Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:12):
Good morning. A few announcements I want to bring to
you this morning. First of all, welcome everybody here Fifth
Avenue Baptist and those of you that are watching by streaming. Welcome.
First of all. Right after the service today we have
the Spaghetti Luncheon. It's sponsored by the youth and it's
(00:38):
a fundraiser so that day can go shopping. Also Tuesday
we have Circle one is meeting in the Fellowship Hall
or excuse me, in Smith Hall. On Thursday we have
the Elijah Concert and it involves the Hunton Symphony Orchestra
(01:05):
and it involves Marshall University School of Music, and our
people can get fifty percent off on a ticket if
you're interested in coming. Also on November fifteenth through the seventeenth,
the youth have a retreat at Calwen and so they
need to sign up. Also on Sunday the seventeenth, kids
(01:28):
are going to Ronald McDonald House for the Friends Giving.
So let's relax, let's take it easy and let the
Holy Spirit speak to us as we go through this
service today. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
MS school in s.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Good morning, Please join me in the call to worship.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it
labor in vain. Unless the Lord prepares the plans, those
who make them design in vain. Why do you rise
up early and go late to bed eating the bread
(07:00):
of anxious toil. Give your worries to God and let
the Lord lead your life.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Children are a gift.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
From God, a joy to their family, and a reward
for their community.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
For one generation feeds the next.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Happy is the parent, the church and the community who
celebrate children. They are joining in God's work, preparing a
legacy from one generation to the next.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Seas race.
Speaker 5 (08:46):
So S.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
S S S S S S S S S.
Speaker 6 (10:33):
Let's pray healy, Father, thank you for the day that
you have given us to worship together. Thank you for
the faithfulness of believers who allow themselves to be used
for your service so that we can worship together as
a body of believers. As we prepare for worship this morning,
reveal to us how Jesus teaches about true humility and
sacrificial giving. Open our hearts to receive your wisdom. Help
(10:57):
us to discern the difference between outward to pears and
is and inner sincerity. Just as Jesus saw beyond wealth
and status, teach us to value what is genuine and
to live with humility and integrity, draw us closer to you,
and humble surrender and unwavering trust. Let's pray together our Father,
(11:18):
who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdom. Come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us
our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
(11:39):
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. I'm in.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
I like to invite the children down at this time.
Good morning everyone. I have some special helpers up here.
I gotta get ready. It's good to see everybody. All right,
(12:18):
you have a seat with me, got it. It's very
long on you. How is everybody? You have a seat,
you can see you're good. Well, it's good to see
you all. And as you know, Halloween's over right. It
was like a week a little bit over a week ago.
And I never did tell everybody looked amazing in your costumes.
(12:39):
All of you looked so good in your costumes, so
good that actually I asked one of my friends to
come back in his Halloween costume. Does anyone know who
my friend Griffin is baby baby dog? Hello, baby dog?
Now it's Griffin, actually baby dog? Yeah, no, he's not
(13:02):
actually baby dog. On Halloween, you dress up like something
you're pretending to be, but you're not really what you're
dressed up as. Right, Griffin is definitely not a baby dog.
Were any of you what you dressed up to be?
Speaker 4 (13:17):
Like?
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Sometimes you might dress up like a cheerleader, and you
might be a cheerleader, but most of the time it's
something that you just want to pretend that you are.
Speaker 7 (13:24):
Well.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
In today's Bible story, we hear about Jesus watching people
outside of the temple, and he saw some people who
were teachers of the wall in their long, fancy, shiny robes,
who liked to brag about how good they were. They
wore their fancy clothes, and they got the best places
(13:45):
to sit, and they even showed off when they prayed
and they gave their offering. It's like they're dressed in
Halloween costume all the time, pretending to be someone that
they are not. They are not doing what their costume
would make you think they're doing, just like Griffin wearing
(14:06):
his baby dog costume doesn't make him baby dog. These
people wearing their long, fancy robes and wanting to be seen,
praying long prayers and giving money did not make it true.
Their hearts were not in the right place. They were
not set on God. They were more devoted to themselves
than to the Lord, and Jesus told his disciples these
(14:29):
people would eventually be punished. Well, as Jesus continued to
watch the people, he saw a widow. Now in Jesus
day on Earth, widows were one of the poorest kinds
of people. The widow walked up quietly and put two
small coins in the offering. Well, during this time, these
(14:51):
two coins were worth less than one penny. Did you
know that? Do you know what Jesus said when this
woman put in these who coins worth less than a penny?
He said that the widow gave more than any one else,
more than the fancy robed people. Wait, she gave less
(15:14):
than a penny. How can that be more than anyone? Well,
Jesus said that all the other people gave a very
small part of all the riches they had, but the
widow put in all she had to live on in
the offering. She kept nothing for herself. This was all
(15:36):
she had. She was willing to give everything to the Lord. Well,
Jesus was teaching them and us that God wants us
to give back to him from what we have. All
that we have comes from Him, and we are blessed
when we can give back to Him, whether it's with money,
our talents, our time, or our love. And of course
Jesus wasn't pretending to be some kind of fake teacher
(15:59):
and a fancy costume or any kind of costume, because
he was humble and real in teaching about God. It's
okay to dress up like whatever you want for Halloween,
but in our real lives, whether it's here at church
of giving or offering or praising through music, or out
in the world loving others, let's all try to live
being real Christians on the outside and the inside, just
(16:23):
the way Jesus taught us. Let's pray, Dear God, thank
you for our many blessings. Help us to give ourselves
to you and to use all we have to honor
and serve You. Help us to be a real example
(16:49):
to the world like Jesus and the widow.
