Light - Matthew 25:1-13 - - Pentecost 28 - 11-12-23

 

Sermon podcast from the Sunday, 11-12-23  worship service - Peace Memorial Church, UCC in Palos Park, IL. Matthew 25:1-13

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Light - Matthew 25:1-13 - Veterans Day Sunday - Proper 27 - 11-08-20

 

Sermon podcast from our Veterans Day Sunday - 11-08-20 online worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Matthew 25:1-13

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Ready to Shine

This week's Bible reflection (Lamps) kept along the same path -- and it became today's sermon at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL.  Complete with some pointed words about the religious shaming culture
"Ready to Shine" podcast

Lamps

So some had extra oil for their lamps and others didn’t.

Some leaders were really bothered by this.  They were bothered not only because anyone had a lamp, but also because they were waiting at all, lamps or not.  So these leaders came in and took all the fuel for the lamps because, they said, the lamps were dangerous.

And in other places, the leaders came and tried to push the lamps out. They tried to remove the lamps because they, all of a sudden, and after rarely, if ever, doing it before, needed to do a thorough cleaning of the places the lamps lit.

They also decided to pass rules to make it difficult for anyone who wanted to own, possess, or light a lamp.   They made rules that no one could keep their lamps trimmed and burning past a particular hour.

In some cases, they violently broke the lamps. 

But for every obstacle meant to dim, snuff out, or destroy the lamps, the lamps burned brighter. And more lamps appeared and burned still brighter

The lamps simply couldn’t be removed or extinguished.

The lamps were, are, and will continue to be trimmed and burning.

Lamps.

Here's a "Blues in Black and White" version of the spiritual, "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning" - recorded  a few years ago in a storage garage.

Ready to Shine

I think there is one sentence that carried over from this week's Bible reflection (Lamps) into Sunday's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL.  Both the post and the sermon ask some significant questions -- but they head in different directions.
"Ready to Shine" text
"Ready to Shine" podcast

Lamps

Here's this week's Bible reflection -

So some had extra oil for their lamps and others didn’t.

But then, some authorities, who were really bothered that, not only did anyone at all have lamps, but that they were there waiting at all, came in and took all the fuel for the lamps because, they said, the lamps were dangerous.

And in other places, the authorities came and tried to push the lamps out. They tried to remove the lamps because they, all of a sudden, and after rarely, if ever, doing it before, needed to do a thorough cleaning of the places the lamps lit. They also decided to pass rules that no one could keep their lamps trimmed and burning past a particular hour.

In some cases, they violently broke the lamps. 

But for every obstacle meant to dim or snuff out the lamps, the lamps burned brighter. The lamps simply couldn’t be extinguished.

The lamps were, are, and will continue to be trimmed and burning.

Lamps.

Update:  Here's a "Blues in Black and White" version of the spiritual, "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning" - recorded in a storage garage.

Be ready

This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (The world needs more lerts) is now ready as tomorrow's sermon at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Somonauk.
"Be Ready" text
"Be Ready" podcast

The world needs more lerts

Here's this week's Bible blog entry for i.ucc:

It’s been awhile since I’ve seen one of those “punny” buttons or t-shirts

“Be Alert!”
(The world needs more lerts.)

This week’s Bible reading form Matthew 25:1-13 is about being alert . . . being prepared . . . keeping awake.

For what?

• For a celebration?
• For Jesus’ second coming?
• For an opportunity to spend time with Jesus?
• For something else?
  
• Does it teach that folks who haven’t been prudent are going to be locked out of God’s eternal banquet?
• Does it teach that those who have been prudent should not share with those who have been?
• Does it teach about wearing “punny” t-shirts or buttons to warn everyone to be prudent?
• Does it teach about keeping our eyes open - expecting God to 'show up' -- whenever and wherever that may be?

What do you think?