This is Mother's Day or Family Sunday. What do you do with the Lectionary? There seems to be a lot in this Gospel pasage that is appropriate to families such as: "I will not leave you orphaned" and also comments on the connandment to love. In addition it is the family that makes the term "Father" so meaningful. Is this appropriate to use the scripture to fulfuill the "secular calendar?" I know I will. Is there family material in any of the other texts. Give me insights. Bill in Beaver, PA.
Jesus says "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" ... My mother used to say to me, when I asked her what I could give her for Mother's day "Love your brother and your sisters, that's all I want". Jesus simplified the whole Law (simplified?!) by summing up with "Love one another ..." ... Guess my Mother was on the right track! I will likely be making that connection on Sunday May 9. Deacon Gary
I try to find other ways of dealing with the secular observations than by dedicating the homily to them Sometimes some illustrations from the holiday can be brought in as an example. But I try to follow the Liturgical calendar, and according to it we are getting ready on this Sunday to celebrate the Ascension of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, too important to pass over in favor of Mothers' Day, lovely as that observance is. I have not yet formulated enough thoughts for a sermon. Joe from Maine
Last week, revup shared with us the illustration about the bottom end of Sth Africa being once called the Cape of Storms, and then The Cape of Good hopes. I used this in my sermon on Sunday (to great effect I might add...) After the service one of my parishoners pointed out to me that an added angle on the illustration is that there is a safe harbour on the very bottom edge of the cape. (Simon's bay I think he said.) What a great thought! - as well as knowing that the Storms of life will pass and that we have good hopes - there is a safe haven while the storms are raging.
Thanks revup (and Peter - my parishoner)
GP in SA
There's a line in the hymn, "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty," that goes - "then to our need, God as a mother doth speed." I'm thinking of using that line as a sermon title (and using the hymn as well). The theme of the worship service next Sunday at our church (we try to develop a theme each week around which the service and the liturgy revolves) is "God's Mother Side". The idea is that our culture's view of the ideal mother - loving, caring, nurturing - is an expression of God in our lives. I don't plan to dwell on Mothers' Day too heavily, tho. I, too, think it is not the best thing to allow secular celebrations take over the church. But there is also an opportunity here to explore attributes of God that need to be explored. It's not, "let's honor mothers," but "let's honor those attributes of God that are fleshed out in motherhood."
Paul of SC
Also, I have some lingering recollection of a discussion many years ago about transactional analysis. TA, you may recall, theorized that we react and relate to others out of one of three inner stances, which the popular literature defined as Parent, Adult, and Child. The discussion I recall had to do with the Trinity. Someone suggested that Parent corresponded to God the Father; Child corresponded to God the Son; Adult corresponded to God the Holy Spirit. Someone else, I clearly remember, suggested that TA's description of the "tri-partite" personality should be changed to "Father, Mother and Child." This person's idea was that the Holy Spirit was God's feminine side. A fascinating idea; we are created in God's image, and God's person is fleshed out in the human race in terms of age and gender.
Paul of SC
Joe from Maine, I agree with your idea of using a specific illustration involving the holiday to reinforce the Gospel message. Anybody got a good Mother's Day illustration on an appropriate theme in this text? GP in Sa, thank Peter for the "Simon's Bay addition" to the Cape illustration I found somewhere. We Methodists can always add it this sermon at the next appointment when the text reappears. And Paul of SC, I put the theme on the bulletin as the first announcement, so everyone knows where we are going, or at least trying to go. I did preach once, "If you think your mother's love is wonderful, try THE Father's." Paul, I am thankful I was taught early in life that God has no gender. I try to remind the people of that because some people still think being created in God's image means we were created in God's physical image. Good line, (It's not, "let's honor mothers," but "let's honor those attributes of God that are fleshed out in motherhood.")
Now, the BIG question. If we love Jesus do we keep HIS commandments, love God and others as your self. Or the original 10? I vote for the two of Jesus, because Jesus sure gave static to the Pharisees for worshipping the first 10 and their extensions. Any thoughts? revup
Something to keep in mind.
There may be some in your congregation who wish desperately to be mothers (and fathers) but who, because of infertility, find the secular observance of "Mother's Day" very painful.
What a blessing to celebrate the way we have been all been mothered by God, rather than to glorify earthly mothers. As a mother myself, I appreciate the honor given to those engaged in the "hardest job you'll ever love", but the paper flowers or seedlings from Sunday school, joyfully presented by my own sprouts, are more meaningful observances than anything said from the pulpit.
