Immediate Word

For October 7, 2018:

• The Transaction of Grace by Tom Willadsen -- Jesus instructed his disciples, who were angling for choice seats in the eternal Skybox, to become like little children, who accept love and protection from their parents or caregivers without even being aware of it.
• Second Thoughts: Persist in Integrity by Mary Austin -- Integrity in public life feels like a rare treasure these days. The writer of the psalm and Job both offer us a path toward integrity, connecting this human quality with our faith in the God whose integrity is a model for our own. 
• Sermon illustrations by Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love and Bethany Peerbolte.
• Worship resources by George Reed that focus on entitlement and integrity.
• An Invitation Children’s sermon by Christ Keating -- Shows the connection between Jesus welcoming and blessing children in Mark 10:13-16 and World Communion Sunday.

The Transaction of Grace
by Tom Willadsen
Job 1:1, 2:1-10, Psalm 26, Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16

In the News
Powerful men behaving badly, or being accused of having behaved badly is in the news right now. Bill Cosby was sent to prison last week. A formerly admired entertainer and educator has been brought down by what may be a five decade pattern of drugging and taking advantage of women.

Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee was the most followed news story, by far, last week.

Something changed in the past year. Society is more likely to believe women who have been assaulted and humiliated by powerful men. And as they gain more credence, more women are finding the courage to speak about trauma they had not dealt with for many years. It appears that Harvey Weinstein was just the tip of an enormous iceberg. Powerful men are no longer able to use their power to frighten their victims into silence. As a society “boys will be boys,” is simply no longer accepted as an excuse for exploiting weaker and more vulnerable people.

We saw the iceberg melt a little on Thursday, when Brett Kavanaugh testified before a riveted, national audience.

Here are some thoughts from Washington Post writer, Jonathon Capehart’s opinion piece, “Hell hath no fury like an entitled white man denied,”  Published September 29, 2018:
      
“Thursday's (September 27th) wretched display of white (male) entitlement was especially galling. I can understand why Brett Kavanaugh erupted with anger. It was the lack of humility and decorum and contrition that canceled any human emotion I could have had for him as he fought back tears during the hearing over his imperiled Supreme Court nomination.”

“The entire spectacle was one long ‘but you promised’ tantrum of a grown man denied what he seems to believe is his.”

“Imagine if (Clarence) Thomas had acted out as Kavanaugh did (when Thomas was examined by the Senate prior to being appointed to the Supreme Court in 1991). Imagine if Christine Blasey Ford had behaved the way Kavanaugh did. You can't. Thanks to the racism and misogyny tightly woven into our national DNA, both Thomas and Ford knew they couldn't get away with it and wouldn't be believed if they had. Their dilemma is one faced by untold millions of Americans hourly. But the histrionics of (Senator Lindsey) Graham and Kavanaugh showed once again how hell hath no fury like an entitled white man denied. No humility. No contrition. No humanity beyond his narrow interests.”

Entitlement continues to defend the racism and misogyny that Capehart points out.

In the Bible
In today’s lessons (and elsewhere in scripture) there is an implicit message that bad things should not happen to “righteous” people. Righteous can mean, “innocent” or “blameless,” and even “ritually pure.” Job was a righteous man. A man of integrity, complete, whole, well-rounded. There was no shadow of turning in Job. The Lord was confident in Job’s virtue that the Lord accepted Satan’s challenge to Job’s faith. The Lord initially permitted Satan to assail Job’s property and possession. So in the rest of the first chapter of Job, parts that are skipped by today’s lectionary passion, a series of calamities wipes out Job’s livestock, possessions and family. In minutes, Job hears that he has lost everything. Job says, “the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (1:21b, NRSV) Job remains faithful.

The drama between the Lord and Satan escalates in the second chapter. This time Satan is permitted to afflict Job physically. Job is afflicted with an agonizing skin condition that he scrapes a potsherd against. He sends himself into exile, sitting among the ashes in the garbage dump, his wife instructs him to end his agony, “Curse God and die,” she says. Job refuses to speak against the Lord, replying that faith means accepting both the good and the bad from the Lord.

Today’s psalm is a hymn to sanctimony. “Protect me, Lord. Defend me; vindicate me. Look at all the bad things that I don’t do! I’m good; I’m thankful; I come to church. So, Lord, how about you smite my enemies? I don’t take bribes. Look at my integrity! I’ve been storing my virtue in the First Bank of Heaven, so how about a little payback to the bad people, who I’m not at all like! I’ve been good; You owe me, Lord!”

In the gospel reading there are three distinct parts. First, the Pharisees try to trick Jesus by asking him about divorce. He turns the question back to them and their knowledge of the Law. They know Deuteronomy 24:1-4, which only covers a man choosing to divorce his wife. The certificate he gives her frees her to marry someone else. Jesus, as usual, gets at the spirit, the intent of the law, beyond the legal wrangling. And, rather subtly he broadens the Law to give women equal rights to divorce, in the event of “equal wrongs.” None of the Pharisees comment on this.

In the second part, Jesus is “in the house” with the disciples and goes a little farther in talking about divorce, saying that if either party in a divorce marries another, they are guilty of adultery.

In the gospel passage two weeks ago, Jesus put a child in the middle of the group of disciples and said, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” (9:37) Jesus did this in response to the disciples’ arguing over which of them would be the greatest. None of the ones one would expect. It’s the weak, the vulnerable; the ones who need protection who will be the greatest. This is along the lines of Jesus’ saying in the Sermon on the Mount that the meek will inherit the earth. It’s tempting to try to find an angle where one can gain through humility or meekness. Or the passage where the Pharisee in Luke 18, who prays with thanksgiving that he’s not like other people. He is not a cheater, sinner or adulterer. He fasts and pays his tithe. Not like the tax collector who prays, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” Jesus concludes it’s the one who recognized and confessed his sin who was justified, not the Pharisee who really did not pray at all; he reminded God of his virtue.

