Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle B
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Acts 8:26-40 (C, E)
LetÍs play Sherlock Holmes for a bit and see what deductions we can make about the characters in this passage. The ñeunuch'' was probably either a prisoner of some earlier war or born as a child into a poverty-stricken family, since those were the people who most usually were subjected to the mutilation he had suffered. However, we see he had risen to a position of high rank in Ethiopia. Obviously, then, he was a bright and highly motivated man. Yet we find him referred to by vocation but not by name. Members of ethnic minority groups would probably understand some of this manÍs feelings. For all his achievements, it would appear he still wasnÍt treated as an equal.
Now we find this man pulled off to the side of the road reading the Bible. Reference is made to his having attended a worship service, yet he was obviously unable to understand what he was reading. Is it possible this man was facing a life crisis, perhaps having to do with his infirmity and some discouragement about his future? Is it possible he was trying to find answers in the faith heÍd seen other people practice, that he was a newcomer to religion, ready for a change in his life, yet not quite able to know how to proceed? We canÍt know these things, of course. But it seems apparent the poor man was facing some type of difficulty for which he seemed to think religious faith might be an answer. And clearly, the scriptures were unfamiliar to him.
What about Philip? Given the fact that he had been a personal friend of Jesus, is it not likely he was well known locally as a man of personal faith? Perhaps it was something like one of us facing a life crisis, feeling hopeless and lost, only to run into Billy Graham, or Robert Schuller, or Norman Vincent Peale. Philip was certainly a forerunner of todayÍs clergy. So the eunuch turned to him for guidance in his search for answers.
WouldnÍt it be interesting if we could have overheard their conversation? At least we know that Philip took the time to visit with the man, to show that he cared and was willing to help. The man had at last found someone who treated him as a worthwhile human being and was willing to devote his time, energy, and resources to enable the man to find the answers he sought. That the man asked to be baptized forthwith may seem impulsive at first, but who among us has not hungrily grasped at those answers which suddenly appear in times of extreme stress? He must have seen baptism (a Jewish religious rite at that time) as a way of proactively receiving this newly found power into his own life. Much of this is speculation, but it does make sense of the passage.
Lesson 1: Acts 9:26-31 (RC)
Little wonder that the apostles had no use for Saul. He had a pretty bad reputation. However, when they learned of his conversion, they accepted Paul, and he became a powerful force for peace „ for a time. The preaching possibility which strikes me is verse 31: ñThrough the help of the Holy Spirit it (the Church) was strengthened, and grew in numbers, as it lived in reverence for the Lord.'' There are two uses for this passage: one, the Holy Spirit made possible the growth of the Church, and two, the fact that the people lived in reverence for the Lord made this possible.
Lesson 2: 1 John 4:7-21 (C)
What a sublime passage. One almost feels unworthy to elaborate beyond what is here. The preaching possibilities are almost endless. Where to start? Ernest Hemingway once wrote about his occasional problem with writerÍs block. He said he finally found the answer. He would write one sentence, the truest sentence he was able to write. One basic, indisputable truth. Thereafter, he said, the rest began to flow. So we can do that: ñGod is love.'' There we have the fundamental truth of the universe. True, there are unloving elements in the universe, and we have only theories to account for those. But this we know: ñGod is love.''
From this, John explained that since we can never see God, we are to reflect the divine love back and forth among us. Whoever does not do that is living apart from GodÍs love. In fact, God sent Jesus to reveal this true, ultimate fact: ñGod is love.'' From that fact, the rest of the universal truth flows: ñWhoever loves is a child of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God.''
How do we make this concrete? After all, many people would contend that they love „ love their kids, love to travel, love basketball. But thatÍs only a small part of love. Love is like the ocean „ it is beyond our capacity to search its depths, too complex, too grand and vast for us to do more than touch its essence. Dr. Weatherhead said one can walk to the beach with a teacup. One can dip a bit of sea water in the cup, taste it, hold it up to the light, have it analyzed. But as to the plunging depth of a mighty ocean, as to violent sea storms, and denizens of the deepest floor, its incredible power, we can only guess. So, we know God as we see God revealed in Jesus Christ, but beyond that we are thrust back upon a childÍs faith.
