Worship Preview 10.18.26 "Show Us."
FIRST UNITED METHODIST
WORSHIP OCTOBER 11th: 10:30am. “Show Us” Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching. Scriptures: Deuteronomy 32:1-18, John 14: 1-17.
Last week we spent some time with the beautiful and familiar image of Jesus as the Vine and the faithful as fruitful branches. As Jesus uses this metaphor to encourage his disciples, he talks about his Father as the Gardener who “cuts off every branch in me bears no fruit.” As I explored the ideas of connection and dis-connection, I shared how I had never really focused on the phrase “in me” there. God prunes – Christ holds. In the prologue of John 1, all things are created through Christ and all things are held together in Christ. Gardeners know that even plants and branches that are bearing fruit can often become more fruitful with proper and tender pruning. I talked about how my hearing aids, when I go too far from the bluetooth connection, say “disconnected.” They still work – but I can’t adjust the settings. Reflecting on that, I noted that there is nowhere we can go where are beyond the range of God’s grace – and yet we can become “disconnected” when we fail to focus on Christ’s presence. And sometimes, even if we are going through the motions of being faithful, we become disconnected.
Sunday we’ll begin worship with a short breath prayer exercise that we used this week in my “Creating a Culture of Renewal” cohort group and I’ll share an insight I received about oxygen not just filling the lungs, but moving throughout the body through blood cells. Then we’ll hear a passage that begins what is known as the Song of Moses. Found near the end of Deuteronomy, it reminds the people of times they have stumbled or become disconnected. And it recalls how God has led them. It talks bout God poetically - as an Eagle parenting young nestlings – and as a Rock, indeed The Rock, yet the one that “gave them birth.” The poem or song calls on Israel to be aware, to be connected, to focus on God’s presence. God’s people are to “tell the stories” from generation to generation – indeed, that is part of what the Bible itself is – the stories of God’s people. Often stumbling and falling short, but persistently and with loving kindness, called and sent forth by God.
Our mission statement here at Fort Scott First UMC is “to share the good news of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ…and to exemplify the love of God by knowing Christ, growing in Christ, servingChrist and sharing Christ.” That means telling the stories and living them out. God has shown us what is good. As we continue to focus on loving our neighbor and more fully understanding who are neighbors are, we’ll revisit John’s Gospel, looking back to Chapter 14 and a series of exchanges that lead to Jesus sharing the metaphor of the Vine. Jesus tells the Disciples he “goes to prepare a place for them.” Again, Jesus is in the role of both servant and leader – but Thomas and Philip protesst that the don’t know the way or where Jesus is going. In response to Thomas, Jesus proclaims “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Philip then begs Jesus to “show us the Father.” And Jesus responds “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”
Sunday we’ll continue thinking about what it means that God is One and that we encounter and worship our One God as Creator, in Jesus, and through the gift of the Holy Spirit. God has, indeed, shown us what is good. The World is now asking those of us who claim the name of Christ to “Show Us.” How do we respond? Last week, the story was about the midwives resisting Pharaoh’s orders – this week it is about us. How do we challenge those whose witness is of division, violence, exclusion, and control without worshiping these “other gods” ourselves? Too often instead of hearing Jesus as God, through whom all things were made, calling us to service, we hear him saying no one comes to the Father except through your understanding of me… and in so doing, we make ourselves the focus, instead of staying connected to God in Christ. As I said last week, Christian is a label. Christlike is a description and a direction!
If the world has you down. If you can’t make sense of what is happening. If you need a shot of hope – and if you’d like to see a different way emerge, you are not alone. We’d be delighted to have you join in worship. We don’t have all the answers. We aren’t perfect and we won’t dictate your choices. But together we keep finding that God makes a way – and that all our stories matter. So, come just as you are – with your doubts and questions, with your laments and fears, and with your deepest hopes and joys. Whether you are a longtime member, have never been to church at all, or find yourself needing a change - together we will find our paths and share our journeys. Thanks be to God!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
•FEEDING FAMILIES IN HIS NAME: Wednesday, October 21st - A free, no obligation meal is served “to-go” style from underneath our portico from 5:15pm to 6:15pm each Wednesday, prepared each week by our members as well as several area churches and community groups. We aim to provide 400 meals per week.
•FELLOWSHIP SOUP LUNCH Friday, October 23rd – join us beginning t 11:30am for a selection of tasty soups, desserts, and fellowship. Freewill donation for the meal supports the ministries of First UMC and our “Hospitality, Outreach, and Community Relations” team known as HOCROC. Bring a friend!
•TRUNK OR TREAT – Saturday, October 31st. Bring the kids or grandkids to the parking lot behind the church for a safe, lit, and level place to gather treats from over a dozen “trunks” – we will start at 5:30pm and close at sundown with the lot blocked off for safety beginning at 5:15pm.
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