FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

9‑21‑08

>> IT IS GOOD TO BE IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.

WE WELCOME EACH AND EVERY ONE TO OUR WORSHIP SERVICE THIS MORNING.

IF YOU ARE A GUEST WE ARE ESPECIALLY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU, WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL JOIN US IN THE PARLOR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SERVICE TO HAVE PUNCH SO WE ARE ABLE TO VISIT WITH ONE ANOTHER AND GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER BETTER.

WE HAVE A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS,

FIRST, MAKE SURE YOU PASS THE RED BOOKS FROM THE CENTER AISLE TO THE OUTSIDE AISLE, GIVE US YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER SO WE MAY HAVE A RECORD OF YOUR VISIT.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND A WEDNESDAY NIGHT FELLOWSHIP DINNER, MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS.

IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE THIS WEEK SO THEY WILL HAVE ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE.

THE FLOWERS, THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS THIS MORNING WERE GIVEN BY THE STAFF AND BOARD OF THE BOEHM BIRTH DEFECTS DINNER IN HONOR OF OUR OWN BETTY JOLLY'S 80TH BIRTHDAY.

[APPLAUSE]

THE CONCERNS COMMITTEE WOULD LIKE TO YOU REMEMBER THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE WHICH IS TODAY, PRAYER FOR PEACE WHICH IS A CELEBRATION OF OUR DESIRE FOR A PEACEFUL AND SUSTAINABLE WORLD AND WE CERTAINLY ALL EMBRACE THAT.

CHRISTINE IS IN DIRE NEED OF VOLUNTEERS FOR OUR CHILDREN ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT, SHE IS ASKING THAT WE VOLUNTEER JUST ONE WEDNESDAY NIGHT HERE AND THERE, NOT A WHOLE MONTH, SO, SHE WILL HAVE THE MATERIALS THERE FOR YOU, AND IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THAT, PLEASE SEE CHRISTINE AFTER THE SERVICE THIS MORNING AND SIGN UP FOR A WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

BEFORE LOUISE COMES FORWARD TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WEDNESDAY NIGHT WE JOINED THE NEW MONUMENTAL BAPTIST CHURCH FOR OUR ANNUAL GET‑TOGETHER, AND IT WAS SUCH A JOYFUL EXPERIENCE.

REVEREND CALDWELL BLESSED US WITH HIS SAXOPHONE PLAYING, SOMEONE SAID IT WAS NOT GOOSE BUMPS, IT WAS GOD BUMPS.

THEN WE ENJOYED SPIRITUAL AND TRADITIONAL HYMNS.

THEN PAUL, REVEREND PAUL GAVE US OUR STORY OF THE ROCK, THAT WHEN WE GO THROUGH TROUBLED TIMES THE ROCK IS THERE FOR US.

NEXT YEAR, REVEREND CALDWELL SAID EVEN THOUGH HE WAS RETIRING, HE HOPED OUR CHURCHES WOULD CONTINUE THIS, I THINK THEIR CONGREGATION AND OURS AMEN‑ED THAT.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

LOUISE?

>> I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE 14 ANGELS IN THIS CHURCH WHO HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN UP, OUR CHURCH IS SO GIVING TO THE COMMUNITY, AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

BUT I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT FOUR LITTLE GIRLS WHO LIVE IN HOMELESS SHELTERS, ONE IS REALTY CROSS WHO IS A THIRD GRADER AND SHE IS IN THE INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY AND THEY HAVE TWO SIBLINGS, THEY MOVE AROUND.

THEN WE HAVE MIRACLE AND SHE IS ALSO IN THE INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY WITH TWO SIBLINGS.

AND WE HAVE NIGIGA WHO IS IN KINDERGARTEN, SHE'S IN GRACE IN ACTION, AND BREANNA, AND SHE IS ALSO IN GRACE IN ACTION.

THESE ARE FOUR LITTLE GIRLS AT BROWN SCHOOL WHO NEED AN ANGEL, AND I'M HOPING THAT SOMEONE IN OUR CONGREGATION WILL HEAR THIS AND COME UP TO ME AFTER CHURCH AND SAY "I'D LIKE TO BE AN ANGEL."

I HAVE ALL THE MATERIAL THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN SO FAR.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, LOUISE.

LET'S NOW PREPARE OUR HEARTS AND MINDS FOR WORSHIP.

>> PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP.

THERE IS NO ROCK LIKE OUR GOD.

THE LORD GIVES COURAGE TO THE FAITHFUL.

THE LORD REIGNS, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD.

>> LET US STAND AND WORSHIP GOD IN SONG, NUMBER 17.

>> YOU MAY BE SEATED.

IF THE CHILDREN WILL COME FORWARD FOR WIGGLE TIME.

CHRISTINE HAS WIGGLE TIME THIS MORNING.

>> WE HAVE A NEW LITTLE ONE TODAY FOR WIGGLE TIME.

GOOD MORNING.

HE'S CUTE, ISN'T HE?

GOOD MORNING.

TODAY I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT BEING THANKFUL.