In the third part of the gospel passage, presumably while Jesus was in the house with the disciples, people are bringing their children to Jesus so that he may touch, and thus bless, them. (T)he disciples spoke sternly to them, but this made Jesus indignant. He said, “Let the little children come to me, do not stop them; for it is to such as these that kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a child will never enter it.” (10:14-15)

The Hebrews passage cites Psalm 8, humans are just a little lower than angels, and Christ, the pioneer of faith, showing that Jesus, though above angels, also descended below the angels and has tasted death for all, so everyone has salvation through his suffering death and resurrection. Could it be that the Crucifixion changed God?

In the Sermon
We hear about people who suffer painful deaths and brutal losses, and often there is a voice that says, “She was so devout and pious. A just God would not permit her to suffer so.” Ah, Theodoric, the theological question of why bad things happen to good people. And the best answer is, “Yes, they certainly do.”

And faith, devotion, piety, humility, meekness, diligence, generosity, none of these prevents bad things from happening to all people. Piety is not a way to earn God’s blessing. One’s virtue and faith do not entitle one to a trouble-free life.

What is the solution for a society warped by privilege for men, white men, especially? Jesus offers two bits of advice for how we are to move forward. First, by broadening the statute regarding divorce in Deuteronomy, he indicates that men and women can be equal agents in ending a marriage.

Those of you who have tried to preach Christ’s words about divorce in the last 50 years know how perilous this can be. We’re in a different age. Gender roles are different from those of first century Palestine. Still, Rachel Keefe, (Christian Century, September 12, 2018) says, “We have no business treating anyone as if they are not made in the image of God.” Ins’t that where Jesus leads us? A return to embracing everyone’s common humanity?

Presbyterians recognize the need for the Holy Spirit’s leadership to help us hear “the voices of peoples long silenced” (A Brief Statement of Faith). It takes work to find and hear those voices. It takes, in some cases, enormous courage to speak up, to raise a formerly long silenced voice. It is the beginning of dismantling the entitlement in which powerful people, usually male, in our society, move every day.

Two first steps are listen and believe.

Another step comes at the end of today’s gospel lesson. What does it mean to accept the kingdom of God as a child? Remember, there is a huge difference between being “child-like” and “childish.” I’m certain that Jesus was endorsing the former. How does a child receive anything? Children come into the world completely dependent for every single thing they will need. Parents know the combined joy and sadness at seeing children grow up, for every step forward is a step away from the sovereign protection of the loving arms of a parent holding an infant. A child receives without knowledge, without awareness of her own dependency. Every human begins life incapable of receiving anything with any awareness.

As my Baptism and Eucharist professor explained when defending infant baptism, “How old must a child be to trust? Ins’t trust, or faith, really what the sacrament is about?”

Babies can only receive. If we imagine grace as a transaction between the Divine and people, we can only receive as a child does, without calculation, or even awareness. Our faith, our piety, our gender, our level of education, our heritage…none of these things makes us any more worthy of being loved by God. Yes, grace is a transaction. A transaction that can only go one way. And all anyone can do is recognize and give thanks for grace.

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SECOND THOUGHTS
by Mary Austin
Job 1:1, 2:1-10, Psalm 26

As has famously been said about another topic, it’s hard to define, but we know it when we see it. Integrity is something we feel more keenly than we can explain. It’s a particular quality of knowing that the inner spirit of a person matches the outer actions. It’s evident in an institution where the actions match its announced mission. It’s all too easy to lose the feeling that a person in our lives has integrity, or to lose faith in an institution.

Our political system, churches, pastors and public figures are all in the spotlight, as we demonstrate -- or fail to demonstrate -- our level of integrity. In the recent debate over the nomination of Judge Brett Vaughan to the Supreme Court, all of the participants are being evaluated for their level of integrity.

Integrity is a mysterious combination of honesty, empathy and congruence between the inner person and the outer life. The presence of God feeds a life of integrity, as the psalmist and Job both demonstrate. The psalmist notes a connection between worship and the inner fire of integrity, saying, “I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O Lord, singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.”

The psalmist calls out to God for vindication, proclaiming that he or she has “walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.” Right away, the psalmist makes a connection between human integrity and trust in God. Trust in God fuels human integrity. It’s impossible for us to live with the qualities that make up integrity without the steady presence of God underneath it all.

Even as Job is afflicted by Satan, to prove a point about the depth of his faith, he holds onto what he knows is true. On opposite sides, his wife and Satan say the same thing about him: “he still persists in his integrity.” His wife offers him an easy way out, and he refuses to take it. Job gives God more leeway than his wife is prepared for, refusing to sin with his lips, even in the face of tremendous physical and spiritual challenges. Job holds to the truth he knows within himself.

Jesus offers a model of similar integrity. All through his ministry, he’s on the side of the outsider and the outcast. Challenged by the Pharisees, he holds to a position on divorce that protects the wife, the more vulnerable party. Then, in another statement about the value of less valuable people, he welcomes the children that his disciples have tried to shuffle off to the side. He holds a child up as an example of the way we can receive the kingdom of God -- presumably with wonder, excitement and gratitude.

