Yesterday in worship we talked about Stewardship and the Biblical practice of tithing. Adam Hamilton illustrated this for us with the idea that God gives us 10 apples. Nine of those apples are for us to use for food, shelter, entertainment, etc. One of those apples is for us to give back to God. Too often, though, we think we can't live on nine apples. We begin to take bites out of God's apple because we think we need to.... to take that vacation or buy that new car or pay for an emergency we didn't plan ahead for. Before we know it, God's apple is all gone!

As we continue thinking about Stewardship and our practice of giving, here are a few questions to consider:

Read Mark 12:41-44. What does it mean to give sacrificially? Has anyone ever sacrificed something so that you could have something? What was that like for you? How has this generous person affected your own vision of what matters in life?

Read Matthew 25:34-40. What moves you or motivates you to be generous?

Read Luke 12:41-48. How much do you believe you have been given? How close are you to doing all that you can do with what you have been given? What practical steps can you take to increase your generosity in the next twelve months?

Tithing isn't something we talk about often in church, but we all know that it is a Biblical principle. The Scriptures encourage us to give 10% of what we have to God. Rev. Adam Hamilton shares a humorous story about tithing in his Stewardship Resource Enough.

I recall a story told by Peter Marshall, who was chaplain of the United States Senate for many years. There was a man who struggled to tithe even though he had a large income. The man said to Marshall, "I have a problem. I used to tithe regularly some years ago, but...but now...I am earning $500,000 a year, and there is just no way I can afford to give about $50,000."

Marshall reflected on this wealthy man's dilemma but gave no advice. He simply said, "I can certainly see your problem. Let's pray about it." The man agreed. So Marshall bowed his head and prayed with boldness and authority, "Heavenly Father, I pray that you would reduce this man's salary back to the place that he can afford to tithe."

This story is funny, but is speaks to a basic human condition. The more we have, the more we tend to think we need. Yet, whether we make $50,000 or $500,000 everything we have is a gift from God.

How do you respond to the Scriptures' encouragement to give? Have you considered a tithe? How do you honor God for the blessings you receive?

Yesterday United Methodists in New England joined with our Evangelical Lutheran brothers and sisters in a service celebrating the joining of our two denominations in full communion.

This historic union is described in the article below. The link to this article, along with more information can be found here.




Full communion is not a merger, but means that the two churches express a common confession of Christian faith and mutual recognition of Baptism and sharing Holy Communion; agree to mutual recognition of ordained ministers for service, upon request, in either church; express a common commitment to evangelism, witness and service; engage in common decision-making on critical matters; and mutually lift criticisms that may exist between the churches.

Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed!

Our nice dresses and suits have been put back in the closets. The candy has been eaten. Relatives have gone home and leftover ham has been packed away in the fridge. We've gone back to work and school. But Easter is not over. Christ is still risen! Risen indeed!

I've heard it said that it is best to go through life with low expectations. That way you won't be disappointed! There may be some truth to that proverb, but I don't think it applies to Easter! On Easter our expectations can't be too high. Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed!

Resurrection is always unexpected. Despite all their time with Jesus, Mary and the Disciples still didn't expect it. That Jesus was raised from the dead was a shocking and wonderful surprise and it is still shocking and wonderful today.

Our lives can be shaped by our expectations. When we expect little of ourselves we often get little from ourselves. When we don't expect to see Jesus in our daily lives, we will miss him at every turn. Perhaps this a good time to ask ourselves some questions.

~What do you expect from life? From ministry? From your family? From your neighborhood? From your church? From your community?

~ When have you been surprised or caught off guard by good news and unforeseen joy?

~ What are you expecting from Easter?

May Christ meet you on this Easter and always. And may we all have eyes to see the Risen Christ in our midst. Amen!

As we enter into the Holiest of Weeks, I invite you to join me in prayer. I also encourage you to read the Scriptures of this week which bring us from the Meal in the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane and, finally, to the Cross.

You are also welcome to join us for Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service at 7:30pm and Good Friday Quiet Mediation from 12-3pm. Remembering the significance of these days lead us to experience the profound joy of Easter morning.

Lord Jesus Christ,
in this sacred and solemn week
when we see again
the depth and mystery of your redeeming love,
help us to follow where you go,
to stop where you stumble,
to listen when you cry,
to hurt as you suffer,
to bow our heads in sorrow as you die,
so that, when you are raised to life again,
we may share in your endless joy. Amen.

(from the United Church of Canada worship resource, "Celebrating God's Presence" UCPH, 2000)

will I lay my cloak before you,
when they arrest you on olive mountain,
or pull it tighter around me,
fading into the ranks of the deserters;

will I shout
'Blessed is the one who comes
in the name of the Lord!'
when they parade you
before the authorities,
or will I tell any one - and every one - around me
I never met you in my life;

will I lay my palm branches at your feet,
as they march you to Calvary,
or use them to put more stripes
on your bloody back;

will I run behind you
when they carry you to the tomb,
or turn away
as the ashes of my hopes
are rubbed into the
wounds in my heart?

~ author unknown