SS in PA
In this Gospel is Jesus being a good mother as it were directing us to service beyond the home into the wider community, and cutting the apron strings? Just pondering, R.J. in ND
It is always difficult to balance the secular with the sacred; generally I use the time of pastoral prayer to lift up the secular issue if appropriate. In the church I serve, Mother's Day is very special, even to the several women who have never born children. It is important to remember also that while all of us were born of a woman not all mothers are perfect or even deserving of honor. Some men are the best mothers I know. This year as I journey with my own beloved mother in her final days, I am so conscious of the promise, "I will not leave you orphaned." That hope will sustain me as it has so many before and those to follow. The commandment to love one another is an invitation to open ourselves to the deep love that awaits us when we open ourselves to the Spirit of Truth
I will use the theme of Mother's Day to lead into the text. I find that it is usually not helpful to "ignore" what is on people's hearts and minds. After all, didn't Jesus use the "secular" to teach about the "holy?" My sermon will be "What Momma Taught Me About God" and I will also be speaking of the (so-called) "feminine" attributes of God. Even though we all cannot be mothers, we all had one...and perhaps some had uncaring or negative experiences with their mothers. When we experience the feeling of being "a motherless child" we can turn to God for the love and nurture one needs to become a whole person. RevKK
Like RevKK, i see no point in ignoring what people have on their minds, and generally am amazed at how well the lectionary speaks to the things going on in our non-church celebrations. Many people have felt abandoned, even by God, and some are in my congregation. i like sharing that they are not orphaned.
also it may help that mother's day originated in a church. a woman (ooh, i'll need to look up the reference for her name and place) had taught Sunday School for many years and had become a "mother" to so many in the congregation that they chose this day to honor her. her actual daughter then wrote to the president to make it a national holiday. so each year during the children's sermon i remind the congregation that we are family and that we all must care for and nurture the children of the church whether we are biological parents or not ( i do much the same on father's day) then i have the children give every woman present a carnation. i usually have enough that the girls save one for themselves also. - what better time than now to lift up the need for our children to be nurtured by all?
grace and peace, rachel
Yes, we have to find a balance between the letionary and the secular occasion of Mother's Day. My own Mom thought Mother's Day was pretty dumb and she said, "You should be nice to your mom every day, not just on this day...". She thought it was a Hallmark creation. I think we can address the fact that we all have different feelings about the day, but that Jesus' command to love stands no matter what our feelings. I hope to get something in on Mothers Day and then get on with the text.
Rachel, I enjoyed your story on the history of Mother's Day - especially for a children's sermon. Can you give us more details or find where the info comes from?
Maybe a children's sermon would be enough....but now what are we going to do with Jesus' words? Especially "if you love me you will keep my commandments"...is that a threat or an explanation simply of "what is"?
Buckabee
Some Internet resources on the history of Mother's Day: http://www.suite101.com/articles/article.cfm/6855 http://www.chron.com/content/interactive/special/holidays/97/mom/history.html (Sorry I was in a hurry and couldn't figure out how to paste these in as links.) Doug in Riverside
Well, guess what--Looks like the URL's did paste in as links.
Doug in Riverside (again)
The Episcopal Lectionary is John 15: I am the vine. Will any of you be working with this. Just a side note, when did a Hallmark holiday interfer with the Lectionary - this just goes to show you how much 'of and in the world' we are!
tom in ga
Jesus used everyday events to teach us about God. Why does it have to be either secular or sacred. The ordinary reveals the sacred when we note the feminine qualities of God's love lived out in human relationships. Sure it is not perfect, but with the eyes of Jesus we can see the beauty that is there. Not all of us have had ideal mothers, yet we all know ideal mother stories of profound evidence of unconditional love.
Allan in Coastal Maine
1. Does anyone remember a sermon by Helmut Thielicke written in the WWII time period (perhaps) referring to this John passage and the orphan experience? Perhaps it was writing about the Our Father?
2. Abandoned, orphaned, neglected, no place called home, exiled...potent present day realities, even for people who have an address, and two parents in the home...let alone the realities for foster kids, refugees...let alone the elderly...such a core issue in the dev. of trust and the capacity to trust God.
3. I like the question about the commandments: one or ten?
4. I can't remember who gets credit for quipping that LOVE IS A POLICY NOT A FEELING.
The previous disjointed impressions from lb.
Maybe all the mothers in our congregations would just like to hear a good sermon on this Gospel, rather than another hallmark message about Mother's Day. What do you think?
WJA in California
Jesus will go but send the "helper"
How do we keep from preaching a "warm fuzzy" Spirit who floats around like helium balloons in dazzling colors stangely warming peoples hearts. Christ's commands. Can we preach of a Spirit that has a greater purpose than to give us an emotional high?
Isn't the coming of the Paraclete directly connected to the keeping of Commandments in this Gospel?
WJA in California
Friends, I looked back on the 1998 forums for other thoughts on Mother's Day from last year (May 10,1998), and came across Nailbender's wonderful account of his friend Izet, a pastor in Slovenia. I commend it to you this year as a way God, through the church, does not leave us orphaned. In light of current events, I found it very powerful. Check it out- Pam in Tpa
John 14:19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 14:20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 14:21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them."