The experience of Dr. Christine Basely Ford, and the response of the Senate, has been seen by many as a test of the integrity of the confirmation process. Would the Senate “plow ahead” with a vote on Judge Vaughan’s nomination to the Supreme Court, or would they stop to listen to the story of an accomplished, professional woman? The addition of a one week period for an FBI investigation is meant to reassure wavering Republican senators, along with the public. Senator Jeff Flake, who proposed the one week delay, “said he was driven to act as much by the damage the confirmation fight was doing to the Senate, the court and a divided nation as by the fate of the nomination itself. He may have ultimately eased the way to confirmation for Judge Kavanaugh. But the intense division over the nomination is likely to persist no matter what the F.B.I. finds.”

The process has also raised questions about the integrity of Christians, particularly white Christians.  White evangelical Christians are the group of people least likely to believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, according to a new poll. In addition, “nearly half of white evangelicals say Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh should be confirmed even if sexual assault allegations against him are true, according to a new Marist poll.”

An opinion piece for the Religious News Service observes, “A number of white evangelical pastors publicly insist that the rape allegations by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and other recent victims are simply “irrelevant” because Kavanaugh was a 17-year-old boy, too young to be held responsible for such actions if they occurred at all. Franklin Graham, who has said he believes Kavanaugh’s denials of sexual assault, also dismissed the claims against him as political maneuvering. “It’s just a shame that a person like Judge Kavanaugh, who has a stellar record, that somebody can bring something up that he did when he was a teenager close to 40 years ago. That’s not relevant,” Graham told the Christian Broadcasting Network… “Many white conservative voices have asked that we give Kavanaugh the benefit of the doubt. By not extending this same courtesy to his multiple accusers, these pastors make clear that they don’t consider combating gender violence a priority in this country or in the churches they lead. Although Ford has testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, this nation has a long way to go in believing women’s voices concerning sexual violence.”

The writer also notes the lack of integrity in religious voices about the experiences of young men of color. Saying “boys will be boys” only applies to young white men. Young men of color are dangerous, and a threat. (Michael Brown, Tamir Rice.) The writer notes, “The answer is plain: Conservative voices want to give Kavanaugh a pass because he is a white man who will represent their interests.” Not just conservative Christians, but all of us, are being challenged to rise to the standards of Jesus.

In contrast, 1600 men took out an ad and signed their names, saying they believe Dr. Blasey Ford, and calling on other men to be allies in the fight against sexual assault. The ad evoked a similar one, taken out by African-American women in support of Professor Anita Hill, during the Clarence Thomas hearings.

The process invites us all to examine our own integrity, following the example of the psalmist, Job and Jesus. Who do we believe? Why? What would it take for our political life to have the integrity of our church life? How can our churches be more attentive to those who are speaking their truth in the public sphere?

The ups and downs of our shared political life challenge us to demonstrate integrity to the world. If it’s a quality in short supply, we, as people of faith, can be people who bring this rare quality to our common spaces. We can live with integrity, both privately and publicly, until we are models like the ones we find in scripture.

For the psalmist, an integrated life grows from a linking with God, and being rooted in God’s presence. Worship connects us back to God, and feeds the places of integrity within us. Job persists in a stance of integrity, refusing to say things that he knows aren’t true, even when afflicted and abandoned. And Jesus models a life of integrity for us, living it so seamlessly that it’s never in doubt.

May it be that all of us can say, along with the psalmist:

But as for me, I walk in my integrity;
redeem me, and be gracious to me.
My foot stands on level ground;
in the great congregation I will bless the Lord. Amen.


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ILLUSTRATIONS

From team member Dean Feldmeyer:

A Slice Of Entitlement
Customer: “Excuse me! Your machine is out of Pepsi. I need for you to go back there and change it immediately!”
Me: “Well, I am sorry but we are out Pepsi and we won’t be getting anymore until tomorrow. All of the other sodas work fine, though.”
Customer: “Then I want a refund!”
Me: “I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”
Customer: “Why not?”
Me: “Because that’s a water cup.”
https://notalwaysright.com/a-slice-of-self-entitlement/72645/

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Four Children’s Books That Help Teach Children About Entitlement

1. 'Thing-Thing' by Carly Fagan
   Thing-Thing tells the story of spoiled birthday boy Archibald who has everything, and his parents who have run out of ideas of presents to buy him. When his father brings home Thing-Thing, a hodgepodge of a stuffed animal, Archibald doesn't appreciate it and throws the toy out the high-rise hotel window. Don't worry, Thing-Thing finally finds a child who isn't entitled and the colorful imagery beautifully highlight emotions and appreciation.
2. 'Oops, Sorry!: A First Book Of Manners' by Richard Morgan
   A story perfect for toddlers and early readers, Oops Sorry! is a simple picture-book which addresses entitlement in an easy to understand format. Since young children love to read along and shout out answers, this book is perfect for engaging them and teaching about appreciation, manners, and kindness in a simple way.
3. 'How To Speak Politely And Why' by Munro Leaf
   In How to Speak Politely & Why, everything from grammar to manners is tackled in an ingenious way ideal for slightly older kids. Not only does this book cover how to be appreciative and polite, but it focuses on why they should and why it's important.
4. 'Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners' by Laurie Keller
   A fun play on words, Do Unto Otters teaches children about the Golden Rule. Otters, rabbits, and owls learn how to coexist and share their common living space without being selfish or rude. This book is especially great because it touches on privilege, diversity, and entitlement in a light-hearted way.
   https://www.romper.com/p/15-childrens-books-that-teach-your-child-not-to-be-entitled-16860

