As we come to our national holiday of Thanksgiving, for what are you thankful? For most people, though not all, the first things that comes to mind is "family, home, friends". Beyond that, what else?
Both church will be hosting Thanksgiving Eve Worship Services on Wednesday. Peace United Church will worship at 6:00 PM. Grey Eagle UMC will worship at 7:30 PM. When you come to worship, be ready to answer the question, "For what are you thankful?"
The following are the Lectionary Scripture Lessons for Thanksgiving, Sunday, November 26 (Reign of Christ Sunday), and Sunday, December 3 (First Sunday of Advent). These are a reprint and updating of my comments from 2014.
Thanksgiving:
Deuteronomy 8:7-18 – Deuteronomy, for the most part, is like the last will and testament of Moses as he instructs the people of Israel before they cross the Jordan and enter into Canaan where Moses can’t go. In this passage, Moses tells them that everything the people of Israel will need will be provided by God. Moses also warns them of the temptation that comes with that blessing: forgetting God and assuming that they did it on their own. Isn’t that our temptation also as we live in a prosperous land? That all we have we got on our own?
Psalm 65 – The psalmist praises God and thanks God for all that has been provided.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 – I have often used the beginning of this reading to emphasize generous giving. But notice the theme of the reading. God gives generously so that we will give generously. God gives the seeds so that we can sow them thereby increasing the harvest. It does no one any good to hoard the gifts we have received, for when we give, generously, we receive in abundance the righteousness of God.
Luke 17:11-19 – This very familiar story is the basis of thousands of sermons on giving thanks. Ten lepers, who, by definition, are the epitome of social outcasts, ask Jesus for healing. Jesus tells them to go see their priests. On the way, they discover that they have been healed. One goes back to Jesus to thank him. It turns out that he is a Samaritan whom Jews thought were as bad as lepers. Did the other nine, whom we assume were Jews, kick him out of their group because he was a Samaritan? Did the Samaritan know that he would not be welcomed by the Jewish Temple priests? Or did the nine continue on to the Temple believing that the Temple is the only place to encounter and thank God? The Samaritan's return to Jesus was an acknowledgment that Jesus was where he encountered God?
Psalm 65 – The psalmist praises God and thanks God for all that has been provided.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 – I have often used the beginning of this reading to emphasize generous giving. But notice the theme of the reading. God gives generously so that we will give generously. God gives the seeds so that we can sow them thereby increasing the harvest. It does no one any good to hoard the gifts we have received, for when we give, generously, we receive in abundance the righteousness of God.
Luke 17:11-19 – This very familiar story is the basis of thousands of sermons on giving thanks. Ten lepers, who, by definition, are the epitome of social outcasts, ask Jesus for healing. Jesus tells them to go see their priests. On the way, they discover that they have been healed. One goes back to Jesus to thank him. It turns out that he is a Samaritan whom Jews thought were as bad as lepers. Did the other nine, whom we assume were Jews, kick him out of their group because he was a Samaritan? Did the Samaritan know that he would not be welcomed by the Jewish Temple priests? Or did the nine continue on to the Temple believing that the Temple is the only place to encounter and thank God? The Samaritan's return to Jesus was an acknowledgment that Jesus was where he encountered God?
Sunday, November 26, Reign of Christ Sunday
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 – In the Old Testament, the kings were considered to be the shepherd of the people. In the first 10 verses of this chapter, the prophet Ezekiel lambastes the kings as bad shepherds who didn’t feed the flock but used the flock to feed themselves. Beginning at verse 11, God declares that he will become the shepherd who will care for the sheep. Note that, in the skipped verses, God also rebukes the sheep, rams, and goats who abuse the pasture and foul the waters. If God is our shepherd, are we being responsible sheep, caring for the pastures and waters for future sheep?
Psalm 100 – Five verses of pure joy and celebration of being the sheep of the Good (God) Shepherd.
OR Psalm 95:1-7a – This Psalm is a celebration of God’s goodness in all that God has created. We are glad to be the sheep of God’s pasture. (Are you sensing a theme going on here?)
Ephesians 1:15-23 – Paul says that he has heard how faithful the church in Ephesus has been and he gives thanks for them in his prayers. Paul prays for several things for the church: that they may have a spirit of wisdom and revelation; that their hearts may be enlightened; that they may know the hope to which they have been called; that they may know God’s riches of inheritance; and to know God’s power for believers. This power was revealed in Christ’s resurrection and who now sits above all earthly power, authority and riches. Christ is now the “head” of the church and the church is his “body”.
Matthew 25:31-46 – After talking with his disciples about the end of the age (Matthew 24:1-44) Jesus tells four stories, none of which are identified as parables. The four stories start like this: “Who then is the faithful and wise slave . . .?” (24:45); “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids . . . .” (25:1); “For it is as if a man, going on a journey . . . .” (25:14); and “When the Son of Man comes in his glory . . . .” (25:31). What will the “Master”, “Bridegroom”, “Master”, and “Son of Man” find when they return? These are stories of faithfulness in waiting and in action. Is the last story, our reading this week, to be understood as a literal description of the “last days”, divorced from the other three stories? Or is Jesus getting at something else? On its face value, this lesson is about “works” that make us heaven bound no matter what you believe (“When did we see you . . . ?”). Where does faith play a role? If Jesus returned today, what would he find us and the church doing? Are we feeding, giving drink, visiting, caring, welcoming? Are we?
