A doctor devoted as much of his spare time as he could to a charity clinic. One day an elderly gentleman was ushered into the physician’s private offices downtown.

“Remember me, Doctor?’ the man asked. “You treated me over at the charity clinic. I’ve come into some money lately, and I can afford to pay for the service of a doctor now.” “But what made you come to me?’ the physician wanted to know. “I wasn’t the only doctor who treated you at the clinic.” “I know,” the old man said quietly, “But you were the only one who helped me with my coat.” 

Christianity is not an explanation but a demonstration of God’s love and kindness living in the human heart. You don’t have to give away great sums of money to show your concern. You don’t have to be eloquent to tell someone you care. Caring is making room in your heart for an individual and their problem. Sometimes simply being available, giving a friendly touch, a smile, a hug, or just listening, is caring. 

May God be with you every moment of this day. 

Let us pray: Loving God, with each new day your promise of hope is restored, in every sunrise we see your face; in every sunset, we rest in your arms. Each day is like the first day you created with the same invitation – for us to live in your image, to work creatively, to practice random acts of kindness. Sprinkle us with your love so our mustard-seed faith will grow like large elms whose leafy arms stretch to the heavens, and arch in prayer. Give us the faith of the rising sun, the trust of trees, and the hope that springs eternal from constant prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

In his novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel Garcia Marquez writes about a strange disease that slowly infiltrated the old village of Macondo. This disease that emerged from the surrounding swamp, was a form of insomnia that attacked the whole town. The initial outcome was the inability of people to sleep. Although the villagers do not feel any bodily fatigue at all, a more serious effect slowly comes about, and that is the loss of memory. Gradually folks in the village realize they can no longer remember or recall the past. Soon they find that they cannot remember the name or the meaning of the simplest things used every day.

Those of you who have had loved ones who have battled Alzheimer’s Disease know how heartbreaking loss of memory can be. Of course, there are things in each of our lives that we would rather forget, but for the most part, our memories are a precious gift. They connect us with friends and family across great spans of distance and time. They allow us to experience the warmth of summer in the midst of a cold winter, and they offer us an opportunity to not duplicate past mistakes and failures. Our memories also root us in vital traditions that add meaning and depth to our lives.

During the Last Supper, when Jesus told his disciples, “Do this in remembrance of me,” he was offering them hope. And through their memories, he was offering hope to the generations to come. Remember my life. Remember my sacrifice. Remember my love. 

Remember…

Let us pray: God of all time and space, we thank you for the gift of memory. Today we especially remember friends and loved ones near and far. We thank you for the good times we have shared with them – for laughter and for tears. We thank you also that in Jesus we have a reminder of your love for us – a love that is unconditional and unfaltering. Finally, we thank you that you are a God who remembers us. Be near to us this day. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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

There is a story about a man in a large city who was on his way to an interview for a new job at a highly successful company. Well-groomed, wearing a nice suit, the man made his way to the corporate headquarters. As he was waiting for the elevator, an elderly janitor walked by, slipped on the wet floor, and fell down awkwardly. The young man chuckled to himself, unconcerned that the older man might have been hurt. He actually stepped over the fallen janitor, boarded the elevator, went up to the twenty-ninth floor, and entered the reception area of the firm. Soon his name was called, and he was used not a beautiful executive office.

He was greeted by the company president who conducted the interview. She began by saying, “By the way, on your way up to see me, did you see anyone who needed help? ”Yes,” he replied, “A janitor fell right in front of me as I was waiting for the elevator.” “Did you stop to help him?” She asked. “Well, no because I believe in promptness and I didn’t want to be late for this important interview.” “Of course.” said the company president, “But you see, that was the interview! As a business executive, I know that many people do try to push and shove their way to the top. But as a person of faith, I have come to realize that love is the most powerful thing in the world, and anyone who wishes to rank first must learn how to serve others. I’m very sorry, but I am afraid you are not the kind of person I have in mind for this position.” 

As Jesus made his way to the cross, the disciples were arguing over who was the greatest. When they entered the upper room, Jesus took a towel and a basin and he washed their feet, showing them and us in a dramatic way that we Christians are called to be gracious servants.

Let us pray: Loving God, inspire us to loving gentleness and gracious service. May we seek to fulfill what you require of us: to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In 2 Corinthians, chapter 4, Paul writes, “We have this treasure in clay jars…” The clay jars are our own frail, faulty, human lives. This treasure is the Gospel. Here, Paul seems to have this understanding of the gospel that it is not just a message to be shared – though it is that – but it is also God’s power at work with us. 

Now we know from other parts of this letter, that Paul himself had really been through it. He had been shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, thrown in jail, and ostracized by his community. He had endured hardship after hardship. We get the sense that were it not for his faith, he would be hanging on by the last thread. In fact, he writes:

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…

He goes on to write: “So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.”  

Even in the midst of the trials and tribulations of life, there is an inner strength that is growing, a grace that arises.

Over the years I’ve heard stories from people about how just when life seemed to be falling apart – something deep inside started to grow: a hope that couldn’t be contained, a hope that they would see a loved one again; hope that tomorrow doesn’t have to be the same as today – things can change – that there can be a new start. 

I’ve had others tell me that just at that moment when they thought they were just about beyond their ability to cope – a strange peace came over them, or an inexplicable sense of joy arose out of the darkness…

Paul is saying, all that I’ve gone through, all that I’m going through – it’s bad – but it will not have the last word. And, I know that even in the midst of all that I’m going through, God is at work. And perhaps God can use this brokenness, this frailty, this clay jar – even this suffering to help others… to bless others.

I don’t know what you are going through right now. But the promise of the gospel is that those hurts can heal, that God can turn the pain of life into healing salve, and that if we are open to it, even out of suffering – great light can break forth.

Let us pray: We trust, O God, that your power and grace at work, in us and beyond us. Even in our brokenness, even as we are being healed, may your grace, mercy, and peace flow through us to touch a hurting world. Amen. 

Today, I would like to say a word of thanks to Beth Knopik, who was the keynote speaker at our Dial Hope “Friendraiser” yesterday evening. She is the author of, Beyond the Rainbow. Her courage and faith in the wake of great loss, are inspiring. Thank you, Beth!

Psalm 8 offers this prayer, “O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth. In Hebrew thought, a person’s name – was not just a word – but their name also represented their character, essence, and presence. 

O Lord, how majestic is your presence – your essence – your power in all the earth.

Think about those times when you’ve seen an awe-inspiring sunset; or when you’ve been on a mountaintop and it’s breathtaking, or you’ve been on the ocean and you have watched the pelicans soar just above the breakers. It’s moments like these when we feel connected to something so much bigger. It’s moments like these that you can almost feel God’s presence, right there.

Poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote, “Earth is crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God, but only he who sees takes off his shoes…”

Let us pray: Loving God, give us eyes to see your glory and presence in the world all around us. May we notice you in the laughter of a child, in the smile of a stranger, and in the beauty of your creation. Open our hearts to the Holy in this place here and now. And, may our souls be filled with awe and joy. Amen.