Restoration is Hard Where?

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship! Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact with this growing community of faith. And so, if you are joining us for the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday: You are welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye Heav'nly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

“The Prayer of Jesus” — Season of Creation Holy One, our only Home, hallowed be your name. May your day dawn, your will be done, here as in heaven. Feed us today, and forgive us as we forgive each other. Do not forsake us at the test, but deliver us from evil. For the glory, the power, and the mercy are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

“Thanksgiving for the Earth” from the Iona Abbey Remember the fruits of the earth, for sowing and for harvest. Remember the dew of the air. Remember the down coming of the rains and the waters and the rivers. Remember the plants and the blooms of every year. Remember the safety of humans and of animals and of me, your sinful servant. For the rain, the wind of the sky, seed, plants, the fruit of the trees and also the vineyards, and for every tree in the entire world,

We are grateful.

For the Holy Trinity who brings us to perfection in safety and peace, forgives us our sins, brings us up according to their measure that we may grow and prosper through your grace, who makes the face of the earth to rejoice, waters her furrows, lets her grain be abundantly multiplied and makes ready her seed-time and harvest,

We give You thanks.

Ever-present God, you spoke order into chaos and brought forth creation as we know it. Speak now to our hearts that the ancient words might live by the power of your Holy Spirit and that we might be shaped into your children, eager to bring your way of love into the world and enflesh your preferred future. We pray this in the name of Jesus who leads us into life. Amen.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep ¹ Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. ² And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” ³ So he told them this parable: ⁴ “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. The Parable of the Lost Coin ⁸ “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ ¹⁰ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The parables this week speak of people’s holding being restored but over the last several weeks, we have been looking at the teaching of Jesus, indeed, The Way of Jesus as giving up our holdings. What does restoration mean in light of these contrasts? How are we to be made whole? What do you feel is currently missing, and who might you walk with to help you find it?

Time and again, God clears a path for us to seek the way of life, to do good, to become a refuge for the poor. That path lies before us. With joy, let us offer our gifts and our lives in trust.

Loving God, receive these gifts as you receive our lives. Gather our false starts and uncertain efforts, our generosity and our reluctance. Enliven us with your breath and make your purposes known that our lives might participate in the glory of your creation. In the name of our guide and counselor, Jesus we pray. Amen.

May God who established the dance of creation, Who marveled at the lilies of the field, Who transforms chaos to order, Lead us to transform our lives and the Church To listen to the voice of all creatures That reflect God’s glory in creation. Amen.