Love? From the teacup we know this: its elements include sacrifice, long-suffering, patience, optimism and joy, courage, unshakable integrity, beauty, laughter „ add to that if you will. The preacher must find a way to pin this down. One sermon, ten sermons, cannot complete the task. But we are to try based on what we know, what powers of expression we possess.
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:18-24 (RC); 1 John 3:(14-17) 18-24 (E)
(See Easter 4)
Gospel: John 15:1-8 (C, RC)
Jesus has used here an analogy which would have been clearly understandable to a farming culture. Some of us have had experience with growing things, most people probably have not in these times. But we can easily understand what is being said here. By virtue of our relationship with Jesus Christ, we will be able to ñbear fruit.'' Primarily, I think Jesus was referring to the living of a productive life „ not so much in terms of earnings „ in terms, rather, of contribution to the good of others and the fulfillment of GodÍs will for us. That doesnÍt mean we canÍt strive for those earnings. After all, that endeavor lies at the heart of our economic system (though blessedly, there are some among us who are unconcerned for earnings, emphasizing service completely).
Jesus made it clear that we may tend to drift away from the faithful life if we drift away from him. We are the branches of the vine, and Jesus is the vine. So, as the branches derive energy and nurture from the vine, so we derive energy and nurture from Christ. Likewise, God is the vinedresser, so the loving power originates with God and is transmitted through Jesus to us.
Gospel: John 14:15-21 (E)
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñEvangelism: Kindness In Action''
Text: Acts 8:26-40
Theme: Evangelism is an essential obligation of our faith. We are to pass the word along. However, there is a form of heavy-handed evangelism which, though it may win an occasional convert, will almost surely turn a larger number of people away. I once served a student charge near a fundamentalist church. On Saturday nights you could hear that preacher shouting for blocks around. I have to believe there are people to this very day who do not go to church because they think „ incorrectly „ thatÍs what church is about. I think the Bible teaches that our actions characterized by love and kindness are the best form of evangelism. Of course we tell others about our faith. We invite them to our churches. But we respect their right to believe differently, and to decide for themselves when the time is right. ItÍs when I see someone living a life of good spirit and courageous activity that I decide I want to be like that.
1. Love in action is the best evangelism.
2. The church is to make the visitor/member experience acceptance and love.
3. The best witness to the power of Jesus Christ is a faithful life.
Title: ñExcellent Way''
Text: 1 John 4:7-8
Theme: Paul called love the ñmore excellent way'' (RSV). I read about a man finishing up the installation of a new sidewalk. As he was smoothing the concrete surface, a little boy rode by on a bicycle. Intrigued, the boy watched for a while, then impulsively scratched his initials in the fresh surface. The workman shouted at the boy, who dashed away. An amused bystander asked, ñDonÍt you like little boys?'' The man replied: ñI like little boys in the abstract, but not in the concrete.'' (Sorry.) But we have to take love from an abstract idea to a concrete way of life. John has made this part quite clear: God loves us. If we love God, we express that by showing love for other people. If we do not try to do that, we make it clear that we are not in a relationship with God. Although our basic text is this passage from First John, I would turn to PaulÍs wonderful thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians for an outline.
1. Love is patient and kind. ItÍs easy to get irritated with some people, especially when they donÍt do things the way we think they should. Parents get irritated with children. We can get irritated with telephone solicitations, airline reservation people who leave you on hold while youÍre almost positive theyÍre sitting there drinking coffee and reading a magazine. So it goes. Those of us who are not particularly known for patience anyway must work at cultivating this quality as an act of practical love. And kindness is the one quality which, in greater supply, could quickly make this a better world.
2. Love does not keep a record of wrongs. Some people can be very unforgiving. Many a spouse hears a litany of ñwrongs'' supposedly committed months, even years ago. The basic hope for all of us is forgiveness. ThatÍs the opposite of keeping a record of wrongs.
3. Love never gives up. God will always be there for us. Always. Nothing we do, no blasphemy, no evil act, can prevent God from loving us. But these things can cut us off from God by our own choice, and can cut us off from fulfilling relationships with other people. I liken salvation to a drowning man grabbing the oar of a boat. While the boatman heads for shore, the saved man can hang on to the oar and is thereby saved. But he can also let go and it is not the boatmanÍs fault if he thereafter drowns. So, God wills to save us, but needs our cooperation in the process. A loving life is a way of hanging on to salvation.
