Introduction
When I was a kid, back in the stone age, my dad would play comedy albums by the comedian Jerry Clower. One of the stories he would tell is called (“A Coon Hunt’n Story”). This kind of humor may not be for everyone, but it’s a big part of the soundtrack to my childhood. (I will leave the judgement if that’s a good thing or not to others.) I won’t go into the whole story, but the conclusion involves a fight between a man and a wildcat up in the top of the tree. The man cries out, “Shoot up in here amongst us ‘cuz one of us had GOT to have some relief!”
Don’t know how many of you feel like you’re fighting a wildcat right now, but I bet you might be hoping for some relief. Sometimes the tension, pressure, anxiety can feel so heavy any other option would be welcome. I wonder if that might be some of what the Church in Thessalonica was feeling. As a result, they became fixated on Jesus’ return as a way of finding relief from their struggles. What about us? Let’s dig in this week and see what we can learn.
Grace and peace y’all,
John Ray and the teaching team.
Text:
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.
