-
Home
- Sermons
Two Cent’s Worth - November 8, 2015
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17
Mark 12:38-44
A few cents, that's all she had. Just a couple of pennies that were worth almost nothing. When she tossed them into the temple treasury they made almost no sound at all. On an average day no one would have noticed the old woman dropping her little coins into the metal trumpets that served as the donation chests. Not like the rich people whose larger offerings rattled and clanked with satisfying noise so that everyone knew just how generous they were. No, the old lady's offering would have attracted no notice.
A few cents, and yet Jesus noticed. He contrasted her offering with those of the wealthy. "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she, out of her poverty, has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
The Heavenly Banquet - November 1, 2015
Isaiah 25:6-10a
Revelation 21:1-6a
All Saints' Sunday is a day of mixed emotions. On the one hand we come in deep gratitude for the witness of those who have gone before us. In joy we recognize that they continue to give us their love and support, like those grey outlines of departed people in a Family Circus comic strip. The great parade of the saints over the ages fills us with their strength and love. This was John Wesley's favorite church holiday and it is one of mine too. Thank God for the Church Triumphant as the saints now departed are sometimes called.
On the other hand, reading the honor roll of the saints who have died in the last year resurfaces the deep grief we feel at the losses we have experienced. This year the list includes several for whom death was overdue and one for whom it was premature. All of them have left holes in the lives of those who loved them.
I Once Was Blind - October 25, 2015
"I once was blind but now I see," we sang a few moments ago. So often in the church we equate blindness with a lack of faith and vision with faith. The trouble with that is that many people who experience physical blindness are people of deep faith and lots of people with 20-20 vision have no faith at all. The metaphor can be offensive to some people and yet is so ingrained in us and in the bible that it is hard to work around. "What do you do when you sing 'Amazing Grace" someone asked a visually impaired clergywoman. "I just stand up front and sing, 'I once was blind and still can't see,'" she answered.
The Gospel of Mark has within it two stories in which Jesus heals people who are physically blind. The first one takes place in Bethsaida where people bring a blind man to Jesus. It takes a couple of tries before Jesus fully restores that man's sight, and then Jesus sends him to his home saying, "do not even go into the village."
Are You Able? - October 18, 2015
The long time pianist at the Omak United Methodist Church used to tell how many years ago a couple, both senior citizens, had become engaged. They planned for their wedding to take place immediately after the Sunday morning worship service. On the day appointed, just before the final hymn, the pastor invited everyone to stay for the wedding. Then he said, "Please turn to #530 in your hymnals and let us sing, "Are Ye Able?"
"Are you able?" Jesus asked James and John when they came to him to ask a special favor: "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask you." Such an open ended request sounds audacious. "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it," King Herod had promised his step daughter after she had pleased him with her dancing at his birthday party. Herod had promised "Even up to half my kingdom." It was a dangerous offer. Sure enough, after the girl had consulted her mother (who despised John the Baptist) she requested, "Give me the head of John the Baptizer on a platter." Though Herod kind of liked John, having made his offer in front of his birthday guests, he dared not refuse.
The Trouble With Wealth - October 11, 2015
A very rich woman died and appeared before the Pearly Gates. Gabriel met her. "What have you done that I should admit you to heaven?" he asked.
"I think I've been a pretty good person all my life," she said.
"That's nice," said Gabriel. But what have you done? You know, charity work and things like that?"
"Oh," said the woman. She thought for a long moment. "Well, one time as I was walking down Wall Street to my office, a panhandler asked me for money to buy coffee, so I gave him $5."
"That's nice," said Gabriel. "Anything else?"
She thought some more. "Oh, I remember. Another time as my chauffeur was driving me to a party there was a terrible snow storm. We got stuck. I looked out the window and there was a woman with a sign saying she needed food for her kids. I sent my aide out to give her a $10 bill."
"That's nice," said Gabriel. "Anything else?"
"Someone in the office was collecting money for the cancer fund and I wrote a check for $100."
"That's nice. Anything else?"
"No, I think that's about it."
Gabriel didn't know what to do with this woman, so he turned to St. Peter to ask for advice. Peter told him, "Write her a check for $115 and send her to hell."
More Articles ...
Current Church News
Get Directions
Sunday morning parking at the church is available in the high school parking lot on Third Street across from the church and in the city lots west of the church. These lots are available only on Sunday mornings. A small lot for handicapped parking is available just off of Adams Street on the north side of the church, with an accessible entrance directly into the sanctuary. A lift operates between the Fellowship Hall (3rd Street level) and the Sanctuary. William Sound System Receivers and Headsets are available to assist with hearing problems.
322 East Third Street
Moscow, ID 83843
Church Mission
The First United Methodist Church of Moscow, Idaho takes as our mission to be the body of Jesus Christ, ministering to a community which draws strength from its diversity. Our mission centers on the worship of God, expressed through varied forms of prayer, preaching, music, and ritual. See more...