Title: ñSweet Mystery''
Text: John 15:5
Theme: Actually, this passage echoes many others, those promising resources from God through our relationship with Christ, those which warn that to reject that relationship once it is known to us, and to live selfish lives, is to cut ourselves off from divine love and all which that promises.
Having said that, I confess to an almost complete failure to fully understand. As one hymn states the matter: ñThe love of God is broader/Than the measure of manÍs mind.'' J. W. Hamilton reminds us of the Old Testament story by a prophet about a man who set forth with a measuring rod, announcing that he planned to discover the length and breadth of the Holy City of Jerusalem. But an angel appeared and informed the man that God himself was the center of the city as well as its borders. There was no way he would ever be able to measure God.
Accept it, then, all is shrouded in mystery. No less than Albert Einstein said that mystery is creationÍs greatest beauty. This story of the vine points us upward beyond vision, upward to the divine and the profound promise of fulfillment and meaning in existence which eludes us unless we receive it as a gift. It is not to be found elsewhere.
I know people who scoff at all of this. So do you. I never scoffed, but I had my years when I thought there must be a better way than religion and church. I got lost along the way. Or perhaps I never found the way, until one day I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and since that hour I have known the way. He is faithful to us all. No one is ever turned away. Martin Niemoeller, a World War I U-boat commander and German hero who accepted Christ and spent World War II in prison, said, ñIt took me a long time to learn that God is not the enemy of my enemies. He is not even the enemy of his enemies.''
1. Go to him, then, dear friend who listens here this morning. Go to him. Ask him to show you the way. He will.
2. There is energy, literal power-filled energy, in his presence. If you have never felt surrounded by love, let him surround you. He will.
3. Stand up, then, look at the suffering and the trial that lies before you. Ask him to give you courage, ask him to go with you into the fires. He will.
4. Feel the rising joy within your heart. Experience the discovery of companionship beyond previous knowing. Let his love flow through you, let him walk with you henceforth. He will.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
Two young friends of mine told me of their move into a new neighborhood with their two small children. A couple living nearby, of about the same age, came to their door to welcome them. It was a friendly gesture and over the next several weeks the two families became good friends. The men played racquetball, the women shared experiences in child-raising, the children played together. But one evening, the neighboring couple began to discuss religion and invited my friends to attend their church. They, however, explained that they were quite happy with the church they were attending. But the visiting couple began to intensify their efforts, virtually insisting that if their friendship was to continue they should be members of the same church. When my friends remained adamant, the other couple left rather unceremoniously. They were never again friendly, avoiding my friends whenever they met in the neighborhood. It was apparent that they wanted, in the words of one well-known preacher, ñto hang my friendsÍ religious scalps on their belts.''
____________
ThereÍs a wonderful legend about Saint Francis, the kindly thirteenth century monk, who one day informed his brethren that he planned to go into the nearby village on a preaching mission. He invited a novice to go along. On their way, they passed an injured man and Francis promptly stopped, saw to the the poor fellowÍs needs, and arranged medical care for him. They went on and soon passed a homeless man who was near starvation. Again, Francis stopped his journey and ministered to the hungry, homeless man. So it went, through the day, people in need, Francis lovingly caring for them as best he could until the sun was low in the sky. He told his novice friend it was time for them to return, now, to the monastery for evening prayers. But the young man said, ñFather, you said we were coming to town to preach to the people.'' Francis smiled. Then he said, ñMy friend, thatÍs what weÍve been doing all day.'' ThatÍs evangelism at its most faithful. Ministry to people in their need. Not worrying about numerical growth, or adding to oneÍs own conversion record, or winning acclaim within the denomination. Evangelism is sharing the love of God in concrete form among GodÍs people.
____________
The reader is directed to the section on The Advent Season for a splendid illustration reported by J. Wallace Hamilton about the man with two umbrellas (page 19).
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 22:25-31 (C) „ ñFrom you comes my praise in the great congregation.''
Psalm 21 (RC) „ ñIn your strength the king rejoices.''
Psalm 66:1-11 (E) „ ñMake a joyful noise to God, all the earth.''
Prayer Of The Day
God of love: As unlearned children we come to thee, only dimly understanding your great promise, yet earnestly wishing to know and receive your promised love. Forgive us our foolish lost wandering, reveal to us the way you would have us go, keep us faithful until the day we see and understand. In ChristÍs name we pray. Amen.
