesus tells of a first-century consumer who had so much stuff that he needed to build a larger barn. However, he would not live to enjoy it. "And the things you have prepared," Jesus asked, "whose will they be?" The wealthy person missed out of what was important. May we not make the same mistake.
* * *
When political pundits speak today of Americans "voting their values," they usually mean one thing by that phrase: questions of sexual ethics. Yet what is conspicuously absent from most so-called moral discussions is any mention whatsoever of that other great moral topic: money.
In the Bible, money issues are just as much a part of morality as questions of sexual ethics. Here are a few verses that make this clear:
Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.-- Ephesians 5:5
Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). -- Colossians 3:5
Why is it that those who are looking to uphold a so-called "biblical morality" are so quick to quote the first part of such verses, but completely ignore the second? We have it right there in black and white: it couldn't be clearer than it is in these two verses. The Bible considers greed to be just as serious a moral failing as sexually licentious behavior. Yet we Americans conveniently drop greed from these lists of moral failings. We believe that a bigger barn is always better.
* * *
Stuff is important. You gotta take care of your stuff. You gotta have a place for your stuff. Everybody's gotta have a place for their stuff. That's what life is all about, tryin' to find a place for your stuff! That's all your house is: a place to keep your stuff. If you didn't have so much stuff, you wouldn't need a house. You could just walk around all the time. A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it. You can see that when you're taking off in an airplane. You look down and see all the little piles of stuff. Everybody's got his own little pile of stuff. And they lock it up! That's right! When you leave your house, you gotta lock it up. Wouldn't want somebody to come by and take some of your stuff. 'Cause they always take... the good stuff; the shiny stuff; the electronic stuff. So when you get right down to it, your house is nothing more than a place to keep your stuff... while you go out and get... more stuff. 'Cause that's what this country is all about. Trying to get more stuff. Stuff you don't want, stuff you don't need, stuff that's poorly made, stuff that's overpriced. Even stuff you can't afford! Gotta keep on gettin' more stuff. Otherwise someone else might wind up with more stuff. Can't let that happen. Gotta have the most stuff....
--†George Carlin, Brain Droppings (Hyperion, 1997), pp. 36-37
* * *
The truth is that life in America has improved so much in the past century that we have forgotten what it is to struggle. We hear whines that schools are overcrowded today. Actually, the ratio of students to teachers has gone from 30:1 in 1955 to 19:1 now. We hear whining about pay. Yet total compensation, adjusted for inflation, has tripled since 1947, and the cost of necessities has plummeted. Food in 1950 represented about one third of a family's total expenditures; today, it's one-seventh....
America's Gross Domestic Product is greater than the next five countries combined.... Two thirds of Americans now own their own homes. We have more cars, more children in college, and more cultural institutions. We work shorter hours.... On the whole, we're more prosperous than any other nation in history -- and far better off than we were in the past.
-- James K. Glassman, "Whine, the Beloved Country!" in The American Enterprise, June 2004, p. 48
* * *
John D. Rockefeller Jr. believed in the United Nations. He also thought it was not proper for such a distinguished and important agency to be meeting in a skating rink in Queens. He was so disturbed when no site could be located to build the needed structure that he took it upon himself to locate the perfect place for the headquarters of the world's institution for peace. He searched for property coast to coast, but his secret desire was to have the United Nations in New York City. Unable to locate any suitable property in Manhattan or elsewhere, he called a family conference. The Rockefeller family decided to donate 2,000 acres of their own land in Westchester County. Plans for the new building were about to commence when Rockefeller balked on his offer, still believing the United Nations should be in New York City. Once again he searched the map for an appropriate site. He discovered a place along the East River that would be excellent, but it was a property on which William Zeckendorf planned to build his $150 million "Dream City." Three hours later, Rockefeller arrived unannounced at Zeckendorf's wedding reception toting a map of the city. After a short conversation he convinced Zeckendorf to sell the land for $8.5 million, which Rockefeller paid himself. The next day Rockefeller's son Nelson (the future governor of New York) delivered the 17-acre gift to the United Nations Site Committee. The only comment that the elder Rockefeller would make regarding his gift was: "I hope it helped."
Rockefeller, with his countless wealth, understood the futility of building yet another barn. He was willing to share his gains for the welfare of all. Let us employ our financial and material resources in such a way that we are able to say, "I hope it helped."
* * *
For greed can have a very pretty and attractive cover for its shame; it is called provision for the body and the needs of nature. Under this cover greed insatiably amasses unlimited wealth. But if the heart expects and puts its trust in divine favor, how can a person be greedy and anxious? Such people are absolutely certain that they are acceptable to God: Therefore, they do not cling to money; they use their money cheerfully and freely for the benefit of their neighbor. In fact, in this commandment it can clearly be seen that all good works must be done in faith and proceed from faith. People are generous because they trust God and never doubt but that they will always have enough. In contrast, people are covetous and anxious because they do not trust God. Now faith is the master workman and the motivating force behind the good works of generosity, just as it is in all the other commandments.
