Opening Prayer

         Indeed, this is your world, Father God. Just like this is your day. In fact, we are yours, also. "Bought with a price," we declare, recalling the sacrifice of your Son whom you sent to redeem this world, and us. Forgive, Lord, when we foolishly treat it all as if we were the owners. We tend to get mixed up, you know. Thanks for your patience, your mercy, your correction, your salvation. And, yes, help us never to "forget that though the wrong seems so strong, (you) are the ruler yet." Guide this worship, and our lives, in Jesus' name. Amen.

(used again August 9, 2009)
 

A Spark

         During the Spanish Civil War, which was a testing ground for the military might of the German Third Reich, a Brethren Service worker there, named Dan West, wondered what one person could do to make a difference in the middle of all that conflict. His answer became a worldwide Heifer Project - which came to involve just one person, plus one person, times a hundred, times a thousand. You see, followers of Jesus - when at their creative best - operate one by one, just like the original disciples.
         We’ve entered another period of conflict. Jesus said, "there will be wars and rumors of wars..." We may be tempted to despair or to cheer, to hide and to fear. We may, like Dan West, wonder what one person can do at a time such as this... Listen now to the wisdom of our children.
     

"One person at a time"
by Andy Murray

"The world's so big and I m so small; it hardly seems I matter at all.
  I'd like to do something but when I think it through,
  I always wonder what can one person do?"

"What can one person do?," is a very good question
                                                   if you don't do nothin' at all.
 You can spend your time saving every little dime
                                                   or just curled up by the wall
 But if you think back some over all that's been done
 and you wonder who did it and where it came from.
 Figure it out... without a doubt, one person at a time did it all.

                     One person at a time it sure works fine
                     Roll up your sleeves, sign on the dotted line.
                     Whatever gets done is done by one
                     One person at a time does it all.
                     One person at a time does it all.

"What can one person do?," is a very good question
                                                   if you don't do nothin' at all.
 You can stay in bed, pull the covers overhead
                                                   or wait for the sky to fall.
 But if one at a time works side by side
 with another one, the work gets multiplied.
 Figure it out... without a doubt, one person at a time did it all.

                     One person at a time it sure works fine
                     Pick up your load and get in line.
                     Whatever gets done is done by one
                     One person at a time does it all.
                     One person at a time does it all.

"What can one person do?," is a very good question
                                                   if you don t do nothin' at all.
 You can soak in the tub or join the social club
                                                   or just go shopping at the mall.
 But if each one would just do what they could,
 workin' one at a time, we could do a lot of good.
 Figure it out... without a doubt, one person at a time did it all.

                     One person at a time it sure works fine.
                     No use to wait around for a better time.
                     Whatever gets done is done by one.
                     One person at a time does it all.
                     One person at a time does it all.

©1979, The Brethren Press, Elgin, IL
from the album "Goodbye Still Night," Andy & Terry Murray
    

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         Heifer International, SERRV, Health Kits, Disaster Response Auction, Trees for Life, Habitat for Humanity... just a few examples of things we can do, just one person at a time, joined together with others in an army of hope. This month our focus has been upon our district’s meat canning project. You are invited to contribute toward this mission. Of course, others may ask, what difference does all this really make? Is it foolish to think that any of this matters? Let’s hear what the apostle Paul had to say about the message we bear, in deed and word.

[Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25]

         Are there any "fools for Christ" here, willing to make a difference God’s way?
    

Dedication

         Lord God, we thank you for the abundance with which you have graced us. Grant us the wisdom to use these resources from you in the supposedly "foolish" directions in which you lead. Give us the courage to do so "one person at a time" - in Jesus’ name. Amen.
     

Scripture

preface to reading:

         Speaking of "foolishness," our gospel story this morning portrays Jesus in the middle of an action many would have considered unwise. He also said some things few understood at the time. It wasn't until later that they remembered ... and believed.

Read John 2:13-22