The rain had come again. Oh, how she hated the rain, the steady drizzle that again inundated her being, pouring into every fiber of her soul, overcoming and debilitating. The slow soaking water, running in small rivulets down the now swollen wood of her cabinet, right up there over the stove that Marvin, her husband, had bought for her. She remembered how beautiful that gas stove was, shiny and gleaming when they had taken it out of the Sears and Roebuck box. Now it was cracked and broken, the brown rust slowly overcoming what was left of it's white top. The shine had long ago disappeared, probably sometime after Marvin had died. She couldn't remember when, but now it really didn't matter, for all she was left with was the steady drip, drip, drip of the water splashing across the faded top.
She didn't want to hate the rain, you understand. She knew that it brought the promise of life, the rich essence of growing crops and blooming flowers. She knew it was part of God's miracle, yet, she couldn't help herself. For each and every time it came, she could just imagine the rotting wood of her floor, the walls crumbling, and the beams in her ceiling sagging with each additional drop of water. Slowly, but most assuredly, her home was coming down around her, imploding, just another part of brokeness to add on to her increasingly broken existence. Just one more thing.
Sometimes, in the darkness of the night, she would find herself lying awake in bed, terrified. Wondering, just wondering when it would finally happen, when the old house would finally give way. All she could do was pray, and hope that God would take her first, take her before the rain took this old dilapidated place which had once been the dwelling of so much joy.
And then, a miracle truly occurred. A man showed up at her door one day and told her that some folks, kids really, some church kids were going to come and work on her house! They were going to work on her roof! She didn't know where they were coming from, some far off place of which she had never heard, some place up north. Yet, they were coming! Joy, oh, unspeakable joy! Finally, once again, she would be able to sit on her porch and rejoice in a gentle shower and find beauty in the budding flower. Once again she would be able to move by that old battered stove, where the puddle always formed, without thinking about the horror of the next rainfall. Once again, she would have peace.
She will have peace because a wonderful church, a wonderful church which sits not too far from her home, is opening it's doors to those church kids. It is opening it's doors, giving them shelter, while they bring the gift of shelter to her. She will once again have peace, because this wonderful church found reasons to say yes to the ministry of hosting this team. She will once again have peace because this church sought to say yes to the call of Christ. She will have peace because of you, you who open yourselves to the possibility of God. And God will come to her. And God will come to you.
But then, you who say yes, know all of this for you have seen God.
Shalom, my beautiful friends,
Nail-Bender in NC
My dear friends,
One more thought to add to the above. Though I am not in a pulpit on this Sunday, the fact that this Sunday is Mother's Day has not been lost on me. The house on which the above story is based (though the story is the story of hundreds in our area) will begin to be worked this Saturday. Miss Dora will be sitting on her dry porch on Sunday morning, rocking and singing, and enjoying a most miraculous Mother's Day gift, the gift of a new roof and the gift of peace.
Shalom, Nail-Bender in NC
I understand that the phrase "If you love me, keep my commandments" was something that the master's expected of their disciples...that is, that their words and teachings would be remembered and passed on from generation to generation. We tend to think of the "Ten Commandments" and rule keeping and perhaps, lose the intended point. Boy, if that doesn't lend itself to Mom's influence on us, what does? RevKK
Please pray for those families who do not have a home to return to after the terrible tornado in Ok. I know of at least one UM clergy family who lost everything. However, praise God, they are safe. RevKK
To Paul of SC - do you have that verse of "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"? We have three verses in our hymnal, but not that one. We do have the line about "shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth". Seems to me "under HER wings" would be more appropriate, as it refers to a mother hen. Deacon Gary, I can remember my mother telling me the same thing when I asked what she wanted for Mother's Day! Great tie-in to "love one another". On World Day of Prayer (Thurs. May 6) our ministerium is holding a Peace in Kosovo prayer service in our community. "I will not leave you orphaned" needs to be heard, as we pray for orphans of that storm. Since I preached on the God of our Mothers (or was it Faith of our Mothers?) last Mother's Day, I appreciate everyone's struggles/insights for this year. You've helped me begin to focus. Thanks. LL from L
I greatly appreciate your thoughts on "The Mother Side of God". There are several passages in the OT and in the New in which God attributes to Himself motherly qualities. I think we can combine our celebration of Mother's Day with our being mothered by God. Thanks for your thought-provoking input. Ken from CA
Some musings, emerging from the books floating on my desk amidst the papers and other administrative flotsam:
1. Re Jn 14:15. Raymond Brown, in his Anchor Bible commentary on John, notes that the Gk verb "keep" is found in the subjunctive, the imperative, and the future in various early NT manuscripts. Brown chooses to translate in the subjunctive: "If you love me and keep my commandments, then at my request the Father will give you another Paraclete to be with you forever."
2. Re "commandments" in Johannine literature. Brown cites I John 5:3, "For the love of God consists in this: that we keep His commandments." Thus, we can assume (along with Matthew) that Jesus' commandments do not abrogate, but are the fulfillment of, the Ten Commandments. (both 1&2 are on p. 638)
3. A possible connection to Mother's Day is through the fifth commandment: "Honor your father and your mother" (Ex 20, Dt 5).