-- Martin Luther, commenting on Exodus 20:15 ("Thou shalt not steal") in "Treatise on Good Works" (1520), Luther's Works Vol. 44, (Augsburg Fortress), pp. 106-109
* * *
The Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy devoted the second half of his life to writing on moral and religious matters. One of his great stories is "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" It is the story of Pakhom, who complained that he had too little land. "If I only had as much land as I wanted, I shouldn't be afraid of any one -- even of the devil," he said. Soon after he came to this conclusion, Pakhom was able to purchase a sizeable piece of land and expand his holdings. But in time he became disheartened, sold his belongings, and moved to a larger place with more land and more potential for wealth.
Within a few years he became dissatisfied with this and sought more. He heard of a place far away where he could get huge tracts of land for a steal. The arrangement was he could have all the land he could walk around in a day -- he would only have to pay 1,000 rubles. Such a deal he had never heard of before. "What I can go around in a day is a good deal of land!" Pakhom said with glee.
The day came for him to claim the land. He started out and went on and on in one direction, then turned sharply to the left and continued on for as long as he could. He realized later that it was time to turn again for the third side of his parcel of land. This one would have to be a little shorter, because he had gone quite a distance on the other sides to claim as much land as he could -- and it was such good land! Finally, he turned for the fourth side and headed back to the starting place, to which he had to return before the end of the day or forfeit his 1,000 rubles and the land.
This was the hardest leg of his day and he thought, "Can I have made a blunder? Can I have taken too much? Why don't you hurry along faster?" He could not stop to rest, for the sun was low in the horizon and he needed to get back to the starting place before sunset. His legs ached, his breathing was labored, sweat poured off him -- yet he could not slow down. Rather, he needed to pick up the pace. Pakhom began to run and run and run to the increasing loud cheers of the crowd as he drew nearer his goal. Panting and groaning, he arrived at the starting point to hear the approval of those who would now give him all this land.
Pakhom's legs gave out and he fell forward and died on the spot. He was buried in a grave seven feet long -- just enough land.
* * *
One of the most traumatic experiences a family can have is when a child runs away. Many parents have gone through sleepless nights wondering where their little boy or girl might be. While it is hard to get specific numbers, one study had the number of homeless children in America ranging anywhere from 500,000 to more than two million, all of them with loved ones who pined for their safe return.
God knows all too well the misery that comes with a child running away. The whole nation of Israel, a nation he had chosen for his own, left him. Through Hosea, God portrays Israel as his child: "Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms." Despite that tender loving care, Israel wanted nothing to do with God: "My people are bent on turning away from me."
* * *
Believers have tried on many images for God, from "rock" to "judge" to "builder" to "ground of being." None speaks to the complete reality of one who is beyond language. But the most enduring image, and the one Jesus himself used, is that of parent.
Parent works. It reminds us that we didn't create ourselves, we are free but obligated and that God loves us beyond measure but not beyond caring. God sees us clearly and confers both consequences and forgiveness and that God remains at the table, no matter how painful it is to be in our presence.
Such love can be terrifying. No wonder people prefer to see God as vengeful judge, setting standards and then punishing violators. No wonder people prefer to squabble as siblings, as if God were in another room and couldn't hear our pathetic wrangling over toys and privileges. No wonder people prefer to see God as quick to anger, quick to forget, quick to move on. No wonder people prefer to see God in terms of power, not trust; law, not grace....
No wonder we find peace so elusive. How can we rest our heads in God's lap until we accept such a terrifying love?
-- from Tom Ehrich, "On a Journey" online devotional
WORSHIP RESOURCES
by George Reed
Call to Worship
Leader: Give thanks to God who is good;
People: God's steadfast love endures forever.
Leader: God satisfies the thirsty;
People: and the hungry God fills with good things.
Leader: Let those who are wise give heed to this.
People: Let us consider the steadfast love of our God.
OR
Leader: Come to the God who calls us home.
People: Sometimes the call of God is scary.
Leader: Do not be afraid. Remember the words of Jesus.
People: We recall the loving God spoke about.
Leader: Hear now as God calls you home.
People: With joy we return to the God who loves us.
Hymns and Sacred Songs
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"
found in:
UMH: 89
H82: 376
PH: 464
AAHH: 120
NNBH: 40
NCH: 4
CH: 2
LBW: 551
"God, Whose Love Is Reigning O'er Us"
found in:
UMH: 100
"The Care the Eagle Gives Her Young"
found in:
UMH: 118
NCH: 468
CH: 76
"Your Love, O God"
found in:
UMH: 120
"Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling"
found in:
UMH: 348
AAHH: 347
NNBH: 168
NCH: 449
CH: 340
Renew: 147
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"
found in:
UMH: 384
H82: 657
PH: 376
AAHH: 440
NNBH: 65
NCH: 43
CH: 517
LBW: 316
Renew: 196
"Jesus Calls Us"
found in:
UMH: 398
H82: 549, 550
NNBH: 183
NCH: 171, 172
CH: 337
LBW: 494
"Thou Hidden Love of God"
found in:
UMH: 414
"Awesome God"
found in:
CCB: 17
Renew: 245
"More Precious than Silver"
found in:
CCB: 25
Music Resources Key:
UMH: United Methodist Hymnal
H82: The Hymnal 1982 (The Episcopal Church)
PH: Presbyterian Hymnal
AAHH: African-American Heritage Hymnal
NNBH: The New National Baptist Hymnal
NCH: The New Century Hymnal
CH: Chalice Hymnal
LBW: Lutheran Book of Worship
CCB: Cokesbury Chorus Book
Renew: Renew! Songs & Hymns for Blended Worship
Prayer for the Day / Collect
O God who desires more than anything to give us abundant life: Help us to hear your roar as an invitation to life and not as an attack on us; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
OR
O God who desires more than anything to give us abundant life: Help us to discern the truly good things you offer us so that we may find ourselves rich toward you whether we have much or little of this world's goods; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
OR
We come to worship you, O God, the One who loves us more than life itself. We come to learn more about you so that we can love you more fully, and we come to learn of the way of Jesus so that we might come to full and abundant life in you. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Leader: Let us confess to God and before one another our sins, and especially the ways in which we are so quick to assign our motives to God.
