One Sunday afternoon, I had the privilege to ride with a Middle School youth group as they drove around visiting elderly members of our church who could no longer attend. They brought ‘goodie’ baskets filled with homemade brownies, cookies, and a handmade card. Nine students and three adults piled into a church van, and we drove from one side of town to the other, making visits along the way. It was tempting for these students not to eat the goodies before they arrived, but they held out and brought the gifts.

There was one visit in particular when the tables of ministry seemed to turn. We visited a beautiful woman in her 90’s who welcomed us into her home. She invited us to sit and then asked each of the 9 students to share a little about themselves. Smiling often, she showed a genuine interest in their answers. Then, she offered us refreshments. Cold cans of Coke, Sprite, and root beer were passed around the room. On this hot summer afternoon, it was like mana to the youth.

I am continually amazed at how the Spirit of Christ so often meets us directly in the acts of giving and receiving. That day the giving and receiving were mutual, host and guest alike immersed in the Holy Presence of God. I can’t help but wonder how you have encountered Christ through simple acts of hospitality in your life.

Let us pray: We thank you O God, for the hospitality we have received over the years and for sacrifices made on our behalf. We also thank you for the opportunities to give as we have received. And, we especially thank you for your presence which is almost tangible in these moments when our hearts are open. Give us new eyes to see you this day, we ask in Jesus name. Amen.

One of the great metaphors for the life of faith is that of a pilgrimage – or a journey. And the truth is, whether we physically move or not, all along this journey we are continually leaving behind, saying goodbye, and moving forward. As they say, the only constant in life is change. Which, can be scary, disconcerting…

Now, there are times when we feel led to make changes. And those changes – while scary can still be a good thing. When the time comes, when we get beyond this pandemic, I think we’ll all certainly be glad to leave the masks behind and the need for social distance. I’d also like to leave behind any bitterness or anger I feel. That doesn’t serve me. I’d love it if we could leave behind identity politics, partisan fueled hate – any hate of any other human for that matter. That all makes this world a little uglier, and the journey a little harder.

We might also at times be led to leave behind a destructive habit – or an abusive relationship. There will always be times when we feel led to leave things behind in life.

But there are also times when change just happens to us – leaving just happens. Loved ones die. Friends move away. Jobs change… Retirement comes about. Children grow up and move out and move on.

Even changes for the good can be hard, even changes we decide we want. We like that secure, comfortable, manageable existence. There can be a temptation to try and build fences around life – to keep things as they are. Or, to get stuck in the past – wishing things were as they used to be.

Along life’s journey – along all of the leavings and goodbyes – even up until the final leaving, when faced with change or the need to leave behind, we have choices. We can resist mightily. We can go along only kicking and screaming. We can cling to the past. We can become bitter or angry. Or, we can trust that God is with us and that God will make a way forward.

Let us pray: Holy God, in the midst of changing uncertain times, help us to notice your presence and to trust that will guide us, carry us when need be, and empower us to serve you. May we ever live out of your grace and peace. In Christ’s name. Amen.

There is a story about two young brothers who were caught stealing sheep. In that day and age, the punishment was to brand the thief’s forehead with the letters ST, which stood for “Sheep Thief.” As a result, one brother ran from the village and spent his remaining years wandering from place to place always marked by disgrace. The other brother, however, remained in the village. He made restitution for the stolen sheep, and over the years became a caring friend and neighbor to the townspeople. He lived out his life in the village, eventually, an old man loved by all.

One day a stranger came to town and inquired about the ST on the old man’s forehead. “I’m not sure what it means,” another told him. “It happened so long ago, but I think the letters must stand for ‘Saint.’”

This story just reminds me that no matter how bad the past; no matter how grievous the sin, no matter what we have done, there is hope. People can change. We can change. And as we do, our situations will change.

Saint Augustine once said, “There is no saint without a past. And there is no sinner without a future.”

Let us pray: Loving and Gracious God, we thank you that you love us – unconditionally. From this moment forward, help us to live not out of a sense of despair about the past, but out of the possibility of a future based in your grace. We trust that with you there is great power to redeem. And for that, we give you thanks and praise. Amen.

Today’s message was written by the founder of Dial Hope, the Rev. Roger Kunkel

One of my favorite subjects is gratitude. Henry David Thoreau wrote, “I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” Friends of Dial Hope, most of us specialize in periodic outbursts of gratitude. Rather than a continuous condition or a state of being, thanksgiving becomes an event, a time, a day, in particular, the fourth Thursday of every November. But gratitude needs to be an attitude, a perpetual one.

To keep myself in a thankful condition, I do the following: I launch my attitude of gratitude when I awaken. In the silence of my heart, I say, “Thank you, God, for a night of rest and for the gift of a new day. I am thankful, I am thankful. I am thankful, and I will live this day in gratitude, from start to finish, come what may. Lord, what are you up to today? I want to be a part of it. Now I ask that you bless me so I may be a blessing to others.”

The crucial thing is to get yourself prepared for yet another day of thankfulness. Crashes, victories, and boredom will come and go. Our attitude of gratitude endures. With perpetual thanksgiving, I remain.

Let us pray: Loving God, who broods over us at night like a mother bird over her nest and rises upon us in the morning like the sun that warms the earth, we lift our hearts to you in praise and thanksgiving. You have richly blessed each of us. Thank you for your love and extravagance. This day, may we be beautifully extravagant in our generosity, gratitude, and kindness toward others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I have to admit it, I like to please people. I’d like to make everyone around me happy and comfortable. But the truth is, that is not always possible, is it? Different people have different needs and wants – and sometimes these needs and wants come into conflict with each other. There is no way to make everyone happy all the time.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, “Am I now seeking human approval or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

A friend sent me the following statement from a plaque:

They may see the good you do as self-serving. Continue to do good. They may see your generosity as grandstanding. Continue to be generous. They may see your warm and caring nature as a weakness. Continue to be warm and caring. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It never was between you and them, anyway.

When we take stock of our lives, when we reflect on what it is that motivates us and drives us, sometimes we will find that we are trying to please others. Sometimes we’re trying to please God. And sometimes we’re just looking out for ourselves. But most of the time, our motives are mixed.

My friend Rev. Bob Griffiths recently sent me the following prayer written by Thomas Merton which I think brings all of this together nicely. I invite you now to join me in prayer.

Let us pray: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end… and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.