Sermon Erev Yom Kippur September 25, 2012 Rabbi David A. Lipper. Hearts wide Open
|
|
- Rodney Bryan
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 Sermon Erev Yom Kippur September 25, 2012 Rabbi David A. Lipper Hearts wide Open The sun has set as we gathered in this prayerful place. We ready ourselves for a marathon of sorts, sprinting through the liturgy, drinking from the waters of our own salvation and readying to cross the finish line through the gates of a renewed year, unencumbered by the past and free to confront our future. This time is priceless. I am reminded of a neighbor of mine when I lived in Jerusalem who refused weekly to accompany me to Shul on Shabbat. He was not religious. But, there he stood with his 2-year-old son on his shoulders at the door to the synagogue in our neighborhood on Kol Nidre to hear the words that charge our souls. Sweet is this gathering of friends and family. Sweeter is the beauty of the music, the tenor of the prayers, the feeling of faith and fate, which we bring with us. Even sweeter still is the gathering in this sacred space, our sanctuary so filled with people. I don t know about you but I was a bit farklempt when all the Torah s came out of the Ark. That image should be played in our minds over and over again. But this is also a difficult time for people in our community. It is hard for those who take the Holy Days seriously, whose souls are caught up in the race to the gates of repentance. The clock ticks by each hour and there is nothing we can do but change our lives and the longer we wait, the less time remains for change. It 1 P a g e
2 is difficult to fill the holes in our lives created by loss. The memories of family fill our hearts with longing. Yom Kippur, a time of remembrance, is one of those moments in the year when our memory seem sharper. It is also hard because of the vulnerabilities we face. We are blemished. The prayers we say expose our individual flaws. Yom Kippur brings all of this to the surface. There is no hiding now. This is the season of renewal. We speak of change and turning but speaking is easier than doing. The redundancy of rehearsing the liturgy each year stretches the limits of our patience. We try again to do the things that will make the vows different. But it is hard. We want to think well of others, and ourselves, but it is hard. It was William Blake who wrote that, great things happen when men and mountains meet. If that mountain is a mountain in time, then our encounter has the potential of uplifting us, transforming us, and bringing something great and wonderful into our lives. For many years I have had this book real close to my desk. I have loaned it out very sparingly because I have found its message too compelling to let go for too long. A colleague of mine, Rabbi Charles Klein, wrote a book called How to forgive when you can t forget. Isn t that our biggest problem? We want to forgive people, but when we look at them the acid in our stomach churns, our blood pressure rises, the old hurts return. 2 P a g e
3 Too infrequently do we see the tears of reconciliation. Far more often, we see the emptiness or the tears of people we all know. They are the tears because there is a void in their lives too painful to be dismissed. And they are the tears of the powerful and famous who have the world at their fingertips, but live with an emptiness in the heart. Have we not all watched interviews of people blessed with so much in life? And yet, in moments of candor, as the discussion focuses on their family life, you hear their voices crack and you see their eyes well up with tears as they speak of the estrangement from a loved one. Rabbi Klein relates an article that appeared in a Dear Abby column many years ago. Clearly the person writing was seeking something we might be familiar with. Wouldn t it be terrific if a special day would be set aside to reach out and make amends? We would call it Reconciliation Day. Everyone would vow to write a letter or make a phone call-and mend a strained or broken relationship. It would also be the day on which we would all agree to accept the olive branch extended by a former friend. This day could be the starting point. We could go on from here to heal the wounds in our hearts and rejoice in a brand new beginning. Maybe this writer would have been happy to hear of Yom Kippur, a day set aside for all these activities. Wouldn t it be the most meaningful day every were we to turn to the people, just in this room, that we have harmed and hold out that olive branch and say those words of reconciliation. We could bare our souls and open our hearts. A story in the Talmud tells of one rabbi who sent his students out to observe the world. He wanted them to leave the study hall and take note of the qualities of 3 P a g e
4 character which were most praiseworthy among people. When the students returned to the academy, they shared the results of what they had observed. The rabbi was most pleased with the student who said possessing a good heart is the most praiseworthy trait of character. What is a good heart? It is a heart that can feel the anguish of another who desires to be forgiven. A good heart is one that is compassionate enough to respond with love and tenderness, even when the dictates of justice might suggest otherwise. When we look for a humane response from another person, we plead, Have a heart. We look to the heart, hoping that a person will be moved enough to overlook a wrong, and be compassionate enough to feel another s anguish. My faith speaks of a God that does not write people off. Patiently, God waits for people, not counting the number of times they have failed in the past. With love God waits, believing that people can transcend themselves and that their tomorrow can be different from their yesterday. And if God is so patient, why can t we, who are created b tzelem elohim in the image of God, wait patiently as well. A story: There was a man who was preparing for the approach of the High Holy Days. An acquaintance, who was also something of a skeptic, asked why he was going through the routine of repenting for all his sins if, year after year, he only commits them all over again. The man replied saying, You re right. From year to year, I repent and succumb to many of the same sins for 4 P a g e