Lesson 1: Acts 8:26-40 (C, E)
LetÍs play Sherlock Holmes for a bit and see what deductions we can make about the characters in this passage. The ñeunuch'' was probably either a prisoner of some earlier war or born as a child into a poverty-stricken family, since those were the people who most usually were subjected to the mutilation he had suffered. However, we see he had risen to a position of high rank in Ethiopia. Obviously, then, he was a bright and highly motivated man. Yet we find him referred to by vocation but not by name. Members of ethnic minority groups would probably understand some of this manÍs feelings. For all his achievements, it would appear he still wasnÍt treated as an equal.
Now we find this man pulled off to the side of the road reading the Bible. Reference is made to his having attended a worship service, yet he was obviously unable to understand what he was reading. Is it possible this man was facing a life crisis, perhaps having to do with his infirmity and some discouragement about his future? Is it possible he was trying to find answers in the faith heÍd seen other people practice, that he was a newcomer to religion, ready for a change in his life, yet not quite able to know how to proceed? We canÍt know these things, of course. But it seems apparent the poor man was facing some type of difficulty for which he seemed to think religious faith might be an answer. And clearly, the scriptures were unfamiliar to him.
What about Philip? Given the fact that he had been a personal friend of Jesus, is it not likely he was well known locally as a man of personal faith? Perhaps it was something like one of us facing a life crisis, feeling hopeless and lost, only to run into Billy Graham, or Robert Schuller, or Norman Vincent Peale. Philip was certainly a forerunner of todayÍs clergy. So the eunuch turned to him for guidance in his search for answers.
WouldnÍt it be interesting if we could have overheard their conversation? At least we know that Philip took the time to visit with the man, to show that he cared and was willing to help. The man had at last found someone who treated him as a worthwhile human being and was willing to devote his time, energy, and resources to enable the man to find the answers he sought. That the man asked to be baptized forthwith may seem impulsive at first, but who among us has not hungrily grasped at those answers which suddenly appear in times of extreme stress? He must have seen baptism (a Jewish religious rite at that time) as a way of proactively receiving this newly found power into his own life. Much of this is speculation, but it does make sense of the passage.
Lesson 1: Acts 9:26-31 (RC)
Little wonder that the apostles had no use for Saul. He had a pretty bad reputation. However, when they learned of his conversion, they accepted Paul, and he became a powerful force for peace „ for a time. The preaching possibility which strikes me is verse 31: ñThrough the help of the Holy Spirit it (the Church) was strengthened, and grew in numbers, as it lived in reverence for the Lord.'' There are two uses for this passage: one, the Holy Spirit made possible the growth of the Church, and two, the fact that the people lived in reverence for the Lord made this possible.
Lesson 2: 1 John 4:7-21 (C)
What a sublime passage. One almost feels unworthy to elaborate beyond what is here. The preaching possibilities are almost endless. Where to start? Ernest Hemingway once wrote about his occasional problem with writerÍs block. He said he finally found the answer. He would write one sentence, the truest sentence he was able to write. One basic, indisputable truth. Thereafter, he said, the rest began to flow. So we can do that: ñGod is love.'' There we have the fundamental truth of the universe. True, there are unloving elements in the universe, and we have only theories to account for those. But this we know: ñGod is love.''
From this, John explained that since we can never see God, we are to reflect the divine love back and forth among us. Whoever does not do that is living apart from GodÍs love. In fact, God sent Jesus to reveal this true, ultimate fact: ñGod is love.'' From that fact, the rest of the universal truth flows: ñWhoever loves is a child of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God.''
How do we make this concrete? After all, many people would contend that they love „ love their kids, love to travel, love basketball. But thatÍs only a small part of love. Love is like the ocean „ it is beyond our capacity to search its depths, too complex, too grand and vast for us to do more than touch its essence. Dr. Weatherhead said one can walk to the beach with a teacup. One can dip a bit of sea water in the cup, taste it, hold it up to the light, have it analyzed. But as to the plunging depth of a mighty ocean, as to violent sea storms, and denizens of the deepest floor, its incredible power, we can only guess. So, we know God as we see God revealed in Jesus Christ, but beyond that we are thrust back upon a childÍs faith.
