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One of the methods that...

Illustration
Ash Wednesday - B
2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10
One of the methods that bookkeepers use to ensure that their books are correct is bank reconciliation. The bookkeeper checks the bank's monthly record of a particular account against the records in her books. There will be discrepancies between the books due to the fact that some information will be in one book and not in the other, such as a check paid out that has not yet been cashed. The bookkeeper makes a list of these discrepancies to see if they are legitimate. Once these discrepancies are accounted for, the balance of the two sets of books should be the same.
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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.
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Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
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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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