Monday, September 03, 2012

Sermon, "Use Your Talents Well", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, September 2, 2012

September 2, 2012
Fourteenth Sunday of Kingdomtide
Worship theme: Stewardship
Leviticus 19:9-10 NRSV Bible
Luke 12: 42-46 CEV Bible
Matthew 25:20-21 NRSV Bible

Use Your Talents Well. . .

Good morning. . . we are in the middle of our “Talents for God” program and I have had a great time. I get to use a talent. . . a gift. . . that God has given me to help further His kingdom here on earth. . . by the way, I have brought some of that talent with me today so check them out. . . Now some of you might say that you have no real talent. But I am here today to tell you that that statement is not true.

God gives all of humanity a talent. . . something that we are good at and enjoy doing. I think that sometimes people really underestimate themselves. They think that if they can’t of think of something they can make money with they have no talent. Well. . . how about those who give good counsel to others? They may not make money at it but it doesn’t mean that it is not a talent. Not everyone has the ability to give good counsel. And without someone to give good counsel, where would the wisdom in the world be? We need to realize that we all have something to offer and as we offer it. . . no matter how big or small. . . we are being “Good Stewards” of what God has given us. . .

We have been on an ocean cruise this summer as we have been “Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”. We are now at the last port that we will be visiting on our voyage. . . The port of Stewardship. Now I know what you may be thinking. . . here we go again. The pastor is going to ask that we give more money to the church. . . we go through this every year. . . Well yes stewardship is partly about money but it is so much more than that. It’s not a “four letter word” that we should not be talking about. It’s all about thankfulness and gratitude. It’s all about using our God given talents to further God’s kingdom. It’s about sharing what we have with others who have nothing. And yes it’s about paying the bills of the church so that it can function. . . fulfill its purpose in the world.

Let’s look at the definition of stewardship. Wikipedia tells us that “Stewardship is an ethic that embodies responsible planning and management of resources. The concept of stewardship has been applied in diverse realms, including with respect to environment, economics, health, property, information, and religion, and is linked to the concept of sustainability.

Historically, stewardship referred to the occupation of a steward. Initially, stewardship was the responsibility given to household servants to bring food and drinks to a castle dining hall. The term was then expanded to indicate a household employee's responsibility for managing household or domestic affairs. Stewardship later became the responsibility for taking care of passengers' domestic needs on a ship, train and airplane, or managing the service provided to diners in a restaurant. The term continues to be used in these specific ways, but it is also used in a more general way to refer to a responsibility to take care of something belonging to someone else.” Something belonging to someone else. . .

And Christian steward ship is: Christian Stewardship is...

“A grateful and responsible use of God's gifts in the light of God's purpose as revealed in Jesus Christ. Christian stewards, empowered by the Holy Spirit, commit themselves to conscious, purposeful decisions.

Stewardship is lived out in:
1. living and telling the Good News;
2. sharing with God in seeking justice, peace, and the integrity of creation in an interdependent universe;
3. wisely employing God-given human resources, abilities, and relationships;
4. sharing the material resources we hold and giving them in service, justice, and compassion;
5. providing for future generations;
6. Sharing in the life, worship, and responsible stewardship of the Church and of its mission.

Both for the individual and for the community, stewardship is a joyful act for the sake of God's world.” It is a joyful act for the sake of Gods world. . . Gods Kingdom. . .

Stewardship is a multi-faceted response to Gods goodness and grace to you and to me. In the Leviticus scripture this morning, we are told that we are to look after the poor. . . not take everything for ourselves. And the Luke scripture tells us to be out using those gifts. . . those talents that we have been given. . . being a good steward of what we have and what we are given.

In Matthew 25 verses 20-21 tells us what happens as we become good stewards of what we are given by God. It reads (Read passage from the NRSV Bible). . . that is the one thing I hope to hear when called home. . . Well done.

Yes Stewardship is about money but it is also about so much more. It is not something that should be feared but it is something that should be embraced as we travel on the road God has set us on. It’s about stepping out of ourselves and trusting the God given talents we are blessed with. It’s about taking care of what we are given. . . yes even our church buildings. . . so that the Good News can be heard. . . the news that so many are waiting to hear. How have we been using our talents? Are we using them for our own pleasure or for Gods pleasure? Are we ready to trust God and His providence for us or are we squandering what we have for a rainy day? Church, it is someone rainy day out there. Will we use our resources for our own stability or help others become stable? Are we sharing what we have been entrusted with or are we burying it in the sand? Will you and I hear that well done or will we be thrown out with the other untrustworthy servants? We have a choice to make. Which will you choose? As for me and my house. . . we will serve the Lord.

Amen.