People: We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. We focus our lives on the accumulation of goods and say it is part of your plan for our lives; yet we ignore the needs of the poor. We detest others and condemn them in your Name. We allow our wants and desires to rule our lives, and then claim that this is your will. Forgive us for our blatant misuse of you and of our brothers and sisters. Restore us in the power of your Spirit that we may learn once again to listen to our Savior and follow the way of the Christ. Amen.
Leader: God is always calling the wayward children home. God desires only that we come to eternal life and bring our sisters and brothers with us.
Prayers of the People (and the Lord's Prayer)
We worship and praise your Name, O God, because you are the Creator and Redeemer of all creation. You are the One who calls us home.
(The following paragraph may be used if a separate prayer of confession has not been used.)
We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. We focus our lives on the accumulation of goods and say it is part of your plan for our lives; yet we ignore the needs of the poor. We detest others and condemn them in your Name. We allow our wants and desires to rule our lives, and then claim that this is your will. Forgive us for our blatant misuse of you and of our brothers and sisters. Restore us in the power of your Spirit that we may learn once again to listen to our Savior and follow the way of the Christ.
We thank you for all the ways in which you share your love with us. We thank you for the good creation and all the blessings it offers us. We thank you for one another and the blessings we receive when we take care of our neighbors, near and far. We thank you for your loving kindness that always seeks us and the good of all your creatures.
(Other thanksgivings may be offered.)
We pray to you for one another in our need and for all, anywhere, who have wandered far from their home in you. As you are about the work of calling your children home, use us to be part of that loving call. Enable us to echo your call in ways that others will understand your great love for all of us.
(Other intercessions may be offered.)
All these things we ask in the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray together, saying:
Our Father... Amen.
(or if the Lord's Prayer is not used at this point in the service)
All this we ask in the Name of the Blessed and Holy Trinity. Amen.
Visuals
a collection of lion pictures, stuffed lions, and so forth
Children's Sermon Starter
Ask the children if they have ever seen a real lion in the zoo or on television. Ask if the lion is scary. Hold up a stuffed lion and ask the children if they are afraid of it. (Of course not -- they know it will not hurt them.) Sometimes we are afraid of things because we know they could hurt us, like wild animals might. Sometimes we are afraid of things because we don't know if they will hurt us. Some people are afraid of God -- they see God as a roaring lion. But Hosea tells us not to be afraid of God. God's roar is not because God is angry, but because God is calling to us like a lion calls its cubs.
CHILDREN'S SERMON
Embarrassed
Luke 12:13-21
Object: pictures of yourself when you were younger
Good morning, boys and girls! What does the word "embarrassing" mean to you? We get embarrassed whenever we say or do something that is less than what we think of ourselves. For example, I have some pictures of myself when I was much younger. These pictures are a little embarrassing to me because I am so different from what I was then.
Today's gospel reading is about embarrassment -- making a fool of oneself. Jesus told a story about a man who thought he had everything he ever needed in life. He had plenty of food, clothing, shelter, friends, family -- he had it all! But there was something very important that he had forgotten. He had forgotten God. God is more important than food, clothing, shelter, friends, or family. God is the most important part of our lives.
In the story Jesus told, the man had everything, but now it was time for him to return to God and God was not in his life. He was called a "fool." A fool is someone who does embarrassing things. He did the most embarrassing thing any of us could ever do -- he left God out of his life.
I'm glad God is an important part of your life!
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Immediate Word, August 1, 2010, issue.
Copyright 2010 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to The Immediate Word service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons and in worship and classroom settings only. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
Team member George Reed shares some additional thoughts on the Hosea text, which gives us the tender imagery of parental care for a child as well as the anger and disappointment a parent feels toward his wayward children. God tells us that he "will not execute my fierce anger" -- instead of roaring like a lion, he speaks to us in anguish. Even then, however, we often don't hear the still small voice of God because we're too busy roaring at one another. Are we listening? Can we hear God talking to us, or is the only time we pay attention when he roars like a lion? While a lion's roar is very intimidating, George reminds us that the real reason God roars is to call to us in the same way that a protective lioness calls to her cubs.