5 which I ve repented. But each year, I believe that maybe this will be the year that I will change. And I am going to hope for that! Rabbi Klein also related this story in his book. A young boy was flying his kite. The kite went higher and higher until it could no longer be seen. A passerby saw the young boy holding a string and asked him what he was doing. The boy replied, I m flying a kite. The man was now perplexed for he saw no kite. And so he asked, How do you know the kite is up there? The boy responded by saying, I can feel it tugging at me. When we feel a tugging force pulling us toward someone that we have been separated from, it is time to consider reconciliation. The pulling we feel is a force that can take us beyond our anger and enable us to leave the bitterness in our past. Allowing ourselves to give in to this force puts us on the road to restoring a relationship. Ecclesiastes analyzed life and observed, There is a time for rending and a time for joining together, a time for silence and a time to speak, a time for hostility and a time for peace. After bonds have been severed by anger, there is a time to reunite those who belong together. After silence has intruded where once there was words, there comes a time to speak. And after reprisal and retaliation, there comes a time for people to create peace. Far from being an act of weakness or a gesture of capitulation, reconciliation is a gift we give ourselves even as we offer it to someone else. It permits us to bid 5 P a g e
6 farewell to the thoughts which, when replayed in our minds, cast a darkness over our lives. Tomorrow never looks so good as it does to those who have released themselves from the heavy weight of the past. Reconciliation is an act of real love. This kind of love understands that disappointment and hurt are inevitable and that they can be the occasion for growth. Real love is found where people live with awareness that, above all else, there is a treasured connection that binds them together. This connection is strong enough to survive hurt, precious enough to warrant our compassion in judgment, and more powerful than anger. Oh to be sure, we have our doubts. Are the words of reconciliation merely a string a syllables strung together so that we are pacified in our wounds or is there heart and soul behind them? Are we so cynical that we can t expect change, even when change seems so far off? I don t believe that the rabbis felt that change was impossible. They were not cynical. They understood the human limitations and they sought not to draw boundaries and borders not to build walls and locked doors but to allow for return and renewal and reconciliation. They sought to turn their pain and disappointment into energy to change the world and they waited with open arms for those who walked in through the gates. Finally one of my favorite stories A king had a precious diamond. There was no diamond like it in the entire kingdom. The king was so proud of this diamond that he had a special display box made for it and a special polishing rag and each day the king would take the stone out of the box and polish it so that it shined more brightly than ever. But alas, one day while the king was polishing the 6 P a g e
7 diamond, it slipped from his hands and fell to the stone floor. It sustained a very deep and penetrating scratch. This King was bereft. He called for craftsmen from all over to repair the diamond and remove the scratch but no one could. It was too deep and could not be removed without cutting away some of the diamond. The king wept. After some time a craftsman came from a far way land and asked for an audience with the king. He said that he could restore the diamond but it would take some time. After many days there was a knock on the palace door. The king came running, anxious to see the diamond. Before the craftsman handed over the diamond he said: Sometimes the scars we receive are deeper than we can ever imagine, but the real test is what we can turn them into. And with that he handed over the stone to the King. A smile soon appeared as the king saw the new diamond. For the craftsman had turned the scratch into a rose. Healing had begun. And this, my friends, is why we are here tonight, not to seek forgiveness for the grand sins for which we are not guilty, but for the simple ones. The ones we do all too often without even thinking that have torn our relationships, that have brought sadness into our families, that have severed friendships and brought darkness into our lives. That is why we spend the day here tomorrow to right those wrongs, to repair and return and renew our lives. We are here to turn our scars into flowers and to open our hearts to one another. I wrote these words just a few weeks ago 7 P a g e
8 Open August 2012 I open my eyes to the bright rush of sunlight Each day a new beginning I step down recalling the morning blessings and Stretch as life blood fills me with strength. Tifkach Eineinu Open up my eyes to the beauty of the day. To the endless promises and possibilities. To the hopes and dreams Of a thousand days. Open Tifkach Eineinu Open up my eyes to those who cry out. To the hurt and the lost. To those who see no hope No tomorrow. Open Tifkach Eineinu Open my eyes to those who are silent. To the nameless and meek. To those with needs and no voice Just silence. Open Tifkach Yadeinu Open my arms wide in embrace. To all those I know. To my family and friends. To the hurt and the healing To the shouter and the silent. To the stranger To self. Open 8 P a g e
9 May we each find the courage and strength on this day of return to open up to those from whom we are distanced and seek reconciliation and renewal. Open up our heart teach us how to live. Open up our lives reach us where we are. Pour your Divine Spirit into us and free us from our past. Bring us closer to one another so that we may live renewed and reconciled lives. May our eyes and arms and hearts be opened to this possibility. Amen. 9 P a g e
A Letter to Pop Rabbi A. Brian Stoller Rosh Hashanah Traditional Service 5776 / September 14, 2015
A Letter to Pop Rabbi A. Brian Stoller Rosh Hashanah Traditional Service 5776 / September 14, 2015 My grandfather, Louis Marks, passed away in April. He was 91 years old. We called him Pop. I had a great
More informationDay 1 JOEL 2: Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate,
Day 1 7 Day 1 JOEL 2:12-13 Even now, declares the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for
More informationthe confirmation, the celebration of all the personal work we ve been doing or should have been doing over the past 40 days, from the beginning of
Rabbi David Holtz Kol Nidre, 5777 Temple Beth Abraham Tarrytown, NY IMPATIENCE If you come to the family service tomorrow, you will hear this phrase: If I were to ask you what is the holiest day of the
More informationDavid was blown away at the bird s change in attitude and was about to ask what changed him when the parrot continued, May I ask what the chicken did?