AS YOU REMEMBER, PASTOR BILLY TALKED ABOUT BEING THANKFUL, HE WANTED TO THANK HIS FRIEND FOR THE WONDERFUL COWBOY HAT.

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT BEING THANKFUL TO GOD.

LET ME ASK YOU, DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING AND SAY, "THANK YOU, GOD, FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY"?

DID YOU DO THAT?

YOU DIDN'T DO THAT?

OR DID YOU SAY, "OH, GOD, WHY DO I HAVE TO GET OUT OF BED TODAY?"

"WHY DO I HAVE TO COME TO CHURCH AND WORSHIP YOU?"

>> NO

>> YOU DIDN'T SAY THAT EITHER?

YOU DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING TODAY?

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT BEING THANKFUL.

SOME MORNINGS WE WAKE UP AND WE ARE LIKE "THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE," AND SOME MORNINGS WE ARE LIKE, "WHY DO I HAVE TO GET OUT OF BED?"

GOD CREATES EACH AND EVERY DAY AND WE SHOULD THANK GOD FOR EVERY DAY.

AND TUESDAY, DO YOU KNOW WHAT TUESDAY IS?

TUESDAY STARTS MY FAVORITE SEASON.

SOMETIMES WE CALL IT AUTUMN, SOMETIMES WE CALL IT FALL, THE LEAVES START CHANGING, AND I AM VERY THANKFUL GOD CREATED THE SEASON TO SEE ALL THE PRETTY LEAVES CHANGE COLORS.

THERE'S A MAN NAMED DAVID WHO WROTE MANY PSALMS,

THIS IS PSALM 118, IT SAYS: GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD, HIS STEADFAST LOVE LASTS FOREVER.

THIS SAYS: THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.

IT SAYS WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR EVERY DAY GOD HAS GIVEN US, FOR EVERY MORNING WE WAKE UP AND SEE ALL THE BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE AND ALL THAT GOD HAS CREATED, WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL, JUST LIKE WE SHOULD THANK OUR FRIENDS FOR THINGS THEY SEND US, WE SHOULD THANK GOD FOR ALL HE GIVES US.

WILL YOU PRAY WITH ME?

SAY IT WITH ME.

DEAR GOD, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE GIVEN US.

THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY.

IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.

ALL RIGHT.

HERE WE GO.

>> GOOD MORNING.

AT THIS TIME IN WORSHIP WE LIFT UP TO GOD OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS.

WE HAVE ANY PRAYER REQUESTS THIS MORNING?

>> I TALKED TO DON BALDWIN YESTERDAY MORNING AND SHERRY WAS DOING FINE AFTER HER SURGERY.

HE CALLED ME A LITTLE AFTER 9:00 AND SAID SHE HAD FALLEN AND BROKEN HER WRIST.

HE SAID COULD YOU PLEASE ANNOUNCE IT AND ASK FOR PRAYERS, SO KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS,

IF YOU DEBATE ABOUT SENDING THEM A CARD, SEND THEM A CARD.

>> I'D LIKE TO ASK THAT WE KEEP NANCY RICHARDSON IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, I'VE TALKED WITH HER THIS WEEK AND SHE IS PRETTY MUCH HOME‑BOUND AND I THINK A LITTLE LONELY, SAID SHE WELCOMES PHONE CALLS, VISITS, CARDS AND IF WE COULD JUST REMEMBER HER, I THINK THAT WOULD HELP CHEER HER UP A BIT.

>> DIANE AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS WITH KEVIN AND STACY AND ALI, THEY GOT TO GO HOME THIS WEEK.

THEY ARE DOING WELL, AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE PRAYERS AND THE CONCERNS FOR KEVIN AND STACY AND ALI, BUT THEY ARE DOING GREAT.

THANK YOU.

>> I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES WHO ARE TEACHING OUT IN THE HOUSTON, TEXAS, AREA, AND MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN WITHOUT POWER AND PLACES TO LIVE FOR ABOUT THE PAST WEEK AS A RESULT OF HURRICANE IKE.

SOME FRIENDS WHO TEACH, WHO ARE STILL TEACHING OUT THERE HAVE NOT YET GONE BACK TO SCHOOL, IT WILL PROBABLY BE MIDDLE OF THIS WEEK BEFORE THEY CAN START TEACHING AGAIN,

A LOT OF PLACES ARE STILL WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING AND ANY TYPE OF ELECTRICITY, SO I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO KEEP THEM IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AS WELL.

I ALSO HAVE A VERY DEAR FRIEND WHO IS A RETIRED TEACHER OUT IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND HER NAME IS DIANE, SHE IS ABOUT 57, 56 YEARS OLD, AND SHE IS IN THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS OF HER LIFE, SHE HAS TERMINAL CANCER, AND HAS BEEN REJECTED BY M. D. ANDERSON AND SEVERAL OF THE CANCER HOSPITALS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

SHE IS A VIBRANT, WONDERFUL WOMAN, AND IF YOU EVER NEW HER YOU WOULD SAY THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG THAT THIS PERSON IS AFFLICTED BY THIS DISEASE.

