Sometimes we stumble into a parable!
A couple of weeks ago, while helping sort books into categories for TMUC’s rummage sale, I saw a thin paperback novel by Alistair Maclean. I read several of Maclean’s adventure novels in my younger years.
I decided to buy the book on the day of the rummage sale.
Which seemed like a plan, until I arrived at the sale, realized that books had now been further sorted, and that there were probably 1,000 books, stacked on their edges, side-by-side, spread out over numerous tables.
Before becoming a parable, this experience was first a proverb- the proverbial search for a needle in a haystack.
I knew it was possible that the book had already been sold. I knew that the likelihood of finding the book amongst so many was as slim as the book itself.
I looked through the books, moving from one table to another, letting my eyes rove along the rows of book spines. I didn’t see the book!
I left to look at other items. I returned. I meticulously looked again. I didn’t see the book.
I went away to purchase and eat a muffin.
I returned. I moved from table to table, I stared at the books…and…there it was! There was the book for which I had been seeking!
Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like finding a treasure buried in a field. Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like a small mustard seed planted in a field.
Maybe the kingdom of God is like a slim paperback stacked amongst thousands of other books at a rummage sale.
When I saw the book emerge into view, I felt surprised, joy, an odd sense of persevering accomplishment…and I felt like I had just been given a gift.
I think the kingdom of God is like that. I think that experiencing God’s presence in the world is like that. We seek. We persevere at trying to create peace, at being a source of healing in the world, at being more loving in a more loving world.
We persevere…and then…when our eyes are glazing over, when we think the search is futile…and then…there is the gift of attitudes changing, opponents reconciling, forgiveness being offered, and hope being reborn.
And we catch a glimpse of what we have been seeking.
We invite you to remain prayerfully aware each day…you never know when you might stumble into a parable!
Please continue to pause to offer Prayers for Peace in Ukraine at 6:00 p.m. daily. And, please continue your prayers for reconciliation, and for refugees everywhere. These are difficult times in our world, and our thoughts and prayers connect us to others and to the healing of this hurting world. #StandWithUkraine
Please remember the TMUC projects:
• The Pop Can Drive (please rinse)
• The TruEarth fundraiser – here’s the link
We continue to be grateful for your generous support of the TMUC community. If you are wanting to make a donation online, here’s the link
Sunday worship at TMUC is at 10:00 for in person with a live-stream on ZOOM. Here is the link if you would like to join in online:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7538449219
In preparation for this TMUC’s worship this weekend, our music team and Esther and Emmett have prepared some recordings in addition to what will be shared online:
There is Room for All
There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
and a Blessing:
I Am Walking a Path of Peace
And Esther and Emmett talk about a unique ‘thank you’!
Words for Worship for Sunday, June 12, 2022
Welcome and Announcements
Pop can drive – please rinse and crush
TruEarth products
Land Acknowledgement
INTROIT: There is Room For All – More Voices#62
There is room for all in the shadow of God’s wing;
there is room for all, sheltered in God’s love.
And I rejoice and sing,
My refuge and my rock in whom I trust.”
There is room for all, there is room for all.
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*CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Hymn: VU#331 The Church’s One Foundation
Opening Prayer: God, bless us with generous and gracious hearts as we gather to worship. Let us welcome Your love, Your Word, Your invitation to faithful living. Let us worship with joy, with hope and with openness to the leading of Your Spirit. In Christ’s name we pray. AMEN
Gospel: Luke 7:36-8:3
A Sinful Woman Forgiven
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Some Women Accompany Jesus
Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.
HYMN: VU#605 Jesus, Teacher, Brave and Bold
Meditation
OFFERTORY: Your Work, O God, Needs Many Hands – Voices United #537
Your Work, O God, needs many hands
to help you everywhere,
and some there are who cannot serve
unless our gifts we share.
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Anthem: You Say
CALL TO PRAYER: O God, Hear my Prayer – Voices United #948
O God, hear my prayer, O God, hear my prayer;
When I call, answer me.
O God, hear my prayer, O God, hear my prayer,
come and listen to me.
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Pastoral Prayer
The prayer that Jesus taught…
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
Forever and ever.
AMEN
Hymn: VU#271 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
Blessings and Sending Forth
CHORAL BLESSING: I am Walking a Path of Peace – More Voices #221
I am walking a path of peace,
I am walking a path of peace,
I am walking a path of peace,
lead me home, lead me home…I am home.
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