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Sixteen Signs That You May Have An Entitlement Complex
By now you may be wondering: do I have a sense of entitlement? Like anything in life there is a spectrum, and while you may not be a full-blown narcissist or have a borderline personality disorder, you may exhibit a certain level of selfishness that makes other people’s lives hard. If you have a sense of entitlement, symptoms include the following:

1. You impose unrealistic demands on your family, children, friends, acquaintances, lovers, employees, and/or employers.
2. You tend to feel sorry for yourself if things don’t work out the way you wanted (self-pity), and openly advertise this in melodramatic, attention-seeking ways.
3. People have called you a “bully”, “manipulative”, “ruthless”, “egotistical”, “vain”, or a “liar.”
4. You believe that you deserve happiness and go to great, sometimes extreme lengths to ensure that happens, often at the expense of others.
5. You punish people when they don’t do what you want either passively (e.g. silent treatment, gossiping, spreading rumors) or aggressively (e.g. shouting, verbally/physically abusing).
6. In order to “succeed” in life, you believe in going to any lengths.
7. You constantly see other people as competition or “threats.”
8. You tend to exhibit many double-standards in the way you behave/interact with other people, e.g. I can be late and forget my duties and commitments, but YOU can’t; I can treat myself, but YOU can’t; I can abuse or disrespect you, but YOU can’t to ME.
9. You tend to take more than give in friendships and relationships.
10. You tend to look out for yourself, your needs and desires more than anyone else almost 100% of the time.
11. You have a hard time negotiating or compromising.
12. You have a deep-seated conviction that you have priority and should always come first, even at the expense of stepping on others.
13. People always seem to be offended or upset by what you do or say.
14. You generally think that you are better, or more important, than other people and other people should see this and unquestioningly respect you.
15. You crave admiration and adoration.
16. You like to assert your dominance or superiority over other people, finding it second nature.
https://lonerwolf.com/sense-of-entitlement/

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Entitlement Quiz
The web site, “Patty’s Homepage,” offers this "Entitlement Quiz,” so all of us can see just how entitled we are.

For each of the fifteen statements, mark a number from one to seven which gauges your personal feeling about the statement (one being the most disagreement and seven being the most agreement).

Do not spend too much time on any one item. Also please respond in terms of how you really feel as opposed to how you think you should feel. Try to avoid using the neutral response if possible.

______ 1. I deserve respect from others.
______ 2. I demand good service in a restaurant.
______ 3. My closest friends owe me loyalty.
______ 4. I expect fairness from others.
______ 5. I'm owed a good-paying job for my abilities.
______ 6. People should treat me the way I treat them.
______ 7. When I do something nice for someone, I expect them to do something nice for me.
______ 8. I deserve a "thank you" when I hold a door open for someone or let someone ahead of me in traffic.
______ 9. People should listen to what I have to say.
______ 10. I often feel "owed" for things I have done.
______ 11. Other people have told me I expect too much.
______ 12. All in all, I deserve a good life.
______ 13. I am entitled to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
______ 14. I find myself getting angry inside when others don't do things for me they said they would.
______ 15. My children owe me cooperation and obedience for all the sacrifices I have made for them.

Add all of the numbers of your fifteen responses, then divide that total by fifteen. The number you are left with will show you on the scale how convinced you are that you are "entitled" to certain things.

If you score from one to four, you really are not expecting much from other people in the way of gratitude, approval, and response. As such, you probably won't be disappointed in life when such responses aren't forthcoming.

If you score from five to seven, you are probably a person who is carrying a lot of internal anger over the fact that not enough people give you what you feel entitled to. If this is the case, you need to readjust your expectations. You need to remind yourself that you are "owed" nothing for all you do and that people have the perfect freedom to fly in the face of what you want. You need to remember that the challenge is to do things for people because it's healthy or mature or "right," not because you can earn "green stamps" that you can cash in whenever you want.

Painful as it is, you are not entitled. Don't let that truth get too far away from you in life.
http://www.pattishomepage.com/read/entitled.htm

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The Character Of A Good Husband
In 1985, Lois Wyse wrote in Good Housekeeping magazine six ways to learn everything you ever need to know about the character of a man before you decide to marry him: 1) watch him drive in heavy traffic. 2) Play tennis with him. 3) Listen to him talk to his mother when he doesn't know you're listening. 4) See how he treats those who serve him (waiters, maids). 5) Notice what he's willing to spend his money to buy. 6) Look at his friends. And if you still can't make up your mind, then look at his shoes. A man who keeps his shoes in good repair generally tends to the rest of his life too.

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An Admirable Character Isn’t Realy So Difficult
An unknown source offers this example of character, allowing that it’s not all that difficult. Indeed, your dog can accomplish it:
If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him/her,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
Then, you have almost reached the same level of development as your dog.

From team member Ron Love:

Evil
Richard Oastler, as an advocate for the working men, women and children, was known as the “Factory King” in England. He was a prominent spokesperson in support of the “ant-Poor Law,” and was partially responsible for the passing of the Factories Act of 1847 that established the ten-hour working day. He was also an outspoken abolitionist. His dedication to the working poor is expressed in a letter published on September 29, 1830 by the The Leeds Mercury deploring “Yorkshire Slavery.” The letter addressed the oppressive labor conditions of women and children. “Thousands of our fellow-creatures and fellow-subjects, both male and female, the miserable inhabitants of a Yorkshire town, are this very moment existing in a state of slavery, more horrid than are the victims of that hellish system ‘colonial slavery.’ These innocent creatures drawl out, unpitied, their short but miserable existence, in a place famed for its profession of religious zeal, whose inhabitants are ever foremost in professing ‘temperance’ and ‘reformation’ and are striving to outrun their neighbors in missionary exertions, and would fain send the Bible to the farthest corner of the globe aye, in the very place where the anti-slavery fever rages most furiously, her apparent charity is not more admired on earth, than her real cruelty is abhorred in Heaven. The very streets which receive the droppings of an 'Anti-Slavery Society' are every morning wet by the tears of innocent victims at the accursed shrine of avarice, who are compelled (not by the cart-whip of the negro slave-driver) but by the dread of the equally appalling thong or strap of the over-looker, to hasten, half-dressed, but not half-fed, to those magazines of British infantile slavery the worsted mills in the town and neighborhood of Bradford!!!”