SHE'S TOUCHED MANY LIVES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND AROUND THE COUNTRY, SO I'D LIKE YOU TO REMEMBER DIANE IN YOUR PRAYERS AS WELL.

>> ANY OTHER PRAYER CONCERNS?

>> WELL, THIS IS A JOY, OUR SON HAS A JOB, A REAL JOB.

HE FINISHED HIS SECOND DEGREE THIS PAST JULY AND HE IS GOING TO BE WORKING AS A PARALEGAL FOR DALE BUCHANON LAW FIRM, SO WE'RE REAL EXCITED.

[APPLAUSE]

ANY OTHER PRAYER CONCERNS THIS MORNING?

LET US GO TO THE LORD IN PRAYER.

GRACIOUS GOD, TODAY WE GATHER IN YOUR NAME TO PRAISE YOU FOR SOMETIMES OUR VISION BECOMES NARROW AND WE GET CAUGHT UP IN THE BUSINESS OF THIS WORLD, BUT TODAY WE STOP AND PAUSE AND WORSHIP YOU WITH OUR MINDS AND WITH OUR HEARTS AND OUR WHOLE BODIES.

FOR WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE A GOOD GOD AND THAT YOU CONTINUE TO BRING BLESSINGS INTO OUR LIVES, ALL KINDS OF WONDERFUL GIFTS.

WE THANK YOU FOR THOSE AND ASK THAT YOU WOULD CONTINUE TO BLESS US AND LEAD US IN YOUR WAYS AND THOSE WAYS MAY NOT ONLY BE RECOGNIZABLE TO US AT FIRST, BUT AS WE OPEN OURSELVES AND LOOK DEEPLY WE SEE YOU AT WORK IN OUR LIVES AND IN EVERYTHING WE DO, FOR WE DON'T HAVE TO LOOK VERY FAR TO SEE YOU, WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE PRESENT WITH US AS WE LOOK INTO OUR NEIGHBOR'S FACE, AS WE LOOK INTO OUR CHILDREN'S FACES, AS WE LOOK INTO THE WORLD AND SEE THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING AND LESS FORTUNATE THAN US, LET US NOT FORGET THOSE WHO ARE HURTING TODAY, FOR THOSE WHO ARE STILL SUFFERING BECAUSE OF HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS, GIVE THEM COMFORT TODAY AND ALLOW THEM TO EXPERIENCE SOME PEACE IN THE MIDST OF ALL THIS TROUBLE.

WE LIFT UP THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN AND BROKEN BONES, BE WITH THEM, GIVE THEM PEACE, GIVE THEM PEACE IN HEALING, LIFT UP THOSE WHO ARE TOWARDS THE END OF THEIR LIFE DUE TO ILLNESS AND DISEASE, GIVE THEM COMFORT AND PEACE DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME, AND WE LIFT UP THOSE AROUND THE WORLD WHO ARE SUFFERING, BRING AN END TO VIOLENCE, DISEASE, POVERTY AND ALL THOSE THINGS THAT WEIGH ON PEOPLE'S SOULS.

AND THIS MORNING WE REMEMBER THE GREAT GIFT YOU HAVE GIVEN US IN YOUR SON JESUS, HE CONTINUES TO TEACH US HOW TO LOVE, HOW TO SHOW GRACE AND MERCY AND HOW TO SHARE THE GOSPEL MESSAGE WITH THE WORLD.

AND NOW LET US PRAY AS HE TAUGHT US TO PRAY:

OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME, THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL, FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY FOREVER.

AMEN.

>> NOW WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD AND REMEMBER THAT AS WE LET GO AND OFFER OURSELVES, IT IS GOD THAT IS THERE TO HOLD ONTO EACH ONE OF US, SUSTAIN US AND HOLD US UP.

THIS PAST FRIDAY, I WAS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO GO TO THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN AND THEY TOLD ME WHEN I GOT THERE I WOULD BE SERVING THE ENTRE ‑‑ MADE ME NERVOUS, THEY DIDN'T TEACH THAT CLASS IN SEMINARY.

FORTUNATELY THINGS WENT SMOOTHLY AND I REMEMBERED AS WE GIVE WE RECEIVE GOD'S GRACE.

AS WE OFFER OURSELVES, WE KNOW WE ARE PRESENT WITH THE LORD.

THIS MORNING GIVE GRACIOUSLY, GIVE OUT OF THE LOVE THAT GOD EXTENDS TO US.

[APPLAUSE]

THE PSALTER THIS MORNING IS PSALM 22, PAGE 732, LISTEN TO THE MELODY AND THEN WE WILL SING THE RESPONSES.

[SINGING] ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH SHALL REMEMBER AND TURN UNTO GOD.

>> MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?

WHY ARE YOU SO FAR FROM HELPING ME FROM THE WORDS OF MY GROANING?

O MY GOD, I CRY BY DAY BUT YOU DO NOT ANSWER AND BY NIGHT, BUT FIND NO REST.

