Wishing you Sunday greetings on the ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Sunday before the return of summer in Medford.
Our invitation to worship is a prayer asking God to give us the spirit to think and do the right thing and to depend on God for real life. Our first lesson from the Prophet Isaiah places Isaiah and Israel firmly in the present moment while calling Israel to change their ways or deal with the consequences of not changing. The Psalmist’s refrain calls us to look for God’s presence in the world and to listen for God’s direction in life. The New Testament reading from Hebrews describes faith and hope that comes from practicing faith with confidence. Our Gospel from Luke is a series of stories and parables which invite Jesus’ listeners to become part of community and let their actions become a source of hope for themselves and their community.
We are reminded that the story and stories we relate to others should bring connection. Our stories are not simply entertainment, but they are a source of shared experience and connection between our experience and another’s experience. Our mission is to find a way to connect ourselves to God and to connect ourselves with our community. Our mission is to heal divisions, bring God’s light into the dangers we experience, and find a way to connect our present life to God, not simply prepare for our future life. Our mission is to help others find hope and God in their lives.
How does God invite us to be generous and life giving in our community? What are the stories God has given you to share and build others in their lives? I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: Isaiah 1:1, 10-20; Psalm 50:1-8, 23-24; Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; Luke 12:32-40
Sermon link: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/ninth-sunday-after-pentecost-sermon