The Bucket List vs. The Gutter List
by Ronald H. Love
Luke 12:13-21
THE WORLD
At the age of 63, Bill Clinton has mellowed. He recently emulated Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson's fictional characters from the movie The Bucket List -- who systematically went about fulfilling their list of things they wanted to do before they died -- and made his own list known at the 18th International AIDS Conference. Clinton has an A-list for those things that are important to him, and a B-list for those activities that would just be fun. Among the items on his A-list: "I would like to live to see my own grandchildren." First on his B-list: "I'd like to climb Kilimanjaro before the snows melt." For those who remember a younger Clinton and his trysts with Paula Jones and Monica Lewinsky, his "bucket list" might have been more aptly termed a "gutter list."
There are many good people who go to work and return home to care for their families. They relax, go to church, and volunteer in the community. They have a good understanding of the bucket list -- those things that are important. Sadly, what captures the headlines is the gutter list -- those things that are detrimental to themselves and to others. While we all yearn to hear good news, perhaps it is best that these stories are reported since they infringe upon the well-being of society and impede people's tranquility and life enjoyment. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of gutter-list stories:
* Two French soccer superstars, Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema, are facing charges in connection with an underage prostitution ring. Prostitution is legal in France if a woman is 18, but Ribery and Benzema paid for sex with a 16-year-old. Not only did they have sex with a minor, but the government also stepped off the curb with them, as the investigation was postponed for two months so they could compete for the French team in the recent World Cup (though Benzema was controversially omitted from the squad).
* It seems BP cannot escape bad publicity, and rightfully so. An investigation being held in Kenner, Louisiana, has revealed that BP was aware of a leak on a safety device called a blowout preventer (BOP) on the Deepwater Horizon -- but continued drilling anyway. Ronald Sepulvado, the BP well-site leader, reported the problem to his superiors. He assumed they followed up on the report, only to discover that it was ignored in order to continue to implement cost-saving short-cuts. The death of 11 men and a great environmental catastrophe followed.
* In a column for the Washington Post titled "BP: Drenched in Oil and Blood," Jonathan Capehart details another ugly incident that has recently come to light . In order to secure an oil deal worth more than £500 million, BP lobbied in 2007 for the release of Abdel Basset al-Megrahi -- the man responsible for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in the sky over Lockerbie, Scotland -- from British custody and his return to Libya. Jack Straw, the British Justice Minister at the time, said in sworn testimony that he changed his mind regarding the release of al-Megrahi after strong lobbying from BP, as the company insisted that al-Megrahi's transfer was essential to their business and the economic growth of Britain. Capehart cuts to the heart of the matter when he writes: "Oil and water don't mix. But blood and oil apparently do." The evidence leads us to conclude that BP is a company that places profits above human life, human rights, justice, and the environment.
* Steve Jobs, the head of Apple, has been trying to defend the poor reception of its latest version of the iPhone by saying it is an industry-wide problem. According to Jobs, "You could go on YouTube and see videos of Nokia phones and Motorola phones and other phones doing the same thing." But those companies immediately countered that their cell phones do not have a similar reception problem because (unlike the newly released iPhone 4) they avoided using a metal rim -- which is known to create poor reception -- on their equipment. A spokesman for the company that makes BlackBerrys said: "Apple clearly made certain design decisions, and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple." Failure to take responsibility occurs when self-interest takes precedence over the community good.
* But it's not always about money; sometimes it is our vanity and ego that runs amok. Charice Pempengco is only 18 years old, yet she recently had Botox injections and underwent a 30-minute Thermage anti-aging procedure in an effort to make the Asian singer's naturally round face look narrower. Why? So she could look more attractive for her first appearance on the television show Glee . In Pempengco's own words: "All people will be anticipating how will Charice look? Is she good enough to pit against Rachel Berry? So of course, there is tremendous pressure."
The stories are endless -- if we allow the gutter list to guide us rather than the bucket list. It is the problem of focusing on the secular rather than the spiritual.
THE WORD
One commentary titles this passage from Luke as "The Threat of Covetousness." Covetousness is a threat to our spiritual well-being if we are solely focused on the accolades that can be obtained in our daily living. Searching and securing those things that satisfy our quest for money, power, and ego will prevent us from focusing on the kingdom of God. Somewhere sharing, forgiving, and caring will be lost. A covetousness behavior must be replaced by restoring ourselves to the covenant that God made with Abraham and fulfilled in Jesus the Christ. It is to live a Sermon-on-the-Mount life.
In Jewish tradition, when a father dies the oldest son receives two thirds of the inheritance, with the remainder being distributed among the other siblings. In our lesson it is the younger brother who asks Jesus the question, for he has yet to receive his portion of the inheritance from his older brother. Jesus refuses to make a judgment between the two brothers; instead, he tells them "The Parable of the Rich Fool."
