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The widow of Zarephath seemed...

Illustration
Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
1 Kings 17:8-16
The widow of Zarephath seemed to have so little to offer to the work of God, but God somehow took what she had and used it abundantly. Corrie Ten Boom wrote that when she was in Russia she went to visit a woman who was well-known among Christians for devoting her life to translating the writings of great Christians into the language of the people. When Corrie arrived at this lady's small apartment, she found the woman lying on a small sofa, propped up by pillows, her body gnarled and deformed with multiple sclerosis. All the fingers on her hands were drawn except for one index finger.
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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.
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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" 'It was I who taught Ephraim how to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them' (11:3). They did not know me. Do you?

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