If you love money, you will never be satisfied; if you long to be rich, you will never get all you want. It is useless. Eccl 5 :10

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1 Money If you love money, you will never be satisfied; if you long to be rich, you will never get all you want. It is useless. Eccl 5 :10 P: Dear Lord, help us to be reminded through this service that life is not only about money and work is not about toil and labour. Let us learn that success is not proportional to the wealth we acquire, but it is in our experiences of life, making the best of what we do and sharing our rewards without count. Opening Hymn All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my Guide? Heav nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, whate er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well; For I know, whate er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well. All the way my Savior leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread; Gives me grace for every trial, Feeds me with the living Bread. Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see; Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see. All the way my Savior leads me O the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised In my Father s house above. When my spirit, clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day This my song through endless ages Jesus led me all the way; This my song through endless ages Jesus led me all the way. Words: Fanny Crosby Music: Robert Lowry Kauma P. Glory be to the Father our Creator, to the Son our Redeemer and to the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us. C. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. P. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory, hosanna in the highest. C. Blessed is He that has come and is to come again in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. P. Holy art thou, O God C. Holy art thou, Almighty God P. Holy art thou, Immortal Lord.

2 C. O Lord ; the Messiah : who was crucified for us have mercy on us P. O Lord, have mercy on us. C. O Lord, have mercy on us and bless us. P. O Lord, accept our prayers and worship and have mercy on us C. Glory be to you, O God. P. Glory be to you O Creator C. Glory be to you, O King the Messiah ;who has mercy on us sinners. Bless us O Lord. (Let us sing together the prayer that Jesus taught us) All: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it done in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is kingdom, the power, and the glory, Forever. Amen. The first and second lesson (Cong to be seated) MEDITATION L: What is God Teaching You During This Recession We're living in challenging economic times. Some of us have lost our jobs or have to take on second jobs to make ends meet. Many of us are now cutting corners, cutting back and even cutting our own hair to try and save money so that we have enough to pay the bills at the end of the month. It is during times like this that we can learn an important lesson about God and His love for us. We can't blame God for our financial burdens. He did not cause the current economic crisis, and recessions are brought on by man's many mistakes and various world events. But God isn't surprised by the recession, either. He is the beginning and end of all things and knows the past, present and future. Through it all, He also knows our real needs, not the need of money and possessions that have gripped most of us in the past. Fortunately, He is always there for us and reminds us: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence,' The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man to do me?'" Hebrews 13:5-6 This is such a powerful Bible verse because it holds so much we can hold onto during bad times. First, it reminds us that we must not give in to the love of money. The more we obsess possessions and success, the farther we remove ourselves from God's loving presence. If we worry constantly about what our financial future holds, we are shortchanging God, because if we truly believe in Him and trust in Him, we don't have to worry at all! With the Lord granting us forgiveness of our sins and promising us eternal life, how can we be afraid of what we are facing in this world? We can be content knowing that the Lord will provide what we need in this world and will prepare us for glory in the next. Know these things, how can we help but be content with our lives, knowing that we have everything that we really need, and so much more! Robert Moment Thanksgiving L: Greed to Seed I used to worship money An idol built of greed

3 My life revolved around the lump Amassed, just for my need I used to guard it carefully And watch it ebb and flow Was overjoyed to see it come But sad to see it go. Charity began at home My needs were paramount The poor and needy had to wait Their poverty didn't count But then I had a change of life And I asked Jesus in But kept my wallet firmly closed My wealth was not a sin. Bit by bit, my hardened heart Was softened by His love And off my greedy, grasping hand He took the chain mailed glove Now I tithe and sow my seed Into the kingdom field A cheerful giver, I've become And heaven is my yield. ~ mike bullock Hymn- Lend a helping hand Are you sitting idle? Still there s work to do In the Masters vineyard, There s a place for you Be a faithful servant, Ever ready stand Where the Master calls you Lend a helping hand! Lend a hand, lend a hand, Lend a helping hand Weary ones are falling, Lend a helping hand Lend a hand, lend a hand, Lend a helping hand Jesus still is calling, Lend a helping hand! Is your voice now silent? There are songs to sing Come and swell the chorus, make his praises ring! Till the strains are wafted over sea and land Reaching up to heaven- Lend a helping hand! Do your prayers no longer, reach the throne of grace, Asking that some wanderer might his steps retrace Earnest prayer may keep him from the sinking sand Yours today may save him - Lend a helping hand! L: Financial lessons from Solomon The Bible says that Solomon was the richest man who ever lived and also the wisest ever to live (1 Kings 4:31). That makes him qualified to give some financial advice. Money does not satisfy He who loves money will not be satisfied with money -Ecclesiastes 5:10 Loving money is a dangerous thing. Some people spend their entire lives chasing more and more money thinking that it will bring them satisfaction, only to never actually attain the satisfaction they were searching for. True satisfaction only comes from God. It doesn t come from getting married, a bigger house, a Million in the bank, or being retired. What is interesting is that when we take our focus off of getting more money and more things, then they seem to start appearing. This seems to be what was meant by the verse in Matthew, But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

