On Sunday November 1, after we all set back our clocks, (friendly reminder plug there), we will celebrate All Saints Day here at Overland Park Christian.  But when we say that, what do we mean?

After all we are a mainline protestant church, so we do not have the same saints that the Catholic church or the Eastern Orthodox church has.  We may recognize them in a similar fashion, but our doctrine does not call for a specific belief in or prayer to "the saints."  Are those the kind of saints that we are celebrating on Sunday?

When I think of saints, I also think of people who are "saintly" here on earth.  "Oh, she's such a saint!" might be something you hear about someone who is kind and giving, who puts herself before others and seemingly is never at fault.  They are humble and Godly, seeking God's way here in this life.  Perhaps those are the saints that we are celebrating this year?

You know me, I can't help myself and have to mention Louisiana at least once - are we talking about those "Saints" that play football down there?  (I think this year they aren't doing so well, so they are affectionately called "The 'Aints".)  There is also an all-girl R&B singing group from the U.K. that call themselves AllSaints.  Are either of these "saints" the ones we are talking about on Sunday?

We remember those individuals from our congregation that have passed away in the last year, and celebrate their life as a community of faith one more time, together.  We remember those individuals that have passed away in this past year, and also invite one another to remember the saints in our own lives and celebrate them.  So does that mean we are moving more towards a "Day of the Dead," celebration like many cultures in South America celebrate, where we are remembering the deceased?  Are those the saints that we celebrate?

Yes.

Yes, we are celebrating the saints on Sunday.  We are celebrating all the saints in our lives, both living and deceased, those whom the Catholic and/or Eastern Orthodox churches might recognize, and those who may only be recognizable to us.  We are celebrating the saints on Sunday, the life-long saints and the everyday saints.  So why don't you join us?  Come find out about this special day, about who we will celebrate, and join in this special service.  ALL are welcome at Overland Park, especially on this day!

We invite all who worship with us this Sunday to bring a photo of a "saint" in your life, if you would like.  We will adorn the chancel, and remind ourselves of the "cloud of witnesses" with whom we worship.  You are invited to leave those photos for ONE WEEK as we will move them into our prayer chapel for the coming week.  (If you would prefer to take them home tomorrow, that is also fine.)

No matter what, we hope to see you on Sunday - you are loved, and we can't wait to worship together!

Such love does the sky now pour, that whenever I stand in a field, I have to wring out the light when I get home.
                 - Francis of Assisi


READING:
Tell people who are rich at this time not to become egotistical and not to place their hope on their finances, which are uncertain. Instead, they need to hope in God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others. When they do these things, they will save a treasure for themselves that is a good foundation for the future. That way they can take hold of what is truly life.
                                             - 1 Timothy 6.17-19 (CEB)


REFLECTION:
​Okay; here’s the scenario. It’s Sunday morning.  We’ve gathered in worship; we’ve sung, we’ve prayed, we’ve read from scripture, we’ve even had a laugh with the OPCC kids. At last it’s time for the sermon that will set the stage for the consecration of our pledges to God; the high point of our annual stewardship focus (aside from the Chris Cakes we’ve scarfed down). Wow! The stage is set and it’s show time, time for the preacher to shine.
 
But here’s the rub… the preacher doesn’t know what to say. This is the last chance to persuade the congregation to commit large sums of money to the church; and the preacher doesn’t know what to say. What should he or she say? What would you say in this situation? I invite you to reflect on these questions, and write down the points of your stewardship sermon. Feel free to email them to me. I’d love to read them and, who knows, by Sunday morning I might just have a sermon!
 
I hope to see you on Sunday.

If the world is sane, then Jesus is mad as a hatter. The world says, Mind your own business, and Jesus says, There is no such thing
as your own business. The world says, Law and Order, and Jesus says, Love. The world says, Get and Jesus says, Give.
                                      - Frederick Buechner (adapted)

READING:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
                                       - Matthew 11.28-30 (The Message)

REFLECTION:
​The long and short of my sermon on Sunday is just this; stewardship is counter-intuitive. That is to say, when we think of possessions as ours, we reluctantly – even grudgingly – offer a smidgeon to God. And the world says, Well done. When we think of possessions as gifts from God, their true owner, we readily share with others. And the world immediately calls us crazy, just like Jesus.
 
