Service Highlights or Announcements for this Sunday
It has become a part of our church’s rhythm to pause to acknowledge Veteran’s Day (observed this past Wednesday) and recognize those of our church family who have served in the U.S. Military and are still with us today. During the announcement portion of the online video service we have included a slideshow to honor all Veterans.
Come check out our virtual Gather(ing) via Zoom on Wednesdays at 7 pm. We would LOVE to see you there. Come ready to discuss our scripture passage and raise our voices in song! If you would like the Zoom link, please sign up here.
Reflection of the Week
One of the keys to mental health, especially in stressful times, is to bear in mind that we always have choices. This week and the next, we will explore the options God gives us to choose gratitude over fear, and service over apathy.
This Sunday, in Jesus’ Parable of the Talents, the Master generously rewards his servants who invest their talents in a spirit of hope, but the one who responds out of fear winds up with nothing.
The sermon, “Well Done,” is an invitation to live out of gratitude, as we also say “well done” to all who serve our church, community, nation, and world.
See you Sunday!
Peace and Health,
Pastor James
Scripture Passages of the Week
Matthew 25:14-29
The Parable of the Talents
‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return, I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
