Happy Fathering Sunday and Happy Juneteenth! A day where we celebrate those who have nurtured us in a fatherly manner over the years – our fathers whether they be by blood or by practice. But the celebration of the day is the celebration of “Juneteenth” the day where we commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865. A sign of hope and promise, but also a sign of the work that lies ahead and where we still have growing edges. But it is a day to celebrate and look forward to the summer solstice. Blessings to you as the middle of June approaches.
In worship, we celebrate the remembrance that God’s love is always present and that we, by our relationship with God, need to revere God and all that God stands for. We need to remember the loving kindness of God on our lives. Our Psalmist sang that a human’s soul craves a relationship with God, and because we crave God, we must trust God and place our hope in God’s providence. Our Epistle from Galatians tells us that, in God’s economy, there are no differences between people, beliefs, and genders – all are beloved by God. In Luke’s gospel we heard the story of the man possessed by Legion (demons) and the demons being cast into swine. The point of the lesson is that Jesus can bring about true and meaningful change.
Our sermon was based on the Hebrew Scripture lesson from 1 Kings. In this story we hear that Elijah, after defeating 450 prophets of Baal and ending a drought (with God’s help). fears for his life because Jezebel promise to hunt him down and kill him. God feeds, restores, and reconnects with Elijah – not in the spectacular theophany but in the still small voice. Our hope is found in locating God in the ever-present and often overlooked ways where God makes God’s presence known.
I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: 1 Kings 19:1-15a; Psalms 42 & 43; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39
Video of Worship: https://youtu.be/aAFDko1QR_8
Video of Sermon: https://youtu.be/drZrVI6a2wg
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