Worship - February 3, 2008

Gracious God - you who surprise us with new experiences of love - we come with reverence to praise and adore you. Help us to be open to your appearance among us and within us. Pour out, we pray, your Spirit upon us. Make us, as we gather as your people, attentive to your Word and ready to do your bidding. Grant that we may know your touch and enter into your glory. We ask it in the name of Christ Jesus - he who lives and reigns with and the Holy Spirit, one God, both now and forevermore. Amen

Tercentennial Minute
“The Most Prolific Brethren Author”

At 9:00 on Friday, July 25, 1993, some folks from Southern Ohio presented a musical based on the Cotton Patch Gospel at the Annual Conference in Indianapolis. The place was packed and rightfully so. However about eight folks wandered down the hall to an insight session that featured a presentation by historian Donald F. Durnbaugh on “The Brethren in Many Languages.”

As he pointed out, 1993 was a good year to focus on the topic of Brethren-related publishing in many languages. Two hundred and fifty years before Christopher Sauer had published his famous Germantown bible, the first in a European language to be printed on the American continent. Durnbaugh's attempts to convince the US Postal Service to issue a commemorative stamp failed, however, despite the fact that support came from a "wide-ranging variety of associations and societies, with petitions signed by several thousand persons.” though he noted that “during the same period the postal authority covered itself with glory by issuing a stamp commemorating a paragon of virtue and good taste, none other than the late Elvis Presley."

One of the surprises in the lecture proved to be the name of the most prolific Brethren author. It was not, as some might have guessed, Vernard Eller or Anna Mow, but Govindji K. Satvedi (1887-1976). Satvedi was baptized Brethren in India in 1903, and was a pastor, evangelist, editor, principal at the Bulsar Bible School. He also taught one year at Bethany Seminary.

Satvedi wrote at least twenty-five books, and there may be more. It is possible that one contemporary Brethren author has surpassed him in the years since, but that author is content that Satvedi retain the title of Most Prolific Brethren Author.

And that is the Tercentennial Minute for February 3, 2008.

by Frank Ramirez, pastor of the Everett, PA Church of the Brethren
posted by permission
The Everett church graciously makes available these weekly vignettes from Brethren history
to all who are interested during this 300th anniversary year of our denomination.
Frank will be the guest preacher for our Homecoming on October 26, 2008
(this is our congregation's 100th anniversary year)

Pastoral Prayer

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

Service Sunday Story
" Operation Knock Knock "

Preface (read by Worship Leader)

On the church calendar, today is “Transfiguration Sunday,” and we remember the mountaintop experience of Jesus and three of his disciples before we head down the hill, so to speak, into the season of Lent, which starts this week on Ash Wednesday. However, today is also “Scout Sunday” and “Service Sunday.” In a few moments, we’ll recognize our scouts, but just now let’s listen to a Brethren Volunteer story. Jon Zunkel is currently a BVS-er serving in Northern Ireland. We’ve asked one of our own former BVS’ers, Robyn Boettner to read for us what Jon has written. Robyn?

“I entered into BVS unit 277 this past September with the hope of making the world a better a place. But, no matter how much you give, you receive more back than you could ever imagine.

“Our orientation unit spent our last week in Kansas City. One afternoon we set out on what was called Operation Knock Knock. We divided into groups of three and set out into an inner-city neighborhood. We were to knock on doors and offer to help the owner in any way we could: clean up the yard, vacuum, do dishes, or any form of service that we could. All 31 of us volunteers donned our purple BVS shirts and out we went.

“Our group had a hard time finding someone for whom we could serve. We were walking down the street and a lady standing at her car yelled across the street, "What's those purple shirts about?" We stopped and told her about BVS and Operation Knock Knock. She told us about her life. She had just gone through a series of heartbreaking events: she was a single mother raising three kids, one of whom was just diagnosed with sickle cell anemia; her house had been broken into three times in the last year; she had just lost her job; and, she was about to move. After telling us about her hardships she asks where we are staying. We tell her and she says, "I'll be by with some drinks for all of you." We protested, but she insists. We leave at that. We ask if we can do anything for her. She says she is doing fine, but thank you. We thank her for talking with us and we head on our way.

“Two nights later there is knock on the door and our orientation leader returns carrying four bags of groceries. The lady from our conversation followed through with her promise. In the bags we found drinks, chips, cookies, bread and lunch meat. Our friend, who we tried to serve, wanted to send us off. She wanted no recognition, she did not come in to meet the three of us again or the group at large. She just wanted to show her support.

“I learned a powerful lesson that day--one that I hope stays with me for a long time. Life is not about serving people or trying to make people's lives better. Life is about working with people. So we all can grow and make the world a better place together.”

by Jon Zunkel

Recognizing our Scouts

“Life is about working with people.” One of the lessons of our Love Feast is that being a servant involves not just washing someone else’s feet, but also having our own feet washed. To serve is to give and to receive. Brethren Volunteer Service offers a way for us to put this lesson into a lifestyle. In the process of working with others, our own lives are transformed (or, if you will, transfigured).

Yes, today has been designated “Service Sunday” by our denomination, to lift up BVS, Work Camps, Disaster Relief, and all the opportunities God gives us to serve. The first Sunday of February is also “Scout Sunday,” and everything we say about service and working with people applies. The slogan of both Boy and Girl Scouts is “Do a good turn daily.” A “good turn” is something we do with another person. For instance, when we help someone to safely cross the street, we walk with them. Something happens between us, especially if we are open to receive as we give.

Some of our young people are currently boy or girl scouts or scout leaders. Some of us were scouts or scout leaders once upon a time. Let’s just take a moment to recognize, first, those who are scouts right now (please stand and remain standing), and second, those who are scout “alumni” (please stand also). Thank you.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Service is being like Jesus. It isn’t merely thinking about Jesus or acknowledging what Jesus did for us. It is essentially doing what Jesus did and living as He lived. To truly serve, we make another person the most important person. When we do service, we are loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves--the two greatest commandments. True service involves doing something for another person with no strings attached. It is doing something for a person that is needed or will help them, without wanting or expecting anything in return. No indebtedness results from this Jesus kind of serving. True service encompasses humility and altruism: both characteristic of the Good Shepherd.

written by Jerry O’Donnell, 2008 Workcamp Co-Coordinator,
for Church of the Brethren Service Sunday

Dedication

Wondrous God, thank you for blessing us with hearts and minds to serve one another. Let us always be mindful that we love each other because you first loved us. We rejoice in that by serving one another, we are able to show that love for each other and for you, LORD. Help us continue in that spirit, that your will may be done and your kingdom may come. We ask that you continue to bless us and strengthen us as we try to be more like you. In your holy name we pray, Amen.

written by Jerry O’Donnell, 2008 Workcamp Co-Coordinator,
for Church of the Brethren Service Sunday

Benediction