Worship resources for October 30, 2022

October 30, 2022 Twenty-first Sunday of Pentecost Luke 19:1-10 COMMENTARY Every year around All Saints Day, as a pastor, I can’t help but think about the many saints of the church whose lives I’ve had the honor of celebrating in services of witness to the resurrection — saints like Mary Louise Fisher. Mary Louise was such a deeply spiritual, loving, dear soul who managed to be both Mary and Martha. She might go from worship to washing dishes after a potluck, from scooping dog poop in the churchyard to organizing the church library (after washing hands, of course!), from protesting a proposed oil pipeline to studying Cynthia Bourgeault’s latest book, all in the same week. All Saints Day notwithstanding, it’s the story of Zacchaeus that brings Mary Louise to mind. I often find myself wondering if it is possible to be a wealthy and faithful follower of Jesus. When I start to get especially cynical, I think of Mary Louise. She didn’t want for financial resources, but she was far from ostentatious. She gave quietly but generously to people, to the church and to other important causes. She was a faithful steward of her time, energy and resources. One bequest she left to the church, earmarked for creation care, inspired a matching bequest from another saint of the church, Nancy Caperton. Of course, it’s easy to affirm the faithfulness of saints like Mary Louise and Nancy. They follow in the footsteps of Lydia (Acts 16), and other individuals who provided extensive financial support for the early church. Most of us can name several saints – wealthy, comfortable, or simply frugal – whose faithful stewardship has enabled the ministry of the church in the past, through the present and perhaps into the future. Then there’s Zacchaeus. ... You can find the rest of the commentary on our website. An order of worship for Oct. 30, 2022. This liturgy is free to use. A prayer for Reformation Sunday by Chris Currie Unexpected friendships — Weekly Christian ed lesson by Joelle Brummit-Yale Rejection and election— A Uniform Standard Lesson for Oct. 30, 2022, by Richard Boyce.   IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Should the Presbyterian Church invest in companies that make or sell guns? A recommendation on that is likely to come to the 2024 General Assembly. — Leslie Scanlon Princeton Theological Seminary Launches Master of Arts in Theology & Ecology Degree Program The 13-month program will attend to the intimate connections among land, space, justice, soil, place, and neighbor. What does it take to become an ordained pastor in the PC(USA)? Timothy B. Cargal, who helps to oversee the development of new pastors for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), outlines the basic process for becoming a minister of Word and Sacrament. Response Mixed to PC(USA) Labeling Israeli Occupation of Palestinian Lands as Apartheid While the Jewish community in the U.S. is largely disappointed or outraged by the use of the word apartheid, responses within the denomination are generally positive. — Eric O. Ledermann Word and sacrament as a springboard Word and sacrament are central to the church, but they need to point us outward rather than inward, says Chip Hardwick. Princeton Seminary president set to retire in 2023 Diakonos Solutions Awards Four Women DMin Scholarships New Pastor for Broadmoor Church in Daly City, CA Have an update? Make a post.

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