January 5, 2012
Fifth Sunday of Epiphany
Scouting Sunday
Theme: Healing for suffering humanity
Isaiah 40:31
Job 7:1-7
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39
“Life is just a bowl of cherries?”
You know I hate picking up the paper or watching the news these days. There is so much pain and suffering in the world. There are people who are dying of hunger. . . people who are persecuted and killed for their convictions. . . random killings. . . natural disasters. . . it just breaks my heart seeing so many who have lost hope. . . who are so defeated by life that they just can’t go on. They feel they have nowhere to turn to find help and peace. What has happened to humanity?
Even though I really have a hard time with hearing all of this, I know that by hearing about it. . . it helps me to know what is going on in the world and who or what needs my prayers. That’s part of what we do as Christians, we pray for others who are in need. It also helps me understand where there is a need for ministry. . . places where I can get involved. Pain and suffering has been around for a long time. But there is a way to help that suffering in the world. . . to ease the pain of others. . . and that gives me hope. Life I hard. . . God never promised that we would never suffer. . . He only promised that we will not go through it alone. . . He would be there with us in our suffering. . .
There are so many types of suffering as well. There is personal suffering as we heard in the scripture from Job this morning. Job knew suffering. . . he didn’t realize why he was suffering. . . he knew that he was righteous. But through all of his suffering he never cursed God. He knew that his strength was found in God. Job knew that he couldn’t let go of the one thing he had. . . his God. But there are so many out there that don’t have this hope in the world. . . they don’t have this anchor to hold on to in the rough times. . . in those times of pain and suffering in their lives. What a disaster it is for them. . . not to have hope for tomorrow. . .
There is pain and suffering that is caused by others. The pain of a loved one not being as “loving” as they should. . . the pain caused by others greed. . . the pain caused by others callousness. . . the pain can go deep but in the depths of that pain we can find the One who wishes us only good. . . the One who accepts us as we are. . . the one who has a great plan for our lives. . . the One waiting there to wipe away all our tears. . . our Rock and Fortress. . . our God and King. But we can help others in their misery and suffering. As Paul stated in the Corinthians scripture, we can come up next to others in their suffering. . . we can help them through their suffering. . . we can walk with them in their pain and help them find the One thing that can help them. . . the One thing they can hold fast to at all times. We can bring them to the foot of Calvary where they can find peace, love, joy and hope; even in their suffering. . . they don’t have to walk alone!
Jesus knew about the suffering of humanity. There are many stories in the bible about Jesus’ compassion. One story in the bible talks about how He felt. . . shows His compassion. . . gives us direction on what we can do. It is found in Mark 1 verses 29-39. . . read along to read first hand this account of His compassion. It is found on page 910 in the pew bible. . .
(Read Mark 1:29-39)
He felt their pain. . . He had compassion for humanity. He healed many and we too can help heal many. If we, as Christians, are to follow in Jesus’ footsteps we need to be involved in the lives of those who suffer. . . Jesus didn’t stay away. . . He dove right in to help.
This morning we are celebrating Scouting Sunday. . . we are celebrating the courage and determination of these young and older peoples conviction to make a difference. I love the Scouts “One My Honor” pledge. . . they pledge to:
1. Do my best to do my duty to God and my country.
2. To obey the Scout Law—and the Law is this: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
3. to help other people at other times
4. To keep myself mentally awake.
5. To keep myself morally straight.
And a child shall lead them. Humanity can learn a lot from these children and their leaders and mentors.
Church. . . Beloved sons and daughters. . . life really isn’t a bowl of cherries. . . you know it, I know it, the world knows it too. . . but. . . we too need to be that healing balm in society. . . to be leaders in the world. . . leading humanity to the only One who can really heal make humanity whole. . . leading humanity to our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Let us all join in the game of follow the leader and follow the path of compassion and love our Savior leads. We talked about authority last week and how we have been given authority through God. . . how will you and I use that authority to bring healing and wholeness. . . ? We need to get our heads in the game. . . we need to get off the bench and win one for our God and king. Are you ready to rumble?
AMEN
February 13, 2012
Worship Theme – “Healing for suffering humanity”
Mark 1:29-39 (NRSV)
Job 7:1-7 (NRSV)
1 Corinthians 9:16-23 (NRSV)
Call to Worship (Isaiah 40:31 and
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/media/relationships/ascoutisrevernt.aspx)
Unison Prayer
Prayer of Dedication
A Scout is Reverent: Scout Sunday Observance
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/media/relationships/ascoutisrevernt.aspx
and sermon, “Life Just A bowl of Cherries?”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Scouting Sunday or Scout Sunday
http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Scout_Sunday
February 5, 2012
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 15,690+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
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