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Judgment
Jean-Baptiste Massillon was a French Roman Catholic bishop and famous preacher, who served as Bishop of Clermont from 1717 until his death. Massillon's popularity was probably because in his sermons he lays little stress on dogmatic questions, but treats generally of moral subjects, in which the secrets of the human heart and the processes of man's reason are described with poetical feeling. He devoted himself to improving discipline, morals, and education. Because of the strength of his preaching King Louis XIV only allowed him to preach once in his court. In his sermon The Fewness of the Elect, preached before the King he began by saying, “Most Catholics go to hell.” Massillon then went on to say “Being Catholic is the first and necessary step toward salvation, but it is not the only one. As a Catholic, your salvation is not guaranteed. Just as good works without the Catholic faith is dead (cannot give you eternal salvation), the Catholic ‘faith without works is [also] dead.’” (James 2:26) He then went on to recount the parable in Matthew 22:9-14, concluding with these words, “For many are called [Catholics], but few are chosen [saved].” He later went on in his sermon to say “You should now have an idea of how very, very, very few Catholics attain eternal salvation! This truth ought to rid you of any false confidence and make you aware of the fact that every day you live your salvation is in danger. Dear Catholic, if every day you do not sincerely work, by God’s grace, to obtain salvation, you will lose it. Salvation, then, comes only by faith and persevering labor. Jesus says, ‘Labor… for that which endureth unto life everlasting.’ (Jn. 6:27) St. Paul says, ‘Labor as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.’ (2 Tim. 2:3) ‘We labor, whether absent or present, to please him.’ (2 Cor. 5:9) ‘Being mindful of the work of your faith and labor and charity: and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Thess. 1:3) And St. Peter says, ‘Wherefore, brethren, labor the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election. For doing these things, you shall not sin at any time.’” (2 Pt. 1:10)

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Judgement
Jean-Baptiste Massillon was a French Roman Catholic bishop and famous preacher, who served as Bishop of Clermont from 1717 until his death. Massillon's popularity was probably because in his sermons he lays little stress on dogmatic questions, but treats generally of moral subjects, in which the secrets of the human heart and the processes of man's reason are described with poetical feeling. He devoted himself to improving discipline, morals, and education. In a sermon he once preached on judgment saying, “If Jesus should appear in this temple . . . to be our judge, to make the terrible separation between the sheep and the goats, do you believe that the greater number of us would be set on his right hand? . . . do you believe there would be found here only ten righteous, which the Lord was not able to find formerly in five entire cities?”

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Blessings
Elias Boudinot was born in Philadelphia in 1740. Boudinot would serve in numerous positions during the War for Independence, culminating in his role as president of the Continental Congress from 1782 to1783. As president he signed the Treaty of Paris, ending hostilities with Great Britain. On September 9, 1789 Elias Boudinot, a representative of New Jersey, asked Congress to appoint a joint committee of the House and Senate to approach President George Washington with a petition to proclaim a day of thanksgiving. This sparks vigorous debate about separation of church and state and whether the president has the authority under the constitution. In the end the resolution is approved. President Washington, mindful of the limits of his authority, requests the individual states to comply with his proclamation.

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Discipleship
The American Sunday School Union (ASSU), was founded in 1824 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It had as its mission the promotion of Sunday schools and early literacy and the spiritual development of children. The ASSU was a significant publisher and provider, of books and periodicals for children and played a role in shaping the direction of 19th century children's literature in America.

In 1790 there were no free public schools in Philadelphia. Leaders from several denominations organized the First-day or Sunday-School Society of Philadelphia, the first known organization whose purpose was specifically to promote Sunday schools. In less than twenty years, many such organizations sprang up in other cities in the United States. By 1817, ten or more of the local Philadelphia societies or “unions” consolidated into a general union and The Sunday and Adult School Union was begun. Within seven years of its inception, ten states and the District of Columbia had auxiliary unions.  By December of 1823, union representatives from various cities met in Philadelphia for preliminary discussions about forming a national organization and The American Sunday-School Union was formed. 

Among their objectives was the dissemination of useful moral and religious information. Believing that religious literature suitable for young readers was largely non-existent, they endeavored to publish books and periodicals for this market. 

Francis Scott Key, an Episcopalian layman, was a cofounder of the American Sunday School Union. On September 14, 1814, he was inspired to write the song that becomes America’s national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, when he sees that Fort McHenry has not struck its colors after a night of heavy bombardment by British ships during the war of 1812.

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Love
Recognizing marriage as a covenant in Roman Catholicism, a divorce cannot be granted for the covenant cannot be expunged. The marriage can only be annulled, which is a declaration the marital covenant never existed. In response to the Protestant Reformation and the teaching of Martin Luther which denounced the Seven Sacraments of Roman Catholicism, the Council of Trent, the Nineteenth Ecumenical Council which convened on December 13, 1545, affirmed the dogma of the Seventh Sacrament, that of marriage. The council implored that the tenet has always been taught by the church, thusly defined in the canon: “If any one shall say that matrimony is not truly and properly one of the Seven Sacraments of the Evangelical Law, instituted by Christ our Lord, but was invented in the Church by men, and does not confer grace, let him be anathema.”