In this story there was a rich man who had more than he could ever spend on himself in his lifetime. Yet dissatisfied with his wealth, he desired to accumulate still more. He spoke to his inner self -- his soul -- asking, "What shall I do?' His answer was to build more and bigger barns. But then God spoke to that same soul, saying, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" That night the man was to die, and it would be a question of who would receive the unused possessions contained in those multiple barns. Jesus concluded, "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." The lesson to the younger son and to all readers of the gospel is do not covet but be a part of the covenant.
When Mother Teresa's journals and letters were discovered after her death, revealing that she was plagued with doubts about God throughout her ministry, critics came thundering forth. They questioned her sincerity. They said her ministry in Calcutta was ego-motivated. It was contended that while she may have been a great humanitarian, she was not a Christian. Mother Teresa did have legitimate doubts, but these do not dispel the sincerity of her faith as she remained true to her vows of poverty and chastity and steadfast in her mission. There are not any hospitals that bear her name, but her name is etched upon many souls. Mother Teresa built no barns -- only clinics.
CRAFTING THE SERMON
You may want to follow or adapt the following sermon outline:
I. Begin by discussing the difference between a "bucket list" and a "gutter list." Share some scriptural passages that describe each one. Make a list of some of the things you have seen in the news or have observed that would be cataloged in one list or the other.
II. Retell the parable of the Rich Fool. Discuss how we are a part of that story, depending on how we prioritize what is important to us in daily living.
III. Discuss how we can move items from the gutter list to the bucket list. Offer scriptural passages that will redirect our focus and priorities in life. Share stories of individuals who were unable to tear up their gutter list and how unfortunate things were for them. Share stories of people who truly knew how to live by a spiritual bucket list and the joy and happiness it brought them. Return to the parable of the Rich Fool and outline how, instead of being a covetousness person like the farmer, we can be live in a steadfast covenant with God.
ANOTHER VIEW
A Roaring Lion
by George Reed
Hosea 11:1-11
It is difficult enough to properly interpret the communications of another human being that we are well acquainted with -- so it is understandable that trying to interpret the mind of the Divine, which comes to us filtered through a human spokesperson who speaks a different language and who lives in a very different culture, time, and geography than we do, is especially difficult. Add to that the tendency for us to project our own inner thoughts and feelings on others, and it's a miracle we ever get even close to understanding God at all.
The image of God that Hosea uses in this week's reading is that of a roaring lion. For those of us who live in a time of great angst, conflict, and incredible anger, it is understandable that so many folks assume God is angry at us. Having been a pastor for a long time, I no longer talk about what I was taught in church but rather what I have learned. I try to be forgiving and understanding of the difficult task of teachers. As I was growing up in the church, I certainly learned that God was an angry God who one had best be terrified of and willing to do anything to placate.
I suppose that's one of the reasons I keep going back to the Great Commandment of Jesus. If all of God's instructions are seen as trying to accomplish the goal of making us fall in love with God and serving others, then it is easier for us to hear what Hosea is trying to tell us. Although God has every reason to be angry with us for constantly choosing a way in life that leads us to death, God's anger is really frustration based on great love. Most parents know the feeling. When our children choose poorly, it breaks our hearts and we are overwhelmed with the pain -- and we often roar at our children. God does a bit of venting from time to time as well.
But the roar that Hosea talks about is not that of anger but the strong call that will bring the children home. The call must be loud and reverberating because it needs to reach all of God's children. From the ends of the earth, God calls all of us home. The image of God being the heartbroken parent who cannot banish the rebellious child but still finds great love growing warm in the heart is a very tender one. God is like one who lifts an infant to the cheek and tenderly loves that one. God is like a loving mother who stoops to breastfeed the toddler.
God understands that his anger is frustrated love, and opts to exercise loving kindness instead of revenge. Hosea understood that never-failing love of God that Jesus would teach his disciples. It is important for us as preachers to not let our frustration and anger color our interpretation of God, but rather for us to draw closer to Jesus so that we can properly interpret the roar that sounds so frightening to us as being the call of love.
ILLUSTRATIONS
There is a Buddhist story about a wrestler who wore a precious stone in an ornament on his forehead. During a certain wrestling match, the stone was crushed into the wrestler's forehead and was covered with dirt and blood. When the wrestler touched his forehead, all he felt was the dirt and blood. He sadly thought that he had lost the precious gem. But when he went to the doctor, the first thing the doctor did was to thoroughly cleanse the wound -- and in doing so he discovered the gem, pressed into the wrestler's skull. He held up a mirror and showed the wrestler the embedded gem. The Buddhist teacher tells us that the dirt and blood are like the greed and other interests that obscure the divine nature in each of us. The doctor holding up the mirror is like the Teacher who shows us the divinity in ourselves that is obscured when we allow our selfish interests to dominate our lives.
* * *
The father's tone was harsh toward his five-year-old son. "Not now, Tyler," he said as he was looking for something in the electronics aisle of a large store -- and intent on finding whatever it was he was looking for. Tyler kept asking questions that a five-year-old would ask, such as "What are you looking for?" and "Can I help?" His father kept dismissing him. It was obvious that the father was irritated and lacked patience. Back and forth the conversation went. Surprisingly, Tyler did not seem discouraged with his father's curt responses.