Message for Kol Nidre 1 18 September 2018: Teshuvah and Chesed David received a parrot for his birthday. This parrot was fully grown, with a bad attitude and even worse vocabulary. Every other word was
More informationrighting Wrongs Chapter 1
Contents Introduction: Why This Is Important....................................... 9 1. Righting Wrongs.........................................................13 2. I m Sorry : Expressing Regret........................................
More informationStory Behind Praise The Lord.
Praise The Lord Praise the Lord from the heavens Praise Him in the heights above Praise Him all His angels praise Him All His heavenly hosts Praise Him, praise the Lord. Praise the Lord sun, moon Oh praise
More informationLesson 106 Yom Kippur Day of Atonement In Leviticus 23: 27 The Lord spoke to Moses and said, Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall
Lesson 106 Yom Kippur 9-26-2012 Day of Atonement In Leviticus 23: 27 The Lord spoke to Moses and said, Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation
More informationLIGHT GREATER THAN OUR DARKNESS Text: John 20: 1-18 April 20, 2014 (Easter Sunday) Faith J. Conklin
LIGHT GREATER THAN OUR DARKNESS Text: John 20: 1-18 April 20, 2014 (Easter Sunday) Faith J. Conklin It was a Christmas Eve some years ago. (Yes, Christmas.) I stepped forward to offer the welcome. I reminded
More informationYom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, which was yesterday, marks the celebratory close
Linda Simmons Yom Kippur Sermon September 15, 2013 Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, which was yesterday, marks the celebratory close of the High Holy Days in Judaism. The High Holy Days begin with
More informationLiving Above Offense,
Living Above Offense,5.24.15 Big Idea: As a follower of Jesus, you have no right to take a personal offense at anyone over anything. We can get offended when someone or group says or does something that
More informationIN THE BEGINNING: V - JACOB AND ESAU Karen F. Bunnell Elkton United Methodist Church August 14, Genesis 33:1-4
IN THE BEGINNING: V - JACOB AND ESAU Karen F. Bunnell Elkton United Methodist Church August 14, 2011 Genesis 33:1-4 Today marks the end of the In the Beginning sermon series. For most of this summer, we
More informationRabbi Jeffrey Saxe Yom Kippur 2017/5778 Nedivut/Generosity: Enough Blessing for Everyone
Rabbi Jeffrey Saxe Yom Kippur 2017/5778 Nedivut/Generosity: Enough Blessing for Everyone Let me begin with a question to you all. If you had 100 dollars of tzedakah to give, which would be more highly
More informationKnow Next to Whom Do You Sit? Yizkor, Yom Kippur 5779 Rabbi Neil Cooper
Know Next to Whom Do You Sit? Yizkor, Yom Kippur 5779 Rabbi Neil Cooper Having been the rabbi here for a while, I recognize nearly all of our members and even know the names of a large majority of those
More informationHarris Athanasiadis November 15, WHY DO YOU WORSHIP GOD? Job 1. Why do you worship God? Is it for something or is it for nothing?
Harris Athanasiadis November 15, 2015 WHY DO YOU WORSHIP GOD? Job 1 Why do you worship God? Is it for something or is it for nothing? We live in a world where people rarely do anything for nothing. We
More informationTHOSE WHOM GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER Text: Mark 10: 2-9, October 4, 2009 Faith J. Conklin
THOSE WHOM GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER Text: Mark 10: 2-9, 13-16 October 4, 2009 Faith J. Conklin Writer Michael Hargrove tells about what happened to him at an airport. He says it literally changed his life.
