Worship Preview for 11.8.26 "On the Christian Journey..."

WORSHIP NOVEMBER 8th – 10:30am. “On the Christian Journey...”  Rev. Christopher Eshelman and Lay Servant Leatha Boyd preaching. Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12:4-14, Exodus 31:1-11, Ephesians 4:1-7,11-16

Last week we heard about the disciples working with the growing group of believers to address a need. The Hellenist (Greek speaking) followers thought their widows weren’t being cared for the same as the Hebrew followers. The Disciples didn’t react with defensiveness, but with innovation, bringing more people into leadership. The people select 7 who are “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” The community is cared for, the roles of leadership shared and diversified, the church continues to grow. Acts then focused on Stephen’s witness and courage. He exemplified Christ even when faced with false accusations and death. As the church develops, this story in Acts 6 is one of the places we start to find distinct roles within church leadership. As we’ll hear from Ephesians “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith.”

We have different gifts and calls – yet all believers are called into ministry of some sort. A few are called and “set apart” for ordination, yet the vast majority serve as laity in various ways. This week we will feature a special “dialogue” sermon with newly certified Lay Servant Leatha Boyd sharing a bit about her sense of call to that volunteer laity role in the church. We will announce s0me congregation wide activities being planned for January and February to help us all discover our Spiritual Gifts and make plans to act on them and we’ll hear from three of the many places in Scripture that talk about our Spiritual Gifts. 

I’m looking forward to our conversation, what Leatha will share, and especially the work she will then lead us in as we begin 2027. I think it is well timed and will be encouraging. One of the reasons I’m having us read the snippet from Exodus is to help us think about how we have often used our gifts, but perhaps not fully realized how they relate to the congregation and the work of God’s Kingdom. . After several pages of very specific instructions to Moses about how the Tabernacle and Priestly garments are to be made that I’m sure must have seemed overwhelming, we are told God has already equipped artisans to do this detailed work. “Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah” has been “filled... with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him.” My guess is these two were already well known craftsmen, now they are called to service of the gathered congregation.

We are connected. Our gifts, talents, abilities, and interests are designed to work in community for the common good. Leadership is not a solo activity or only the work of the ordained. Together we are the body of Christ, witnesses, and servants. You already have gifts granted by the Spirit – maybe you have yet to discover them, perhaps you are already using them in some ways, yet we are called to do still “greater things!” This is what the pieces of our mission statement: knowing, growing, serving, and sharing are about!

So, you are invited! 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, November 11th- 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.  If you would like to support this ministry, you can make donations online at: www.firstumcfortscott.org/feedingfamiliesdonation. Thank you.

•NATIVITY SHOWCASE – Part of “Christmas on the Bricks”. 

The community is invited to share your favorite nativity set with us Dec. 4-6th. Do you have Grandma’s Nativity set in the Attic or Basement like I did? Has it not been displayed in a few years, or maybe just in your home but few see it. Join our Showcase – each year since we’ve started we’ve had about 100 different Nativity sets from all around the world to help us kick off Advent and look forward to the birth of Christ. Join us!  Setup is 2-6pm Thursday, Dec. 3rd or 10am to Noon Friday, Dec 4th. Displays open to the public 5-8pm Friday, Dec. 4th, 10am to 2pm Saturday, Dec. 5th, and Noon to 2pm on Sunday, Dec. 6th. Displays must be taken down between 2 and 4pm Sunday, Dec. 6th.  Call 2231-1950 to save a display spot or get more information!