Worship Preview 3.23.25 "Curiosity"

This Sunday: 10:30am – “Purveyors of Awe” Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching. Scriptures: Psalm 8:1-9 and Luke 13:1-9

When I think of awe and wonder one of the first Scriptures that comes to mind for me is Psalm 8. It’s a celebration of creation in nine short verses, and an expression of wonder and appreciation for God’s love of humanity. It centers around an important question... what are humans that God is mindful of us?

Leader: The 13th century Christian mystic, Meister Eckhart, said this: “Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.” What he captures there is the essence of curiosity. A willingness to ask questions, to wonder, and to begin anew. As we continue our worship series this Lent and consider what it means to be a “purveyor of awe,” we focus on one of the most important elements for curating a life of spiritual depth: curiosity. The ancient poets of our faith and the mystics of old wrote prolifically about “seeking” as a spiritual attribute. Faith is not about certainties; instead, it is about taking the stance of humility that we cannot know everything and that the spiritual quest is what it means to be faithful: to be on a quest to discover more and to experience more of the holy in our lives. In a time when so much emphasis is on what we know, we remember in our Lent journey that it is what we don’t know that is most valuable, for discovery and staying curious is a condition for awe.

The element of curiosity is linked to wellbeing of all kinds–spiritually, mentally, creatively. Awe-filled experiences are curiosity-boosters. Play, imagination, experimentation, and even simply slowing down to “linger longer” as we engage with the sights and sounds and smells of our ordinary surroundings can add to the amount of awe in our lives. Curiosity resists easy labeling and classifying; rather, it invites us to deeper discovery about life, faith, and each other.

As we consider this, we’ll hear questions Jesus is asked about suffering – cases of injustice and natural disaster are raised - and his responses with a story about a tree that is not producing fruit, and a gardener who asks for one more year. A plan of fertilization, caretaking, and opportunity. A willingness to begin anew. How do these stories from Luke 13 connect? What does the gardener know, see, and hope? What are we to hear – and then do – today?

The weather is slowly turning towards spring. Things hidden through the winter are beginning to sprout and bloom. Sunday we will celebrate – “Oh Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” and we will encourage one another to take the next step. No matter where you are on the journey of faith, you are invited to travel through Lent and towards the awe and wonder of Easter with us at First UMC, 3rd and National here in Fort Scott. We have Sunday School groups for all ages at 9:30am and worship at 10:30 in our beautiful and historic Sanctuary.

Upcoming Events: 

Wednesday, March 26th  

Feeding Families in His Name:  This “to-go” meal is distributed under the portico at 301 S. National. This free meal is available to everyone without obligation. 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.