4. From a thought-provoking chapter ("Respect for Authority") in Lewis Smedes' book "Mere Morality": "A mother may require her children to do chores, for example, but her clout in the kitchen is not basically different from a mess sergeant's clout in the mess hall. A mother acts in her special role when she is, in the thousand ways available to her, helping her children know what is worth living for and what is worth dying for" (p. 81).
Doug in Riverside
P.S.--Many, many thanks to Nail-Bender in NC for last week's story of Robert and the refugee camp. My congregation appreciated the story very much.
This is not original with me, (see references) by it packs a whallop of a mother's love for her child.: Years ago, a young mother was making her way across the hills of South Wales, carrying her tiny baby in her arms, when she was overtaken by a blinding blizzard. She never reached her destination and when the blizzard had subsided her body was found by searchers beneath a mound of snow. But they discovered that before her death, she had taken off all her outer clothing and wrapped it about her baby. When they unwrapped the child, to their great surprise and joy, they found he was alive and well. She had mounded her body over his and given her life for her child, proving the depths of her mother love. Years later that child, David Lloyd George, grown to manhood, became prime minister of Great Britain, and, without doubt, one of England’s greatest statesman. James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, Tyndale, 1972, p. 375. I agree, do not forget and hurt the empty wombs, craving a baby nor the hurting person unable to forgive an abusive mother - yet, hopefully. revup
Promises, Promises is the title I have given this Sunday. Because in our text we see that God is giving promises to his people. Promise of another Advocate Promise of not leaving us orphaned Promise of us seeing Him face to face Promise to love those who love him
Just some thoughts on the actual text. It is either that or I look at Proverbs 31 and preach on God's Ideal wife/mother. Realizing that not everyone is a mother, yet everyone has a mother. Not to compare our mothers to what God's Word says is ideal but to help her live up to her potential. Mother's are special and we would not be where we are today without them.
Ascenion and Pentacost is coming and the Jn text perpares the way for the messages for them. Good luck thanks for the input and the output.
Pastor Rich Kent Washington
Paul of SC
My hymnal doesn't have the verse either. Would you pass it along?
Tigger in ND
I'm not Paul of SC, but I do have access to the text of "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" -- "Praise to the Lord, who doth nourish thy life and restore thee/ fitting thee well for the tasks that are ever before thee/ Then to thy need God as a mother doth speed/ spreading the wings of grace o'er thee." St. 4 by Rupert E Davies, 1983 (Ps. 103:1-6; 150)
Also, I plan to use the prayer in the UM Book of Worship that names mothers who have lost a child through death, women without children, mothers who have been unable to be a source of strength and so forth. I think it is a marvelous way to be sensitive to all cases and circumstances. I would reprint it here, but I believe it is copyrighted material. Does anyone else know? RevKK
In this passage Jesus is explaining to the disciples how they will feel and live after His departure from them. He is speaking to people who have experienced His love and care for them and for everyone. Jesus does not assume, He knows the extent to which the disciples love Him, and He's explaining to them how both their love for Him and the desolation they will feel after His departure must play out.
The love they feel for Him is precisely the love they are to feel for God, and the translation of this love into action is to flow out of their sense of their own value as loved persons and to be expressed in action toward their neighbors. To the extent that they love Him they will love their neighbors, that is, they will obey His commandment. But they will not have to do this on the basis of a fading memory of His goodness and example. They are not Godforsaken. The Father will send another Helper, the Spirit of Truth.
The dilemma of the disciples will be that this Spirit of Truth is Someone unknown to a world which does not yet feel loved by God. Their attitude will be confusing ro the world, and even threatening to people who believe that God is an orientla tyrant, or at least a ruthlessly just judge. How much less understandable is selfless love and care to a people who doubt the existence of any God and who believe that whatever order exists in the world is based upon an efficient police force working out of an animal fear of death or punishment. Is the dilemma of the disciples any greater than our own as Christians in a modern, secular world? Today, it's not that people don't want to be loved, or cared for, or treated justly, it is that they can't believe that they deserve such treatment and distrust it.
Perhaps the most powerful statement of the contemporary Christian dilemma is to be found in what Martin Luther King asked that he be remembered for. "Let them say, 'He tried to love somebody!'" The "tried" and the "somebody" are the key words. The resistance to love as it is defined in the Gospels, and the anonymity of people in a transient, fragmented society where relationships tend to be so brief and fragile and irresponsible, these are what cause the frustration and pain in being Christian today.
That terrible suspicion of the secular American - that if God or anyone else really knew him or her, there would be no love - is the primary obstruction the world puts between itself and the gospel. The dynamic of what seems to be pride today, is its tendency to be a frantic attempt to hide deep fears of worthlessness, to overcompensate for the suspicion that one has no value at all.