Speaker 7 (16:55):
Amen said that, So Jesus, sad Storm say.
Speaker 8 (17:33):
Of my.
Speaker 5 (17:40):
Sass a party change see the true true Agent, rebrands
(18:14):
and green.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
I relies and gold toss brand saus my near singer
old at the same.
Speaker 5 (18:43):
Or song.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Sire be sup in I relcheetss ss my s s so.
Speaker 5 (19:31):
Or like.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
Cheats race so my can't say.
Speaker 8 (19:54):
Now.
Speaker 9 (19:56):
S offering today extend the work of your kingdom in
our church community and the beautiful world in which you
made God is to be like the poor widow who
gave all she had free from fear, so that we
will open our hands and faithfully share our tithes and offerings.
(20:17):
As we give today, open our hearts to be more generous,
reflecting your love in Jesus' name.
Speaker 8 (20:24):
Amen, Well you join me in praying, Almighty and Everlasting God,
(23:45):
We thank you for gathering us together this morning. We
thank you for the way you have led us this
far in worship, fixing our eyes on you through prayer,
through word, through song, in the midst of everything that
is happening outside of these walls. I pray this morning
(24:08):
that we will center our hearts on you, acknowledging that
you are God above all things, and that you love
us tremendously. In the midst of our pain and our
sorrows that we bring into this room. God, we ask
you to be a god of grace and love and healing.
(24:29):
In the midst of our joys and our celebrations. We
thank you for the gift of life and being able to.
Speaker 4 (24:35):
Experience those so fully.
Speaker 8 (24:39):
In the midst of all things, God, we acknowledge that
you are in all things, through all.
Speaker 4 (24:45):
Things, and above all things.
Speaker 8 (24:49):
Let us praise you with our whole hearts this morning, God,
knowing that you have provided us the ultimate example of
sacrifice and love.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
Price name women's.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
Names, holday, say.
Speaker 7 (25:46):
It is same.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
For your day is s mo. That's at two years,
for intest for and by God, and the stand.
Speaker 5 (26:23):
Can be.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
Bestand by iron jo songs, Let meet sign says shoot shops,
(27:20):
so the song start shame.
Speaker 8 (28:31):
Our scripture reading today comes from Mark chapter twelve, verses
thirty eight through forty four. As he dit Jesus said,
watch out for the teachers.
Speaker 4 (28:44):
Of the law.
Speaker 8 (28:45):
They like to walk around in flowing robes and be
greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most
important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor
and banquets. They devour widows houses and for the show.
Make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.
(29:09):
And then Jesus sat down opposite the place where the
offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money
into the temple treasury.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
Many rich people threw in large amounts.
Speaker 8 (29:22):
But a poor widow came and put in two very
small coins worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples
to him, Jesus said, truly, I tell you, this poor
widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.
(29:42):
They gave out of their wealth, but she, out of
her poverty, put in everything she had to live on.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
Let us pray.
Speaker 8 (29:57):
God continued to open our hearts and our minds so
that we may send your presence in Christ's name.
Speaker 4 (30:05):
Amen.
Speaker 8 (30:07):
Well, it's wonderful to be back with you all again
this morning. I'm grateful to have this time with you
all in worship. Over the course of time, I have
been asked to fill in on tough Sundays for ministers.
Typically these take place on this Sunday.
Speaker 4 (30:26):
After Christmas and after Easter.
Speaker 8 (30:30):
These are hard sundays to lead in worship, building up
in anticipation of these spiritual moments of Christmas and Easter
on our Christian calendar are joyful times and also exhausting
times for ministers and congregants alike. It is a good
(30:51):
time for full time congregation ministers to take a break
to rest, and I am happy to fill in on
their behalf. When I committed to come this Sunday, I
noticed that it was the day before Veterans Day. I
really want to take a moment right now and pause
to recognize our veterans in this room. If you would
(31:13):
please stand for me, and if you are a family
member of a veteran, please stand and please congregations.
Speaker 4 (31:20):
Show your appreciation to these individuals.
Speaker 8 (31:30):
Thank you for serving our country, and thank you for
the sacrifice of the families who allowed them to do so.
Speaker 4 (31:36):
On behalf of all of us.
Speaker 8 (31:39):
What I didn't realize, in what I probably should have
is to be here on November tenth meant that I
was here the Sunday after election day.
Speaker 4 (31:50):
I want to acknowledge that there are people in this room.
Speaker 8 (31:55):
That are very excited, hopeful, optimistic, and encourage by the local, state,
and national level by results. I also want to acknowledge
that there are people in this room that are distraught, troubled,
(32:15):
confused and uncertain by the local, state and national level
by results. Both are in this room, both are worshiping
together in this room and across our country in this
very moment. We need to acknowledge it, and we also
(32:36):
need to know that in this room we are searching
for the same things. We are searching for a God who.
