MID WEEK NEWS

CHOOSE LIFE

This week the lectionary texts we'll consider are from Luke 14: 25-35 and Deuteronomy 30: 15-20.
Both ask us to choose.

One has Moses calling the people to choose life - setting before them the choice of life and prosperity or death and adversity; where life is found through loving and serving God.

In the gospel reading, Jesus tells the crowd of followers 'Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.' (Luke 14:27), giving them the choice of living the Kingdom of God here with him, in the present, instead of the way of Empire. We often see that choice as one that comes at a great cost, and while sacrifice is involved, is there another way to consider Jesus' call?

In her blog post "Carrying the Cross", professor Karoline Lewis writes:

...is it really a cost? Or a choice? (Consider Deuteronomy text) When it’s all about cost, it’s all about what you give up. What you sacrifice. What you deny. When faith is cast as cost, we become rather ignorant of the fact that life itself is costly, not just faith. Life is full of choices, of counting the costs, weighing the costs. The cross is not unique but representative of what life is. To carry your cross is to carry the choices and burdens and realities of a life that has made a certain commitment — a commitment to a way of life that is committed to bringing about the Kingdom of God here and now. That’s certainly what it meant for Jesus.

What a different way of being it would be if the cross were a way of choosing life and not fixated on death. In fact, if Luke is right, carrying the cross might result in life for another.

Join us as we consider together what it might look like to choose life

Click HERE for the link to Lewis' blog.

Scriptures for Sunday:

Luke 14: 25-35
Deuteronomy 30: 15-20

MOMENTS OF JOY...
Lily and Aunt Lois; salsa success; Leland and Esther on the journey.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AT UMC :

Constitution Day Centre, a local non-profit that hosts community conversations, believing that democracy depends on civil dialogue, deliberation and compromise welcomes you to join their upcoming roundtable discussion around the topic: What is the role of public education in our community? 12- 2, Saturday, Sept. 17. Join me, Kate, in this community building event. For more details and to sign up to attend, email HERE.

Congregational Meeting: On Zoom, Sunday evening, September 11, time TBD, to affirm our volunteer slate and pass our budget, and more. Stay tuned for details.

Want to learn more about what's happening in the Mennonite Church? Check out "Peace Mail" by clicking HERE.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

-Mother Teresa

Blessings,

Kate