October 14 – Twentieth after Pentecost

 

Job 23:1–9, 16–17

Job offers his complaint against God.

 

Psalm 22:1–15 (VU pp. 744–745 Part One)

My God, why have you forsaken me?

 

Hebrews 4:12–16

The word of God is living, active, sharper than a two-edged sword.

 

Mark 10:17–31

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.

Spark

World Food Day is observed around this time. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank produces great resources to help churches learn about food justice and participate in the Fast for Change. Look for liturgical resources and great videos at www.fastforchange.ca or www.foodgrainsbank.ca.

Theme Engagement Question

“It will never happen.” “I can’t do that!” What has God made possible in your life that at one time you considered impossible?

With Children

What did Jesus mean by using the image of the camel and the eye of a needle? Demonstrate with a large darning needle. What size thread will go through the needle’s eye? Use a toy camel. Would it go through the eye? Would a real camel? Why is it so hard to give up or share what we own? With cold weather coming soon, you could talk with the children and congregation about how they could give up some of their possessions. For example, encourage the congregation to have a winter coat drive for a local outreach agency.

Sermon Starter

Stewardship campaigns are often in full swing at this time of year. Jesus can sound quite harsh in his judgment of the wealthy and their entrance into the realm of God, but Christians are called to be countercultural and share what they have. For comfortable, middle-class Christians, Jesus’ discussion of wealth and of giving up possessions is hard to hear. Shane Claiborne is one who is following this call and he shares some of his story in The Irresistible Revolution (Zondervan, 2006). The gospel text invites us to explore how we share our wealth. How do we share our wealth? What do we receive when we share? How are we changed in this life? Jesus’ words are encouraging when he says, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” What do we think is impossible? What does God make possible through us?

Hymns

Hebrew Scripture

VU 670            “Precious Lord, take my hand”

MV 72             “Why stand so far away”

MV 85             “Take, O take me as I am”

 

Psalm

MV 73             “O God, why are you silent?”

 

Epistle

VU 322            “O God, whose first creative word”

VU 498            “God, who has caused to be written”

MV 97             “Listen, God is calling”

MV 108           “I know your word”

 

Gospel

VU 120            “O Jesus, I have promised”

VU 506            “Take my life and let it be”

VU 567            “Will you come and follow me”

VU 702            “When a poor one”