Sending Out Salty Servants

Desperately seeking crafty & creative creatures of God!

Sending out Salty Servants in ministries of mercy & justice “This last week, I joined Jesus as a Salty Servant to persons beyond our congregation for at least one hour in one of the following ways” Mercy Ministry ♦ Relationship Building Justice Ministry ♦ Earth-Care Jesus was clear that his followers are to be servants: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant . . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Matthew 20:26-28) Service flows naturally and inescapably from the teachings and example of Jesus. “Let me tell you why you are here,” says Jesus. “You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?” (Matthew 5:13 The Message). Beginning this Sunday, our Bishop and Annual Conference leaders are asking each church to begin “tracking” and reporting the number of people in our congregation that perform at least one hour of their week in a ministry of mercy and justice (examples could include volunteering at the Clothing Closet, working with Habitat or Metropolitan Ministries, tutoring in a school, collecting food from your neighbors for a food drive, painting a house in “paint your heart out” etc.) Each week when you come to worship, if you would like to indicate to God that you have spent at least one hour in “Salty Service” beyond our local church, please take one of the pebbles and place it in the “family” bucket. We will count the number of pebbles after worship on Sunday and record that as the number of Salty Servants from our congregation, reporting that number to the Annual Conference. This is a weekly “self-reporting” effort; if you are going to miss a Sunday—arrange for a friend or family member to move your pebble for you (or just double up the following week). We are not counting the hours, but the number of “Salty Servants.” After this Sunday, our table of pebbles will be located in the narthex, so if you don’t come in that door on a regular basis, plan to head there before you leave. We will also report to the congregation the number of Salty Servants identified the previous week. Remember: if you serve during the week, move one pebble from the tray into the little bucket (wouldn’t it be great to have to get a bigger bucket)!

One Sunday at another church, on a communion Sunday, I hooked up a bread maker and had it going so that as people came for worship, they smelled the baking bread—while it wasn’t a visual, it certainly added to the scent of worship. I so much want to add “more” to our worship experience other than just words and music. As your pastor, this week, I made a trip to a local Michael’s to acquire some means of counting the number of Salty Servants in our church (see other side of insert). I asked several workers where to find some of those little flattened marbles, as I thought that might be a good way to use in counting. The employees all looked at me as if “duh, everyone knows where those things are” and generally pointed towards the middle of the store. I envisioned a table in the sanctuary to lift up “salty servants”—maybe a salt shaker or a bag of salt on display with some flowing linen, some hand tools shown as examples of serving others, several nicely designed and printed “handouts” of ways to serve, along with a creative way to count the Salty Servants. It dawned on me that being crafty wasn’t one of my God-blessed gifts; but I suspect that we have some crafty folks right here at Seminole Heights. Additionally, I have really desired a “worship display” table or altar that would highlight that Sunday’s worship emphasis. As the worship is planned for the week, a crew of folks might brainstorm how one aspect of the worship service could be emphasized in an artistic manner. Looking around Michaels I saw lots of great craft ideas—candles, fabrics, objects, pictures, statutes, etc. that could easily be a springboard to showing a visual of what is happening in worship. Would that be something you might be interested in taking on as a project? Maybe one time or once a month or once a season? Grab some buddies and do it together? I would be glad to suggest several ideas and scriptures I am using to plan for the time of worship and then encourage you to go forth and multiply using the visual arts to enhance our worship time together. One great resource to tap into is an upcoming worship seminar hosted by the Temple Terrace UMC and led by the Rev. Kandace Brooks (she has been designing the worship displays at the Florida Annual Conference for several years); we worked together at a church in Gainesville. Ask Judy about attending this worship seminar next week; she has all the details. Who’s up for being crafty? Pastor Glenn

The Great Thanksgiving

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands; Yes, establish the work of our hands.

He healed the servant of a soldier. He received the support of resourceful women. He delegated his ministry to his disciples, empowered all his followers to do his divine work in this world. By his suffering, death, and resurrection, you gave birth to your church, delivered us from the bondage of sin and the power of death and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.

INVITATION

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

From the earliest times, breaking bread together has been a sign of peace and reconciliation. When we break bread and share the cup, we share the peace of Christ one with another, and declare the power of love to break down the walls that divide us. You are invited here. You were invited before you were even born, and you will be invited here if you grow up, if you go to college, if you change, if you move away. You are invited here if you are old or if you’re young, if you’re gay or if you’re straight, if you are poor or if you’re rich, if you have faith or if you doubt. Even when you die, our Scriptures promise that you will be invited to sit at God’s table in heaven. You are invited here, to eat this bread and to drink from this cup, and by doing these things, to remember Jesus’ promise that he will be with us always. We accept the invitation!

On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

PRAYER OF THE DAY The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.

COMMUNION PRAYER The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is a good and fruitful work to give thanks to you, Almighty God, in all places and at all times and in all our tasks. In our cars, our homes, our offices, our fields, and our kitchens; at our tables, our desks, our telephones, and computers; when we are resting or waiting, laboring or supervising, following or leading. All these we do with all your people now on earth and all the multitude of heaven, praising your name and joining in their unending hymn: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Holy are you and holy is your work among us in Jesus Christ, who came to be born in the home of a carpenter, a trade he learned and practiced, a laborer in our midst. He called out fishermen and activists.

When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Drink from this, all of you; this is the new covenant, in my blood, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." And so as a baptized and commissioned people, remembering your mighty work in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves, our daily lives, and our unique locations for ministry in the worldhomes and hospitals, parks and stores, prisons and concert hallsas a living and holy sacrifice in union with Christ's offering for us as we proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has come among us. Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ abides with us. Christ will come again. PRAYER OF CONSECRATION Eternal God, we unite in this covenant of faith. We spread your table with these gifts of the earth and of our labor. We present to you our very lives, committed to your service in behalf of all people. We ask you to send your Holy Spirit on this bread and wine, on our gifts, and on us. Strengthen your universal church that it may be the champion of peace and justice in all the world. Restore the earth with your grace that is able to make all things new. Be present with us as we share this meal, and throughout all our lives, that we may know you as the Holy One, who with Christ and the Holy Spirit, lives for ever. Amen. SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP Through the broken bread we participate in the body of Christ Through the cup of blessing we participate in the new life Christ gives. The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready. Our table is Christ’s table, and all are welcome.

(We will be receiving communion by Intinction— please come forward, break off a piece of bread and dip it in the cup, then return to your seat. If you cannot come forward, we will happily bring the elements to you.)

PRAYER OF THANKS AND SENDING OUT Loving God, through your Son you gave us an example to love one another as he loved us. Through your provision of the Word and this ritual, you continue to nourish and guide us, directing our lives toward those who need us to provide for them. Give us the strength to continue working to bring forth your kingdom here on earth–a kingdom of justice and peace, kindness and compassion, grace and mercy. Grant this through Christ, our Lord. AMEN.