>> YET YOU ARE HOLY, ENTHRONED ON THE PRAISES OF ISRAEL .

>> IN YOU OUR ANCESTORS TRUSTED, THEY TRUSTED AND YOU DELIVERED THEM.

>> TO YOU THEY CRIED AND WERE SAVED.

IN YOU THEY TRUSTED, AND WERE NOT PUT TO SHAME.

[SINGING] ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH SHALL REMEMBER AND TURN UNTO GOD.

>> BUT I AM A WORM AND NOT HUMAN, SCORNED BY OTHERS AND DESPISED BY THE PEOPLE.

>> ALL WHO SEE ME MOCK AT ME, THEY MAKE MOUTHS AT ME, THEY SHAKE THEIR HEADS.

>> COMMIT YOUR CAUSE TO THE LORD, LET HIM DELIVER, LET HIM RESCUE THE ONE IN WHOM HE DELIGHTS.

>> YET IT WAS YOU WHO TOOK ME FROM THE WOMB, YOU KEPT ME SAFE ON MY MOTHER'S BREAST.

>> ON YOU I WAS CAST FROM MY BIRTH AND SINCE MY MOTHER BORE ME, YOU HAVE BEEN MY GOD.

>> DO NOT BE FAR FROM ME, FOR TROUBLE IS NEAR AND THERE IS NO ONE TO HELP.

[SINGING] ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH SHALL REMEMBER AND TURN UNTO GOD.

>> OUR READING THIS MORNING COMES FROM THE BOOK OF MATTHEW STARTING WITH CHAPTER 20:1‑16.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW ALONG, YOU CAN FIND THIS IN YOUR PEW BIBLE ON PAGE 854.

LISTEN FOR THE WORD OF THE LORD.

FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE A LANDOWNER WHO WENT OUT EARLY IN THE MORNING TO HIRE LABORERS FOR HIS VINEYARD.

AFTER AGREEING WITH THE LABORERS FOR THE USUAL DAILY WAGE HE SENT THEM INTO HIS VINEYARD.

HE WENT OUT ABOUT 9:00, HE SAW OTHERS STANDING IDLE IN THE MARKETPLACE AND SAID TO THEM YOU ALSO GO INTO THE VINEYARD AND I WILL PAY YOU WHATEVER IS RIGHT, SO THEY WENT.

WHEN HE WENT OUT AGAIN ABOUT NOON AND ABOUT 3:00 HE DID THE SAME.

AT ABOUT 5:00 HE WENT OUT AND FOUND OTHERS STANDING AROUND AND HE SAID TO THEM, WHY ARE YOU STANDING HERE IDLE ALL DAY?

THEY SAID TO HIM: BECAUSE NO ONE HAS HIRED US.

HE SAID TO THEM: YOU ALSO GO UNTO THE VINEYARD.

WHEN EVENING CAME THE OWNER OF THE VINEYARD SAID TO HIS MANAGER: CALL THE LABORERS AND GIVE THEM THEIR PAY BEGINNING WITH THE LAST AND THEN GOING TO THE FIRST.

WHEN THOSE HIRED ABOUT 5:00 CAME, EACH OF THEM RECEIVED THE USUAL DAILY WAGE.

NOW, WHEN THE FIRST CAME THEY THOUGHT THEY WOULD RECEIVE MORE.

BUT EACH OF THEM ALSO RECEIVED THE USUAL DAILY WAGE.

AND WHEN THEY RECEIVED IT THEY GRUMBLED AGAINST THE LANDOWNER SAYING: THESE LAST WORKED ONLY ONE HOUR AND YOU HAVE MADE THEM EQUAL TO US WHO HAVE BORNE THE BURDEN OF THE DAY IN THE HEAT.

BUT HE REPLIED TO ONE OF THEM: FRIEND, I AM DOING YOU NO WRONG.

DID YOU NOT AGREE WITH ME FOR THE USUAL DAY'S WAGE?

TAKE WHAT BELONGS TO YOU AND GO.

I CHOOSE TO GIVE TO THE LAST THE SAME AS I GIVE TO YOU.

AM I NOT ALLOWED TO DO WHAT I CHOOSE WITH WHAT BELONGS TO ME?

OR ARE YOU ENVIOUS BECAUSE I AM GRACIOUS AND GENEROUS?

SO, THE LAST WILL BE FIRST AND THE FIRST WILL BE LAST.

AND THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

>> LET US PRAY.

SOFTLY.

GRACIOUS GOD, WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR THESE WORDS.

FOR THEY ARE YOUR WORDS.

OPEN OUR HEARTS AND OUR MINDS THAT WE MIGHT UNDERSTAND THESE WORDS.

AND HELP THIS, YOUR WEAK SERVANT, SHARE THESE GRACIOUS WORDS.

IN CHRIST'S NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.