Speaker 4 (32:43):
Loves us and who has called us to love.
Speaker 8 (32:47):
It's an observation that I couldn't help but notice is
part of our worship today. We have been observing things
all week. A lot of news outlets, of scrolling down
the news, speed reading, lots of papers, et cetera, et cetera,
et cetera. It has flooded our minds, our spirits and
(33:12):
each in every way. But I want to tell you
about something that brought me a lot of joy this week,
what I observed, because sometimes the things that we observe
often are the things that we internalize and that make
our heart either filled with sorrow or with joy. This
(33:32):
past week, my husband Ryan was raking our leaves and
he gave my nephew Graham a phone call. Our little
kiddos are not so little anymore and don't enjoy the rakes.
The leaf piles as much as we used to enjoy
watching them. So Ryan gave Graham and anniecol who are
now six and four, and said, come on over and
(33:56):
slide down our slide, and we want to see you
enjoy this time. And so Graham came over and he
sled down that slide into that pile of leaves like joy.
Speaker 4 (34:09):
I had never seen.
Speaker 8 (34:11):
And then we couldn't find him because Ryan was a
little bit ambitious with his leaves and we had to
help him get out. But that joy of being able
to release and jump into those leaves, and watching Annie
jump quickly after her brother into the leaves was something
(34:32):
that I observed of letting go and just enjoying the
beauty and surroundings that were in place. Joy free falling
the beauty of fall. And mind you, it was eighty
degrees that evening in November. It's important to be mindful
(34:53):
of what we are watching, what we are allowing in
our lives, what is real, what is tangible, what brings
us hope for the future. It is on Sundays like
this that I am grateful for the Lectionary, a guide
for congregations to.
Speaker 4 (35:12):
Use for worship in a three year cycle.
Speaker 8 (35:16):
This morning My prayer is that as we turn our
attention to Scripture, that I try as best we can
to turn our hearts and minds to the scripture passage
this morning. Our electionary text today comes from Mark chapter two,
verses twelve thirty eight through forty. Rachel did a beautiful
(35:38):
job sharing with the children this story, and we've read
it already this morning, but it's important to know what
happened before this story in the context of our scripture.
Jesus had just entered Jerusalem, riding in on a donkey
what we now call palm Sunday.
Speaker 4 (35:59):
Then he makes his way to the temple, and when.
Speaker 8 (36:02):
He arives, he observes people buying and selling items in
the temple courts. It was then that Jesus said these words.
It is written that my house shall be called a
house of prayer for the nations, but you have turned
it into a den of robbers. Jesus authority was quickly
(36:26):
questioned by religious leaders, and throughout the remainder of chapter
eleven and twelve we see exchanges between Jesus and the
religious leaders.
Speaker 4 (36:39):
These exchanges lead us to one.
Speaker 8 (36:42):
Of the scribes asking Jesus what commandment is the greatest
and the foremost.
Speaker 4 (36:49):
Of them all.
Speaker 8 (36:51):
And Jesus responded, in this way, the greatest is this here,
oh Israel, the Lord our God is one. You shall
love the Lord your God with all of your heart,
with all of your soul, with all of your mind,
and all of your strength. And the second is like it,
(37:13):
love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment
greater than these. We then approach our passage today, the
story of what Jesus sees in the hearts of the
religious leaders and what he sees in the heart of
the widow. One of Jesus' most striking qualities was that
(37:38):
he was a shrewd observer of human nature. At times,
he had breath taking in sight into those around him.
He knew what the scribes were grumbling about before he
heard them. He knew when a woman reached out in
him to him and desperation to be healed. He knew
(38:03):
when the disciples were quietly arguing on a journey and
what they were arguing about. The scripture today gives us
two ways that Jesus tells us to observe. The first
way he describes is the way to observe the religious leaders.
(38:26):
The Greek word here used for watch out or beware
is bleippo, which means to see, to discern, to understand,
to contemplate, and to weigh carefully and examine. It is
(38:47):
not just seeing visually, but it's something else that we
have to do in our minds, trying to dig deeper
into understanding. Jesus could see past the lengthy prayers, in
the flowing robes and the best seats in the house.
He saw the heart of the religious leaders, and what
(39:10):
he observed was different than what he saw when he
sat down and observed at the temple treasury. This scene
with Jesus sitting in the temple watching people come and
go making their gifts in the temple is another example
of how Jesus tently observes the heart and actions of people.
(39:33):
Perhaps Jesus was fascinated by what he saw there.
Speaker 4 (39:38):
Some made a great.
Speaker 8 (39:39):
Show of dumping large amounts of coins into the trumpet
shaped coffers. Others hurriedly slipped their offerings and moved on.
But Jesus reminds us here that there is no connection
between the amount of gift and the devotion the giver.
(40:02):
The Greek word here describes Jesus observing the widow is
another verb different than how he was observing the scribes.
Speaker 4 (40:12):
The word here is thireo.
Speaker 8 (40:14):
Which means to look at, to behold, to view attentively,
and to take into consideration. Her small act may have
been missed, but Jesus makes her the center of attention,
the center stage, the example.
Speaker 4 (40:36):
For all of us. In a world where widows.
