CONTRIBUTIONS

November 11, 2012

Pentecost 24

Psalm 127

Mark 12:^38-44

ALL AGES SERVICE

(prayer)

Ad Lib Notes

·        My pre-ministry education was accounting; I'm an "AK".

·        Obvious it was not engineering or construction.

·        I'm sure I could have learned under a skilled mentor, but I wound up following the rabbi side of Jesus, not the carpenter.

·        Always amazed at scenes of 'barn-raisings'.  A community coming together to accomplish a BIG task.

·        Two and a half years ago, while I attending a music-related retreat, a number of us spent a day working on a Habitat for Humanity neighbourhood in Hendersonville, NC.  Did clean up, not building because that was the contribution needed that day.  I may not have hammered a single nail, and my small few hours of sweat equity may not be visible in those homes - but my contribution was a valuable part of the whole.

·        Psalm 127 is only five short verses long, but it carries a profound and hopeful message. 

·        It has two ways of making its point: (1)  Builders and Guards make valuable contributions in our lives; (2) Children (okay, "sons" in the sexist past of biblical times) are this generations contribution to the future.

·        God is the builder of our home (our lives);God watches over us; God invites blessing into our lives that extends beyond just us and beyond just this moment in time.

·        Psalm 127 is an invitation to consciously appreciate the contribution God makes in our lives.  It is an invitation to sacred humility - something more than ourselves in this existence.

·        //

·        That's half of the story from our Bible readings today: God adds value to our lives.

·        But the inward has an outward parallel: alongside God contributing to our lives, we are also invited to contribute to a greater good beyond ourselves.

·        Sacrifice a la facebook post...giving in holiness.

·        Talk about widow's sacrificial giving: her whole living! 

·        How much easier it can be for us to give and contribute out the bounty of our time and resources.

·        Quote Mk 12:38ff - be weary of the long robed, long prayer giving so-called experts.

·        Hmm...me?  Liturgical garb.  Explain "alb" as baptism (albus - latin for white) garb; washed, made pure by God --- "stole" as practical protective hood; symbol of office; yoke of Christ.  But uniform of minister. 

·        Sets me apart.  Not what I believe.  Priest: presider.  Priesthood of all believers.  Minister: servant.  Ministers: all of us.

·        Sixteen years ago, I stopped wearing the clerical collar (aka dog collar).  After 22 years of ordination, time again to be more conscious of how I present myself (strip: watch mic) - will wear alb and stole for sacraments of communion and baptism. Also for services of deep and honoured celebration like weddings and funerals.  Who knows, maybe in another decade or so, I'll make more adjustments to my "habits".

·        //

·        Two fold invitation: IN - appreciate the contribution God is to our lives; OUT - contribute beyond ourselves to benefit more than ourselves.

·        Cf. Greatest commandment; SDUC motto.

·        //

·        Allow God to make a difference in our lives and let us make a difference in the lives of others.

·        Call to contribute AT LEAST from our bounty - challenged to experience a measure of sacrifice.

(Prayer)

#527VU   "God! As With Silent Hearts"