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She once asked Mother Teresa...

Illustration
Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
She once asked Mother Teresa if she could come to Calcutta and serve with her there. Mother Teresa told her, "Do the best you can in your own community." So, Ernestina Parravano dedicated herself to helping people in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She discovered that God is able to work powerfully even in humble and desperate situations. One welfare mother who was struggling with substance abuse needed financial help. Ernestina was able to help support her for a while. She encouraged the woman to return to school. The woman did and is now in a work-training program.
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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For August 3, 2025:

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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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Stephen P. McCutchan
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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