THE PARABLE JUST READ BY SKIP IS A FAMILIAR SCENE IN FIRST CENTURY PALESTINE, FOR THOSE WHO DID NOT HAVE A TRADE OR SPECIAL SKILL, THEY NEEDED TO FIND WORK, AND SO EARLY BEFORE DAWN THEY WOULD GET TO THE CENTER OF THE VILLAGE HOPING THAT A FARMER WOULD COME, A VINEYARD OWNER WOULD COME AND OFFER THEM A JOB, SO, THEY WOULD COME AND THEY WOULD CONGREGATE AND LOOK FOR A 12‑HOUR DAY.

THEY HAD NO REGULAR JOB, THEY HAD NO PROPERTY, THEY WERE IN POVERTY, MUCH LIKE OUR OWN MIGRANT WORKERS OF TODAY, THEY WERE AT THE MERCY OF OTHERS FOR ANY SORT OF EMPLOYMENT.

EVERYTHING IS FINE IN THIS PARABLE, THE MAN COMES, THE VINEYARD OWNER, HE HIRES SOME PEOPLE, THEN HE HIRES SOME MORE PEOPLE AND THEN HE HIRES SOME MORE PEOPLE, PEOPLE THAT NEED TO MAKE MONEY SO THEY CAN FEED THEIR FAMILY.

EVERYTHING IS FINE IN THIS PARABLE UNTIL THE END OF THE DAY WHEN THEY GET TO THE PAY WINDOW.

AND SOME OF THEM AREN'T HAPPY.

THE ONES WHO STARTED BEFORE DAWN ARE GETTING PAID THE SAME AS THOSE WHO CAME LATE IN THE MORNING AND LATE IN THE AFTERNOON.

AND THE VINEYARD WORKER SAID: I PAID YOU EXACTLY WHAT I AGREED TO PAY YOU AT 6:00 THIS MORNING.

HE SAYS: CAN'T I DO WITH MY ABUNDANCE WHAT I WANT?

OR DO YOU BEGRUDGE ME MY GENEROSITY?

WE LOOK AT THIS PARABLE AND SAY IT'S UNFAIR.

THIS PARABLE ISN'T ABOUT FAIRNESS, IT ISN'T ABOUT UNIONIZING, IT ISN'T ABOUT WORKERS' RIGHTS OR MANAGEMENT'S RIGHTS.

I USED TO THINK THAT.

BUT I STARTED ON THE WRONG END OF THIS PARABLE.

SEE, IT STARTS ON GRACE, NOT ENTITLEMENT.

NOT ENTITLEMENT.

I THINK THE PARABLE TEACHES THAT LIFE IS A GIFT AND WHEN WE REALIZE THIS, IT SHOULD CHANGE OUR FOCUS.

IT SHOULD CHANGE OUR FOCUS.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES IN MY LIFE WHERE I THOUGHT I WAS ENTITLED TO SOMETHING, WE HAVE ALL PROBABLY HAD THAT COME TO US WHERE I DESERVE THIS, THIS SHOULD BE MINE.

AND WHEN YOU START DOING THAT, YOUR HEART BECOMES BITTER, YOU BECOME ENVIOUS AND JEALOUS OF OTHER PEOPLE AND OTHER THINGS.

WHEN I READ THIS PARABLE I WONDER IF JESUS ISN'T ZINGING THE PHARISEES A LITTLE, THEY HAVE THE THOUGHT OF ENTITLEMENT, I WONDER IF HE'S NOT ‑‑ IT'S REALLY NOT ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK IT IS ABOUT, YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO ANYTHING.

LIFE IS A GIFT.

FAITH IS ABOUT GRACE.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S THIS PARABLE ABOUT THIS POLISH FARMER WHO FOR GENERATIONS, HIS FAMILY HAS BEEN POOR.

POOR, POOR, POOR, GENERATION AFTER GENERATION.

ONE EVENING HE IS VISITED BY THE ANGEL OF THE LORD.

AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD SAYS: YOU HAVE FOUND FAVOR WITH GOD.

YOU CAN MAKE THREE WISHES AND THE LORD WILL GRANT THEM.

ONE CONDITION, THOUGH, EVERYTHING YOU RECEIVE YOUR NEIGHBOR WILL GET A DOUBLE PORTION.

HE WOKE UP AND DECIDED TO PUT GOD TO THE TEST.

AND HE ASKED FOR A THOUSAND CATTLE.

THE NEXT DAY ALL AROUND HIS HOUSE WERE A THOUSAND CATTLE.

AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS HE WAS WALKING AROUND HIS LAND TRYING TO FIND A GOOD PIECE OF LAND WHERE HE COULD PUT HIS NEW BARN BECAUSE HE HAD A THOUSAND CATTLE, HE NEEDED A NEW BARN, AND HE WALKED ON TOP OF ONE OF HIS HILLS AND HE LOOKED OVER AND SAW HIS NEIGHBOR'S LAND AND HE COULDN'T BELIEVE IT, THE NEIGHBOR HAD 2000 CATTLE.

HE SAID, WHOA, 2,000 HEADS OF CATTLE?

HE WAS SO UPSET, HE WENT HOME, WENT STRAIGHT TO BED BUT HE COULDN'T SLEEP BECAUSE EVERY TIME HE CLOSED HIS EYES ALL HE THOUGHT ABOUT WAS THE NEIGHBOR AND THE 2,000 CATTLE.