After the father made his purchase and was about to leave the store, Tyler could be heard asking another question. Tyler wanted to do something with his father. To those observing this interchange it was not a revelation that the father once again dismissed his son, telling him that he did not have time to play a game. Tyler looked sad. Those standing in line at the cash register felt badly for the young boy. When they returned home, the five-year-old asked, "Can we play Clue?"
We may have the latest technology and gadgets, but unfortunately we have forgotten what is really important -- our relationships with those we care about the most. It is time for the church to say enough to the greed that surrounds us every day. There is more to life than consuming more and more things and having the latest products. Jesus tells of a first-century consumer who had so much stuff that he needed to build a larger barn. However, he would not live to enjoy it. "And the things you have prepared," Jesus asked, "whose will they be?" The wealthy person missed out of what was important. May we not make the same mistake.
* * *
When political pundits speak today of Americans "voting their values," they usually mean one thing by that phrase: questions of sexual ethics. Yet what is conspicuously absent from most so-called moral discussions is any mention whatsoever of that other great moral topic: money.
In the Bible, money issues are just as much a part of morality as questions of sexual ethics. Here are a few verses that make this clear:
Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.-- Ephesians 5:5
Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). -- Colossians 3:5
Why is it that those who are looking to uphold a so-called "biblical morality" are so quick to quote the first part of such verses, but completely ignore the second? We have it right there in black and white: it couldn't be clearer than it is in these two verses. The Bible considers greed to be just as serious a moral failing as sexually licentious behavior. Yet we Americans conveniently drop greed from these lists of moral failings. We believe that a bigger barn is always better.
* * *
Stuff is important. You gotta take care of your stuff. You gotta have a place for your stuff. Everybody's gotta have a place for their stuff. That's what life is all about, tryin' to find a place for your stuff! That's all your house is: a place to keep your stuff. If you didn't have so much stuff, you wouldn't need a house. You could just walk around all the time. A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it. You can see that when you're taking off in an airplane. You look down and see all the little piles of stuff. Everybody's got his own little pile of stuff. And they lock it up! That's right! When you leave your house, you gotta lock it up. Wouldn't want somebody to come by and take some of your stuff. 'Cause they always take... the good stuff; the shiny stuff; the electronic stuff. So when you get right down to it, your house is nothing more than a place to keep your stuff... while you go out and get... more stuff. 'Cause that's what this country is all about. Trying to get more stuff. Stuff you don't want, stuff you don't need, stuff that's poorly made, stuff that's overpriced. Even stuff you can't afford! Gotta keep on gettin' more stuff. Otherwise someone else might wind up with more stuff. Can't let that happen. Gotta have the most stuff....
--†George Carlin, Brain Droppings (Hyperion, 1997), pp. 36-37
* * *
The truth is that life in America has improved so much in the past century that we have forgotten what it is to struggle. We hear whines that schools are overcrowded today. Actually, the ratio of students to teachers has gone from 30:1 in 1955 to 19:1 now. We hear whining about pay. Yet total compensation, adjusted for inflation, has tripled since 1947, and the cost of necessities has plummeted. Food in 1950 represented about one third of a family's total expenditures; today, it's one-seventh....
America's Gross Domestic Product is greater than the next five countries combined.... Two thirds of Americans now own their own homes. We have more cars, more children in college, and more cultural institutions. We work shorter hours.... On the whole, we're more prosperous than any other nation in history -- and far better off than we were in the past.
-- James K. Glassman, "Whine, the Beloved Country!" in The American Enterprise, June 2004, p. 48
* * *
John D. Rockefeller Jr. believed in the United Nations. He also thought it was not proper for such a distinguished and important agency to be meeting in a skating rink in Queens. He was so disturbed when no site could be located to build the needed structure that he took it upon himself to locate the perfect place for the headquarters of the world's institution for peace. He searched for property coast to coast, but his secret desire was to have the United Nations in New York City. Unable to locate any suitable property in Manhattan or elsewhere, he called a family conference. The Rockefeller family decided to donate 2,000 acres of their own land in Westchester County. Plans for the new building were about to commence when Rockefeller balked on his offer, still believing the United Nations should be in New York City. Once again he searched the map for an appropriate site. He discovered a place along the East River that would be excellent, but it was a property on which William Zeckendorf planned to build his $150 million "Dream City." Three hours later, Rockefeller arrived unannounced at Zeckendorf's wedding reception toting a map of the city. After a short conversation he convinced Zeckendorf to sell the land for $8.5 million, which Rockefeller paid himself. The next day Rockefeller's son Nelson (the future governor of New York) delivered the 17-acre gift to the United Nations Site Committee. The only comment that the elder Rockefeller would make regarding his gift was: "I hope it helped."
Rockefeller, with his countless wealth, understood the futility of building yet another barn. He was willing to share his gains for the welfare of all. Let us employ our financial and material resources in such a way that we are able to say, "I hope it helped."