More informationHope Lutheran Church July 29/30, 2017 Created Sermon Series Genesis 1: Created in God s Image: Always Remember Whose Child You Are!
Hope Lutheran Church July 29/30, 2017 Created Sermon Series Genesis 1:24-31 1 P a g e Created in God s Image: Always Remember Whose Child You Are! Dear Friends in Christ: We had the joy back in June of
More informationMY STORY 1. When you were a kid, who was the most patient/willing-to-wait adult in your life?
Growth Group Homework For the week of May 4, 2014 QUICK REVIEW Looking back at your notes from this weekend s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused
More informationOur Ascended Lord. Ephesians 4:7-10 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of
Our Ascended Lord Ephesians 4:7-10 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ s gift. 8 Therefore He says: When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts
More informationsing Bar chu and Mi Chamocha to the same tune to which we sing Lshana tovah tikateivu.
Kol Nidre 5773 Why is this night different from all other nights? ** A collaborative sermon by Dusty Klass and Leah Citrin ** 1 Tonight, on this the 25 th of September, the 9 th day of the Hebrew month
More informationSERMON The Nativity of Our Lord December 24, 2011
SERMON The Nativity of Our Lord December 24, 2011 Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 98 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20 Brothers and sisters in Christ, grace to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord and Savior
More informationAfter the Broken Heart: Finding the Love of Christ Eda Maddalena
After the Broken Heart: Finding the Love of Christ Eda Maddalena New Author Publishing Brockville, Ontario Canada After the Broken Heart: Finding the Love of Christ Copyright 2015 Eda Maddalena All rights
More informationSEVEN WOMEN ON HOLY SATURDAY JAMES HANVEY, SJ
SEVEN WOMEN ON HOLY SATURDAY JAMES HANVEY, SJ Woman taken in adultery You won t know my name, you ll only know what they said I did. Don t you think it s odd that it's only the women who get caught? It
More informationPRAYER LIKE DIAMONDS Text: Luke 18: 1-8 October 17, 2010 Faith J. Conklin
PRAYER LIKE DIAMONDS Text: Luke 18: 1-8 October 17, 2010 Faith J. Conklin A five-year-old boy was asked to say the blessing at dinner. He bowed his head and said, Dear God, thank you for these pancakes.
More informationMark 2:23-3:6 Jesus Is Lord Of The Sabbath. Leader s Guide. 1. Read Ephesians 4:7-16 to familiarize yourself with the passage.
Mark 2:23-3:6 Jesus Is Lord Of The Sabbath. Leader s Guide January 6, 2019 1. Read Ephesians 4:7-16 to familiarize yourself with the passage. 23 One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as
More informationFear and Love Kol Nidre 5778 Rabbi Lori Koffman
Fear and Love Kol Nidre 5778 Rabbi Lori Koffman I almost didn t become a rabbi. It was the summer of 2001. I was reading a book about people making massive career changes, not because I was thinking about
More informationA CELEBRATION of Healing and Wholeness for the Feast of St Luke
We sing the final HYMN God! When human bonds are broken and we lack the love or skill to restore the hope of healing, give us grace and make us still. Through that stillness, with your Spirit come into
More informationRabbi Stephanie Bernstein Yom Kippur 5777/2016 Turning Towards Forgiveness
Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein Yom Kippur 5777/2016 Turning Towards Forgiveness Once upon a time there was a king who had a terrible quarrel with his son. In a fit of anger, the king sent his son into exile.
More informationmorning & evening prayers
10 morning & evening prayers BEGIN AND END EACH DAY BY DRAWING CLOSER TO GOD 1 10 Morning and Evening Prayers to Use Daily This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. PSALM
More information1 St. James United church Hosea 1: 2-10
1 Prayer: God of Grace, open your Word to us this day. Help us to hear in ancient words the stirrings of your Spirit alive for us today. Open us to your holy wisdom that we may be moved from word to action
More informationDays of Prayer & Meditation
40 Days of Prayer & Meditation WEEK FOUR March 3rd - March 9th, 2016 Thursday, March 3, 2016 We implore your majesty most humbly, O Lord, that, as the feast of our salvation draws ever closer, so we may
More informationRECONCILIATION The CCO calls college students to serve Jesus Christ with their entire lives.
LEADER S GUIDE SONGS OF LAMENT & the journey of RECONCILIATION by Michael S. Chen A RESOURCE OF THE CCO The CCO calls college students to serve Jesus Christ with their entire lives. Michael S. Chen, 2016.