Speaker 8 (40:40):
Were victimized, often by religious leaders, we have a story
of one who gave her heart, mind, and spirit to
God with everything.
Speaker 4 (40:51):
That she had. These two passages are grouped.
Speaker 8 (40:55):
Together as a contrast, a contrast of what we often
observe in what Jesus observes in our hearts. It is
easy for us to look at the religious leaders and
the widows as examples of their hearts and the way
that they were giving of themselves. It's always easier to
(41:19):
be an observer on the sidelines, pointing the fingers or
maybe even cheering. But what happens when that mirror is
turned and we have to look inside of ourselves? What
(41:40):
is Jesus observing about us? What is he observing about me?
Is he observing from us the fruit of the spirit,
the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control.
Speaker 4 (42:04):
That come from Him that we as believers are supposed
to have.
Speaker 8 (42:12):
Is he seeing us clothed in our Sunday best or
is he seeing us clothed with compassion, love, kindness, gentleness?
Does he see us forgiving one another the way that
Christ forgives us?
Speaker 4 (42:32):
What do we look like on the inside?
Speaker 8 (42:36):
Does he see us loving our neighbor as ourselves, making
sure that they are taken care of the way that
we want to be taken care of.
Speaker 4 (42:48):
Observation is really easy.
Speaker 8 (42:50):
To look onto somebody else, but sometimes it's hard to
look inside of ourselves. I don't know about you, but
I have been overwhelmingly burdened by what has happened in
North Carolina and other places around our country with a
(43:11):
hurricane that came through this past week. I, like probably
many of you, read doctor Guy Sal's words as he
shared a little bit of his experience of what he
has observed since the floodwaters came in. He writes, neighbors
(43:31):
are sharing with neighbors in our small subdivision. A neighbor
with a rain barrel shared water we.
Speaker 4 (43:38):
Could use to flush our toilets.
Speaker 8 (43:41):
A couple with generators set up a device charging stations.
Speaker 4 (43:44):
In their driveway.
Speaker 8 (43:47):
We sat around those plugs like campers around a fire,
telling stories and sharing information about where a cell phone
signal could be found or a grocery store that was open.
As we waited for our computers to charge. I got
to know one of my neighbors who's a journalist, a
book reviewer with a delight sense of humor. Our next
(44:10):
stoor neighbors of been their homes and their freezers for
neighbors to shop for free for food that was being thawed.
Another neighbor went to serve several homes to show folks
how to safely pottable water from their water heaters. A
lot of us went more time outside talking with one
(44:32):
another in the streets because we simply needed to be
with one another. Among our neighbors. Across our region, there
has been, and it is often wordless, flaws of love
and mercy. The storm made it unmistakable that we depend
on each other and.
Speaker 4 (44:51):
Cause us to trust, at least for a while, that.
Speaker 8 (44:55):
We could count on one another. That's the opposite of
Christ living out and action. Christ being the hands and
feet through each one of the people that had been
impacted by such devastation. This morning you all will vote
(45:16):
on a ministry action budget, a budget for the next
year for this congregation.
Speaker 4 (45:22):
It will be a time where you will.
Speaker 8 (45:24):
Decide whether or not you want to commit to giving
of yourself, giving your time, your talents, and your treasure
to this congregation. It's an important thing. Some of these
things you will be able to observe. You will be
able to observe people growing spiritually through worship. You will
(45:48):
be able to observe children learning and seeing the Lord's prayer.
Speaker 4 (45:53):
Did you hear them this morning?
Speaker 2 (45:55):
Wow?
Speaker 4 (45:56):
What a gift. But I also want to remind you
what happens next.
Speaker 8 (46:04):
In Mark chapter thirteen, Jesus tells a story about the
temple being destroyed, a forecast of what's to come. Here's
the thing. There will be a time where everything will crumble.
There will be a time where there is a world
(46:25):
without you in it. What do you want your life,
your legacy, the important things that you value most.
Speaker 4 (46:38):
To be the forefront? What do you want others to
observe about your faithfulness? Let us pray Father forgive us because.
Speaker 8 (46:58):
We are sinners, and there are times that it's so
much easier for us to point fingers at one another.
Speaker 4 (47:08):
Than it is to look within our own hearts. Forgive us.
Speaker 8 (47:14):
For allowing our minds to be so distracted by the
noise of the world that we don't take time to
observe our own hearts. Help us God in this moment
to do just that. To contemplate, how am I bearing
(47:41):
the fruits of the spirit? Am I clothed the way
that you want me to be clothed?
Speaker 4 (47:50):
Do I love the way that you love?
Speaker 8 (47:56):
When it's all said and done, that's what you're going
to add ask of us. And may it be so
that you welcome us, good and faithful servants.
Speaker 4 (48:09):
In Christ's name.
Speaker 8 (48:10):
Amen, We'll stand together to sing the Hymn of Commitment
Hymn number five sixty eight made the mind of Christ
my Savior Versus one and three. And I welcome you
during this time to just spend some more time in prayer.
And if you would like to join somebody else in
that prayer, I'll be standing here, or just reach out
(48:34):
to somebody beside you and ask them to pray alongside you.
Speaker 4 (48:37):
Let us sing.