HE THOUGHT HE WOULD ASK GOD FOR THE SECOND THING.

YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE ANY CHILDREN AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CHILD.

LO AND BEHOLD, HIS WIFE WAS WITH CHILD AND IT TOOK THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF TIME AND THEY HAD A BOY.

THE FOLLOWING SABBATH HE WENT TO THE TEMPLE, TO SYNAGOGUE TO SHARE HIS JOY, HE GOT UP AND SAID: WE HAVE A WONDERFUL JOY IN OUR FAMILY, MY WIFE AS GIVEN BIRTH TO OUR FIRST CHILD, A BOY.

THEN RIGHT BEHIND HIM HIS NEIGHBOR STOOD UP AND SAID: WE HAVE A WONDERFUL JOY ALSO, MY WIFE GAVE BIRTH TO TWINS.

THE FARMER WAS JUST TICKED OFF, HE COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

HE WAS SO ANGRY THAT HE GOT UP FROM THE SYNAGOGUE, WENT HOME AND HE WAS JUST FUMING.

LATER THAT EVENING HE SAID: I KNOW MY THIRD WISH.

AND HE SAID TO THE ANGEL OF THE LORD: I WANT YOU TO GOUGE OUT MY RIGHT EYE.

HUH.

RIGHT THEN THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED AND ASKED HIM WHY HAD HE TURNED TO HAVING SUCH VENGEFUL DESIRES?

YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU ‑‑ IF GOD GRANTS THIS WISH, YOUR NEIGHBOR WILL BE BLIND.

AND THE POLISH FARMER WITH ALL THIS PENT UP ANGER REPLIED: I CAN'T STAND TO SEE MY NEIGHBOR PROSPER.

I WOULD GLADLY LOSE MY EYE JUST TO KNOW THAT MY NEIGHBOR COULD NEVER SEE HIS PROSPERITY AGAIN.

AND THE ANGEL HAD TEARS IN HIS EYES, AND HE SAID: YOUR REQUEST WILL NOT BE GRANTED, NOT BECAUSE GOD DOESN'T KEEP HIS PROMISES, NOT BECAUSE THE LORD LACKS INTEGRITY, BUT BECAUSE GOD IS FULL OF MERCY.

BUT KNOW THIS, THE ANGEL SAID, YOU HAVE BROUGHT SADNESS NOT ONLY TO YOURSELF BUT TO THE VERY HEART OF GOD.

YOU SEE, WHEN WE ARE FILLED WITH ENVY AND WE LOOK TO OTHERS WITH ENVY, JOY CAN EASILY BE TURNED INTO BITTERNESS.

I MEAN, IF YOU WANT TO BE MISERABLE CONSTANTLY, COMPARE WHAT YOU HAVE TO WHAT SOME OTHERS HAVE.

I HAD A FRIEND LIKE THAT, HIS NAME IS MICHAEL, HE IS NOW DECEASED AND WE WOULD GATHER EVERY MONTH, MICHAEL AND A FEW OTHER FRIENDS, AND MICHAEL WOULD COMPLAIN EVERY MONTH ABOUT WHAT HE DIDN'T HAVE AND WHAT HE WANTED AND WHAT HE THOUGHT HE WAS ENTITLED TO, EVERY MONTH, HE WAS NEVER HAPPY.

NEVER HAPPY.

HE HAD A STROKE AND DIED TOO YOUNG, I WISH I COULD SAY THAT THIS HAD A HAPPY ENDING AND THAT MICHAEL ALL OF A SUDDEN SAW LIFE AS A GIFT, BUT HE DIDN'T.

HE DIDN'T.

HE DIED WITH BITTERNESS.

HE DIED WITH ENVY.

NEVER HAPPY.

NEVER JOYFUL.

IF I START COMPARING, YOU KNOW, MY BODY TO ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, MY MIND TO STEPHEN HAWKINGS ‑‑ IT'S OKAY TO LAUGH AT THE MINISTER ‑‑ OR WARREN BUFFET.

I REMEMBER A STORY OF A GIRL BORN WITHOUT TWO ARMS, SHE COULDN'T FEED HERSELF, DRESS HERSELF OR ANYTHING ON HER OWN.

SHE HAD BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND SHE WAS ABOUT 21 YEARS OLD.

HER BROTHER HAD COME HOME FROM THANKSGIVING BREAK WITH ONE OF HIS COLLEGE ROOMMATES WHO HAPPENED TO BE A PHILOSOPHY MAJOR, AND HE ASKED HER SOME QUESTIONS.

HE SAID: WHAT KEEPS YOU FROM BLOWING UP AT WHATEVER KIND OF GOD WOULD HAVE LET YOU BE BORN INTO THIS WORLD THIS WAY?

HOW DO YOU KEEP FROM BEING RESENTFUL?

THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID: I REALIZED COMPARED TO WHAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE WHAT I HAVE DOESN'T SEEM LIKE MUCH.