More informationMending A Family Quarrel Sunday, November 23, 2008 Mike Pulsifer, Interim Pastor
Mending A Family Quarrel Sunday, November 23, 2008 Mike Pulsifer, Interim Pastor After describing creation and the beginning of humankind, the book of Genesis goes on to describe the beginnings of the
More informationForgiveness: The Divine Answer Lent 1 B (off-lectionary) Texts: Psalm 32:1-5 Preached: 2/22/15 Jeremiah 31:31-34
Forgiveness: The Divine Answer Lent 1 B (off-lectionary) Texts: Psalm 32:1-5 Preached: 2/22/15 Jeremiah 31:31-34 There are websites where people can anonymously post apologies, something like. I m sorry
More informationLiving Our Faith...Sharing Our Blessings
APRIL 2018 Living Our Faith...Sharing Our Blessings SAINT ANNE - SAINT CATHERINE COLLABORATIVE Always Talk to God: Our Prayer Chain and Prayer Line Ministries God reveals His perfect and infinite love
More informationBreak Through Psalm 23, Acts 9: 36-43, Luke 24:13-35
A sermon delivered by The Rev. Timothy C. Ahrens, Sr. Minister, The First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Columbus, Ohio, April 29, 2007, dedicated to the three women of faith: in memory
More informationThere Was a Man Who Had Two Sons
There Was a Man Who Had Two Sons A Sermon By The Rev. Susan Thon March 6, 2016 Grace Episcopal Church Silver Spring, Maryland There Was a Man Who Had Two Sons 2 Corinthians 6:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
More informationApologies And Forgiveness 1
Apologies And Forgiveness 1 By Rabbi Michele B. Medwin, D.Min. Erev YK 5779 2018 Forgiveness is an important theme during Yom Kippur. We ask God to forgive us many times throughout the Yom Kippur liturgy.
More informationStations of the Cross
Fourteenth Station JESUS IS PLACED IN THE TOMB Consider how the disciples, accompanied by his holy Mother, carried the body of Jesus to bury it. They closed the tomb and all came away full of sorrow. Mary
More informationShana Tova. I d like to begin by recognizing some of our past presidents with
Shana Tova. I d like to begin by recognizing some of our past presidents with whom I am honored to share the bimah tonight: Doug Benach, Bill Greene, Suzanne Fromm, Jeff Kohn, Hugh Lewis, Joel Adelberg,
More informationDELIGHTING in the LORD
The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord s perfections and meditating in his temple. Psalm 27:4 Day
More information40 Ways. To Spend 5 Minutes With God
40 Ways To Spend 5 Minutes With God 40 Ways To Spend 5 Minutes With God Revision E October 2018 If you have found this prayer guide helpful, visit The Invitation Podcast invitationpodcast.org where you
More informationKol Nidre Tzedakah Appeal JCC October 7, 2011 Rabbi Ed Elkin
Kol Nidre Tzedakah Appeal JCC October 7, 2011 Rabbi Ed Elkin Greetings. It s a great honour for me to be here this Erev Yom Kippur with our congregation here at the JCC. As you know, the Narayever has
More informationThe Book of Genesis Chapter Fifty The Death of Joseph - The End of an Era
Lesson Verse: I. Lesson Introduction The Book of Genesis Chapter Fifty The Death of Joseph - The End of an Era A. Genesis 50 is divided into two lessons. 1. The first portion of the chapter deals with
More informationThe Book of Forgiving Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu
The Book of Forgiving Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu This book is about understanding, embracing, and practicing forgiveness. Forgiveness seems to be a simple and straightforward process, but reading this
More informationStaying True to Our Intentions Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray March 22, 2015
Staying True to Our Intentions Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray March 22, 2015 Reading Our reading this morning is from Belgian born, American poet, May Sarton. It is a poem that speaks to the path of becoming
More informationThe glory of God is the human person fully alive.
The glory of God is the human person fully alive. Today we are invited to a life with God that opens us to all that is alive. It makes us celebrate life; it enables us to see the beauty of all that is
More informationJesus & The Sinful Woman Text: Luke 7:36-50 Bible Teacher Ben Stuart
Jesus & The Sinful Woman Text: Luke 7:36-50 Bible Teacher Ben Stuart 1. The Pharisee and the woman had very different perspectives on how to approach Jesus. How should we approach Jesus? a. Hebrews 4:16;
More informationAnd then Jesus emerges as a man with a mission, The time is now, the Kingdom of God is upon us, repent and believe!
Mark 1:9-13 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending
More informationFour Laments for Suffering and Spiritual Formation
Four Laments for Suffering and Spiritual Formation #1 Lament Liturgy for the Poor by InterVarsity s Global Urban Trek Leadership Core Call to Worship Leader: Let us pray L: The God of love opens our eyes
More informationTake out the cereal box with HHH label on it. Healthy Heart Habits worthy of daily consumption.