* * *

Love
Frederick Douglas approached the front door of the White House seeking admission into the Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Ball. Just as Douglas was about to knock on the door two policemen seized him as an uninvited guest, barred by the color of his skin. A large and powerful man, Douglas brushed aside the constables and stepped through the doors into the great and majestic foyer of the most publicized house in the world. Shouting racial maledictions officers within grabbed the abolitionist, dragging him across the polished floor to the street beneath. He hollered in dismay, “Just say to Mr. Lincoln that Fred Douglas is at the door.” Confusion ensued that did not go unnoticed by the celebrant of the hour. Intervening, the President announced in a distinguishable voice audible to all in the Great Hall, “Here comes my friend Douglas.”

* * *

Blessings
Painted on the president’s chair at the Constitutional Convention, assembled at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, was a brilliantly engraved sun. Though George Washington distinguished the seat by his presence, directing the representatives that would incorporate a new nation, one delegate’s attention was often affixed not on the face of the presiding officer but on the painting adorning his throne. During dull moments of the legislative process he would debate if the sun was rising or setting, for the orange cast lent itself to either persuasion. The discussion on the disposition of the sun ceased on the day the document was signed, September 17, 1787, when Benjamin Franklin declared, “I have often in the course of the session, and the vicissitudes of my hope and fears as to its issue, looked at that sun behind the President without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting: But now at length I have the happiness to know that it is rising and not a setting sun.” A morning sun for Franklin was assured that with Constitution in hand the future of the nation and the ideals on which it predicated itself would come to fruition.

* * *

Discipleship
In World War II, “D-Day” meant the day the operation is to begin. The exact date was often unknown, thus it was designated as “D.” When the date was affixed for purposes of secrecy the demarcation date was still referred to in communications as “D-Day.” Since the Normandy invasion of France on June 6, 1944 is best known, “D-Day” has come to incorrectly symbolize that single event alone. “V-Day” was used to note the day of victory. Again, the anonymous “V” since the exact date can seldom be determined. When victory was ascertained, as in World War II, the designation became “V-E Day” for victory in Europe on May 8, 1945 and “V-J Day” for victory over Japan on August 15, 1945.

* * *

Faith
I read a section of a Good Friday sermon preached at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, an African-American church in Philadelphia. There were seven orators that afternoon, with the eldest honored by being in the pulpit last. The sermon became another watershed moment in my life, providing a biblical guidepost that always assures me of my security in Christ. He preached, “It was Friday and Mary was cryin’ her eyes out. The disciples were runnin’ in every direction, like sheep without a shepherd, that was Friday, and Sunday’s comin! It was Friday. The cynics were lookin’ at the world and sayin’, ‘As things have been so they shall be. You can’t change anything in this world; you can’t change anything.’ But those cynics didn’t know that it was only Friday. Sunday’s comin’! It was Friday! And on Friday those forces that oppress the poor and make the poor to suffer were in control. But that was Friday! Sunday’s comin’! It was Friday, and on Friday Pilate thought he had washed his hands of a lot of trouble. The Pharisees were struttin’ around and pokin’ each other in the ribs. They thought they were back in charge of things, but they didn’t know that it was only Friday! Sunday’s comin!’”


From team member Bethany Peerbolte:

Mark 10:2-16, Psalm 26, Job 1:1 , 2:1-10
Keeping Integrity in a Foreign Country
It is one thing to keep your integrity in a place where your moral code is widely accepted and followed by most of the population. When you pick up that lifestyle and drop in another place, staying true to your self is harder. Especially if that new place does not understand your traditions, or worse yet, does not want you around. For Latino teenagers growing up in America comes with its unique challenges. Families plead with them to keep to their roots. Then in the next breath remind them to keep their background hidden when in the public eye. Latino families are aware of the stigma they fight against every day. Their stories of combating stereotypes, fitting in, and finding their own sense of integrity are cataloged in the article “Young Latinos: Born in the U.S.A., carving their own identity.”

The pressure to be 100% American and 100% Mexican is a struggle. One I think Jesus can give some great insight to. After all he was 100% human and 100% God. Psalm 26 shows us the reward of staying true to our integrity. When we find a way to be thankful even as our hearts and minds are tested we receive God’s grace. Job also illustrates this well. After everything has been taken away, our integrity is the only thing that sets us apart. Integrity is not something anyone can take away. The world will try to entice you to abandon your integrity for a better deal. If you can somehow hang on to it then, as Mark puts it, Jesus will take you in his arms and bless you.

* * *

Psalm 26
Finding Integrity
I am always fascinated by stories of people who have been courageous enough to accept great change. In season one of Sarah Silverman’s show “I Love You America” she interviews people who have done exactly that -- changed. One interview focuses on a woman’s escape from the Westboro Baptist church, another episode highlights a man’s turn away from the white supremacist group his family has run for generations. This week NBC spoke to a nurse at an abortion clinic in Fargo who was raised protesting outside clinics. In the interview she recaps protests she remembers from her childhood, including the first one at which she began having second thoughts. Her emotional transformation was complete when she helped a friend get an abortion in college. The terrifying experience of finding a safe clinic for the procedure opened her world to someone else’s experience. Now as a nurse she helps nearly 100 women a month decide which choice is best for them.

