Between Sundays for Week of September 2, 2024
At the heart of this week’s gospel reading from Mark 7:1-23 is a very simple message. Again and again in the gospels, Jesus reminds us that for God, people matter most. Biblical commands and ritual actions done in the name faithfulness and praising God can never take precedence over what is compassionate and caring.
The church has relied on ritual action – those repeated words and movements that we learn by heart – to pass on the faith from one generation to another. These actions are important and even essential to sharing the faith. They’re just not the MOST important thing.
Pastor Amy talked with one of our VBS Olympians about one way they shared their compassion with others through the VBS Offering for Bella’s Bumbas. (You can listen to the conversation on the worship video from Sunday, September 1.)
For God, people matter most. Our doing for others doesn’t save us. Our doing will always fall short of the needs of the world. But our faith in Jesus Christ is a faith that calls us to care for the needs of the people around us . . . with Christ who strengthens us by our side, we can do all things!
Our VBS Olympians showed off the strength Jesus gives them!
P.S. View the worship service for September 1 to hear Pastor Amy’s sermon and her interview with one of our VBS Olympians talking about Bella’s Bumbas on BLC’s YouTube Channel (sermon begins at 21:39 and the interview begins at 33:10). Watch past services on the Share in Worship page of BLC’s website!
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Ponderings
Holy – from Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding Light.
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Womb of lights.
—James 1.17
God, help me remember today
that I am holy;
that you have chosen me as a vessel for your grace.
Let me spend my time and energy
as a holy person would,
whether in great deeds or humble drudgery.
Let every act be sacred,
every moment be a flowing of your good gifts.
May your light be born in me.