for Sunday, November 15, 2005, 25th Sunday after Pentecost, Yr B, Readings: Daniel 12:1-3, Ps 16, Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8
Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. [Daniel 12:3]
Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.
Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you... You are my portion and my cup... I have set the LORD always before me... [Ps 16:1a, 5a,8a]
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together...but encouraging one another... [Hebrews:10:24-25]
The Christian life isn't meant to be a solitary journey. Even Jesus had his companions along the way. We, too, are to be companions in, with, and through Christ, sometimes following, sometimes leading, and often together in a supportive, spiritually renewing community. It is through such a community of prayer, worship, and relationship, that we stay connected and encourage one another for the work as stewards or caretakers of God's Creation.
While us church types tend to hear only the cha-ching sound of a cash register whenever the word stewardship is mentioned, being a good steward entails more than just giving up our money. The famous time, talent, and treasure trio gets flung around quite a bit in the Stewardship discussions. We each are called to give significantly of ourselves, inside the Church within the community and to support its actual physical foundation, and also in the greater World beyond the doors. We are to build up the Body of Christ through care and action, to provoke one another to love and good deeds.
In terms of treasure, John Wesley said it best: "Not, how much money will I give to God, but how much of God's money will I keep for myself." And that equation works equally well with the other two elements. Our talents may seem limited to ourselves but each of us has a way with a recipe, a broom, or organization. Our available time may seem to be scarce to us yet who of us has no time for what we really want to do? In short, we all have all three pieces of this trinity of offerings. All we need to do is give it willingly, happily, and, constantly for the Glory of God. Stewardship is a way of life and we'll have that whinelessly.
While us church types tend to hear only the cha-ching sound of a cash register whenever the word stewardship is mentioned, being a good steward entails more than just giving up our money. The famous time, talent, and treasure trio gets flung around quite a bit in the Stewardship discussions. We each are called to give significantly of ourselves, inside the Church within the community and to support its actual physical foundation, and also in the greater World beyond the doors. We are to build up the Body of Christ through care and action, to provoke one another to love and good deeds.
In terms of treasure, John Wesley said it best: "Not, how much money will I give to God, but how much of God's money will I keep for myself." And that equation works equally well with the other two elements. Our talents may seem limited to ourselves but each of us has a way with a recipe, a broom, or organization. Our available time may seem to be scarce to us yet who of us has no time for what we really want to do? In short, we all have all three pieces of this trinity of offerings. All we need to do is give it willingly, happily, and, constantly for the Glory of God. Stewardship is a way of life and we'll have that whinelessly.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE,
PRAY
Leader: ~
Forgiving and Protecting God, You call us in every
time and place to encourage one another with generous hearts, true and wise, in
the full assurance of our faith, awakened to the brightness of the everlasting
life to come.
O Lord
our Portion and our Cup
RESPONSE: Help us to provoke each other to loving and
giving
~
Forgiving and Protecting God, give us voice to show the
governments of our World, our Nation, and our Community, that they must work
together to end violence, poverty, and injustice for the common good of all
humanity. We pray especially for:
add your own petitions
O Lord our Portion and our Cup
Help us to provoke each other to loving and giving
~ Forgiving and Protecting God, grant refuge and healing to all who suffer from chronic illness,
fear, or alienation. Give strength and energy to those who care for the daily
needs of others. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions
O Lord our Portion and our Cup
Help us to provoke each other to loving and giving
~
Forgiving and Protecting God, lift the veil of tears
from the sorrowful, as the glorious gates of Your Kingdom swing wide to receive
all who are beloved in our hearts. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord our Portion and our Cup
Help us to provoke each other to loving and giving
~
Forgiving and Protecting God, we pause
in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud
or silently…add your own petitions
O Lord our Portion and our Cup
Help us to provoke each other to loving and giving
~
Forgiving and Protecting God, hold all who guide and
lead us in Your name in the fullness of the joy of Your presence, as together we
seek to fulfill Your purpose for our lives. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord our Portion and our Cup
Help us to provoke each other to loving and giving
The Celebrant adds: O God of Earthly and Eternal Life, show
us the righteous path of life as we strive to set You always before us, so that
our human time is spent as grateful, loving stewards for all of Your Creation.
We ask through Christ Jesus, our Salvation, and the Holy Spirit, our Sustainer,
who together with You are One God, now and forever. Amen.
Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.
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