Psalm 100 – Five verses of pure joy and celebration of being the sheep of the Good (God) Shepherd.
OR Psalm 95:1-7a – This Psalm is a celebration of God’s goodness in all that God has created. We are glad to be the sheep of God’s pasture. (Are you sensing a theme going on here?)
Ephesians 1:15-23 – Paul says that he has heard how faithful the church in Ephesus has been and he gives thanks for them in his prayers. Paul prays for several things for the church: that they may have a spirit of wisdom and revelation; that their hearts may be enlightened; that they may know the hope to which they have been called; that they may know God’s riches of inheritance; and to know God’s power for believers. This power was revealed in Christ’s resurrection and who now sits above all earthly power, authority and riches. Christ is now the “head” of the church and the church is his “body”.
Matthew 25:31-46 – After talking with his disciples about the end of the age (Matthew 24:1-44) Jesus tells four stories, none of which are identified as parables. The four stories start like this: “Who then is the faithful and wise slave . . .?” (24:45); “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids . . . .” (25:1); “For it is as if a man, going on a journey . . . .” (25:14); and “When the Son of Man comes in his glory . . . .” (25:31). What will the “Master”, “Bridegroom”, “Master”, and “Son of Man” find when they return? These are stories of faithfulness in waiting and in action. Is the last story, our reading this week, to be understood as a literal description of the “last days”, divorced from the other three stories? Or is Jesus getting at something else? On its face value, this lesson is about “works” that make us heaven bound no matter what you believe (“When did we see you . . . ?”). Where does faith play a role? If Jesus returned today, what would he find us and the church doing? Are we feeding, giving drink, visiting, caring, welcoming? Are we?
Sunday, December 3, First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 64:1-9 – At the opening of this passage, Isaiah asks God to reveal God’s self; to come to earth and do something dramatic like God did in the past. Isaiah feels that God must be angry because the people have sinned and God has withdrawn. The key verse, perhaps, is Isaiah’s recognition that we are still God’s children and that God will mold us into who we shall be. The metaphor is God as the potter and we are the clay. What will God mold you, your family, and your church into?
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 – The sentiment of this Psalm is similar to the Isaiah passage. The psalmist, Asaph, not David or Solomon, starts with the metaphor of God as the Shepherd of Israel. However, this shepherd is missing and Asaph wants God to return. The skipped verses then turn to the metaphor of Israel as the vineyard that God has planted, but God has broken down the vineyard fence to allow looter to steal the fruit. The last three verses state that if God were to restore the people the people would be faithful.
1 Corinthians 1:3-9 – Remember that the First Church of Corinth is a troubled and divided congregation. It amazes me that Paul still gives thanks to God for this congregation. Notice what Paul says the congregation has been blessed with. Notice that Paul believes God will strengthen them for the future coming of Jesus. God has been faithful and will always be faithful for we are continually being called into fellowship with Jesus.
Mark 13:24-37 – Every year the first Sunday of Advent is also the first Sunday of the church year. Every year on this Sunday we begin another Gospel, Matthew, Mark, or Luke. And, every year, we start that Gospel near the end during Jesus’ last days leading up to his betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion. Why start there? Why don’t we start with the Christmas story instead of trudging through Jesus’ dreary speech about troubled times ahead? Perhaps, as someone once said, the beginning is in the ending. We should pay attention to what is happening in our world, like watching the trees in spring, to understand the coming of the Lord. If the waiting seems too long, don’t give up.
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 – The sentiment of this Psalm is similar to the Isaiah passage. The psalmist, Asaph, not David or Solomon, starts with the metaphor of God as the Shepherd of Israel. However, this shepherd is missing and Asaph wants God to return. The skipped verses then turn to the metaphor of Israel as the vineyard that God has planted, but God has broken down the vineyard fence to allow looter to steal the fruit. The last three verses state that if God were to restore the people the people would be faithful.
1 Corinthians 1:3-9 – Remember that the First Church of Corinth is a troubled and divided congregation. It amazes me that Paul still gives thanks to God for this congregation. Notice what Paul says the congregation has been blessed with. Notice that Paul believes God will strengthen them for the future coming of Jesus. God has been faithful and will always be faithful for we are continually being called into fellowship with Jesus.
Mark 13:24-37 – Every year the first Sunday of Advent is also the first Sunday of the church year. Every year on this Sunday we begin another Gospel, Matthew, Mark, or Luke. And, every year, we start that Gospel near the end during Jesus’ last days leading up to his betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion. Why start there? Why don’t we start with the Christmas story instead of trudging through Jesus’ dreary speech about troubled times ahead? Perhaps, as someone once said, the beginning is in the ending. We should pay attention to what is happening in our world, like watching the trees in spring, to understand the coming of the Lord. If the waiting seems too long, don’t give up.
If you have read this far, Thank You! Finally, I will be on vacation on December 3. Bob Kutter will be leading worship at Grey Eagle UMC and the scripture will be Romans 8:19-22 as we begin an Advent Worship Series called "All Earth is Waiting". Peace United Church will be hosting their annual "Hanging of the Green" Worship in my absence.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Gary
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