Worship resources for 9/4/22

September 4, 2022 Thirteenth Sunday of Pentecost Deuteronomy 30:15-20 COMMENTARY As I write this reflection, news of Frederick Buechner’s death at age 96 has filled my social media feeds. The books of Beuchner, a Presbyterian pastor and acclaimed writer, sit on the shelf of every preacher I know. One of my favorite tributes I’ve read is a 1997 republished Christianity Today article about Buechner’s life and work by Phillip Yancey. Yancey paints a picture of a pastor for whom writing is his ministry — specifically writing about the ordinary, unexpected moments of grace where Buechner believed God would most likely be found. Moments like parking on the side of the road in a time of personal crisis only to observe a passing car with a license plate that spells, “T-R-U-S-T.” Haunted by his father’s death by suicide when he was ten, Buechner’s central message included a determined choice of life. In his book Now and Then, Buechner wrote: “If I were called upon to state in a few words the essence of everything I was trying to say both as a novelist and as a preacher, it would be something like this: Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.” The Bible also urges us to choose life. Take, for instance, Deuteronomy 30:15-20 — the conclusion of Moses’ farewell discourse to the people of Israel and his last chance to influence them before they cross the Jordan into the Promised Land. On the brink of death, Moses implores his people to “choose life.” Moses’ speech takes the form of an imperative, a command that insists on the possibility of renewal for Israel. In the past, they had strayed from God and succumbed to the temptation of idols. Now, Moses declares, they have another chance. He lays out their options: “life and death, blessings and curses.” You can find the rest of the commentary on our website. An order of worship for Sept. 4, 2022. This liturgy is free to use. Chosen as pilgrims— a Uniform Standard Lesson for Sept. 4, 2022, by Richard Boyce. Who is in the family of God? — Weekly Christian ed lesson by Joelle Brummit-Yale Small churches seek a way forward— Leslie Scanlon IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... NEXT Church and the church that is next John Wilkinson, who helped to found NEXT Church, shares some of the history of the organization and why there is a constant need for the church to look forward. Jesus won’t abandon you if you don’t have a full-time pastor Bi-vocational journalist and minister Jeffrey MacDonald shares success stories from small churches with part-time pastors. Finding identity as a young woman pastor Rev. Eliza Jaremko, who recently turned 40, looks back on her what she's learned since her ordination at age 27. Choosing love in a dumpster fire "Despite everything, I still believe in the basic call for us to love, even during our 21st-century dumpster fire. I have no illusions that love will extinguish the fires around us. But love – real love that speaks truth, works collectively for change, sacrifices while simultaneously honoring our own integrity – that’s life-changing; it offers clarity and stability." — Chris Dela Cruz The PC(USA), A Corporation board considers the denomination’s information technology, national structure and funding system Also on the table: how the denomination can be a better partner in equity and inclusion work in Louisville. — Leslie Scanlon Jack Samuelson, builder and developer, left a legacy of college buildings and initiatives for affordable housing Mark Diehl retires after 40 years of ordained ministry New Study Guide available for “God of Deliverance and Transformation”

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