How do we communicate the gospel, the goodness of God's love for humans, in such a way as to penetrate the armor of their despair? People can only return God's love for them, they cannot make it up by pretending that they believe it.
Peace, OKBob
RevKK I Love Your Title. What are some of the things your mother taught you about God?
Rev KK,
As I understand it, the United Methodist Book of Worship allows for qoutes such as you would do in this space. I do not have it at hand and cannot offer up the passage which allows this. However, I will look later and if it disallows such sharing, I will state as such.
Peace, Steve
I am preaching a sermon called "SHHH.." which is based on the idea of being shushed as a child for talking too much but then my mom would tell me "shhh" sometimes to offer comfort. Isn't that what Jesus does with the promise of the Holy Spirit. And isn't that what the Holy Spirit does for us when our hearts get troubled. My mom would tell me "shhh..." and i would find comfort. God tells me "shh..." and offers me Peace. Marty
As it has already been mentioned, is it not possible to deal with the lectionary AND what's on everyone's mind. Certainly the text offers a place to deal with the pain of lost children and lost parents.
Why not acknowledge that some of us have wonderful mothers tied to us by blood and some of us have wonderful mothers tied to us by love. A few folks may have had bad experiences with our biological mothers, but I would guess that most have had some positive experience with a mother that has chosen them (even if it is late in adult life.)
What powerful images to share with a God who chooses us. As we read last week in I Peter, once we were no people, now we are God's people." Never to be orphaned.
I too think it's important to acknowledge the pain of infertility, abortions, miscarriages, and children who have died. But, if we focus our energy on the women who have been "mother" to us, then it seems that each of us could have enough images to share another facet of our embodied God.
I'm also using alot of water images: watery chaos the preceded creation, the flood, the waters of baptism, each seem to offer some images of divine birthing.
Kelly in Tacoma
I haven't checked the site in a few days, so thanks to Rev. KK for filling in for me in providing the verse from the hymn.
Wow! You folks are really bursting with creative ideas this week! I keep thinking that instead of using the text to preach on Mothers' Day, we can use Mothers' Day to preach on the text.
One of you mentioned that you are dealing with your mother's declining health. I lost my Mom in February, and now I am a motherless child, and it is a strange and frightening and disturbing grief. She had been in a nursing home for about 5 years, in my hometown, which is an hour and a half drive away. I feel guilty that I didn't go down to see her more often. I feel terribly guilty that she died alone late at night. I'm thinking this week that I am also dealing with a bit of guilt over the fact that I don't visit God as often as I should, either. My Mom's health began deteriorating a year ago, with signs of Alzheimer's disease quickly accelerating. During her last few months, she seldom was able to call my name. But every time I walked in her door she beamed a smile at me, and I knew that in her presence I was always cherished. She was Christ to me in so many ways. She was, I am thinking, the Comforter in my life in many ways. God has no gender, but God sure does give birth! The Holy Spirit brings to birth in us that which is pleasing in God's sight. In that way, the Holy Spirit is like the ideal mother, yes?
But now I am rambling. Hope I don't do that on Sunday!!
Paul of SC
Sermon Theme: "I Believe in the Holy Spirit"
Part 1. Because I know of His presence (vv. 16, 18-20)
Part 2. Because I see His work (vv. 15-17, 21)
INTRODUCTION: I would like us to catch a glimpse of all the mothers in the congregation. Please raise your hand if you are a mother. Look at that! God has blessed us with many wonderful Christian Mothers, and we are thankful for every one of you. But now Moms, you didn't realize this... but by raising your hand, you just volunteered to answer a few questions! I'm going to give you a variety of situations. You raise your hand if you can relate to them. Alright? Here we go: SITUATION 1. Mom, if you've been the mechanic in the fmaily who has changed a tire, mowed a lawn, helped get a child's pant leg out of a bicycle chain, or fixed anything with cellophane tape or a hairpin, raise your hand. SITUATION 2. Mom, if you've been the nurse in the family who has wiped a child's runny nose, placed your hand upon a feverish forehead, removed splinters or loose teeth, raise your hand. SITUATION 3. Mom, if you have felt like a secretary in the family who constantly answers the pohone for your husband, or felt like a message service for your children, raise your hand. SITUTATION 4. Mom, if you have been the chef in the fmaily who has chopped chicken in one hand, tossed a salad with your other hand, while hollering, "Honey, you're doing the dishes for me tongight!" Raise your hand. Mom, you HAVE had days when you don't feel you can handle all the pressures and stresses of being a mechanic, a nurse, a secretary, a chef, a wife, and a mother, haven't you? Guest what, MOM? You need to get some counseling! And I'll even tell you where to go for it: John 15:15-21. A "Counselor" is advertised in our sermon text today. He comes highly recommended by Jesus. He offers terrific advantages for you and your family sitting alongside you on this special day. he's a Counselor we confess when we say, "I beleive in the Holy Spirit." For Moms of all ages and for all her family members, Jesus promises his Counselor, one whom you can beleive and trust because you know of His Presence and see His Work.
