Worship - October 25, 2009

God, we confess that we’re not good listeners, and too often we miss some word of comfort or correction you have for us. Unplug our ears, focus our attention, help us to listen for that something we need to hear, a word you have for us, and make us glad. (Pause for a few moments of listening time.) In the name of your living word, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

by Gene Hagenberger, District Executive Minister
Mid-Atlantic District, Church of the Brethren
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"

For Children
"Marco Polo"

There was game I played as a kid, perhaps you’ve played it to. We’d play this game in a pool, though I suppose it didn’t need to happen in the water. It was just more fun in the pool, and you didn’t need to worry about bumping into things too hard in a swimming pool, because in this game, one person has their eyes shut tight. Can any of you guess what game it is? We called it “Marco Polo.” (If any of the children know this game, help them to explain to the others how it’s played – i.e. the next paragraph).

As I said, one person holds their eyes tightly shut. It’s no fair (and no fun, either) if they only pretend to have their eyes shut. All the other players’ eyes are wide open. This child, with eyes closed, tries to find the other children. They are trying not to be found. Now, while not being able to “see” might get in the way of finding the other players, this child can do other things. He or she can talk and can listen. In fact, whenever this child calls out “Marco,” all the other children have to yell back, “Polo.” They have to. No whispering, “polo,” either.

Of course, they can ‘run’ away as fast as you can ‘run’ in a pool (which isn’t very fast). But the person who is “it” can also run. Listening for the “Polo” that has to sound out whenever she or he says “Marco,” this child eventually catches the other children, one by one. When caught, they must close their eyes also, and join with the one who is it. Holding each others’ hands, they can become like a net that eventually catches everyone. The last child caught becomes the new “Marco,” and it starts all over again. It’s a really fun game.

The Bible story Nancy just read sounds a little like the game of “Marco Polo.” In it, there’s a man who was blind. Now, he wasn’t keeping his eyes shut like in the game. He just couldn’t see. But he could hear, and he could speak. The Bible says his name was “Bartimaeus,” but that simply means he was “Bar” or “son of” Timaeus – “Bar-Timaeus,” or “son of Timaeus,” just like I am “Bar Lawrence,” or “Son of Lawrence.”

Bartimaeus heard Jesus passing by one day and he called out “Marco.” … No, that’s not what he said. But it was kind of like that. He cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” It says he shouted it. Several times. He expected a response. The people around him were not very happy at him for yelling like this. They weren’t playing his game. Annoyed, they told him to shut up. But he didn’t. He cried out even more loudly.

At this point in the story, it’s like someone called out “Polo” to Bartimaeus’ “Marco.” Who answered him? Of course. Jesus did. Now, I don’t know how this blind man made his way to Jesus, but he did. Maybe it was the disciples saying, “he is calling you.” Bartimaeus went toward their voice, and then toward the voice of another saying the same thing, until finally, together, they came to Jesus.

Listen, because this is really important. Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “what do you want me to do for you?” Was anyone listening earlier to hear what “Bartimaeus” said in reply? He said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “let me see again.” And Jesus said, “Go, your faith has made you well.” And Bartimaeus opened his eyes, and he could see, and he followed Jesus, because – you know – Jesus was it.

Morning Prayer
(Based on Mark 10:46-52)

All: Jesus Christ, Son of David, have mercy upon us!

So many days, we are like the blind beggar in Mark's gospel, sitting on the side of the road hoping to hear the sounds of your coming.

We are like the Canaanite woman begging for the crumbs that fall from your table.

We are like the woman who was sick for so many years who reached out to touch the hem of your garment.

All: Jesus Christ, Son of David, have mercy upon us!

Have mercy upon us when we cannot see how we will make it,

Have mercy upon us when we are sick and cannot get well,

Have mercy upon us when life hardens our hearts and makes it difficult for us to love, to heal or to forgive,

Have mercy upon us when persecution comes and when we are misunderstood.

All: Jesus Christ, Son of David, we come this morning asking for strength to get to the other side, and grace to represent you well.

We come, confident that your promise to be with us always is true, confident that you are greater than the trials we face, confident that we are secure in the palm of your hands.

We come to you today, like blind Bartimaeus who sat on the side of the road to Jericho, knowing that you love us and have not forgotten our needs.

All: Jesus Christ, Son of David, have mercy upon us,
And grant us your peace. Amen.

Written by the Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua,
from "21st Century Worship Resources for
the Twenty-First Sunday Sunday after Pentecost, Year B,"
Copyright 2009 General Board of Discipleship. All Rights Reserved.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Did you know that the word, “restore” and the word “restaurant” come from the same root? It makes sense. Ideally, in a restaurant we are welcomed and fed, our health is restored (hopefully) through good food and drink. We are full and happy, having tasted goodness.

The church is like a restaurant. Here we are welcomed and sit together at the Lord’s table. Here we wait – because good things take time to cook, right? Here we feed on the good Word of God. Here we care for one another, like waiters attentive to each other’s needs. Notice how quickly we just shifted from those who are served to those who serve? In this restaurant we all get involved.

Now it may sound strange to say it, but would you leave a good restaurant without paying the bill or leaving a tip? That’s what this time of offering is about. What is this meal worth to you? When I say “meal,” you know I’m talking about more than just this hour. God’s restaurant (Jesus called it “The Kingdom of God”) is open 24/7. Of course, the good news is that God has already covered the tab. But what are we going to do in response? What are you going to do?

It’s time for the ushers to do their job.

Dedication

Redeeming Lord, we continually seek your comfortable refuge. You deliver us from our unfounded fears and provide us with miraculous examples of your love. In response, we offer these gifts. We pray that these funds will provide an outreach that warms people with your resplendent love. As a church community, we exalt and praise your holy name. Amen.

written by David S. Bell,
from Offertory Prayers for October 2009,
Copyright 2009 David S. Bell.

Benediction