Worship Preview 11.10.24 "Giving Thanks: Enough"

This Sunday: 10:30am – Giving Thanks: Enough. Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching. Scriptures:  1 Kings 17:8-16 and Luke 17:11-19

I recently ran across this wonderful prayer by poet Karen Kaiser and share it with permission. "Just Enough...

Give us this day, just enough strength.

Give us this day, just enough peace.

Give us this day, just enough hope.

Give us this day, just enough grace.

Give us this day, just enough trust.

To believe that tomorrow will also be filled with... just enough."

We live in a world of excess. We often live with a scarcity mindset that leads us to fail in our call, outlined in our recent series, to “Do Unto Others” and live by the golden rule. Instead, we give into our worst impulses. This Sunday, we will begin to explore themes of generosity, stewardship, and abundance as we move towards the Thanksgiving holiday. Holiday is a word created from “holy day” – a time when we recognize God’s presence and give thanks for all God has given us. Last week we experienced God’s abundance by celebrating Holy Communion and recognizing the gift Jesus gives us of his very life. We recognized God’s abundance by celebrating that we are still connected with the “great cloud of witnesses” that have gone before us and share in the “communion of Saints.” The ribbons tied to trellises in our yard bear witness to that ongoing connection.

Our texts Sunday will help us explore God’s abundance; help us lean into the above prayer; and prepare our hearts for Giving Thanks. In 1 Kings, the prophet Elijah is commanded to visit the widow of a man named Zarephath. The widow is preparing to die, having run out of even the simplest ingredients to feed herself and her child. Elijah finds the widow preparing for her own “last supper.” The prophet assumes provision, when the widow’s words speak only of desolation. Elijah brings a word of faith into a moment of deep fear and resignation. After hearing about the widow’s preparations for death, Elijah gives the widow the same word of promise God gave to Hagar: “Fear not” (1 Kings 17:13; cf. Genesis 21:17). The prophet goes on to speak as if the promise of God was already fulfilled: “Do not be afraid … but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son” (1 Kings 17:13). Elijah’s words, although seemingly absurd, invite the widow to participate in the new reality God’s promises were creating, but which for the moment remain hidden from view. As promised, God provides. The widow, Elijah, and her child have enough.

The story of the 10 lepers healed by Jesus also offers an interesting framework for our reflections on gratitude. The story begins with Jesus, along with his disciples and other followers, traveling along a road.As they enter a village, they were approached by a group of 10 lepers. In the New Testament, the word, “leper,” is a generic term that can refer to a range of dermatological conditions that disfigure the skin and features of an individual. It caused them to become ritually unclean and outcasts. Luke tells us that the 10 lepers approached Jesus and his entourage, taking care to maintain the religiously prescribed distance from non-infected persons. The lepers called to Jesus, saying: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Jesusresponds to the lepers’ plea with the words: “Go and show yourselves to the priests” (v. 14). Jewish law dictated that someone who was healed from leprosy was required to go and show him or herself to a priest, so that the healing could be verified, and the healed person could then be welcomed back into the community. By instructing the lepers to seek out a priest, Jesus implies that he will heal the lepers in theprocess. And, as the lepers made their way to the priest, they were indeed healed and made whole.

What happens next is very interesting. When one of the lepers realized that he had been healed, he turnedaround and returned to Jesus. The remaining nine never returned to Jesus. We are left to assume that after showing themselves to the priest, they returned to their families. But they fail to give thanks. Further, the one who returns and is thankful is revealed to be a despised Samaritan! The animosity between Jews and Samaritans was so great that Jews avoided all social contact with Samaritans. They avoided even talking with Samaritans, due to their fear of becoming ritually impure. Perhaps you can think of some similar divides in our own time. What happens when we instead cultivate attitudes of thankfulness and recognition of God’s abundance and love? What happens when we turn back to express that thankfulness? We live in a culture which strongly promotes self-reliance and taking care of ourselves. While there is nothing wrongwith this cultural value per se, there remains a danger that in striving for self-reliance, we begin to take credit for all of our accomplishments, without acknowledging that we greatly benefit from a supportive social network and a generous God and our communities!

Instead of falling into despair at scarcity or taking plenty for granted and as our own success, these stories call us to faithfully live with intentional generosity, stewardship, and appreciation for all God provides. Our very lives are a gift – and that is enough!

If you do not already have a church home or it time for a change, we hope you will join us to rejoice and give thanks, 10:30am each Sunday here at First United Methodist, 301 S. National, as we seek to find our path and share our journey!

Upcoming Events: 

Wednesday, November 13th 5:30–6:30pm: Feeding Families in His Name – this free meal is available to everyone without obligation. A “to-go” meal is distributed under the portico at 301 S. National. A reminder: Please do not block nearby driveways while waiting. Thank you. If you would like to support this ministry, you can make donations online at: www.firstumcfortscott.org/onlinegiving. 

(Note – to give our volunteers a break and time with their families, there will not be a meal served the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or on Christmas and New Years since fall on Wednesday this year.)

Tuesday, November 19th Pioneer Kiwanis Chili and Cinnamon Roll Fundraiser. First UMC is delighted to host this community group. Drive thru the portico to pick up their delicious chili and a cinnamon roll. $8 suggested Donation per serving. 11:00am – 1:30pm and 4-6pm.