Love? From the teacup we know this: its elements include sacrifice, long-suffering, patience, optimism and joy, courage, unshakable integrity, beauty, laughter „ add to that if you will. The preacher must find a way to pin this down. One sermon, ten sermons, cannot complete the task. But we are to try based on what we know, what powers of expression we possess.
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:18-24 (RC); 1 John 3:(14-17) 18-24 (E)
(See Easter 4)
Gospel: John 15:1-8 (C, RC)
Jesus has used here an analogy which would have been clearly understandable to a farming culture. Some of us have had experience with growing things, most people probably have not in these times. But we can easily understand what is being said here. By virtue of our relationship with Jesus Christ, we will be able to ñbear fruit.'' Primarily, I think Jesus was referring to the living of a productive life „ not so much in terms of earnings „ in terms, rather, of contribution to the good of others and the fulfillment of GodÍs will for us. That doesnÍt mean we canÍt strive for those earnings. After all, that endeavor lies at the heart of our economic system (though blessedly, there are some among us who are unconcerned for earnings, emphasizing service completely).
Jesus made it clear that we may tend to drift away from the faithful life if we drift away from him. We are the branches of the vine, and Jesus is the vine. So, as the branches derive energy and nurture from the vine, so we derive energy and nurture from Christ. Likewise, God is the vinedresser, so the loving power originates with God and is transmitted through Jesus to us.
Gospel: John 14:15-21 (E)
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñEvangelism: Kindness In Action''
Text: Acts 8:26-40
Theme: Evangelism is an essential obligation of our faith. We are to pass the word along. However, there is a form of heavy-handed evangelism which, though it may win an occasional convert, will almost surely turn a larger number of people away. I once served a student charge near a fundamentalist church. On Saturday nights you could hear that preacher shouting for blocks around. I have to believe there are people to this very day who do not go to church because they think „ incorrectly „ thatÍs what church is about. I think the Bible teaches that our actions characterized by love and kindness are the best form of evangelism. Of course we tell others about our faith. We invite them to our churches. But we respect their right to believe differently, and to decide for themselves when the time is right. ItÍs when I see someone living a life of good spirit and courageous activity that I decide I want to be like that.
1. Love in action is the best evangelism.
2. The church is to make the visitor/member experience acceptance and love.
3. The best witness to the power of Jesus Christ is a faithful life.
Title: ñExcellent Way''
Text: 1 John 4:7-8
Theme: Paul called love the ñmore excellent way'' (RSV). I read about a man finishing up the installation of a new sidewalk. As he was smoothing the concrete surface, a little boy rode by on a bicycle. Intrigued, the boy watched for a while, then impulsively scratched his initials in the fresh surface. The workman shouted at the boy, who dashed away. An amused bystander asked, ñDonÍt you like little boys?'' The man replied: ñI like little boys in the abstract, but not in the concrete.'' (Sorry.) But we have to take love from an abstract idea to a concrete way of life. John has made this part quite clear: God loves us. If we love God, we express that by showing love for other people. If we do not try to do that, we make it clear that we are not in a relationship with God. Although our basic text is this passage from First John, I would turn to PaulÍs wonderful thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians for an outline.
1. Love is patient and kind. ItÍs easy to get irritated with some people, especially when they donÍt do things the way we think they should. Parents get irritated with children. We can get irritated with telephone solicitations, airline reservation people who leave you on hold while youÍre almost positive theyÍre sitting there drinking coffee and reading a magazine. So it goes. Those of us who are not particularly known for patience anyway must work at cultivating this quality as an act of practical love. And kindness is the one quality which, in greater supply, could quickly make this a better world.
2. Love does not keep a record of wrongs. Some people can be very unforgiving. Many a spouse hears a litany of ñwrongs'' supposedly committed months, even years ago. The basic hope for all of us is forgiveness. ThatÍs the opposite of keeping a record of wrongs.
3. Love never gives up. God will always be there for us. Always. Nothing we do, no blasphemy, no evil act, can prevent God from loving us. But these things can cut us off from God by our own choice, and can cut us off from fulfilling relationships with other people. I liken salvation to a drowning man grabbing the oar of a boat. While the boatman heads for shore, the saved man can hang on to the oar and is thereby saved. But he can also let go and it is not the boatmanÍs fault if he thereafter drowns. So, God wills to save us, but needs our cooperation in the process. A loving life is a way of hanging on to salvation.
