Sunday, August 30, 2020 - Romans 12:9-21

 

We continue to work our way through the tract of 'Romans' in the Lectionary this time around. (The Lectionary is a three year cycle and the last time through while here at Woodlawn we took, for the most part the Gospel tract)  Paul offers up to us today practical ways that we are called to serve and observe as followers of Christ.

Please take a listen to the teachings of Paul as revealed to us today.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,

Roy

Romans 12:9-21 New International Version (NIV)

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[b] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[c]

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Footnotes:

1. Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
2. Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
3. Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22

Sunday, August 23, 2020 - Romans 12:1-8

 

Yesterday's sermon was not a sermon I wanted to give... it was not a day that I want to preach at all.  I'm not at liberty to discuss why I am so very upset, disgusted, disappointed, and frankly angry... but, no matter what is going on in my life my calling is to preach the word of the Lord.  That was and is the point of the message that I found at this time in Paul's letter to the church in Rome.  Please take a listen, hopefully, you will find a blessing within the words.

I was told that it was my best message ever, I don't honestly know what to think of that... I certainly pray that on someday I deliver a message that blesses when I am feeling blessed myself.

Be a blessing to someone today.

In Christ,

Roy

Romans 12:1-8 Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The New Life in Christ

12 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[b]

3 For by the grace given to me I bid every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned him. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Footnotes:

1. Romans 12:2 Greek age
2. Romans 12:2 Or what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God

Sermon - Sunday, August 16, 2020 - Romans 11:1-32

 

This past Sunday (August 16th) the sermon covered the verses found in Romans 11:1-32.  These are some of my favorite verses in Romans and they are verses that we all should ponder during our time here in this World.  There is much to be found concerning God's love for the Jewish people and also in my opinion much to be found as to God's abundant grace.

Please take a listen and I pray some portion will be a blessing to you.  It was an outdoor service but there was very little wind so there shouldn't be too much distraction due to air moving over the mic.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,

Roy

Romans 11:1-32 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Israel’s Rejection Is Not Final

11 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars; I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4 But what is the divine reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.[a]

7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written,

“God gave them a sluggish spirit,

    eyes that would not see

    and ears that would not hear,

down to this very day.”

9 And David says,

“Let their table become a snare and a trap,

    a stumbling block and a retribution for them;

10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,

    and keep their backs forever bent.”

The Salvation of the Gentiles

11 So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their stumbling[b] salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel[c] jealous. 12 Now if their stumbling[d] means riches for the world, and if their defeat means riches for Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry 14 in order to make my own people[e] jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead! 16 If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; and if the root is holy, then the branches also are holy.

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the rich root[f] of the olive tree, 18 do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 You will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you.[g] 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness toward you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And even those of Israel,[h] if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you have been cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree.

All Israel Will Be Saved

25 So that you may not claim to be wiser than you are, brothers and sisters,[i] I want you to understand this mystery: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written,

“Out of Zion will come the Deliverer;

    he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.”

27 “And this is my covenant with them,

    when I take away their sins.”

28 As regards the gospel they are enemies of God[j] for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved, for the sake of their ancestors; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now[k] receive mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

Footnotes:

a) Romans 11:6 Other ancient authorities add But if it is by works, it is no longer on the basis of grace, b) otherwise work would no longer be work

c) Romans 11:11 Gk transgression

d) Romans 11:11 Gk them

e) Romans 11:12 Gk transgression

f) Romans 11:14 Gk my flesh

g) Romans 11:17 Other ancient authorities read the richness

h) Romans 11:21 Other ancient authorities read neither will he spare you

i) Romans 11:23 Gk lacks of Israel

j) Romans 11:25 Gk brothers

k) Romans 11:28 Gk lacks of God

l) Romans 11:31 Other ancient authorities lack now

Romans 11:33-36 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

33 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?

    Or who has been his counselor?”

35 “Or who has given a gift to him,

    to receive a gift in return?”

36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.

Romans 9 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

God’s Election of Israel

9 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people,[a] my kindred according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5 to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah,[b] who is over all, God blessed forever.[c] Amen.

6 It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel, 7 and not all of Abraham’s children are his true descendants; but “It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. 9 For this is what the promise said, “About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 Nor is that all; something similar happened to Rebecca when she had conceived children by one husband, our ancestor Isaac. 11 Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue, 12 not by works but by his call) she was told, “The elder shall serve the younger.” 13 As it is written,

“I have loved Jacob,

    but I have hated Esau.”

14 What then are we to say? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses,

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,

    and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

16 So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. 17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, “I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses.

