April 9, 2017
Opening Hymns:
Trust and Obey: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh467.sht
Trust and Obey: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh467.sht
Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 13:1-6
13 Keep
on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget
to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown
hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to
remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those
who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
4 Marriage
should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge
the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives
free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has
said,
“Never
will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”[a]
never will I forsake you.”[a]
6 So
we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”[b]
Message:
There are many pieces to today’s scripture reading. We are to love each other, serve one another, keep to our marriage promises, and avoid loving money. As I read through this scripture, I must admit that it is hard to avoid longing for more money. I am not alone, many of us from time to time wonder: “if only I could pay off the car” “if only I had more money for my hobbies”, or even “if only I won the lottery.”
What can mere mortals do to me?”[b]
Message:
There are many pieces to today’s scripture reading. We are to love each other, serve one another, keep to our marriage promises, and avoid loving money. As I read through this scripture, I must admit that it is hard to avoid longing for more money. I am not alone, many of us from time to time wonder: “if only I could pay off the car” “if only I had more money for my hobbies”, or even “if only I won the lottery.”
The song “If I Were a Rich Man”
comes to mind. Tevye is a poor man, and in this song, he contemplates what it
would be like if he had riches. As often happens in my dreams of winning the
lottery, he also imagines the good that would come of him being a rich man. He sings:
“If
I were rich, I'd have the time that I lack
To
sit in the synagogue and pray.
And
maybe have a seat by the Eastern wall.
And
I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men, several hours every day.
That
would be the sweetest thing of all.”
However,
being wealthy would not necessarily make us better equipped to help serve those
around us. Being kind to each person that we meet, volunteering our time, and
getting involved in our community are things that we can do even if we haven’t
won the lottery. This scripture helps remind us of the important things. Wealth
does not solve all our problems, and our greed and lust can be hurtful and
detrimental. But when we focus on the needs of others and treat each other with
kindness we can share God’s promise “Never will I leave you, never will I
forsake you.”
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, guide us and help us to be kind. Let us serve our neighbor, and be answered prayers for those in need. Thank you for all the love that You’ve shown each of us in our lives, let us share that love with a those we meet. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
O How I Love Jesus: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh170.sht
May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God
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