Ash Wednesday - C

For September 27, 2026:

• In The End, Every Knee Shall Bow by Katy Stenta. When Jesus returns, every knee will bow, to get next to Jesus…
• Second Thoughts: How Should We Follow Christ? by Tom Willadsen.

Contents
“If It’s Worth Telling …” by David O. Bales
“An Over-Abundance Of New” by David O. Bales


If It’s Worth Telling …
by David O. Bales
Psalm 25:1-9

“Let me tell you a story.”

“No, no, no. That’s not the way to start a story. Try again.”

“I’ve got a great story to tell you.”

“You’re still missing it badly.”

“But I just introduced the story.”

Contents
"Wild Oats" by C. David McKirachan
"Bed Time Stories" by C. David McKirachan

* * * * * * *

Wild Oats
by C. David McKirachan
Psalm 25:1-9

I don’t know about you but my youth was full of sin. Not the ones that make up the terrible ten, but the terrible two, the ones on which hang all the law and the prophets.

Double Trouble was the smallest of the litter of puppies. He was also the most mischievous. When the old lady saw him, she couldn't resist the way his ears flopped over his face or the way his tail wagged incessantly.

Zack had seen the movie. You know, the one with Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston -- Bruce Almighty. Zack thought it was a pretty cheesy movie ... so predictable ... God helps the guy get the girl. But Zack was thinking, who wants a girl who wants commitment and kids? And who really wants a job? Zack didn't want a job; all he wanted was money. Even oil company executives probably had to do something to make money other than raising prices every time some Middle Eastern king had a toothache. Zack didn't want to do anything.

When Sadie and Bessie, the famed "Delany Sisters," were in the early years of their second centuries (103 and 105, respectively) they told interviewers, "God only gave you one body, so you better be nice to it. Exercise, because if you don't, by the time you're our age, you'll be pushing up daisies." Fitness gymnasiums ought to put the Delany Sisters on their billboards and quote them into larger profit margins.

Consider this list: a local restaurant under construction, a high school dropout, the cross-stitch I've been working on for six years, a young person killed in an accident. All of these have one thing in common: they describe something that has gone unfinished. A building, an education, a craft, a life. There are thousands of things and thousands of people around us that go unfinished. Some people start something and stop because they can't take criticism. Others stop because they're content with what they've done to that point.

I don't know about you, but I don't think much of the choices Jesus offers in this passage. Think about it with me for a moment. Two sons. The father tells each one to go and do a little work in the vineyard. It's not much to ask, like mowing the lawn every once in a while. Parents don't ask their children to do that many chores around the house. Besides, it's the least they can do to earn their keep. So, says Jesus, this particular father asks his two boys to help out a little around the vineyard.

The parables are like mirrors. You can see yourself in them. You look at the characters and listen to their responses and you can see and hear yourself. This was the case when Nathan told a parable to David about a rich man's taking a poor man's pet sheep for a banquet. Nathan did not have to say, "You are the man," for David seeing himself as the guilty one confessed, "I have sinned against the Lord."

Call To Worship
One: God became an infant
All: so we would become God's children.
One: God walked the earth, telling stories
All: so the words would guide our choices.
One: God became poor
All: so our riches would help others.
One: God became foolish
All: so we would be wise enough to follow.
One: God turned the world upside down
All: so we would find our way home.

Prayer Of The Day
You nourish us,
Rock-Splitter,

Theme: Testing Our Profession Of Faith By Our Deeds

Call To Worship
Come, let us sing praises to the Lord. For the Lord is our strength and our salvation. His presence is among us, and his Spirit empowers us to be his people.

Invocation

They rang the church doorbell insistently. "We want to speak to the pastor!" they yelled over the intercom.

I met them at the glass doors and asked how I could help them.

The tall thin one with the long hair, granny glasses, and floppy leather Bible announced that they had a message from "Our Lord Jesus Christ" (the other one was small, tubby, had short hair, but the same floppy Bible).

The scenario continues from a week ago. Then it was complaining for lack of bread and meat. Now it is water that is scarce. But now the intensity of discontent is deeper. Whereas they had merely "complained" before, now they are in open rebellion. Mumbling has broken into quarreling. Moses is at his wits' end. He fears he will be stoned, a sign that a mob mentality is beginning to take hold.

Good morning! How many of you like to play a musical instrument? (Let them answer.) Music is so much fun! I like good music! I love the music our children's choir makes when they sing in worship. Music is a real joy. It makes people happy.

Now, let me ask you a question. See if you like the music I'm going to play on this piano. (Play some dissonant chords.) Do you like my music? Now be honest here. (Let them answer.) I can understand that you might not like that music. In fact, we wouldn't even call it music because it's really just noise!

The Point: Words alone are not enough. Action is needed.

The Lesson: Good morning, girls and boys. It is great to have you come up and share this time with me. Thank you.

Every time I see a broom (show broom) I remember a learning moment in my life. I was just a little older than you are. And in our home I had certain chores to do. Chores are things that I was responsible to do to help in my family. One of those chores was to clean my room by hanging up my clothes and sweeping the floor.