Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost
Rev. Mary Beth Morgan, preaching
Disciples in Training: Nurturing a Community of Transformation and Abundance
Romans 12:1-8
Have you had opportunities to work or serve in the world (paid or volunteer) that have made an unexpected difference in your life? It could have been a summer job as a teen, a long career, a volunteer opportunity, or other kinds of service with others. Are there gifts you have gained from these that you now are blessed to share with others?
This Sunday, we will spend some time with the Letter of Paul to the Romans (12:1-8). We explore more deeply what it might mean to live as a community of faith, in which the abundance of gifts we share are honored and shared as reflections of God’s love. This is in both good times and hard times.
In these past days, our local community has been aching and grieving the loss of the Mumper family in a terrible tragedy. As individuals, of all ages, have been sharing memories with me about Jakob (age 18) and Emma (age 26), I have been moved by how many lives they touched. Some of these were from brief encounters, and others from long friendships, but all had an impact that is being felt deeply.
Regardless of how old each of us is, the place(s) we have lived, or the opportunities we have had in life, each of us has an abundance of gifts to share. When we freely share those in community, and welcome the gifts of others, our abundance gives us opportunities to help bless and transform a hurting world.
Our time of worship will include inspiring music from our singers and organist, Nara Lee, a children’s moment, prayer and reflection, reading of the scripture passage by Cooper Tucker, and a sermon titled as Disciples in Training: Nurturing a Community of Transformation and Abundance.
We look forward to connecting with you on the livestream at 10:30 at www.smumc.church.