B rosh Hashanah yikateyvun, uv yom tzom kippur yechateymun (sing) On Rosh Hashanah our future is inscribed, on Yom Kippur it is sealed. A teaching from Rabbi Rachel Barenblat: Our futures are inscribed
More informationA Sermon Preached by the Rev. Angela Herrera. First Unitarian Church October 2, 2016
Atonement A Sermon Preached by the Rev. Angela Herrera First Unitarian Church October 2, 2016 Once there was a philosopher who had a bone to pick with the legendary Sufi wiseman, Mulla Nasrudin. With the
More informationFirst Sunday of Advent Prayers and Litanies
Prayers and Services: First Sunday of Advent First Sunday of Advent Prayers and Litanies Gathering Words, First Sunday of Advent 1. Joseph has a dream, and God makes way for the light of the world. Joseph
More informationSermon for the 2 nd Sunday in Lent. Under God's Wings
1 Sermon for the 2 nd Sunday in Lent Text: Luke 13:34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets, you stone the messengers God has sent you! How many times I wanted to put my arms around all your people,
More informationSome suggestions for Inscription Styles & Verses. INSCRIPTIONS
Some suggestions for Inscription Styles & Verses. The following samples inscription and verses are fered in the hope that they may help you in choosing an inscription for your Tomblet. The list is by no
More informationSee The Good Challenge
GRATITUDE ACTIVITY FOR TWEENS & TEENS Lesson 2 See The Good Challenge Students discuss what gratitude means and why it is important. Time Required Grade Level Materials Learning Objectives SEL Competencies
More informationStaying With It. Luke 21: 5-19
Staying With It Luke 21: 5-19 It would be so easy to simply let this text be about the end times and how we as people of faith are called to prepare for them or rather, how not to prepare for them. Or,
More informationI AM the true vine John 15:1-17 Small group questions
I AM the true vine John 15:1-17 Small group questions Read John 15:1-8 ENDLESS COMPARISONS 1. Do you compare yourself to others? What about other Christians and what they do? 2. Why do you think clergy
More informationGreat is thy faithfulness VU 288
1 Great is thy faithfulness VU 288 2 Great is thy faithfulness, O God our Father! There is no shadow of turning with thee: thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not: as thou has been thou forever
More informationReflections on Being Family 2 nd Corinthians 13:11-13 CWZepp, BWCOB, May 18, 2008
Reflections on Being Family 2 nd Corinthians 13:11-13 CWZepp, BWCOB, May 18, 2008 From the conclusion of the 2 nd letter to the Corinthians: Finally brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order,
More informationLet us join in celebration. We have been invited to. and. As their friends and families, we form a. In keeping with this natural setting, let us be
1 The Ashcroft Wedding Welcome Let us join in celebration. We have been invited to share the joy of this day with and. As their friends and families, we form a community to celebrate their love and witness
More informationFifth Sunday of Lent John 11:1-45. April 2, Dear Friend,
Fifth Sunday of Lent John 11:1-45 April 2, 2017 If we look up the meaning of the word Bethany we will discover that it means house of song, and/or the house of affliction' and the name Lazarus means God
More informationSTATIONS OF THE CROSS
STATIONS OF THE CROSS By Anthony Kelly, C.Ss.R., STD Opening Prayer: Holy God, Loving and Merciful One, we come to you in the darkness of our world. The weight of our cares and our responsibilities, of
More informationThe Footsteps of Christ
The Footsteps of Christ St Oswald s Catholic Primary School Easter Service 2017 Year 1, 2 & 3 We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you because, by your cross, you have redeemed the world. Jesus invites
More informationOne who [sins and] says [twice]: I will sin and repent, I will sin and repent [since he sinned twice he does not depart from this practice easily and
One who [sins and] says [twice]: I will sin and repent, I will sin and repent [since he sinned twice he does not depart from this practice easily and convinces himself that he really did not sin thus]
More informationHIGH HOLIDAYS THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS. Text: Numbers 29:1-6
HIGH HOLIDAYS THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS Text: Numbers 29:1-6 Key Word: Trumpet Key Thought: What Changes Does the Trumpet Signal in Our Lives? Anyone who follows the Jewish calendar of events would know that
More informationPage 1 of 5. Kol Nidre 5778 Rabbi Daniel J. Fellman Temple Concord Syracuse, New York September 29, Tishri 5778.