Dubby in Topeka
For the nice person that asked about it, (you are all nice, but the one's asking made me feel good) -- I have put my sermon "What Momma Taught Me About God" in the Sermon Forum. Thanks. RevKK
Paul of SC, as a Hospice Chaplain for over 6 years now, I feel a need to encourage you. This is also something the rest of you may want to pass on to your parishioners. That is, in some mysterious way, God seems to allow a terminally ill person to choose the actual moment of death. I watched for two months as one woman lovingly sat beside her husband, who was dying of cancer for two months solid, night and day. When she finally got up to leave for a shower, the man died after she left the hospital parking lot. I am solidly convinced, as many in my field are, that the person is in control of when the moment of death comes. Too often we see a person hold on for one person to arrive, or for another to leave, before they let go. Paul of SC, it is almost impossible to convince a person of that once the loved one has died. I feel we clergy need to educate our parishioners that if a person dies alone, they wanted to be alone, perhaps to protect the loved ones. Our Hospice Manual points this out to help relieve people's concern.
On March 15, 1999, as my own father was days or probably hours from death, I myself told my comotose father, "Dad, mom and I are leaving now, and it is okay to let go while we are gone, if you wish. Otherwise, we will be back in the morning. Everything will be fine, let go when you are ready. Wait for us in the morning if you want, or go while we are gone, if you prefer." Those were about the toughest words I ever spoke. Dad did die, 4 hours after we left. And I remain convinced we needed to give him that final choice. I hope that helps you and others. Remember the day after Jesus spoke today's message, He verbally and physically committed His Spirit to God, and it seems Jesus voluntarily gave up the struggle and died. Yes, Paul, it is important to take time for our loved ones while we can, as you clearly shared. revup (I hope that eases the pain some.)
I hear the words "I will not leave you orphaned" echoing in my heart as I hear and read of reports of the tornados in the midwest. I have family that have been affected by those storms. We do not understand tragedy, but we can claim the promise that we are not abandon.
kevin b.
Dubby in Topeka - I love your idea about the questions but please know that there are many folks that are going to be left out. those who may be old maids and always wanted to have children but couldn't- even dads who feel it is their fault their wife never had the privalege to become a mother. . . I usually relegate mothers day and other holidays of this sort to the prayers like REV KK suggested. I write my own including lines that touch the hearts of those who didn't have a good relationship with their mothers. Those who were abandoned by their mothers. Those who have lost their mothers. Those who have been mothers without ever having given birth. Those who have blessed our lives by nurturing and helping us to grow in the Spirit. ON and ON -- anyway. I do know that there are some folks who don't even come to church because it is so painful and they feel face to face with their deepest desire and the loneliness and helplessness that goes along with infertilitiy- abandonment and being unmarried. Although it is true as one contributer put it that we all HAVE mothers - not all of us have had that special bond or even the greatest of experiences with our mothers. I like to also highlight the gifts of women and the blessing of being female. This is just something to keep in mind. Sometimes the church - though they mean to be welcoming can cause great pain even in an effort to proclaim the name of the Lord. Let us be aware of all - lifting up the qualities and the losses instead of glorifying the role by circumstance of birth. Peace to all - PLAS
Jesus said to the disciples: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." Those are the words I'm planning on focusing on in my sermon. And to do that then we need to know what Jesus' commands were. So, I've compiled a list, by no means complete. Feel free to add to it.
My list so far: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:31
"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you." Matt. 5:44
"Love one another as I have loved you." John 13:34
"Whatever you wish that someone would do to you, do so to them." Matt. 7:12
"Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven." Matt. 5:16
"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." Matt. 6:3
"Be merciful as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:36
DESPERATELY SEEKING WORSHIP RESOURCES for Mother's Day. Got it in my head to have the men do the service so us Mom's could sit with our families in worship -- something I haven't done in five years. I released our pianist, and now can't find anyone to play for worship. (Sub's father is dying, other subs are busy). Ideas for guitar music for Mother's Day???? Ideas for calls to worship, etc.?
RevJan
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matt. 4:17
“The time has come, The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matt 28:19
"But unless you repent, you too will all perish..." Luke 13:3
"But unless you repent, you too will all perish." Luke 13:5
Revup, I vote for the two great commandments Jesus spoke of because He said "these fulfill the law and the prophets".....I believe He meant that if we love God, we will want to please Him by obeying, honoring Him, and honoring the Sabbath,and if we love each other we will want to take care of each other not hurt or kill or take from each other. That pretty much covers all 10! Janet in NY state
Sorry to interrupt the discussion but I am looking for an out of print book "If I were a Clown" by Fred Schaeffer If you can supply the book or know where I can find it please let me know Florida Ron flron@hotmail.com
To RevKK and other UM's -- sure, it is copyright protected, but you can certainly refer to page numbers, hymn numbers, etc. I think most from other denominations can bum a book from down the street. I don't have mine at home with me as I type, or I would look it up and put the page number in. RevKK, can you? Thanks, JSW PS--My husband went to Mothers' Day worship at our local UUA church a few years ago and came back laughing at the way the "we are all mothers" came across. He said, "excuse me, but we may all have had a mother, but watch who you are calling a mother. Besides, I am a good father. What is wrong with motherhood being special and unique and the same for fatherhood. Can't we be distinct and still be politically correct? Don't make me indistinguishable from everyone else!"