* * *
For greed can have a very pretty and attractive cover for its shame; it is called provision for the body and the needs of nature. Under this cover greed insatiably amasses unlimited wealth. But if the heart expects and puts its trust in divine favor, how can a person be greedy and anxious? Such people are absolutely certain that they are acceptable to God: Therefore, they do not cling to money; they use their money cheerfully and freely for the benefit of their neighbor. In fact, in this commandment it can clearly be seen that all good works must be done in faith and proceed from faith. People are generous because they trust God and never doubt but that they will always have enough. In contrast, people are covetous and anxious because they do not trust God. Now faith is the master workman and the motivating force behind the good works of generosity, just as it is in all the other commandments.
-- Martin Luther, commenting on Exodus 20:15 ("Thou shalt not steal") in "Treatise on Good Works" (1520), Luther's Works Vol. 44, (Augsburg Fortress), pp. 106-109
* * *
The Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy devoted the second half of his life to writing on moral and religious matters. One of his great stories is "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" It is the story of Pakhom, who complained that he had too little land. "If I only had as much land as I wanted, I shouldn't be afraid of any one -- even of the devil," he said. Soon after he came to this conclusion, Pakhom was able to purchase a sizeable piece of land and expand his holdings. But in time he became disheartened, sold his belongings, and moved to a larger place with more land and more potential for wealth.
Within a few years he became dissatisfied with this and sought more. He heard of a place far away where he could get huge tracts of land for a steal. The arrangement was he could have all the land he could walk around in a day -- he would only have to pay 1,000 rubles. Such a deal he had never heard of before. "What I can go around in a day is a good deal of land!" Pakhom said with glee.
The day came for him to claim the land. He started out and went on and on in one direction, then turned sharply to the left and continued on for as long as he could. He realized later that it was time to turn again for the third side of his parcel of land. This one would have to be a little shorter, because he had gone quite a distance on the other sides to claim as much land as he could -- and it was such good land! Finally, he turned for the fourth side and headed back to the starting place, to which he had to return before the end of the day or forfeit his 1,000 rubles and the land.
This was the hardest leg of his day and he thought, "Can I have made a blunder? Can I have taken too much? Why don't you hurry along faster?" He could not stop to rest, for the sun was low in the horizon and he needed to get back to the starting place before sunset. His legs ached, his breathing was labored, sweat poured off him -- yet he could not slow down. Rather, he needed to pick up the pace. Pakhom began to run and run and run to the increasing loud cheers of the crowd as he drew nearer his goal. Panting and groaning, he arrived at the starting point to hear the approval of those who would now give him all this land.
Pakhom's legs gave out and he fell forward and died on the spot. He was buried in a grave seven feet long -- just enough land.
* * *
One of the most traumatic experiences a family can have is when a child runs away. Many parents have gone through sleepless nights wondering where their little boy or girl might be. While it is hard to get specific numbers, one study had the number of homeless children in America ranging anywhere from 500,000 to more than two million, all of them with loved ones who pined for their safe return.
God knows all too well the misery that comes with a child running away. The whole nation of Israel, a nation he had chosen for his own, left him. Through Hosea, God portrays Israel as his child: "Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms." Despite that tender loving care, Israel wanted nothing to do with God: "My people are bent on turning away from me."
* * *
Believers have tried on many images for God, from "rock" to "judge" to "builder" to "ground of being." None speaks to the complete reality of one who is beyond language. But the most enduring image, and the one Jesus himself used, is that of parent.
Parent works. It reminds us that we didn't create ourselves, we are free but obligated and that God loves us beyond measure but not beyond caring. God sees us clearly and confers both consequences and forgiveness and that God remains at the table, no matter how painful it is to be in our presence.
Such love can be terrifying. No wonder people prefer to see God as vengeful judge, setting standards and then punishing violators. No wonder people prefer to squabble as siblings, as if God were in another room and couldn't hear our pathetic wrangling over toys and privileges. No wonder people prefer to see God as quick to anger, quick to forget, quick to move on. No wonder people prefer to see God in terms of power, not trust; law, not grace....
No wonder we find peace so elusive. How can we rest our heads in God's lap until we accept such a terrifying love?
-- from Tom Ehrich, "On a Journey" online devotional
WORSHIP RESOURCES
by George Reed
Call to Worship
Leader: Give thanks to God who is good;
People: God's steadfast love endures forever.
Leader: God satisfies the thirsty;
People: and the hungry God fills with good things.
Leader: Let those who are wise give heed to this.
People: Let us consider the steadfast love of our God.
OR
Leader: Come to the God who calls us home.
People: Sometimes the call of God is scary.
Leader: Do not be afraid. Remember the words of Jesus.
People: We recall the loving God spoke about.
Leader: Hear now as God calls you home.
People: With joy we return to the God who loves us.