Speaker 2 (49:01):
The actual joy at schools
Speaker 9 (49:13):
S
Good morning. A few announcements I want to bring to
you this morning. First of all, welcome everybody here Fifth
Avenue Baptist and those of you that are watching by streaming. Welcome.
First of all. Right after the service today we have
the Spaghetti Luncheon. It's sponsored by the youth and it's
(00:38):
a fundraiser so that day can go shopping. Also Tuesday
we have Circle one is meeting in the Fellowship Hall
or excuse me, in Smith Hall. On Thursday we have
the Elijah Concert and it involves the Hunton Symphony Orchestra
(01:05):
and it involves Marshall University School of Music, and our
people can get fifty percent off on a ticket if
you're interested in coming. Also on November fifteenth through the seventeenth,
the youth have a retreat at Calwen and so they
need to sign up. Also on Sunday the seventeenth, kids
(01:28):
are going to Ronald McDonald House for the Friends Giving.
So let's relax, let's take it easy and let the
Holy Spirit speak to us as we go through this
service today. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
MS school in s.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Good morning, Please join me in the call to worship.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it
labor in vain. Unless the Lord prepares the plans, those
who make them design in vain. Why do you rise
up early and go late to bed eating the bread
(07:00):
of anxious toil. Give your worries to God and let
the Lord lead your life.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Children are a gift.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
From God, a joy to their family, and a reward
for their community.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
For one generation feeds the next.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Happy is the parent, the church and the community who
celebrate children. They are joining in God's work, preparing a
legacy from one generation to the next.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Seas race.
Speaker 5 (08:46):
So S.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
S S S S S S S S S.
Speaker 6 (10:33):
Let's pray healy, Father, thank you for the day that
you have given us to worship together. Thank you for
the faithfulness of believers who allow themselves to be used
for your service so that we can worship together as
a body of believers. As we prepare for worship this morning,
reveal to us how Jesus teaches about true humility and
sacrificial giving. Open our hearts to receive your wisdom. Help
(10:57):
us to discern the difference between outward to pears and
is and inner sincerity. Just as Jesus saw beyond wealth
and status, teach us to value what is genuine and
to live with humility and integrity, draw us closer to you,
and humble surrender and unwavering trust. Let's pray together our Father,
(11:18):
who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdom. Come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us
our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
(11:39):
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. I'm in.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
I like to invite the children down at this time.
Good morning everyone. I have some special helpers up here.
I gotta get ready. It's good to see everybody. All right,
(12:18):
you have a seat with me, got it. It's very
long on you. How is everybody? You have a seat,
you can see you're good. Well, it's good to see
you all. And as you know, Halloween's over right. It
was like a week a little bit over a week ago.
And I never did tell everybody looked amazing in your costumes.
(12:39):
All of you looked so good in your costumes, so
good that actually I asked one of my friends to
come back in his Halloween costume. Does anyone know who
my friend Griffin is baby baby dog? Hello, baby dog?
Now it's Griffin, actually baby dog? Yeah, no, he's not
(13:02):
actually baby dog. On Halloween, you dress up like something
you're pretending to be, but you're not really what you're
dressed up as. Right, Griffin is definitely not a baby dog.
Were any of you what you dressed up to be?
Speaker 4 (13:17):
Like?
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Sometimes you might dress up like a cheerleader, and you
might be a cheerleader, but most of the time it's
something that you just want to pretend that you are.
Speaker 7 (13:24):
Well.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
In today's Bible story, we hear about Jesus watching people
outside of the temple, and he saw some people who
were teachers of the wall in their long, fancy, shiny robes,
who liked to brag about how good they were. They
wore their fancy clothes, and they got the best places
(13:45):
to sit, and they even showed off when they prayed
and they gave their offering. It's like they're dressed in
Halloween costume all the time, pretending to be someone that
they are not. They are not doing what their costume
would make you think they're doing, just like Griffin wearing
(14:06):
his baby dog costume doesn't make him baby dog. These
people wearing their long, fancy robes and wanting to be seen,
praying long prayers and giving money did not make it true.
Their hearts were not in the right place. They were
not set on God. They were more devoted to themselves
than to the Lord, and Jesus told his disciples these
(14:29):
people would eventually be punished. Well, as Jesus continued to
watch the people, he saw a widow. Now in Jesus
day on Earth, widows were one of the poorest kinds
of people. The widow walked up quietly and put two
small coins in the offering. Well, during this time, these
(14:51):
two coins were worth less than one penny. Did you
know that? Do you know what Jesus said when this
woman put in these who coins worth less than a penny?
He said that the widow gave more than any one else,
more than the fancy robed people. Wait, she gave less
(15:14):
than a penny. How can that be more than anyone? Well,
Jesus said that all the other people gave a very
small part of all the riches they had, but the
widow put in all she had to live on in
the offering. She kept nothing for herself. This was all
(15:36):
she had. She was willing to give everything to the Lord. Well,
Jesus was teaching them and us that God wants us
to give back to him from what we have. All
that we have comes from Him, and we are blessed
when we can give back to Him, whether it's with money,
our talents, our time, or our love. And of course
Jesus wasn't pretending to be some kind of fake teacher
(15:59):
and a fancy costume or any kind of costume, because
he was humble and real in teaching about God. It's
okay to dress up like whatever you want for Halloween,
but in our real lives, whether it's here at church
of giving or offering or praising through music, or out
in the world loving others, let's all try to live
being real Christians on the outside and the inside, just
(16:23):
the way Jesus taught us. Let's pray, Dear God, thank
you for our many blessings. Help us to give ourselves
to you and to use all we have to honor
and serve You. Help us to be a real example
(16:49):
to the world like Jesus and the widow.