UM book of worship p.439
Re: "My Commandments:
"Keep my commandments," he said. "Which commandments, Lord?" we ask ... joining with the lawyer who queried Jesus. WWJD? What did Jesus SAY? "You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, mind and strength. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it: love your neighbor as yourself. Upon these two hang all the law and the prophets."
Re: MOTHER'S DAY Here's the text of the original "Mother's Day Proclamation" by Julia Ward Howe, 1872:
Arise, then, women of this day!
Arise all women who have hearts, whether your baptism be that of water or of fears!
Say firmly: "We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies,
"Our husbands shall not come to us reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause.
"Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy, and patience.
"We women of one country will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."
From the bosom of the devasted earth a voice goes up with our own. It says, "Disarm, Disarm!"
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice! Blood does not wipe out dishonor nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them then solemnly take counsel with each other as the means whereby the great human family can live in peace,
And each bearing after her own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar, but of God.
Blessings, Susan in SanPedro
To PLAS,
Thank you for your true observations. Introductions often make use of "hot topics," special days of celebration, personal anecdotes to lead into and connect the relevancy of the text to every person sitting in the pew. The introduction of my last entry tied mothers and "all her family members" into the Counselor. The sermon does the same as well. Your point is well taken: one can err in homiletics by excluding some audience groups. However that alone does not make me afraid to disassociate from any reference to mothers. Jesus spoke using timely illustrations as he did by asking for a drink of water while sitting at a well with a Samaritan woman. The conversation turned into proclaiming the water of God's Word. So I guess it comes down to each of us knowing how to best use our writing and speaking gifts to proclaim God's message to God's people in God's world to God's glory. We too include a special mother's day prayer that not only provides thanks for mothers, requests strength for mothers, but also lends comfort and God's ever present help for those who aren't a mother, and forgiveness for those who suffer guilt for not being a "good mother."
Dubby in Topeka
On Mother's Day, what do we do with broken families, families where there is no mother. What do we do on Father's Day when there are no Father's. I find this day very hard. Many of my congregation are divorced and remarried. What am I to say. It seems to me that both parents often act as both Mother and Father to their children. I would rather stay with the scripture, I am the Vine you are the branches and seek to talk about a different kind of community, one of mutual indwelling, Christ in us and we in him. This is family that is never lost in the strife of cultural upset. Okay, speak to the mothers on this day, but what are you going to say to the motherless child, who wonders why mom has abandoned them. Hallmark Celebrations were made for a different time. Not for the 1990s.
tom in ga
On Mother's Day, what do we do with broken families, families where there is no mother. What do we do on Father's Day when there are no Father's. I find this day very hard. Many of my congregation are divorced and remarried. What am I to say. It seems to me that both parents often act as both Mother and Father to their children. I would rather stay with the scripture, I am the Vine you are the branches and seek to talk about a different kind of community, one of mutual indwelling, Christ in us and we in him. This is family that is never lost in the strife of cultural upset. Okay, speak to the mothers on this day, but what are you going to say to the motherless child, who wonders why mom has abandoned them. Hallmark Celebrations were made for a different time. Not for the 1990s.
tom in ga
Thanks to everyone for their comments and insights! Tom in Ga, please take the time to read the history of Mother's Day. The original intent (as it became a "mothers friendship day" in the U. S.) was to honor peace-mothers helping other mothers and other women in need due to sickeness or loss-it was a response to the Civil War. It was about healing scars from the War. If God and the Holy Spirit are not about healing and peace then I am sorely misinformed.
In our sinfulness we have corrupted this holiday into a Hallmark event. But we have done the same with Christmas and Easter. Obviously we do not advocate elevating Mothers day to the level of our Christology. However it seems appropriate to celebrate a holiday which points to honoring the person who is often solely responsible for Christian education in a childs life.
Christ as Vine and Christ in general are much more important. But Christ is not separate from our human experiences, so let us not put him there.
Peace, Dwight
Tom in GA, I often have women thank me after a service saying, "This is the first time I have gone to church on Mother's Day, as a non mother, and not felt bad." I do honor mothers, but at the same time acknowledge those who are not. I guess I just don't dwell on it. I have even given flowers "to women who are, were, may be or wish they could be mothers." A good "mother story" like the one I submitted above (May 04 11:58) satisfies the mothers and offends no one. I feel sometimes we are so overly "politically correct" that we needlessly offend tjhe majority of people. Remember Jesus regularly offended, in particular, too proud people and others. Recall He also called sin what it is, sin, which is also not politically correct but is certainly biblical. revup
What Bible version is the one listed at the top of the page as each week's text?
revup,
You are truly refreshing...
