Blessings and prayers are offered for you and your loved ones as we continue our journey through September. Fall is starting to settle in, a little, with the humidity dropping from time to time and it being a little cooler in the morning. We are also finding a family of turkeys wandering in the Church Yard on a regular basis. I’m told the ones I see most often are juveniles but there are about 6 or 7 out regularly. The Sanctuary door is completed and installed – and it looks fabulous. A lot of painstaking work was done by Don (and probably Marcella) to get the door looking better than new. Last, “The chestnuts are here! The chestnuts are here!” and the first tree has started dropping chestnuts – come get your chestnuts before we are overrun.
We have been reminded, yet again, that our lives can be overcome by anxiety, especially about things that are temporary. But God assures us that what happens in this world doesn’t affect our heavenly journey unless we violate God’s commands. Our Hebrew Scripture was taken from the close of Proverbs, and the discussion of “a capable wife” and her traits. The writer paints a picture of the faithful wife that does everything with excellence which allows her to do greater things in society, not just “women’s work” but provision for her family. The Psalmist sang about the blessings that are received by believers when they trust in God’s commandments and work for the betterment of society. The New Testament reading from James continued its journey with the marks of faithful wisdom. That believers must act but not in an overbearing manner, but as ones who love and create community not division. The gospel taken from Mark is the second installment of the Disciples arguing over the trifles of life and ignoring the blessings they receive by being in the presence of God Incarnate.
Our sermon offers a reflection on the power of belief. When one believes that they can make a difference in things that matter they can make a difference. We are also urged to be the best we can be wherever we find ourselves. Some would argue, “If we can’t be good at transitory things how good will we be at the critical things?” With God’s help, we can be successful in all things that matter.
I invite your comments and likes,
Les+
Readings: Proverbs 31:10-31; Psalm 1; James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37
Video of worship: https://youtu.be/Y3R1qcgYNO4
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