Speaker 7 (16:55):
Amen said that, So Jesus, sad Storm say.
Speaker 8 (17:33):
Of my.
Speaker 5 (17:40):
Sass a party change see the true true Agent, rebrands
(18:14):
and green.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
I relies and gold toss brand saus my near singer
old at the same.
Speaker 5 (18:43):
Or song.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Sire be sup in I relcheetss ss my s s so.
Speaker 5 (19:31):
Or like.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
Cheats race so my can't say.
Speaker 8 (19:54):
Now.
Speaker 9 (19:56):
S offering today extend the work of your kingdom in
our church community and the beautiful world in which you
made God is to be like the poor widow who
gave all she had free from fear, so that we
will open our hands and faithfully share our tithes and offerings.
(20:17):
As we give today, open our hearts to be more generous,
reflecting your love in Jesus' name.
Speaker 8 (20:24):
Amen, Well you join me in praying, Almighty and Everlasting God,
(23:45):
We thank you for gathering us together this morning. We
thank you for the way you have led us this
far in worship, fixing our eyes on you through prayer,
through word, through song, in the midst of everything that
is happening outside of these walls. I pray this morning
(24:08):
that we will center our hearts on you, acknowledging that
you are God above all things, and that you love
us tremendously. In the midst of our pain and our
sorrows that we bring into this room. God, we ask
you to be a god of grace and love and healing.
(24:29):
In the midst of our joys and our celebrations. We
thank you for the gift of life and being able to.
Speaker 4 (24:35):
Experience those so fully.
Speaker 8 (24:39):
In the midst of all things, God, we acknowledge that
you are in all things, through all.
Speaker 4 (24:45):
Things, and above all things.
Speaker 8 (24:49):
Let us praise you with our whole hearts this morning, God,
knowing that you have provided us the ultimate example of
sacrifice and love.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
Price name women's.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
Names, holday, say.
Speaker 7 (25:46):
It is same.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
For your day is s mo. That's at two years,
for intest for and by God, and the stand.
Speaker 5 (26:23):
Can be.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
Bestand by iron jo songs, Let meet sign says shoot shops,
(27:20):
so the song start shame.
Speaker 8 (28:31):
Our scripture reading today comes from Mark chapter twelve, verses
thirty eight through forty four. As he dit Jesus said,
watch out for the teachers.
Speaker 4 (28:44):
Of the law.
Speaker 8 (28:45):
They like to walk around in flowing robes and be
greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most
important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor
and banquets. They devour widows houses and for the show.
Make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.
(29:09):
And then Jesus sat down opposite the place where the
offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money
into the temple treasury.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
Many rich people threw in large amounts.
Speaker 8 (29:22):
But a poor widow came and put in two very
small coins worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples
to him, Jesus said, truly, I tell you, this poor
widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.
(29:42):
They gave out of their wealth, but she, out of
her poverty, put in everything she had to live on.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
Let us pray.
Speaker 8 (29:57):
God continued to open our hearts and our minds so
that we may send your presence in Christ's name.
Speaker 4 (30:05):
Amen.
Speaker 8 (30:07):
Well, it's wonderful to be back with you all again
this morning. I'm grateful to have this time with you
all in worship. Over the course of time, I have
been asked to fill in on tough Sundays for ministers.
Typically these take place on this Sunday.
Speaker 4 (30:26):
After Christmas and after Easter.
Speaker 8 (30:30):
These are hard sundays to lead in worship, building up
in anticipation of these spiritual moments of Christmas and Easter
on our Christian calendar are joyful times and also exhausting
times for ministers and congregants alike. It is a good
(30:51):
time for full time congregation ministers to take a break
to rest, and I am happy to fill in on
their behalf. When I committed to come this Sunday, I
noticed that it was the day before Veterans Day. I
really want to take a moment right now and pause
to recognize our veterans in this room. If you would
(31:13):
please stand for me, and if you are a family
member of a veteran, please stand and please congregations.
Speaker 4 (31:20):
Show your appreciation to these individuals.
Speaker 8 (31:30):
Thank you for serving our country, and thank you for
the sacrifice of the families who allowed them to do so.
Speaker 4 (31:36):
On behalf of all of us.
Speaker 8 (31:39):
What I didn't realize, in what I probably should have
is to be here on November tenth meant that I
was here the Sunday after election day.
Speaker 4 (31:50):
I want to acknowledge that there are people in this room.
Speaker 8 (31:55):
That are very excited, hopeful, optimistic, and encourage by the local, state,
and national level by results. I also want to acknowledge
that there are people in this room that are distraught, troubled,
(32:15):
confused and uncertain by the local, state and national level
by results. Both are in this room, both are worshiping
together in this room and across our country in this
very moment. We need to acknowledge it, and we also
(32:36):
need to know that in this room we are searching
for the same things. We are searching for a God who.