BUT, LISTEN, I CAN SEE, I CAN HEAR, I CAN TASTE, I CAN SMELL, I'VE READ GREAT WORKS OF LITERATURE AND HEARD SOME OF THE BEST MUSIC WRITTEN.

I'VE HAD SOME OF THE BEST FRIENDSHIPS.

IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE MUCH WHEN COMPARED TO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE, BUT COMPARED TO NEVER GETTING TO BE AT ALL?

I WOULDN'T MISS BEING BORN FOR ANYTHING AT ALL.

HOW AND WHY DOES SHE HAVE THIS ATTITUDE?

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE SOMEONE TAUGHT HER THAT LIFE WAS A GIFT.

IN JESUS' PARABLE EVERY ONE OF THE WORKERS HAD REASON TO BE GRATEFUL, IF THEY ONLY REMEMBERED THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES BEFORE DAWN.

BEFORE DAWN THEY HAD NOUGHT, BEFORE DAWN THEY WERE HOPING AND DESPERATE FOR WORK SO THEY COULD FEED THEIR FAMILY.

THE VINEYARD OWNER ALSO POINTS TO OUR POTENTIAL.

IN THE END HE IS A MODEL OF HOW WEALTH CAN BE USED CREATIVELY AND COMPASSIONATELY.

I MEAN, WHAT HE DID FOR THOSE LAST FOUR GROUPS OF WORKERS WAS MOTIVATED BY CONCERN, THEY ALL HAD FAMILIES TO FEED, ALL OF THEM NEEDED THAT FULL DENARIUS OR THAT DOLLAR.

HE WAS THINKING ABOUT THEM, NOT THE SERVICE HE RECEIVED, HE WASN'T THINKING OF THE CONCEPT OF FAIRNESS.

HE WAS THINKING ABOUT GENEROSITY.

GENEROSITY.

THERE IS THIS BEAUTIFUL PARABLE ABOUT A FATHER AND TWO SONS, THE FATHER WAS AN IDEAL MENTOR, HE TOOK HIS BOYS TO THE FIELDS AS SOON AS THEY WERE BIG ENOUGH TO WALK AND TAUGHT THEM ALL ABOUT FARMING.

WHEN HE DIED, INSTEAD OF DIVIDING THEIR INHERITANCE, THEY CONTINUED TO WORK TOGETHER.

TO BE PARTNERS.

EACH CONTRIBUTING HIS BEST GIFTS AND DIVIDING EVERY HARVEST STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE.

STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE.

ONE OF THE BOYS WAS MARRIED AND HAD 10 CHILDREN, THE OTHER REMAINED A BACHELOR.

ONE NIGHT DURING A PARTICULARLY BOUNTIFUL HARVEST THE BACHELOR BROTHER THOUGHT TO HIMSELF: MY BROTHER HAS 12 MOUTHS TO FEED AND I HAVE ONLY ONE.

HE REALLY NEEDS MORE OF THIS HARVEST THAN I DO.

BUT I KNOW HIM, HE IS TOO FAIR AND HE WON'T RENEGOTIATE OUR AGREEMENT, I KNOW WHAT I WILL DO.

I'LL TAKE SOME OF MY HARVEST AND SLIP IT OVER IN HIS BARN AT NIGHT SO HE CAN HAVE MORE FOR HIS FAMILY.

AT THE VERY SAME TIME THE MARRIED BROTHER WAS SAYING TO HIMSELF: GOD HAS BLESSED ME WITH THIS FINE FAMILY, MY CHILDREN WILL TAKE CARE OF US WHEN WE ARE OLD, MY BROTHER ISN'T AS FORTUNATE.

HE NEEDS MORE OF THIS HARVEST TO PROVIDE FOR HIS OLD AGE, BUT I KNOW HIM, HE IS TOO FAIR, HE WON'T RENEGOTIATE OUR AGREEMENT.

I KNOW WHAT I WILL DO, I WILL TAKE SOME OF MY HARVEST AND SLIP IT INTO HIS BARN TO BUILD UP A NEST EGG FOR THE FUTURE.

ONE NIGHT WHEN THE MOON WAS FULL THESE BROTHERS CAME FACE TO FACE AS THEY CAME TO THE BARN.

EACH OF THEM ON THIS MISSION OF GENEROSITY.

THE OLD RABBI THAT TELLS THIS STORY SAYS THERE WASN'T A CLOUD IN THE SKY BUT AS THE TWO BROTHERS MET AND AS THEY STARTED TO CRY AS THEY UNDERSTOOD EACH OTHER'S MOTIVATION, A GENTLE RAIN BEGAN TO FALL.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT WAS SAYS THE RABBI?

IT WAS GOD WEEPING FOR JOY BECAUSE TWO OF HIS CHILDREN HAD GOTTEN THE POINT.

THE REAL SECRET OF HUMAN JOY IS SHARING WHAT WE HAVE WITH OTHERS RATHER THAN HOARDING EVERYTHING FOR OURSELVES.