Page 1 of 5 Kol Nidre 5778 Rabbi Daniel J. Fellman Temple Concord Syracuse, New York September 29, 2017 10 Tishri 5778 Guilt Guts Us L Shana Tova. Thanks. Our teachers are not always who we think they
More informationWe Are All Responsible for Each Other. Rabbi Mona Alfi Yom Kippur 5778 September 30, 2017
We Are All Responsible for Each Other Rabbi Mona Alfi Yom Kippur 5778 September 30, 2017 I hate apologizing. I just hate it. Ask my husband. He ll be more than happy to confirm this. Maybe a little too
More informationA Severe Mercy Romans 5:1-8 June 25, 2017
A Severe Mercy Romans 5:1-8 June 25, 2017 While C.S. Lewis was teaching medieval literature at Oxford University, among the students who fell under his influence was Sheldon Vanauken. Sheldon and his wife,
More informationPath to myself. Third Week / First Day. I walk into open space. Merciful God take away my fear when I face the unknown
Path to myself Third Week / First Day I walk into open space take away my fear when I face the unknown grant me sensitivity when I face my own darkness and my needs shelter me in your arms when I am sad
More informationPOSITIVE RITES. Celebrating the Lord s Supper with people living with HIV
POSITIVE RITES Celebrating the Lord s Supper with people living with HIV Some Christian communities have a formal celebration of the Lord s Supper. This is often referred to as the Eucharist, Holy Communion
More informationDespite the fact that Yom Kippur is on the 10th day of Tishrei, in tomorrow's Torah reading we find:
A Kol Nidre Sermon By Rabbi Barry Freundel Even though we don't feel it yet, even though we are still satiated by our "enteringthe-fast" meal, when we gather for Kol Nidre and begin Yom Kippur, we all
More informationIsaiah 61:1-11 Matthew 5:1-12 February 25, 2018 Second Sunday in Lent Preached by Philip Gladden at the Wallace Presbyterian Church, Wallace, NC
Isaiah 61:1-11 Matthew 5:1-12 February 25, 2018 Second Sunday in Lent Preached by Philip Gladden at the Wallace Presbyterian Church, Wallace, NC GOD BLESS YOU Let us pray: Let the words of my mouth and
More informationLENTEN PENANCE SERVICE 2013 Rend your hearts, not your garments. Rite of Reconciliation of Several Penitents With Individual Confession and Absolution
LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE 2013 Rend your hearts, not your garments. Rite of Reconciliation of Several Penitents With Individual Confession and Absolution Introductory Rites Opening Hymn Greeting Introduction
More informationHow to Keep Biblical Sorrow from Slipping into Sinful Complaining Grace Fellowship Church, Pastor Brad Bigney
How to Keep Biblical Sorrow from Slipping into Sinful Complaining Grace Fellowship Church, Pastor Brad Bigney Approach What s the difference between sinful COMPLAINING and LAMENTING or expressing SORROW
More informationThe Wounded Heart. Heart to Heart. Large Group. Bible Summary. Bible Verse
LG Lesson 6 The Wounded Heart Heart to Heart The Wounded Heart Large Group Bible Summary Mathew 26:69-75 This is the story of Peter s denial of Jesus. Mathew 26:14-16,47-50 This is the story of Judas betrayal
More informationIn this module we are going to consider KINDNESS what it means, how it can affect your behaviour and the behaviour of others.
1 In this module we are going to consider KINDNESS what it means, how it can affect your behaviour and the behaviour of others. First of all what does the word Kindness mean? Showing kindness means treating
More informationThe main reason we should forgive is because Jesus mandates it.
Forgiveness As Jesus hung on the cross, His eyes focused on all those whose past and present sin separated them from God. In one mighty act of kindness, the sin of mankind was taken away. As He uttered
More informationLuke 7:11-17 Joy at Nain Steve Bryan 26/4/2015 Introduction Cara Simmons is a single mother in the United States who works as a cleaner.
Introduction Cara Simmons is a single mother in the United States who works as a cleaner. Working long hours, over the past few years she has ended up in hospital several times, suffering exhaustion. Last
More informationThe Parable of The Children in the Marketplace. (Matthew 11:16-19)
The Parable of The Children in the Marketplace (Matthew 11:16-19) For John came neither eating nor drinking and they say, He has a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they say, Look, a glutton
More informationDo you want this gift? John 20:19-31
Do you want this gift? John 20:19-31 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said
More informationTHEME: We show our love for Jesus by helping others!
