Sunday School, November 11, 2018 25 Pentecost B proper 27
Themes
The widow who gave her last coins
Widows
often had to live in poverty because their support came from their
husbands. If they did not have families to return to, they often were
in need.
Old
Testament law had laws to help provide for widows and orphans because
as it is written in the Psalms: "The Lord cares for the widow and the
orphans."
How
does our modern world take care of people who are in need? What about
the current refugee problem in our world? People have been driven out
of their homes and lost family members because of war. What is the
responsibilities of Christians to help the widow and the orphans?
The
Old Testament lesson is about how a widow provided food and a room for
God's prophet Elijah and Elijah promised her that God would always give
her enough food.
Jesus
was with his disciples in the temple. He observed how a poor widow had
put her last two coins into the temple offering. Jesus said that she
had given more than anyone because she had given her all.
How
is it that a poor person is still generous to give to God through the
work of the Temple? Shouldn't the Temple through the offerings be
helping this poor woman and her children?
This
is an important lesson in generosity. A generous person does not
regard himself or herself to be poor because a generous person is able
to see how much God has given us with the beauty of the world.
Generous people include their good health, the sunshine, the beauty of the earth as a part of their wealth and so they always feel like they have something to give.
We learn from the example of the widow that generosity does not depend upon how much we have; it depends on whether we have a heart willing to share a portion of what we have.
The lesson from the letter to the Hebrews presents Jesus as the Great High Priest. As the Great High Priest Jesus was not worry about his own wealth of goodness and perfection; he wanted to share all of his goodness and perfection with us. He was willing to offer his life so that we could learn to be forgiven so that we could grow in goodness. Jesus was generous with his goodness. He gave us his very best. He still shares his very best because he has sent a very generous Holy Spirit to live within us.
Sermon on a riddle about generosity
Generous people include their good health, the sunshine, the beauty of the earth as a part of their wealth and so they always feel like they have something to give.
We learn from the example of the widow that generosity does not depend upon how much we have; it depends on whether we have a heart willing to share a portion of what we have.
The lesson from the letter to the Hebrews presents Jesus as the Great High Priest. As the Great High Priest Jesus was not worry about his own wealth of goodness and perfection; he wanted to share all of his goodness and perfection with us. He was willing to offer his life so that we could learn to be forgiven so that we could grow in goodness. Jesus was generous with his goodness. He gave us his very best. He still shares his very best because he has sent a very generous Holy Spirit to live within us.
Sermon on a riddle about generosity
Let me give you a riddle. When are you giving a lot even if it’s only a
dime? And when are you giving a little
even when it’s a thousand dollars?
Let try a little exercise with some
pennies. I need some volunteers.
I am going to give to one two pennies. And to another I am going to give many
pennies.
Then I am going to ask each of them to give
a gift to the church. The one with two pennies will give one penny. The one who has many pennies will give five pennies.
So who gave the most pennies? Who has the most pennies left?
Sometimes we thing that people who give the
most are the most generous; but that is not always true. Sometimes people, who give just a little,
only have a little left over to live on. Sometimes people, who give a large
amount of money, still have plenty to live on.
That is the lesson that Jesus was trying to
teach his friends.
Sometimes we think that everyone should give
an equal amount. And sometimes we think
that we have to give more than others.
As we grow older, we have more to give than when
we are younger. So when other people
don’t seem to give as much as we do, we often get upset.
For example, when your younger brother or
sister doesn’t have to do the same amount of work or chores as you do, it seems
unfair. But remember: Giving is determined by our ability.
That is the lesson that Jesus wanted to teach
to his followers.
The older we are, the stronger we are, the
more knowledge we have, the more money that we have, then the more we are
required to take care of those in this life who cannot take care of themselves
and who need our help.
Remember this lesson about giving. It is not amount that we give…. It is the
ability to give that should determine what we give. And also, how much do we have left over after
we have given? If we have lots left over
after we have given, have we given enough?
And God has given us much and God will
continue to give us much. And God is
always asking us to learn how to be generous according to our ability to
give. Remember God never asks us to give
something we that
we do not have.
Let us learn the secret of being generous
today. Amen.
St. John the Divine Episcopal Church
17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Family Service with Holy Eucharist
November 11, 2018: The Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Gathering Songs: Hallelu, Hallelujah, He’s Got the Whole
World, I Come with Joy, Christ Beside Me
Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Liturgist: Oh God,
Our hearts are open to you.
And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.
Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship
you.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Song: Hallelu, Hallelujah
(Christian Children’s Songbook, # 84)
Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah, Praise ye the
Lord.
Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah, Praise ye the
Lord.
Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah, Praise ye the Lord,
Hallelujah.
Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah, Praise ye the Lord.
Liturgist: The
Lord be with you.
People: And also with
you.
Liturgist: Let us
pray
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might
destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal
life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure;
that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him
in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Litany Phrase: Alleluia (chanted)
O God, you are Great!
Alleluia
O God, you have made us! Alleluia
O God, you have made yourself known to us! Alleluia
O God, you have provided us with us a Savior! Alleluia
O God, you have given us a Christian family! Alleluia
O God, you have forgiven our sins! Alleluia
O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead! Alleluia
A reading from the Letter of Hebrews
Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere
copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the
presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as
the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not
his own; for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the
foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end
of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is
appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ,
having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time,
not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Liturgist: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
Liturgist: Let us read together from Psalm 146
Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
whose hope is in the LORD their God;
Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in
them; * who keeps his promise for ever;
Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, * and food to
those who hunger.
The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of
the blind; * the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)
Litanist:
For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to
God!
For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!
For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks
be to God!
For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!
For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!
For work and for play. Thanks be to God!
For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!
For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!
For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of
our friends and parish family.
Thanks be to God!
Liturgist: The
Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
People: Glory to you,
Lord Christ.
Teaching in the temple, Jesus said, "Beware of the
scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect
in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of
honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance
say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." He sat down
opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small
copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to
them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those
who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of
their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all
she had to live on."
Liturgist: The
Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you,
Lord Christ.
Sermon: Fr. Phil
Children’s Creed
We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father
is the maker of the world.
Since God is so great and we are so small,
We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus,
son of the Virgin Mary.
We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the
life, death and
resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy
Spirit.
We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church
where everyone is
welcome.
We believe that Christ is kind and fair.
We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.
And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve
us forever. Amen.
Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy. (chanted)
For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have
mercy.
For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have
mercy.
For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.
For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.
For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.
For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in
our world. Christ, have mercy.
For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have
mercy.
For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have
mercy.
For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have
mercy.
For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.
Liturgist: The
Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving
of an offering.
Song: He’s Got the Whole World (Christian Children’s
Songbook, # 90)
He’s got the whole world; in his hands he’s got the whole
wide world in his hands. He’s got the
whole world in his hands; he’s got the whole world in his hands.
Little tiny babies.
Brother and the sisters
Mothers and the fathers
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all
creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost.
Prologue to the Eucharist
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong
the kingdom of heaven.”
All become members of a family by birth or adoption.
Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.
A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.
The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to
his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made
us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all
of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might. Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.
All may gather around the altar
Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;
You have made us in your image
And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to
live by faith:
Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob
and Rachael.
And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured
by Joseph
And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.
Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this
Holy Meal so that when we eat
the bread and drink
the wine, we can know that the Presence
of Christ is as near to us as
this food and
drink that becomes a part of us.
And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine.
Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and
Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Sanctify
us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.
On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the
blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take,
eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of
me."
After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and
said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which
is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink
it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we
eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the
life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in
our future.
Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a
special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ. May we forever live with praise to God to
whom we belong as sons and daughters.
By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of
the Holy Spirit all honor and glory
is yours, Almighty
Father, now and for ever. Amen.
And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,
Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.
Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.
And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.
As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.
Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.
But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.
Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy
name.
Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.
Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.
Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.
Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant: Alleluia!
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore
let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
Words of Administration
Communion Song: I
Come With Joy (Renew! # 195)
I come with joy a child of God, forgiven, loved, and free,
the life of Jesus to recall, in love laid down for me.
I come with Christians, far and near to find, as all are
fed, the new community of love in Christ’s communion bread.
As Christ breaks bread, and bids us share, each proud
division ends. The love that made us
makes us one, and strangers now are friends.
Post-Communion Prayer
Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus
asked us to keep;
We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the
wine.
And His Presence has been known to us.
We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and
brothers
and sisters in
Christ.
Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that
the blessing in the
bread and wine
spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,
As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. Amen.
Closing Song: Christ Beside Me (Renew! # 164)
Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me—King of
my heart; Christ within me, Christ below
me, Christ above me—never to part.
Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand, Christ all
around me—shield in the strife: Christ
in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising—light of my life
Christ be in all hearts, thinking about me, Christ be on all
tongues, telling of me; Christ be the vision, in eyes that see me, in ears that
hear me, Christ ever be.
Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me—King of
my heart; Christ within me, Christ below me, Christ above me—never to part.
Dismissal:
Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God!