I BET GOD CRIED FOR JOY OVER THE VINEYARD OWNER'S ACTION, BECAUSE THE VINEYARD OWNER MODELED WHAT IT MEANS TO BE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF A GENEROUS GOD, AND HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS, THE VERY GOOD NEWS FOR ALL OF US: WE ARE ALL MADE IN THAT GENEROUS IMAGE.

WE ARE ALL MADE IN THAT GENEROUS IMAGE.

AND ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN SAID AMEN.

AS WE STAND TO SING "I LOVE YOU, LORD" IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO WISHES TO JOIN WITH THE GENEROUS GOD, COME FORWARD AND PROFESS YOUR FAITH, OR ANYONE WHO WISHES TO JOIN FIRST CHRISTIAN, A GENEROUS CONGREGATION, I INVITE YOU TO DO SO.

LET US STAND AND SING.

>> YOU MAY BE SEATED.

>> AS WE SIT AT GOD'S TABLE THIS MORNING AND EAT AND DRINK, WE ARE REMINDED WE ARE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF A GENEROUS GOD AND THAT WE ARE TO COME LETTING GO OF ALL THAT WE HOLD ONTO.

IN OUR PSALTER THIS MORNING OUR RESPONSE WAS ALL THE END OF THE EARTH SHALL REMEMBER AND TURN TO GOD.

THIS IS A REMINDER WE ARE CONNECTED TO ALL OF GOD'S CREATION AND ULTIMATELY WE ARE REMINDED IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD AND IT IS A GIFT TO US.

KEEP THAT IN PERSPECTIVE THIS MORNING AS WE CELEBRATE COMMUNION AND REMEMBER THAT WE ARE, INDEED, MADE IN THE IMAGE OF A GENEROUS GOD AND WE NOW TURN TO HIM LETTING GO OF ALL THE THINGS THAT WE CLING TO AND KNOWING THAT HE WILL HOLD ONTO US AND FILL US WITH HIS LOVING GRACE.

>> THE LORD INVITES ALL THOSE WHO SEEK HIM FOR THIS IS HIS TABLE.

LET US SHARE IN OUR PRAYER OF CONFESSION.

WHEN WE LOSE PATIENCE, WHEN WE ARE UNKIND, WHEN WE ARE ENVIOUS, WHEN WE ARE RUDE OR PROUD, WHEN WE ARE SELFISH OR IRRITABLE AND WHEN WE WILL NOT FORGIVE, HAVE MERCY ON US, O GOD.

HELP US NOT TO DELIGHT IN EVIL, BUT TO REJOICE IN THE TRUTH.

HELP US ALWAYS TO PROTECT, TO TRUST, TO HOPE AND TO PERSEVERE, THEN SHALL WE SEE YOU FACE TO FACE AND LEARN TO LOVE AS YOU LOVE US

IN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN.

LET US REMAIN SEATED AS WE SING OUR COMMUNION HYMN, "LO, I AM WITH YOU."

>> FOR I RECEIVED FROM THE LORD WHAT I ALSO HANDED ONTO YOU, THAT THE LORD JESUS ON THE NIGHT WHEN HE WAS BETRAYED TOOK A LOAF OF BREAD AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS HE BROKE IT AND SAID: THIS IS MY BODY THAT IS FOR YOU, DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

IN THE SAME WAY HE TOOK THE CUP ALSO AFTER SUPPER SAYING THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD, DO THIS AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

>> ELDER: DEAR JESUS, AS WE COME TO ANOTHER WEEK AROUND THIS TABLE WE JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE JOYS THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US, BUT MOST OF ALL WE THANK YOU FOR THIS BREAD THAT IS A TOKEN OF YOUR BODY THAT WAS ON THE CROSS THAT WE MIGHT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.

>> ELDER: FATHER, WE COME TO THIS TABLE EVERY SUNDAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN GIVING US YOUR SON JESUS TO TAKE AWAY OUR SINS, HELP US COME MORE OFTEN AND GIVE BACK TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST AND REMIND US DAILY THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US YOUR SON.

GIVE US THIS REMINDER AS WE TAKE THIS CUP.

>> LET US SHARE IN OUR PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING.

O GOD OF LIGHT, WE THANK YOU FOR THE BRIGHTNESS OF YOUR COUNTENANCE SHINING IN THE FACE OF JESUS.

AS WE DEPART FROM THIS TABLE MAY CHRIST'S LIGHT SO SHINE THROUGH US THAT OTHERS MAY SEE OUR GOOD WORKS AND GIVE YOU GLORY.

AMEN.

THE CHORAL BENEDICTION IS "THE CHURCH'S ONE FOUNDATION," NUMBER 272.

LET US STAND AND WORSHIP IN SONG.

>> I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALL GOT TO MEET WILLIAM THOMAS WILEY, THE SMITHSONS' NEW GRANDBABY.

ALL RIGHT.

WILL YOU RECEIVE THE BENEDICTION?

LET US GO FORTH IN PEACE WITH GENEROUS HEARTS, ALWAYS REMEMBERING THE GRACIOUS WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS, BE NOT AFRAID, BE NOT AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN UNTO THE END, AMEN.