God’s Wrath and Mercy

19 You will say to me then, “Why then does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath that are made for destruction; 23 and what if he has done so in order to make known the riches of his glory for the objects of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 including us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea,

“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’

    and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”

26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’

    there they shall be called children of the living God.”

27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of the children of Israel were like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved; 28 for the Lord will execute his sentence on the earth quickly and decisively.”[d] 29 And as Isaiah predicted,

“If the Lord of hosts had not left survivors[e] to us,

    we would have fared like Sodom

    and been made like Gomorrah.”

Israel’s Unbelief

30 What then are we to say? Gentiles, who did not strive for righteousness, have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; 31 but Israel, who did strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law. 32 Why not? Because they did not strive for it on the basis of faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written,

“See, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make people stumble, a rock that will make them fall,

    and whoever believes in him[f] will not be put to shame.”

Footnotes:

a) Romans 9:3 Gk my brothers

b) Romans 9:5 Or the Christ

c) Romans 9:5 Or Messiah, who is God over all, blessed forever; or Messiah. May he who is God over all be blessed forever

d) Romans 9:28 Other ancient authorities read for he will finish his work and cut it short in righteousness - because the Lord will make the sentence shortened on the earth

e) Romans 9:29 Or descendants; Gk seed

f) Romans 9:33 Or trusts in it

Romans 10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

10 Brothers and sisters,[a] my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Salvation Is for All

5 Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say?

“The word is near you,

    on your lips and in your heart”

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because[b] if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13 For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16 But not all have obeyed the good news;[c] for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.[d]

18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for

“Their voice has gone out to all the earth,

    and their words to the ends of the world.”

19 Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,

“I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;

    with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”

20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,

“I have been found by those who did not seek me;

    I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”

21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

Footnotes:

a) Romans 10:1 Gk Brothers

b) Romans 10:9 Or namely, that

c) Romans 10:16 Or gospel

d) Romans 10:17 Or about Christ; other ancient authorities read of God

Genesis 12:1-3 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Call of Abram

12 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”[a]

Footnotes:

a) Genesis 12:3 Or by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves

Genesis 22:15-19 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, says the Lord: Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, 18 and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham lived at Beer-sheba.

Galatians 3:6-9 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

6 Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” 7 so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the Gentiles shall be blessed in you.” 9 For this reason, those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed.

1 Corinthians 13:12 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly,[a] but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Footnotes:

a) 1 Corinthians 13:12 Gk in a riddle

Matthew 22:36-40 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Luke 15:11-32 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother

11 Then Jesus[a] said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with[b] the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[c] 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father[d] said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”

Footnotes:

a) Luke 15:11 Gk he

b) Luke 15:16 Other ancient authorities read filled his stomach with

c) Luke 15:21 Other ancient authorities add Treat me like one of your hired servants

d) Luke 15:31 Gk he

Matthew 20:1-16 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Laborers in the Vineyard

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage,[a] he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ 9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.[b] 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage.[c] 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?[d] 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’[e] 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”[f]

Footnotes:

a) Matthew 20:2 Gk a denarius

b) Matthew 20:9 Gk a denarius

c) Matthew 20:10 Gk a denarius

d) Matthew 20:13 Gk a denarius

e) Matthew 20:15 Gk is your eye evil because I am good?

f) Matthew 20:16 Other ancient authorities add for many are called but few are chosen

Sermon - Sunday, August 9, 2020 - Romans Chapter 10 (yes the whole chapter)

 

On Sunday, August 9th, we worshiped inside of the Sanctuary.  It was also the first Sunday when we returned to singing during worship.  It was a great worship service and many, myself included felt very blessed by being able to sing once again.  Though why anyone would want me to sing is another thought.

We tackled the entirety of the 10th Chapter of the 'Letter to the Romans'.  Please take a listen and I pray that the message might be a blessing to you in some manner.

Thank you for stopping by and please... 'Be a blessing to someone today'!

In Christ,

Roy

Romans 10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

10 Brothers and sisters,[a] my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Salvation Is for All

5 Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say?

“The word is near you,

    on your lips and in your heart”

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because[b] if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13 For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16 But not all have obeyed the good news;[c] for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.[d]

18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for

“Their voice has gone out to all the earth,

    and their words to the ends of the world.”

19 Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,

“I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;

    with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”

20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,

“I have been found by those who did not seek me;

    I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”

21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

Footnotes:

a) Romans 10:1 Gk Brothers

b) Romans 10:9 Or namely, that

c) Romans 10:16 Or gospel

d) Romans 10:17 Or about Christ; other ancient authorities read of God

Graveside service for Roberta 'Bobbie' Mikesell - August 9, 2020

Below please find the service that I performed yesterday at the graveside for Bobbie Mikesell.  May the Lord comfort and strengthen her family and deliver them from their grief.