====
September 3, 2012
Tenth and final of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Worship Theme: Stewardship
Matthew 25:20-21 (New Revised Standard Version Bible)
Luke 12:42-46 (Contemporary English Version Bible)
Leviticus 19:9-10 (New Revised Standard Version Bible)
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)
Unison Prayer (Upper Room Disciplines: Wednesday August 29, 2011)
Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD 2012 James 1:17-27)
Message for children
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Hymn: “This is The Day (UMH #657)
(Psalm 118:24)
Hymn: “Take My Life, and Let It Be” (UMH #399)
(Romans 12:1)
Communion Liturgy
and sermon – “Use Your Talents Well. . .”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
September 2, 2012
Fourteenth Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
Ninth of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Worship Theme: Ambassadorship
Matthew 5:13-16 (New Living Translation Bible)
1 Peter 4:8-11 (Common English Bible)
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (God’s Word Bible)
Call to Worship
Unison Prayer (The Worship Sourcebook)
Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD August 2012)
Message for children
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon – “Jesus Friend!”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 26, 2012
Thirteenth Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
Eighth of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Worship Theme: Discipleship
Mark 8:34-38 (Adapted from the MSG, ERV, and NLT Bibles)
Definition of Disciple from: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-discipleship.html
Hebrews 12:1-3 (Common English Bible)
Philippians 3:12-12 (Common English Bible)
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)
Unison Prayer (Abington Worship 2012)
Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD 2012, Ephesians 4:25-5:2)
Message for children
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon – “All You Need Is Love. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 19, 2012
Twelfth Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
Seventh of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme – A Celebration of Vacation Bible School
Operation Overboard
http://overboard.cokesburyvbs.com/
Bible Lessons
Proverbs 3:5, “Depend on God”
Matthew 22:39, “Dare to Care”
John 3:16, “Claim the Name”
Joshua 24:15, “Choose to Follow”
Mark 16:15, “Change the World”
Call to Worship
Unison Prayer
Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Dedication (Adapted from GBOD 2012)
and sermon – “Dive in Deep into His Word”
by Erica M. Berberena
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 12, 2012
Eleventh Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
Sixth of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme – Worship
Luke 4:5-8 (The Message Bible)
2 Samuel 6:12-19 (The Message Bible)
Hebrews 12:28-29 (The Message Bible)
Call to Worship (Worship Sourcebook 2004 – Psalm 150:1-2, 6 TP)
Unison Prayer (Worship Sourcebook 2004)
Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD 2012, 2 see John 6:1-15)
Anthem, “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho”, by Pastor Ruth Foss
Message for children
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon – “Worship. . . it does a body good”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 29, 2012
Nineth Sunday of Kingdomtide
(I was the liturgist this week)
&
Fifth of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme – Is There Room for God?
Mark 6:53-56 (New Living Translation Bible)
2 Samuel 7:1-14a (New Living Translation Bible)
Ephesians 2:19-22 (New Living Translation Bible)
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)
Unison Prayer (Abington Worship 2012)
Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD 2012, 2 Samuel 7:1-14a)
Anthem, “Ave Maria”, by Diane Mitchell
Message for children
by Pastor Ruth
and sermon – “Where Does God Want to Live?”
http://ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com/2012/07/where-does-god-want-to-live.html
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 22, 2012
Eighth Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
Fourth of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme – Do We Worship Only On Sunday?
Mark 6:14-29 (The Message Bible)
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)
Unison Prayer
Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD 2012, Ephesians 1:3-14)
Message for children,
about King David dancing for joy
by Pastor Ruth
and sermon – “Doing It Your Way, Every Day”
by Mary Ann Cioffi
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 15, 2012
Seventh Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
Third of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme - Can we see the big picture?
Mark 6:1-13 (The Living Bible)
Psalm 48 (NRSV)
2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (The Living Bible)
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2009)
Unison Prayer
Prayer of Dedication (Mark 6:1-13)
Message for children, only the walking stick (Mark 6:1-13)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon - “Big Picture Followers”
by Kathy Akerman
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 8, 2012
Sixth Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
second of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme - Where do we put Jesus in our lives?
Mark 5:21-43 (GOD’s WORD Translation)
Psalm 130 (Common English Bible)
2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (NIV)
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)(Psalm 130, Mark 5)
Unison Prayer
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/unison-prayer-suncook-united-methodist.html
Prayer of the People
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/prayers-of-people-suncook-united.html
Prayer of Dedication (Mark 5:21-43) (2 Corinthians 8, Mark 5)
(adapted from GBOD 2012 and Abington Worship 2012)
Communion, UMH, page 9
Message for children, “There is Power in a Touch”
http://www.sermons4kids.com/power_in_a_touch.htm
(Mark 5:27-29)
Sermon - What Jesus Means to Me!
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/sermon-what-jesus-means-to-me-suncook.html
by Raymond A. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/raymond.a.foss
Poetry Where You Live
http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 1, 2012
Fifth Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
first of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Mark 4:35-41 (Common English Bible)
Jesus stops a storm
Psalm 9:9-11 (NRSV Bible)
Psalm 9:9-20 (NRSV Bible)
2 Corinthians 6:1-10 (NRSV Bible)
2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (NRSV Bible)
Worship Theme: “What’s in a name?”
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)
Unison Prayer (Abington Worship 2012)
Hymn: “It Is Well With My Soul”, UMH #377
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD 2012 (2 Corinthians 6: 1-13))
Message for Children, “A story about some rocks”
David and Goliath
and sermon, ““Who Is Jesus?”
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/who-is-jesus
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
June 24, 2012
Fourth Sunday of Kingdomtide



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