Rick in Va
Proverbs 31:10 Reflecting on wives/mothers. Realizing that everyone one has to have had one. Like in Jewish saying, "You may not know who the father is, but you alway who the mother is."
This is a day we should set aside if we are not going to preach on the lesson to honor, wives, mothers, or women in general. This proverb brings out seven characteristics that are found in an ideal wife/mother. Realizing that we are not perfect, but that we as children and husbands can help our wives/mothers in their roles. This is not a finger pointing sermon to say, see this is how you should be. Not it is to say, this is what God says, and it is very honorable to be a wife/mother.
1. Seeks only the good of her husband and he trusts her. 2. she is industrious 3. constantly looking after the welfare of her family 4. She should have good judgement when it comes to finacial matters. 5. She spends time ministering to the needs of those outside her own family 6. She is honorable, wise, and kind 7. She is the one who firmly fears (reverences) the Lord.
This covers all the verses and you can relate this to todays wives/mothers
This is basically the outline I will use for this Sunday. The children sermon is going to be on mother's and I am going to let the children pass a flower out to every adult woman in the congregation.
Secular yes, but also scriptural.
Pastor Rich Kent
Do not the women in 1 Kings 3:16-28 teach us about the meaning of motherhood, both the good and the bad mothers? R.J. in ND
Rick in VA please contact revup@netins.net
So good to hear so many references to those women who have not experienced the joy in motherhood. I too am very conscious of those who have suffered infertility and miscarriages. but I also am thinking of those who are mothers, yet who experience deep grief over their children. I think of a woman I know, whose daughter lives in Texas - this child hasn't matured sufficiently to accept her own responsibility, but blames her mother for everything she doesn't like about her own life and personality! I have to add that his young woman hasn't seen fit to stay in the church, but has rejected her whole Christian upbringing. Sad, sad, situation. This is the first time I have contributed. But I have been lurking for a while, and really appreciate the stimulating sermon thoughts that come from those who gather here. Many thanks! Brenda in New Brunswick.
The pieces are fitting together at last! Deacon Gary told of his mother's wish for Mother's Day, that he would love his brother and sisters. My mom used to say similar things. I told my girls, set/clear the table without being asked, volunteer to sort/fold laundry--in other words, show you care, do what I've taught you. Jesus is going away, many of our moms are gone. Mom lives on in us in what we do, and if we had less than perfect moms, in what we don't do, she lives on in who we are, what she taught us that we teach others. Isn't that the message of this scripture, that Jesus lives on in us in who we are, what we do/don't do, how we share his teachings with others? \ Gail R. O'Day in the New Interpreters Commentary speaks of the disciples as "not clinging to their cherished memories" of Jesus, nor "retreating into their private experience of him", but doing his works and keeping his commandments--living out their experience of Jesus in their lives. Most importantly, she continues, they do this in the community, not in private. We also carry on our mother's legacies, if good, or improve on those legacies, if bad, but in the family, not in private. My sermon goal will be to use this familiar concept of our mothers living on in us to help people see how Jesus lives on in us. LL in L
The Vine and Branches metaphor in John 15 (Episcopal Readings) is first of the Tree of Life as the Word of God. The Vine returns and humanity may once again drink from its sap, a a child at the breast of his mother, this symbiotic relationship of God/Mother is the source of all life. Remember yesterday was the Feast of Dame Julian of Norwich who spoke of her Lord: "Mother Jesus." Through Jesus/Mother we have communion with God and one another: We dwell in him / in her and He / she dwells in us. Mother is a metaphor (ideally) of the nurturing God who fills us all with all good things - sap and life; yet to be a dead branch is to be one which can no longer receive the sap, or has split itself off from the life giving vine.
tom in ga
Pastor Rich Kent
Don't do this! You will be preaching the ultimate "super mom" sermon to women who do not need to hear a man interpret this scripture for them. Where is your message of hope to those who hae no husbands? Where is your message of hope for those who have no money? Where is your message of Christ for the men in the congregation? I'm sure you mean well but this will nto be hlepful for most women!
revup,
revup, Could you please resubmit your story about Andy? Somewhere along the line it got cut off. It is a wonderful story. Please tell where you got it.
To the last poster,
I couldn't disagree with you more. Pastor Kent, Preach the Word (which is what I believe you are planning on doing).
The reference to not preaching from a man's point of view to women just about made me gag. If this were the foundation for all preaching, then it would seem there wouldn't be any men at all in the pulpits. Then wouldn't we be saying the same about women interpreting the Bible?
Let's not let our agenda's get in the way of common sense preaching.
Brother Kent, again I would encourage you to prayerfully preach the Word, which it seems you were well on your way to doing.
Unknown poster, have the courage of your convictions and identify yourself. It gives a little more credence to your point of view.
Rick in Va