God's blessing to them all.

Order of Service – Graveside Service – Bobbie Mikesell

Call to Worship:

Gathered in Christ's name, let us praise God

who is our certain hope in all life's varied circumstances.

In the face of death believe the good news the scriptures proclaim:

As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.

(Isaiah 66:13)

O God, our Strength and our Redeemer, Giver of life, and Conqueror of death, we come to you this afternoon in mourning and open our hearts to you just as we are.  We celebrate your gift of life freely given, but are grieved by a sense of loss in the face of death.  The love which binds us to one another leaves us aching as ties are broken.  Accept our tears as emblems of devotion, and transform them into waters of life to nourish us in the days ahead.

We trust you.  We love you.  We know in Christ that your love is everlasting.  Nothing can separate any of us from your abiding care.  With you is eternal life.

With confidence we now entrust Bobbie to your unfailing love and overflowing goodness.  Through the power that raised Christ from the dead to live eternally with you, lift up Bobbie, to life fulfilled beyond our imagining.  We give you but your own, enfold her in your everlasting arms, hold her for she is your child.

Now strengthen us, through the gift of your Spirit, to face into the future with confidence that you stand with us.  Grant that the changes of life may leave us stronger as we journey through life.

Reassured of your abiding presence, help us to knit more firmly the ties that bind us one to another.  Renewed by your love, help us to love in ever larger circles so as to embrace your people everywhere till at last we are all united eternally through Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Greeting:

We have come together within the strengthening fellowship of friends and family in order to praise God for the life of Roberta Kay Mikesell, and to share our grief with God and to reaffirm our faith in God's unfailing goodness; gathered here before our Lord and Creator we commend Bobbie to God's everlasting care.

Selfishly, we as mortals wish to hold on to Bobbie. It brings great pain to let her go. Living in the resurrection hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the trust of a loving God and in the promise of eternal life, we now commit her body to its place of rest. We will continue to mourn Bobbie, but now her laughter will warm the kingdom of God. We will continue to love Bobbie, but God will now take care of her. We will continue to carry Bobbie in our thoughts, but she will be kept safe in God's hands. Receive her in the arms of your mercy, O God, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of all your saints.

Let us hear now a reading from the New Testament:

1 Corinthians 15:50-57  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

50 What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?

    Where, O death, is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us hear now an excerpt from the 3rd Chapter of Ecclesiastes:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

Today it is time for us to return Bobbie to her Lord, her Creator, and her Savior.

Believing in the Resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we now entrust Bobbie to the care of Almighty God and we ask Our Father to open the doors to his mansion and lead Bobbie to the room made ready just for her. As we now commit her body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, we commend her spirit to its new home. O loving Father, your rest eternal grant her; and let your glorious light perpetually shine upon her.

God has blessed and enriched our lives in giving us Bobbie to know and love here on this earth.  In committing her body to the earth, we now give over to God the care of her spirit, and we acknowledge that we will one day reunite with her in God's Kingdom. The Lord bless her and keep her; the Lord make his face shine upon her and be gracious to her; the Lord look upon her with favor and grant her his eternal peace.

Let us now pray together the prayer that our Lord and Savior taught us to pray....

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,

forever and ever. Amen. 

This concludes our graveside service.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may His strong arms encircle you and uphold you in your hour of grief.  God's peace and strength to you all.

Amen

August 2, 2020 - Sermon

I'm very much behind with posting to the blog.  Blogger decided to update and I'll be honest I don't care for the changes and hopefully, some of the changes will be rolled-back soon.

Here is the video of the sermon given on Sunday, August 2, 2020.  We were able to worship outside so please forgive me for the wind.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,

Roy

Romans 9:1-5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

God’s Election of Israel

9 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people,[a] my kindred according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5 to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah,[b] who is over all, God blessed forever.[c] Amen.

Footnotes:

a) Romans 9:3 Gk my brothers

b) Romans 9:5 Or the Christ

c) Romans 9:5 Or Messiah, who is God over all, blessed forever; or Messiah. May he who is God over all be blessed forever

Daily Devotions - July 2020

Below I have listed the 'Daily Devotion' videos from Youtube for the month of July.

If you know of someone who would enjoy these videos please feel free to share the link to this blog post with them.  If they aren't online, we also have these videos burned to DVDs, simply contact us at the Church office 712-464-3290 and Clint will mail a set out to you free of charge.

Have a blessed day and please, "Be a blessing to someone today"!

In Christ,

Roy