Devotion NT283 CHILDREN S DEVOTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF: LESSON TITLE: Jesus Restores Peter THEME: We show our love for Jesus by helping others! SCRIPTURE: John 21:15-19 Dear Parents Welcome to Bible Time
More informationLIVING FOR CHRIST AT HOME. A Challenge for Teens
LIVING FOR CHRIST AT HOME A Challenge for Teens Living For Christ at Home: A Challenge for Teens 2017 Elisabeth Rienow All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
More informationDavid Green. Philippians 4:2-9 - Rejoice always
Sermon Given by David Green At the Evening Service on 14 th March 2010 Philippians 4:2-9 - Rejoice always I wonder how do you deal with all the things that there are to do in life? I find that the most
More informationThe Comfortable Words. Silence for Reflection Prayer of Penitence. Absolution. Collect
Mothers Union Liturgy for Mothering Sunday 2019 Theme: Nurturing Hope in a Hurting World 123422 Mothers Union Liturgy A4.indd 1 The Gathering (Give people a printed version of the rose, or have one laid
More informationThe Day that God Became a Parent 1 Rabbi Daniel Reiser
The Day that God Became a Parent 1 Rabbi Daniel Reiser If you ask a child to draw a symbol of Rosh Hashanah, it s likely that he or she will hand you a picture of a shofar or apples and honey. If you ask
More informationIf anyone serves Me, follow Me; and where. there My servant will be also.
If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. John 12:26 NKJV Jesus sufferings a vague childhood memory, perhaps from Sunday school or religious education, but
More informationMAINTAINING A FORGIVING HEART! Part one of a three part series!
MAINTAINING A FORGIVING HEART! Part one of a three part series! Part One: Guarding Your Heart Have you ever expressed to God your willingness to forgive someone s offensive behavior and then found yourself
More informationWe have gathered together today, in this place, in a spirit of sharing and supporting, because we have experienced the loss of a baby or child.
We have gathered together today, in this place, in a spirit of sharing and supporting, because we have experienced the loss of a baby or child. For some it may have been through miscarriage, or stillbirth,
More informationLIFE CONNECT 7-DAY DEVOTIONAL
LIFE CONNECT 7-DAY DEVOTIONAL Grow deeper and stronger in your spiritual life with this 7-day devotional offering SOAP Scripture,,, articles found within the LifeConnect Study Bible. Author Wayne Cordeiro
More informationSermon for the Second Sunday of Easter. Behind locked doors
Sermon for the Second Sunday of Easter Text: John 20:19,20 It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities.
More information21 DAYS OF FORGIVENESS DAY 9 I FORGIVE MY CHOICES
DAY 9 I FORGIVE MY CHOICES Begin Your Daily Forgiveness Process I FORGIVE MY CHOICES I am affected only by my thoughts. My thoughts can frighten me, but since they are my thoughts, I have the power to
More informationMeditation for Christmas Eve 2017 The Truth About Christmas
Meditation for Christmas Eve 2017 The Truth About Christmas A little boy and girl were singing their favorite Christmas carol on Christmas Eve. The boy concluded Silent Night with the words, Sleep in heavenly
More informationYizkor Yom Kippur 5776 Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin
Yizkor Yom Kippur 5776 Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin What we are doing right now is rather bizarre. At home we have calendars full of upcoming meetings, doctors appointments, after school programming, guitar
More informationYom Kippur 5777 The Bucket List
Yom Kippur 5777 The Bucket List A few weeks ago a 102-year-old Missouri woman named Edie Simms was arrested. The police came to the local senior center and, in front of all her stunned elderly friends,
More informationRev. Daniel Mackey The Resurrection of Our Lord April 20, 2014 Mark 16:1-8 Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Muncie, Ind.
Rev. Daniel Mackey The Resurrection of Our Lord April 20, 2014 Mark 16:1-8 Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Muncie, Ind. He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who
More informationHINENI REVISITED ROSH HASHANAH SERMON RABBI AMY SCHWARTZMAN
HINENI REVISITED ROSH HASHANAH SERMON 5771-2010 RABBI AMY SCHWARTZMAN The very first time I stood before this entire congregation was on Rosh Hashanah in 1990. I delivered a sermon that focused on one
More informationSermon for May 1, 2011 Unlocking Doors
Sermon for May 1, 2011 Unlocking Doors Texts: 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 How different today seems to be from last Sunday. This time last week it was Easter. But today well, today seems to be just another
More informationE to F Matthew 5:1-6. New because Jesus invites into something totally new: a new life and new way of living.
Introduction: Pg. 809 - Dismiss Kids E to F Matthew 5:1-6 This morning we are going to begin our journey through what has been referred to as Jesus Magnum Opus The Sermon on the Mount is his longest and
More informationHabit of the Heart: Doors to Forgiveness 12 October 2014 Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Reston, VA Rev. Dr.
1 Habit of the Heart: Doors to Forgiveness 12 October 2014 Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Reston, VA Rev. Dr. Barbara Coeyman The Worship Theme for October is Forgiveness This year I bring the
More informationMARY S WAY OF THE CROSS
MARY S WAY OF THE CROSS 1 Foreword Is not the Way of the Cross the way of every person s life? Doesn t every life have suffering, falls, hurts, rejections, condemnations, death, burial and resurrection?
More information