Speaker 4 (32:43):
Loves us and who has called us to love.
Speaker 8 (32:47):
It's an observation that I couldn't help but notice is
part of our worship today. We have been observing things
all week. A lot of news outlets, of scrolling down
the news, speed reading, lots of papers, et cetera, et cetera,
et cetera. It has flooded our minds, our spirits and
(33:12):
each in every way. But I want to tell you
about something that brought me a lot of joy this week,
what I observed, because sometimes the things that we observe
often are the things that we internalize and that make
our heart either filled with sorrow or with joy. This
(33:32):
past week, my husband Ryan was raking our leaves and
he gave my nephew Graham a phone call. Our little
kiddos are not so little anymore and don't enjoy the rakes.
The leaf piles as much as we used to enjoy
watching them. So Ryan gave Graham and anniecol who are
now six and four, and said, come on over and
(33:56):
slide down our slide, and we want to see you
enjoy this time. And so Graham came over and he
sled down that slide into that pile of leaves like joy.
Speaker 4 (34:09):
I had never seen.
Speaker 8 (34:11):
And then we couldn't find him because Ryan was a
little bit ambitious with his leaves and we had to
help him get out. But that joy of being able
to release and jump into those leaves, and watching Annie
jump quickly after her brother into the leaves was something
(34:32):
that I observed of letting go and just enjoying the
beauty and surroundings that were in place. Joy free falling
the beauty of fall. And mind you, it was eighty
degrees that evening in November. It's important to be mindful
(34:53):
of what we are watching, what we are allowing in
our lives, what is real, what is tangible, what brings
us hope for the future. It is on Sundays like
this that I am grateful for the Lectionary, a guide
for congregations to.
Speaker 4 (35:12):
Use for worship in a three year cycle.
Speaker 8 (35:16):
This morning My prayer is that as we turn our
attention to Scripture, that I try as best we can
to turn our hearts and minds to the scripture passage
this morning. Our electionary text today comes from Mark chapter two,
verses twelve thirty eight through forty. Rachel did a beautiful
(35:38):
job sharing with the children this story, and we've read
it already this morning, but it's important to know what
happened before this story in the context of our scripture.
Jesus had just entered Jerusalem, riding in on a donkey
what we now call palm Sunday.
Speaker 4 (35:59):
Then he makes his way to the temple, and when.
Speaker 8 (36:02):
He arives, he observes people buying and selling items in
the temple courts. It was then that Jesus said these words.
It is written that my house shall be called a
house of prayer for the nations, but you have turned
it into a den of robbers. Jesus authority was quickly
(36:26):
questioned by religious leaders, and throughout the remainder of chapter
eleven and twelve we see exchanges between Jesus and the
religious leaders.
Speaker 4 (36:39):
These exchanges lead us to one.
Speaker 8 (36:42):
Of the scribes asking Jesus what commandment is the greatest
and the foremost.
Speaker 4 (36:49):
Of them all.
Speaker 8 (36:51):
And Jesus responded, in this way, the greatest is this here,
oh Israel, the Lord our God is one. You shall
love the Lord your God with all of your heart,
with all of your soul, with all of your mind,
and all of your strength. And the second is like it,
(37:13):
love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment
greater than these. We then approach our passage today, the
story of what Jesus sees in the hearts of the
religious leaders and what he sees in the heart of
the widow. One of Jesus' most striking qualities was that
(37:38):
he was a shrewd observer of human nature. At times,
he had breath taking in sight into those around him.
He knew what the scribes were grumbling about before he
heard them. He knew when a woman reached out in
him to him and desperation to be healed. He knew
(38:03):
when the disciples were quietly arguing on a journey and
what they were arguing about. The scripture today gives us
two ways that Jesus tells us to observe. The first
way he describes is the way to observe the religious leaders.
(38:26):
The Greek word here used for watch out or beware
is bleippo, which means to see, to discern, to understand,
to contemplate, and to weigh carefully and examine. It is
(38:47):
not just seeing visually, but it's something else that we
have to do in our minds, trying to dig deeper
into understanding. Jesus could see past the lengthy prayers, in
the flowing robes and the best seats in the house.
He saw the heart of the religious leaders, and what
(39:10):
he observed was different than what he saw when he
sat down and observed at the temple treasury. This scene
with Jesus sitting in the temple watching people come and
go making their gifts in the temple is another example
of how Jesus tently observes the heart and actions of people.
(39:33):
Perhaps Jesus was fascinated by what he saw there.
Speaker 4 (39:38):
Some made a great.
Speaker 8 (39:39):
Show of dumping large amounts of coins into the trumpet
shaped coffers. Others hurriedly slipped their offerings and moved on.
But Jesus reminds us here that there is no connection
between the amount of gift and the devotion the giver.
(40:02):
The Greek word here describes Jesus observing the widow is
another verb different than how he was observing the scribes.
Speaker 4 (40:12):
The word here is thireo.
Speaker 8 (40:14):
Which means to look at, to behold, to view attentively,
and to take into consideration. Her small act may have
been missed, but Jesus makes her the center of attention,
the center stage, the example.
Speaker 4 (40:36):
For all of us. In a world where widows.
