A Good Start
from Sermon podcasts - Light From This Hill Hosted by Walt Lichtenberger
I preached this sermon on the first Sunday of a new ministry year. Many churches have a 'start-up' or 'Rally Day' Sunday on the week following the Labor Day holiday. It is a time to get 'back-to-church' and renew ministries. Following the beginning of a school year, there seems to be a natural connection with ministries that form faith in children, youth, and adults. The scripture reading on which this sermon is based - Mark 7: 24- 37. In this story, Jesus goes beyond the mainstream and into the margins. There he encounters a hurting woman, who is labeled 'outsider' by Jesus' traditional upbringing. Though he gives voice to the biases and judgments of his time, Jesus none the less heals her daughter. Following this exchange, a deaf man is brought by his friends for healing - we are reminded of Isaiah's vision of the coming kingdom of God - restoration. A Good Start of a new year of ministry for the church that follows Jesus' lead involves participating in God's restorative work. It involves being a place where outsiders are welcome and efforts are taken to care for the most vulnerable and excluded among us. Claiming the identity of Jesus' church, we are invited to build and deepen loving relationships with God, with each other, and with our neighbor. A Good Start The Rev. Dr. Walt Lichtenberger
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