An article by Nadia Bolz Weber introduced me to Suleika Jaouad. She is a noted and award-winning author, artist and advocate for many. In her article “Consider the Lilies” she shares that, as a child of immigrants, she felt called to honor her parents’ sacrifices by making something of herself. She earned a full-ride to Princeton, and graduated with honors, while holding down two jobs.
A year later, at age 22, Jaouad was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, with a 35-percent chance of long-term survival, She began four years of treatment, and said “I decided rather than living every day as if it’s my last, I’ve shifted to a gentler approach of living every day as if it’s my first. I want to wake up and meet the day with the wonder of a newborn, to cultivate childlike qualities like curiosity and play.” She was also guided by the words of Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin.”
This Sunday, we enter into the story of Samuel, then a boy, living in the Temple. He was to be present for Eli, the priest, whose vision had faded. Yet, it is Eli who helps Samuel see that it is Yahweh who is calling him. Where might we, as individuals and as a community of faith, cultivate the wonder of faith, love and possibility that may lead us to discovering and embracing our Call?
When we gather for worship, we are invited to greet one another, and then the children will ring us into worship, with the bells. The Chancel Choir, directed by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us in music. There will also be a Children’s Moment, and a Moment of Sharing from the Reconciling Ministries Team. We will pray and reflect. Beth Rosales will read the Lesson from the Hebrew Scriptures (which arises from 1 Samuel 3:1-10). We will also share in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, where all are welcome at the table. We are grateful for those who prepare and serve communion. The sermon is titled “Cultivating our Call, to Self and Community”.
If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.
To connect to our livestream worship Sunday morning, click the link on our website www.smumc.church. The service starts at 10:30am. Livestream starts at 10:25am.