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Many have placed their trust...

Illustration
Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Genesis 22:1-14
Many have placed their trust in God, but some will point out that their trust did not keep them from getting cancer, having a heart attack, or going broke, so what good is it? Many have asked to be kept safe from other kinds of disasters and still fell victim. So observers will tell us to forget God, stay home on Sunday morning and sleep late. There's a woman who lives on top of a hill and yet her basement has flooded twice. The electricity went off, the sump pump went out, and the rain just kept coming into her basement. Scoffers have her convinced that God is just out to get her.
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Object: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.

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Call to Worship:

Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

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Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
Christ, have mercy.

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For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
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How do you focus on something unseen? How can we set our minds on that which we can't touch, or taste, or verify scientifically? Most practical people want proof. Abstract propositions are difficult to get our arms around, especially if they are from another time and place.
Thomas A. Renquist
This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
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