Worship - August 29, 2004

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
      the world, and those who live in it;
      for he has founded it on the seas,
            and established it on the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
      Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
            who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
            and do not swear deceitfully.
They will receive blessing from the LORD,
      and vindication from the God of their salvation.
      Such is the company of those who seek him,
            who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O gates!
      and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
      that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory?
      The LORD, strong and mighty,
            the LORD, mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates!
      and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
      that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
      The LORD of hosts,
            he is the King of glory.

Hymnal #815, NRSV

Opening Prayer

For Children
"A one eyed owl, the most perfect gift"
based 2 Corinthians 8:12 (CEV):
"It doesn't matter how much you have.
What matters is how much you are willing to give
from what you have."

         I had a half-brother Ernie who came to visit with us when I was little. He didn't bring any toys with him (I really believe he did not have any). I never considered the toys I had to be that great, all the kids in my neighborhood had much better toys. I was happy though to share mine with him while he was visiting.
         One day we went to the grocery store as a family, and Ernie and I asked for money to try our luck with the capsules in the gumball machines (I intend to elaborate about these machines and have a sample capsule with me). My step-dad and his dad gave us each a quarter, and we each got one of these capsules. I forget what I got. I thought it was junk. But, Ernie got a little white plastic owl. This owl had a loop at the top suitable for a key chain. It had two eye sockets, one was filled with a green plastic gem stone, the other socket was empty. Ernie showed it proudly to me as though it was some great find. I said "Ernie, your toy is broken, it has an eye missing!" He said, "I think it is winking." Whatever!
         He cherished this toy (I think because his dad bought it for him). One day Ernie and I were deciding what to play. Ernie reached in his pocket (I said to myself, "please don't show my friends that owl, they'll think you're stupid") and he did it, brought out the owl and showed it to my friends. Like, what do you think we can do with this, you can't play with that.
         Ernie left at the end of the weekend and I was sorry to see him leave. He reached in his pocket one last time and handed me the owl. He said, "I want you to have this." A boy who seems to have nothing, gave me everything. I learned a great lesson about seeing things that I am given, and have, a lot differently. The gifts we have from God are like this, they are so important and yet we don't see them that way...

Ed Lewis
(shared again on 6/1/08)

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Dedication

Benediction