If integrity was easy everyone would do it. People who have made huge changes to their beliefs often leave behind family and friends who want nothing to do with their new convictions. Truly hard tests of the heart. Many of them are changing ideas they have held their whole lives. Truly a test of the mind. Psalm 26 is then a song of hope for people experiencing this kind of change. The work is worth doing to come out a more whole and truer version of yourself.

* * *

Mark 10:2-16, Psalm 26
Community of Integrity
When Paris was under siege by the German army, residents gathered community artifacts hoping to save the art and culture from destruction. It seems the same mentality gripped Detroiters as the old Michigan Central Station fell into disrepair. In 1988 the train station was closed and left to sit empty. The 18 story building became a visual representation of the hard times the area was facing. As the years passed unique features of the station began disappearing -- including the large central clock that was once a gem of the building. Looters tore tiles, benches, even the fountain out to take home as a memento of Detroit’s glory days. This summer, The Ford Motor Company announced that they had bought the old train station and had plans to restore it for offices and retail. Even though the original charm had been chipped away Ford was excited to see the space come to life again. Then something incredible happened. An item was left on the property wrapped in a tarp and duct tape. It was the original clock! The person who took it down was just as excited to see the building restored and wanted to make sure the clock was included in the final grandeur.  Then more and more items were brought forward. In fact, Ford had to designate a special phone line and employee to keep track of all the items Detroiters wanted to return to the station. It is incredible that so many people decided the price of one item was nothing compared to the gift the station would be to the community.

* * *

Job 1:1, 2:1-10
Wealth Gap and Entitlement
As the wealth gap continues to grow in America, there are beginning to be obvious predictors to who lives where. America’s rich and poor were studied by the Brookings Institution. Factors like employment rate and life expectancy were used to compare cities. This created a vitality rating that allowed contrasts to be made across America. Education ended up being the most important indicator of an area’s vitality. For example, in San Francisco 55% of residents have a university education, compared to Detroit with only 30% of residents holding a college degree. Generally coastal areas are doing better than the Midwest and southern US. Additionally, places that depended on one type in industry in the 1980’s are having a hard time staying vital. Researchers hope that seeing these concrete data points will help policy makers implement systems to help support those communities that are struggling.

At the heart of entitlement is the idea that one has done something to earn the good things they have. When in fact it could be the luck of where you were born that really gives you the best help. The book of Job challenges the idea that you earn your blessings. Placing a righteous man at the mercy of a life with few blessings. As Job struggles to make sense of his loss he eventually sees how what he had had nothing to do with him and his work. When we accept this we can better answer God’s call to be a blessing to others.

* * *

Mark 10: 2-16
Are Millennials Really that Entitled?
There is a beautiful piece done by Michael Hobbes and Jason Wong. The story is surrounded by engaging and sometimes hilarious animation. Thankfully too, because the content is a little grim. In their collaboration they show how “Millennials are Screwed.” Often called the most entitled generation yet, millennials also have grown up with a inimitable array of obstacles. Debt is only one of the many burdens that are crippling this generation. This list shows the top ten problems millennials face.  However, for every article about millennials having it bad there are an equal number of articles for any other generation. Every group feels in some ways they got a bad hand dealt to them. Hopefully they did something to improve the hand for the next generation. Maybe the answer is to not label one another as entitled and work together to adjust the systems that are making us get so defensive.

I can almost hear the disciples grumbling about how the younger generation has better access to Jesus. In Mark they try to keep the children away. Whether because they want to be up front themselves or maybe they do not think the kids will understand what Jesus is saying. Jesus of course straightens the bickering out and clarifies that the best way to enter the Kingdom is like a child. Debt free, jobless, happy and content. That last bit may just be my millennial showing.

(Back to top of page)

WORSHIP
by George Reed

Call to Worship:
Leader: Prove us, O God, and try us.
People: Test our hearts and our minds.
Leader: God’s steadfast love is before our eyes.
People: Let us walk in faithfulness to our God.
Leader: Let us sing aloud a song of thanksgiving.
People: We will tell of all God’s wondrous deeds.

OR

Leader: Let’s all join with all God’s children at the table.
People: We open ourselves and our table to all.   
Leader: God, our Creator, welcomes all in love and grace.
People: We will seek to welcome everyone as well.
Leader: When we look with God’s eyes, we can God’s image in all.
People: With God’s help we will seek to find that likeness.

Hymns and Songs:
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
UMH: 103
H82: 423
PH: 263
NCH: 1
CH: 66
LBW: 523
ELA: 834
W&P: 48
AMEC: 71
STLT: 273
Renew: 46

Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
UMH: 126
H82: 408
PH: 483
NCH: 6
CH: 6
W&P: 56

Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
UMH: 402
PH: 372
AAHH: 463
NNBH: 156
NCH: 454
CH: 589
W&P: 457
AMEC: 282 
Renew: 145

Breathe on Me, Breath of God
UMH: 420
H82: 508
PH: 316
AAHH: 317
NNBH: 126
NCH: 292
CH: 254
LBW: 488          
W&P: 461
AMEC: 192 

Jesu, Jesu
UMH: 432
H82: 602
PH: 367
NCH: 498
CH: 600
ELA: 708
W&P: 273
CCB: 66
Renew: 289

Make Me a Captive, Lord
UMH: 421
PH: 378

Help Us Accept Each Other
UMH: 560
PH: 358
NCH: 388
CH: 487
W&P: 596
AMEC: 558 

Where Charity and Love Prevail
UMH: 549
H82: 581
NCH: 396          
LBW: 126
ELA: 359

Make Me a Servant
CCB: 90

I Am Loved
CCB 80   

Music Resources Key:
UMH: United Methodist Hymnal
H82: The Hymnal 1982
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
ELA: Evangelical Lutheran Worship
W&P: Worship & Praise
AMEC: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal
STLT: Singing the Living Tradition
CCB: Cokesbury Chorus Book
Renew: Renew! Songs & Hymns for Blended Worship

Prayer for the Day/Collect
O God who created all humanity in your own image:
Grant us the wisdom to seek your likeness in all
that we may welcome everyone to your table;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

OR

We praise you, O God, because you are the one who acts and speaks out of the very nature of your being. In Jesus we have seen you among us as one who serves. Help us to not seek to be entitled to special treatment but to live out of the integrity of our likeness in you. Amen.

