Introduction
I’ve never liked playing in the dirt. I don’t like the feeling of it between my fingers, I don’t like the feeling of the layer that remains after trying to wipe my hands on my jeans or the grass, and I don’t like the feeling that I’m intruding on an ecosystem that I don’t really understand. If you know me, it’s not a secret that I’m not outdoorsy. I like to say that I’m “outsidesy,” meaning that I love dining al fresco and long walks and a good back patio sit, watching the wind blow through the trees.
One of the big differences between outdoorsy and outsidesy is the proximity to dirt. Being outdoors suggests a full investment because I equate outdoor activities as ones that take me far from home and my places of comfort. Being outside means I can quickly and easily go back inside. If I’m honest, my outdoors/outside approach applies to a lot of things. In general, I’m happy to be involved, but I can hesitate to jump in fully. And frankly, it’s much like my reluctance to play in the dirt, really get my hands in it, because I often feel like I’m intruding on something that I don’t really understand. Though I might be in the outsidesy minority, I don’t think I’m alone in wanting to know and understand what I’m investing in. Nor do I think I’m alone in my tendency to give myself an easy out. One of the biggest downsides to this approach is that it can easily become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It’s rare to feel like I fully belong if I don’t fully invest.
For the next three weeks we’re going to go back to the basics at Vine and Branch, looking at our central values and practices: belong, become, believe. This Sunday we’re looking at what it means to belong, and more to the point, what it means to get our hands dirty; how can we move from an outsidesy belonging to an outdoorsy one?
Join us this week as we dig in (get it??) and find out together.
Laura Holland and the teaching team
Text:
John 15:1-8 FNVNT 1“I am the true grapevine. My Father is the Vine Keeper. 2He cuts off the branches in me that have no fruit. He carefully trims back the branches with fruit, so they will grow more fruit. 3“My teachings have purified you, 4but you must stay joined to me in the same way a branch is joined to the vine. A branch cannot grow fruit unless it is joined to the vine. It is the same with you and me. 5“I am the vine and you are the branches. The ones who stay joined to me will grow much fruit, for without me nothing grows. 6The ones who do not stay joined to me are broken off and dry up, and then they are gathered up and used to make a fire. 7“If you are joined to me and my words remain in you, you can ask me for anything and it will be done. 8 When you grow a harvest of fruit, this will show that you are walking my road. You will then bring great honor to my Father.
Communal Confession for Vine and Branch
Rejoice, Grace Church this time culminates our Sabbath day, our gift of rest and renewal.
We rejoice in this time for worship and wonder.
God gives us Sabbath as freedom from and freedom for.
God is worthy of worship, our Creator, Healer, and Inspiration.
Hang on Grace Church, we were never promised an easy road.
Jesus bids each and all of us to take up our cross and follow Him.
We have the promises and person of Jesus with us every step of the way.
Because we have this we will endure, even though we struggle.
We have the testimony of those who have gone before us to encourage and enlighten us.
Because we have this we will follow their example and receive their encouragement.
We have been given each other to rejoice with, grieve with, grow with and work with.
Because we have this community and all these things we will not lose heart or be forever discouraged.
Grace be to you now and forever in the Name of our Lord Jesus
Lord’s Prayer
Christ, who taught us to pray saying:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who’ve sinned against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory forever. Amen.