Title: ñSweet Mystery''
Text: John 15:5
Theme: Actually, this passage echoes many others, those promising resources from God through our relationship with Christ, those which warn that to reject that relationship once it is known to us, and to live selfish lives, is to cut ourselves off from divine love and all which that promises.
Having said that, I confess to an almost complete failure to fully understand. As one hymn states the matter: ñThe love of God is broader/Than the measure of manÍs mind.'' J. W. Hamilton reminds us of the Old Testament story by a prophet about a man who set forth with a measuring rod, announcing that he planned to discover the length and breadth of the Holy City of Jerusalem. But an angel appeared and informed the man that God himself was the center of the city as well as its borders. There was no way he would ever be able to measure God.
Accept it, then, all is shrouded in mystery. No less than Albert Einstein said that mystery is creationÍs greatest beauty. This story of the vine points us upward beyond vision, upward to the divine and the profound promise of fulfillment and meaning in existence which eludes us unless we receive it as a gift. It is not to be found elsewhere.
I know people who scoff at all of this. So do you. I never scoffed, but I had my years when I thought there must be a better way than religion and church. I got lost along the way. Or perhaps I never found the way, until one day I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and since that hour I have known the way. He is faithful to us all. No one is ever turned away. Martin Niemoeller, a World War I U-boat commander and German hero who accepted Christ and spent World War II in prison, said, ñIt took me a long time to learn that God is not the enemy of my enemies. He is not even the enemy of his enemies.''
1. Go to him, then, dear friend who listens here this morning. Go to him. Ask him to show you the way. He will.
2. There is energy, literal power-filled energy, in his presence. If you have never felt surrounded by love, let him surround you. He will.
3. Stand up, then, look at the suffering and the trial that lies before you. Ask him to give you courage, ask him to go with you into the fires. He will.
4. Feel the rising joy within your heart. Experience the discovery of companionship beyond previous knowing. Let his love flow through you, let him walk with you henceforth. He will.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
Two young friends of mine told me of their move into a new neighborhood with their two small children. A couple living nearby, of about the same age, came to their door to welcome them. It was a friendly gesture and over the next several weeks the two families became good friends. The men played racquetball, the women shared experiences in child-raising, the children played together. But one evening, the neighboring couple began to discuss religion and invited my friends to attend their church. They, however, explained that they were quite happy with the church they were attending. But the visiting couple began to intensify their efforts, virtually insisting that if their friendship was to continue they should be members of the same church. When my friends remained adamant, the other couple left rather unceremoniously. They were never again friendly, avoiding my friends whenever they met in the neighborhood. It was apparent that they wanted, in the words of one well-known preacher, ñto hang my friendsÍ religious scalps on their belts.''
____________
ThereÍs a wonderful legend about Saint Francis, the kindly thirteenth century monk, who one day informed his brethren that he planned to go into the nearby village on a preaching mission. He invited a novice to go along. On their way, they passed an injured man and Francis promptly stopped, saw to the the poor fellowÍs needs, and arranged medical care for him. They went on and soon passed a homeless man who was near starvation. Again, Francis stopped his journey and ministered to the hungry, homeless man. So it went, through the day, people in need, Francis lovingly caring for them as best he could until the sun was low in the sky. He told his novice friend it was time for them to return, now, to the monastery for evening prayers. But the young man said, ñFather, you said we were coming to town to preach to the people.'' Francis smiled. Then he said, ñMy friend, thatÍs what weÍve been doing all day.'' ThatÍs evangelism at its most faithful. Ministry to people in their need. Not worrying about numerical growth, or adding to oneÍs own conversion record, or winning acclaim within the denomination. Evangelism is sharing the love of God in concrete form among GodÍs people.
____________
The reader is directed to the section on The Advent Season for a splendid illustration reported by J. Wallace Hamilton about the man with two umbrellas (page 19).
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 22:25-31 (C) „ ñFrom you comes my praise in the great congregation.''
Psalm 21 (RC) „ ñIn your strength the king rejoices.''
Psalm 66:1-11 (E) „ ñMake a joyful noise to God, all the earth.''
Prayer Of The Day
God of love: As unlearned children we come to thee, only dimly understanding your great promise, yet earnestly wishing to know and receive your promised love. Forgive us our foolish lost wandering, reveal to us the way you would have us go, keep us faithful until the day we see and understand. In ChristÍs name we pray. Amen.