Speaker 8 (40:40):
Were victimized, often by religious leaders, we have a story
of one who gave her heart, mind, and spirit to
God with everything.
Speaker 4 (40:51):
That she had. These two passages are grouped.
Speaker 8 (40:55):
Together as a contrast, a contrast of what we often
observe in what Jesus observes in our hearts. It is
easy for us to look at the religious leaders and
the widows as examples of their hearts and the way
that they were giving of themselves. It's always easier to
(41:19):
be an observer on the sidelines, pointing the fingers or
maybe even cheering. But what happens when that mirror is
turned and we have to look inside of ourselves? What
(41:40):
is Jesus observing about us? What is he observing about me?
Is he observing from us the fruit of the spirit,
the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control.
Speaker 4 (42:04):
That come from Him that we as believers are supposed
to have.
Speaker 8 (42:12):
Is he seeing us clothed in our Sunday best or
is he seeing us clothed with compassion, love, kindness, gentleness?
Does he see us forgiving one another the way that
Christ forgives us?
Speaker 4 (42:32):
What do we look like on the inside?
Speaker 8 (42:36):
Does he see us loving our neighbor as ourselves, making
sure that they are taken care of the way that
we want to be taken care of.
Speaker 4 (42:48):
Observation is really easy.
Speaker 8 (42:50):
To look onto somebody else, but sometimes it's hard to
look inside of ourselves. I don't know about you, but
I have been overwhelmingly burdened by what has happened in
North Carolina and other places around our country with a
(43:11):
hurricane that came through this past week. I, like probably
many of you, read doctor Guy Sal's words as he
shared a little bit of his experience of what he
has observed since the floodwaters came in. He writes, neighbors
(43:31):
are sharing with neighbors in our small subdivision. A neighbor
with a rain barrel shared water we.
Speaker 4 (43:38):
Could use to flush our toilets.
Speaker 8 (43:41):
A couple with generators set up a device charging stations.
Speaker 4 (43:44):
In their driveway.
Speaker 8 (43:47):
We sat around those plugs like campers around a fire,
telling stories and sharing information about where a cell phone
signal could be found or a grocery store that was open.
As we waited for our computers to charge. I got
to know one of my neighbors who's a journalist, a
book reviewer with a delight sense of humor. Our next
(44:10):
stoor neighbors of been their homes and their freezers for
neighbors to shop for free for food that was being thawed.
Another neighbor went to serve several homes to show folks
how to safely pottable water from their water heaters. A
lot of us went more time outside talking with one
(44:32):
another in the streets because we simply needed to be
with one another. Among our neighbors. Across our region, there
has been, and it is often wordless, flaws of love
and mercy. The storm made it unmistakable that we depend
on each other and.
Speaker 4 (44:51):
Cause us to trust, at least for a while, that.
Speaker 8 (44:55):
We could count on one another. That's the opposite of
Christ living out and action. Christ being the hands and
feet through each one of the people that had been
impacted by such devastation. This morning you all will vote
(45:16):
on a ministry action budget, a budget for the next
year for this congregation.
Speaker 4 (45:22):
It will be a time where you will.
Speaker 8 (45:24):
Decide whether or not you want to commit to giving
of yourself, giving your time, your talents, and your treasure
to this congregation. It's an important thing. Some of these
things you will be able to observe. You will be
able to observe people growing spiritually through worship. You will
(45:48):
be able to observe children learning and seeing the Lord's prayer.
Speaker 4 (45:53):
Did you hear them this morning?
Speaker 2 (45:55):
Wow?
Speaker 4 (45:56):
What a gift. But I also want to remind you
what happens next.
Speaker 8 (46:04):
In Mark chapter thirteen, Jesus tells a story about the
temple being destroyed, a forecast of what's to come. Here's
the thing. There will be a time where everything will crumble.
There will be a time where there is a world
(46:25):
without you in it. What do you want your life,
your legacy, the important things that you value most.
Speaker 4 (46:38):
To be the forefront? What do you want others to
observe about your faithfulness? Let us pray Father forgive us because.
Speaker 8 (46:58):
We are sinners, and there are times that it's so
much easier for us to point fingers at one another.
Speaker 4 (47:08):
Than it is to look within our own hearts. Forgive us.
Speaker 8 (47:14):
For allowing our minds to be so distracted by the
noise of the world that we don't take time to
observe our own hearts. Help us God in this moment
to do just that. To contemplate, how am I bearing
(47:41):
the fruits of the spirit? Am I clothed the way
that you want me to be clothed?
Speaker 4 (47:50):
Do I love the way that you love?
Speaker 8 (47:56):
When it's all said and done, that's what you're going
to add ask of us. And may it be so
that you welcome us, good and faithful servants.
Speaker 4 (48:09):
In Christ's name.
Speaker 8 (48:10):
Amen, We'll stand together to sing the Hymn of Commitment
Hymn number five sixty eight made the mind of Christ
my Savior Versus one and three. And I welcome you
during this time to just spend some more time in prayer.
And if you would like to join somebody else in
that prayer, I'll be standing here, or just reach out
(48:34):
to somebody beside you and ask them to pray alongside you.
Speaker 4 (48:37):
Let us sing.
Speaker 2 (49:01):
The actual joy at schools
Speaker 9 (49:13):
S
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