Prayer of Confession
Leader: Let us confess to God and before one another our sins and especially our seeking privilege rather than integrity.

People: We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. We are too often proud and think we are entitled to special treatment. We are dismissive of those who find even their basic rights denied them. We call ourselves disciples and followers of the Christ but we shy away from serving and the cross. We call ourselves children of God but we often bear little family resemblance. Forgive us and renew us that we may live our lives in integrity revealing your unconditional love in all we do and say. Amen. 

Leader: God desires us to live in integrity so that we may be whole and offer wholeness to the world. Receive God’s grace and forgiveness and share God’s love with others.

Prayers of the People
Glory and honor are yours, O God, for you are one in being, action, and words. You are the epitome of integrity.

(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 are too often proud and think we are entitled to special treatment. We are dismissive of those who find even their basic rights denied them. We call ourselves disciples and followers of the Christ but we shy away from serving and the cross. We call ourselves children of God but we often bear little family resemblance. Forgive us and renew us that we may live our lives in integrity revealing your unconditional love in all we do and say.

We thank you for those who have lived lives of integrity before us dismissing any claims of entitlement. We thank you for your Spirit that calls us and enables us to live as we were created to live.

(Other thanksgivings may be offered.)

We pray for those who live under oppression and hatred. We pray for those who are denied their dignity by those who seek power and wealth at their expense.

(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 Our Father is not used at this point in the service)

All this we ask in the Name of the Blessed and Holy Trinity. Amen.

Children’s Sermon Starter
Have two bricks and several popsicle or craft sticks. Place the bricks beside each other and place two sticks across them. The sticks should have been broken earlier but not in separate pieces. Show them it is broken. Will it hold us another brick if we place in on it? It won’t. What about two sticks that are not broken? It should work. Integrity is a word we use today but it is not a word we use a lot. It means whole or complete. The first sticks did not have integrity. The second set of sticks did. Integrity for us means being what we are, children of God. When we act like the children of God we are then we have integrity. We are whole and complete. When we act selfishly or hatefully or are mean, we are broken. We no longer have integrity. God wants us to be complete and whole.


CHILDREN’S SERMON
An Invitation
by Chris Keating
Mark 10:13-16

This week’s scripture lessons include the introduction of the story of Job, a portion of the creation story, and Jesus’ difficult words on divorce. These stories are rich with preaching possibilities but are also difficult to interpret to children. This Sunday is also World Communion Sunday, and, in some traditions, the celebration of St. Francis of Assisi’s feast.

A discussion of divorce with children could be helpful and pastorally appropriate. Such a children’s sermon would require a great deal of thought and careful consideration of the ages and situations of the children who attend. Likewise, exploring the story of Job provides a significant opportunity to help children understand the story as they begin to understand how some people discover resilience during struggle. Carolyn Brown makes the helpful suggestion of looking at the well-known children’s book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. It’s too long to read completely during worship, but it could be a way of helping children understand the way Job was also having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Another option would be discussing the connection between Jesus welcoming and blessing children in Mark 10:13-16 and World Communion Sunday. Jesus encourages the crowd to bring children to him. He blesses them and affirms that they have a place in God’s family. Children can identify with the warmth of Jesus’ welcome and the blessing he provides for them.

Help the children understand that Jesus’ words are an invitation. While some did not think he would be interested in children, Jesus makes the point that this is exactly what it means to be part of God’s kingdom. Likewise, Jesus is the host who welcomes all persons and nations to join in sharing communion. Our families invite people to come and share a meal with us, and today Jesus invites the world to gather in celebration of God’s love.

Help the children think about the global connections present in your church congregation and denomination. Think ahead of time about the specific ways that your congregation is connected to persons and groups around the world. Such connections could include mission groups or personnel, denominational groups, members living abroad, your congregation’s mission experiences, or church members from other countries. Many people travel around the world for work and pleasure.

If possible, name some of the ways your church has experiences of Christ’s global body.

Then invite the children to imagine the ways Christians might participate in communion in different countries. In many churches, different types of bread are used in communion this day. Other symbols may also be present. As you point out these symbols, invite the children to use their imagination to think of the ways Christians worship in other places. Can they imagine how Christians might be gathering in so many different places? Some meet in large cathedrals, in outdoor settings, in house churches, or even in villages where worship is not permitted. Think of how interesting it is that no matter where Christians gather, and no matter what language we speak, we share this special meal.

This could be a great opportunity for a brief lesson on the words you use during communion. Explain that just as we invite friends over to eat dinner with us, Jesus invites all who trust in him to share in this meal. As you close, remind the children that when Jesus invited children to come forward, he was showing the disciples that everyone is to be included in the church. Close with a prayer for all the children of the world, and perhaps join in singing, “Jesus Love Me.”


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The Immediate Word, October 7, 2018, issue.

Copyright 2018 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.