faith, race and grace

I was at a meeting yesterday and one person, during their presentation, commented that there is something nutty about Christianity. We celebrate the life that comes from death, we are people who have hope when others despair. Here are some verses from Hebrews 11:

By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told.

By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going.

By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said.

By faith, Abraham, at the time of testing, offered Isaac back to God.

By an act of faith, Isaac reached into the future as he blessed Jacob and Esau.

By an act of faith, Moses’ parents hid him away for three months after his birth.

By an act of faith, Israel walked through the Red Sea on dry ground.

[selected verses from Hebrews 11, the Message]

 

While Hebrews at this point names Old Testament characters, what about the disciples who walked away from fishing nets and tax collecting to follow Jesus? surely that is an act of faith!

 

By faith -  what do we do by faith

               If you we're writing some extra verses -what would you include

By faith people accepted the stranger in their midst

By faith we are generous

By faith we care for the earth

By faith we share resources

By faith ....

We could also mention

 stepping out in faith

trusting God

telling our story

making space for others

By faith ....

 

What would we write if we were adding to the Hebrews list, what people, what events in the life of the congregation would you list?
 

By faith a small group of people started a congregation

By faith built a church

By faith .....

By faith .....

By faith the Engadine congregation started a Messy Church

By faith …

 

“.. since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, …” Hebrews 12: 1

We are now going to ‘make’ a cloud of witnesses. Each of you should have a person shaped piece of card. You are invited to write the name of one of the witnesses of faith that you know, and a word or two about their faithful living.  We will then attach them to this page, and make a cloud of witnesses to go on the wall of the church.

 [collect and add to cloud]

…………..

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, ..” Hebrews 12: 1

If we are seriously running a race, we need to let go of excess baggage. If we are running the race set before us by Jesus, we can’t be carrying all our possessions, bearing grudges, or holding onto hurts.

 On the light grey piece of paper, please write down at least one thing we as a congregation, or you individually need to let go off, so we can be free to run the race.

 

[scrunch up and place at front to make a cross – maybe hold together with kebab sticks]

………………..

 

The list of faithful ancestors, the faith of those who we know, the gospel reading this morning about division and separation – we, Christians, really are a weird mob.   

‘Do you think I am here to make everything nice and peaceful on earth? Wrong! The fact is, my presence can only result in people taking sides: for and against.’ [Laughing Bird Luke 12]

We have thought about faithful people, we have started the process of leaving behind that which weighs us down. Now you are invited to think of a time or place when you experienced God’s grace. Please  write or draw a sign of that on the yellow butterfly sticky note.

[ add to/decorate  the cross shaped scrunched up paper]

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12: 1-2

 

 

thanksgiving prayer from http://www.beswick.info/rclresources/31C9598OS.html