Our choice is simple; do we dance to the world’s strictures to seek its approval, which seem so reasonable; or do we dance to the unforced rhythms of grace? If Jesus is by some freak of nature not so crazy, then the latter sets us free to dance joyfully.

Scripture:
17 As Jesus continued down the road, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to obtain eternal life?”
18 Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except the one God. 19  You know the commandments: Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. Don’t cheat. Honor your father and mother.”
20 “Teacher,” he responded, “I’ve kept all of these things since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him carefully and loved him. He said, “You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.” 22 But the man was dismayed at this statement and went away saddened, because he had many possessions.
23 Looking around, Jesus said to his disciples, “It will be very hard for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom!” 24 His words startled the disciples, so Jesus told them again, “Children, it’s difficult to enter God’s kingdom! 25  It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
26 They were shocked even more and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible with human beings, but not with God. All things are possible for God.”

Meditation:
Right in the middle of our focus on stewardship, we come to this difficult passage about our relationship with money.  No matter how comfortable a pastor is with speaking about money in church, this is one of the harder scriptures to speak about, because its sure to offend someone, and sure to confound many of us!

When Jesus says that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven, the question often becomes, "how rich is too rich"?  Is it too rich if all the adults in one family have a car available for their use?  Is it too rich if you have a closet full of clothes?  What if I'm donating my used clothing and financially to Good Will or Micah Ministries?  Does that offset my riches?

One scholar noted that it is interesting how so many of us are willing to take many other scriptures in the Bible for imagery and parable, that have deeper meaning than their particular description, but when it comes to this particular passage, many Christians become quite legalistic.  Is it out of fear?  Is it out of misunderstanding?  Is it out of anxiety?

Come join us on Sunday morning as we discuss this passage.  Come find an answer to the question, "How rich is too rich?"  Moreover, come join us on Sunday morning as we lift up this conversation and these questions to God, and as we worship God for all that we are given, for all the ways we know we can say thank you. 

ALL are welcome as this table, at this discussion, at this worshiping community!

​

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.
                                          - Micah 6.8 (The Message)

READING: 
From there Jesus set out for the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house there where he didn’t think he would be found, but he couldn’t escape notice. He was barely inside when a woman who had a disturbed daughter heard where he was. She came and knelt at his feet, begging for help. The woman was Greek, Syro-Phoenician by birth. She asked him to cure her daughter. He said, “Stand in line and take your turn. The children get fed first. If there’s any left over, the dogs get it.” She said, “Of course, Master. But don’t dogs under the table get scraps dropped by the children?” Jesus was impressed. “You’re right! On your way! Your daughter is no longer disturbed. The demonic affliction is gone.” She went home and found her daughter relaxed on the bed, the torment gone for good.
                                            - Mark 7.24-30 (The Message)

REFLECTION:
​At first blush, Jesus’ comment to the Greek woman in this passage seems dismissive, arrogant, or even bigoted, “Stand in line and take your turn” he says. “The children get fed first. If there’s any left over, the dogs get it.” Wow! Strong stuff. If he’s serious, this saying goes a long way in support of elitism and privilege, and this makes it an unlikely text to use on World Communion Sunday. For example, reflect on how this passage would play out in the context of communion, the welcome table. Who would be invited to this table? All and sundry? Hardly; it would seem to support a narrow invitation.
 
The problem is that this sentiment conflicts big time with other teachings and actions of Jesus, who always stands for the underdog, the outcast, the foreigner, the powerless; anyone likely to be dismissed by the religious establishment of his day. While it’s dangerous to read motivation into a passage of scripture, consider the possibility that Jesus is provoking the woman to test her faith and perseverance in her quest. If so, Jesus finds a humble woman, willing to tolerate abuse if it means healing for her daughter. Jesus is impressed; he recognizes her value in God’s eyes, affirms her faith, and sends her on her way to greet her daughter now made whole.
 
Obviously, this reading would play out differently in the context of communion. To state the matter in the words of my ol’ grandpa, “They ain’t no dogs at God’s table.” It is truly the welcome table of grace and compassion… to all. As we approach World Communion Sunday, it’s important to decide who’s welcome at the table. Should we limit the invitation, or should we extend it as broadly as possible? Should we condescend to the outsider and the powerless, or should we treat them as equals and embrace them in our fellowship? On Sunday we will attempt to determine which of these dogs will hunt. I hope to see you then.