4 Diversify your investments Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. -Ecclesiastes 11:2 The two things got out of this verse are: First, that Solomon lays out the groundwork for diversification - the balance of having 7-8 eggs in the basket, rather than just one that would leave us with nothing if it turned out bad. But also, not 200 miniscule eggs that are worth next to nothing individually. In this case, if any one investment performed very well, it would make very little impact on the portfolio as a whole. On the other hand, if you had seven investments and any one of them performed well, it would have a decent impact on the portfolio as a whole. There is never a perfect time He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. - Ecclesiastes 11:4 The reason that some of us wait for the perfect time to do something is because we are trying to wait until there is no risk. It is human nature; we want to eliminate any and all risk of bad things happening. No matter how much we try, we can NEVER eliminate all risk. Any time we step out into anything there will be some level of risk, but that is not an excuse not to take action. If it is stepping out into a new job, taking the first step to get out of debt, quit a bad habit, or anything else - there will always be an excuse not to take action. Step out and be one of those people who realize that the perfect time is now. Work Smarter, Not Harder If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength - Ecclesiastes 10:10 Steven Covey calls this his 7th Habit of Highly Effective People. He calls it Sharpening the Saw. Sometimes the most effective thing we can do is to rest. Though, it seems counterintuitive, it really isn t. Resting, allows for more production on your productive hours. People who live by this principle realize that often 6 hours can be more productive when accompanied with rest than 10 without. Ask yourself: Am I working hard or working smart? They aren t mutually exclusive, but if you are only focusing on working hard, without actually thinking about if it is the smartest method, then you could be wasting your time with a dull axe. L: Psalm 121 This Psalm teaches us that whatever our problems or worries we have one person to turn to. Our Lord will keep us from all harm, He will protect us and lead us. So when in doubt turn to the Lord. I lift up my eyes to the hills -- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip -- He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you -- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm -- He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more

5 Intercession Cong to stand L: Dear Lord, we are confused many times in the choices we have to make. We are unsure of the many things we have learnt and are not confident to practice our learning. Guide us in our investments, in the use of our talents, in our efforts. Give us direction and chart our course. C: (to be sung ) Jesus, Savior, pilot me Over life s tempestuous sea; Unknown waves before me roll, Hiding rock and treacherous shoal. Chart and compass come from Thee; Jesus, Savior, pilot me. L: We pray for your support in times of doubt and when work is worrisome. When we are tired and disappointed from trying. When all are efforts seem to be in vain. Help us to keep calm, to control our emotions and anger. Show us how to share the good things in life. To be the calm to the worried and the help for the needy. As a mother stills her child, Thou canst hush the ocean wild; Boisterous waves obey Thy will, When Thou sayest to them, Be still! Wondrous Sovereign of the sea, Jesus, Savior, pilot me. L: Give us rest Dear Lord. Help us to sit down and enjoy the beauty of the world around us. Let us not be desperate to succeed and accumulate. Give us time to enjoy with our family and friends and to be freely participative and contribute to our church and society. Help us to be content with what we have and remove from us all fear and doubt as you are there to pilot us. When at last I near the shore, And the fearful breakers roar Twixt me and the peaceful rest, Then, while leaning on Thy breast, May I hear Thee say to me, Fear not, I will pilot thee. Gospel Reading P: Peace be with you all C: May the Lord make us all worthy to listen to His Word P: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which proclaims life and salvation to the world as recorded by St John 15:1-15 C: Blessed is he that has come and will come again. Praise to the Father who sent him for our Salvation. May his blessings be ever upon us. P: In the days of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, the Word of life, God incarnate of the blessed Virgin Mary, it happened in this way. C: So we believe and affirm ( After reading the Gospel the priest says Peace be with you all

6 C: We thank you, Lord, that you have given us your gospel which is indeed the light of the world, that we may be drawn closer to you through the living words from your gospel which we have now heard. The Nicene Creed We believe in the one true God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all world; Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made, who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man. He was crucified also for us in the days of Pontius Pilate; suffered and died and was buried. The third day He rose again, by His Father s holy will, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead and of His kingdom there will be no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets and the apostles. We believe in one Holy Catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and the new life of the world to come. Amen. Birthday & Wedding Anniversary Hymn Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God. Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I m standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to Him eternally by love s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit s sword, Standing on the promises of God. Words & Music: R. Kelso Carter, Offertory Hymn I would have the Saviour with me For I dare not walk alone; I must feel His presence near me, And His arm around me thrown. Refrain: Then my soul shall fear no ill, While he leads me where He will I will go without a murmur,

7 And His footsteps follow still. I would have the Saviour with me, For my faith at best is weak; He can whisper words of comfort That no other voice can speak. I must have the Saviour with me In the onward march of life, Thro' the tempest and the sunshine, Thro' the battle and the strife. I must have the Saviour with me, That His eye the way may guide, Till I reach the vale of Jordan, Till I cross the rolling tide. Message : On Giving Kahlil Gibran You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow? And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring? And what is fear of need but need itself? Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is unquenchable? There are those who give little of the much which they have--and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome. And there are those who have little and give it all. These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty. There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward. And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism. And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue; They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space. Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth. You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving." The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture. They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish. And you receivers... and you are all receivers... assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives. Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings; For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the freehearted earth for mother, and God for father. Closing Prayer & Benediction P: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshu1:9 Grant unto us, Almighty Lord, the peace of God that passeth understanding that we amid the storms and troubles of this life, may rest in you. Knowing that all things are from you, under your care, governed by your will, guarded by your love. So that with a quiet heart we may see the storms of life, the cloud and darkness, ever rejoicing to know that the darkness and the light are both alike to you. Help us also in giving and sharing our good times with others, without count, but with absolute free will. May the peace of the Lord give us strength and confidence to overcome all fears and doubts through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen

8 Closing Hymn & Kiss of peace God will take care of you, be not afraid; He is your safeguard through sunshine and shade; Tenderly watching and keeping His own, He will not leave you to wander alone. God will take care of you still to the end; Oh, what a Father, Redeemer, and Friend! Jesus will answer whenever you call; He will take care of you, trust Him for all. God will take care of you, through all the day, Shielding your footsteps, directing your way; He is your Shepherd, Protector, and Guide, Leading His children where still waters glide xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The World says What I possess I alone own, and I alone control my destiny Scripture says- What I possess, God owns. He is the sovereign, living God who controls all events. Primrose Mar Thoma Church, Bangalore- mtcblr@gmail.com