Hymns and Sacred Songs
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"
found in:
UMH: 89
H82: 376
PH: 464
AAHH: 120
NNBH: 40
NCH: 4
CH: 2
LBW: 551
"God, Whose Love Is Reigning O'er Us"
found in:
UMH: 100
"The Care the Eagle Gives Her Young"
found in:
UMH: 118
NCH: 468
CH: 76
"Your Love, O God"
found in:
UMH: 120
"Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling"
found in:
UMH: 348
AAHH: 347
NNBH: 168
NCH: 449
CH: 340
Renew: 147
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"
found in:
UMH: 384
H82: 657
PH: 376
AAHH: 440
NNBH: 65
NCH: 43
CH: 517
LBW: 316
Renew: 196
"Jesus Calls Us"
found in:
UMH: 398
H82: 549, 550
NNBH: 183
NCH: 171, 172
CH: 337
LBW: 494
"Thou Hidden Love of God"
found in:
UMH: 414
"Awesome God"
found in:
CCB: 17
Renew: 245
"More Precious than Silver"
found in:
CCB: 25
Music Resources Key:
UMH: United Methodist Hymnal
H82: The Hymnal 1982 (The Episcopal Church)
PH: Presbyterian Hymnal
AAHH: African-American Heritage Hymnal
NNBH: The New National Baptist Hymnal
NCH: The New Century Hymnal
CH: Chalice Hymnal
LBW: Lutheran Book of Worship
CCB: Cokesbury Chorus Book
Renew: Renew! Songs & Hymns for Blended Worship
Prayer for the Day / Collect
O God who desires more than anything to give us abundant life: Help us to hear your roar as an invitation to life and not as an attack on us; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
OR
O God who desires more than anything to give us abundant life: Help us to discern the truly good things you offer us so that we may find ourselves rich toward you whether we have much or little of this world's goods; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
OR
We come to worship you, O God, the One who loves us more than life itself. We come to learn more about you so that we can love you more fully, and we come to learn of the way of Jesus so that we might come to full and abundant life in you. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Leader: Let us confess to God and before one another our sins, and especially the ways in which we are so quick to assign our motives to God.
People: We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. We focus our lives on the accumulation of goods and say it is part of your plan for our lives; yet we ignore the needs of the poor. We detest others and condemn them in your Name. We allow our wants and desires to rule our lives, and then claim that this is your will. Forgive us for our blatant misuse of you and of our brothers and sisters. Restore us in the power of your Spirit that we may learn once again to listen to our Savior and follow the way of the Christ. Amen.
Leader: God is always calling the wayward children home. God desires only that we come to eternal life and bring our sisters and brothers with us.
Prayers of the People (and the Lord's Prayer)
We worship and praise your Name, O God, because you are the Creator and Redeemer of all creation. You are the One who calls us home.
(The following paragraph may be used if a separate prayer of confession has not been used.)
We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. We focus our lives on the accumulation of goods and say it is part of your plan for our lives; yet we ignore the needs of the poor. We detest others and condemn them in your Name. We allow our wants and desires to rule our lives, and then claim that this is your will. Forgive us for our blatant misuse of you and of our brothers and sisters. Restore us in the power of your Spirit that we may learn once again to listen to our Savior and follow the way of the Christ.
We thank you for all the ways in which you share your love with us. We thank you for the good creation and all the blessings it offers us. We thank you for one another and the blessings we receive when we take care of our neighbors, near and far. We thank you for your loving kindness that always seeks us and the good of all your creatures.
(Other thanksgivings may be offered.)
We pray to you for one another in our need and for all, anywhere, who have wandered far from their home in you. As you are about the work of calling your children home, use us to be part of that loving call. Enable us to echo your call in ways that others will understand your great love for all of us.
(Other intercessions may be offered.)
All these things we ask in the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray together, saying:
Our Father... Amen.
(or if the Lord's Prayer is not used at this point in the service)
All this we ask in the Name of the Blessed and Holy Trinity. Amen.
Visuals
a collection of lion pictures, stuffed lions, and so forth
Children's Sermon Starter
Ask the children if they have ever seen a real lion in the zoo or on television. Ask if the lion is scary. Hold up a stuffed lion and ask the children if they are afraid of it. (Of course not -- they know it will not hurt them.) Sometimes we are afraid of things because we know they could hurt us, like wild animals might. Sometimes we are afraid of things because we don't know if they will hurt us. Some people are afraid of God -- they see God as a roaring lion. But Hosea tells us not to be afraid of God. God's roar is not because God is angry, but because God is calling to us like a lion calls its cubs.
CHILDREN'S SERMON
Embarrassed
Luke 12:13-21
Object: pictures of yourself when you were younger
Good morning, boys and girls! What does the word "embarrassing" mean to you? We get embarrassed whenever we say or do something that is less than what we think of ourselves. For example, I have some pictures of myself when I was much younger. These pictures are a little embarrassing to me because I am so different from what I was then.
Today's gospel reading is about embarrassment -- making a fool of oneself. Jesus told a story about a man who thought he had everything he ever needed in life. He had plenty of food, clothing, shelter, friends, family -- he had it all! But there was something very important that he had forgotten. He had forgotten God. God is more important than food, clothing, shelter, friends, or family. God is the most important part of our lives.
In the story Jesus told, the man had everything, but now it was time for him to return to God and God was not in his life. He was called a "fool." A fool is someone who does embarrassing things. He did the most embarrassing thing any of us could ever do -- he left God out of his life.
I'm glad God is an important part of your life!
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The Immediate Word, August 1, 2010, issue.
Copyright 2010 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to The Immediate Word service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons and in worship and classroom settings only. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
