Welcoming Mr. Forsythe
Stories
Object:
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Welcoming Mr. Forsythe" by Argile Smith
"The Question about the Dove" by Merle Franke
What's Up This Week
How an individual handles power reflects on that individual's character. Some wield power with an iron fist, ensuring that everyone knows who is in charge. Some shy away from power, not wanting the responsibility. Others fall somewhere in between. If we were to look throughout history for the best example of how to wield power and authority, we would have to find it in Jesus. Here was God in the flesh, with the same power that created all that is, and yet he carried that power and authority gently and with compassion and love. Argile Smith offers us a worldly example of this mixture of power and compassion in "Welcoming Mr. Forsythe." In addition, Merle Franke takes us on a journey of discovery with ten-year-old Jeremy as he explores the meaning of baptism in "The Question about the Dove."
* * * * * * * * *
Welcoming Mr. Forsythe
Argile Smith
Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43
Mr. Forsythe made his work as an elementary school principal look easy. He had a knack for managing his swarm of teachers, coaches, administrators, students, and parents so that teaching and learning could happen every school day. Even though he didn't try to rule with an iron hand, everyone seemed to have tremendous respect for him.
He certainly didn't look like a top-shelf administrator. Not a tall man at all, he had a few strands of unruly gray hair on the top of his head with a little more hanging on for dear life around his hat line. A portly fellow, he cut a heavy-in-the-middle figure that would remind you of Santa Claus, and he always looked like he had been dressed by committee. Nothing he wore seemed to match really well or fit quite right. His signature accessory to his garbled wardrobe happened to be a pair of thick glasses that perched precariously on the end of his nose all the time.
Mr. Forsythe had incredible power over the school. Teachers lived with the reality that he could fire and replace each one of them as he deemed necessary. Students knew that the stroke of his pen could have them imprisoned to detention, Saturday school, or worse. Parents learned that he had the clout to make things happen. Every member of the school board understood his depth of his influence in the community.
But power didn't matter to him very much. The children in his school, however, meant the world to him. He cared deeply about them -- each one of them.
For instance, he liked to drop by the third-grade classes and quiz the students on their multiplication tables. All third-graders should have a firm grip on everything from "two times one" to "nine times nine" as far as he was concerned. That's why he would arrange "surprise" visits to each of the third-grade classes.
On a typical surprise visit, he would say to the teacher, "I dropped by to see if these students were as smart as the other third-grade classes." Then he would ask, "Would you mind if I asked a few questions?"
That's when the fun would begin. He would walk down the aisles, point to a student at random, and throw out a question like, "Two times seven?" A correct answer got a hearty, "Great!" Answering incorrectly got an encouraging "you'll get it next time" reply. Up and down the aisle he would go, hurling multiplication table questions left and right. Then he would leave, thanking the teacher for allowing him to interrupt and adding so everyone could hear, "They're really smart, aren't they?"
One day he made a surprise visit to a class in which Charlie sat quietly trying to deal with a toothache. Charlie came from a poor family that couldn't afford dental care. He didn't wear nice clothes either, and he knew it. In fact, Charlie spent much of his time at school trying to be invisible. To make matters worse, his tooth hurt on the very day Mr. Forsythe made one of his surprise visits his class.
In usual fashion, Mr. Forsythe made his way up and down the aisle and quizzed one student after another, getting closer to Charlie with each step he took. Then he flashed the question at Charlie, "Six times nine?"
Forgetting his pain for a split second, Charlie spoke up, "Fifty-four."
Then Mr. Forsythe launched a follow-up query, "Nine times eight?"
"Seventy-two!" Charlie shot back.
"You're good." Mr. Forsythe said. Then he turned to the teacher and confirmed, "He's really good."
After Mr. Forsythe left the classroom, Charlie thought about Mr. Forsythe's visit. The most powerful person in his third-grade world had just said in public that he mattered. For a while, his tooth stopped hurting, and his self-esteem healed a little too. As far as he was concerned, Mr. Forsythe could visit his classroom anytime.
Jesus came, powerful yet gentle and caring. People who know Him that way always welcome Him into their lives.
The Question about the Dove
Merle Franke
Matthew 3:13-17
At ten years of age Jeremy suddenly became more curious about baptism, since his infant cousin Jason was being baptized at the worship service this morning. Jeremyís inquisitive eyes and mind focused today on things that in the past had passed him by without much notice.
The baptismal font in this contemporary church building had a dove suspended above it, held in place by wires that could not be seen from farther than a few feet away. Was that bird always there? Or did they put it up there just for today, he wondered? And the worship bulletin for this Sunday also had a dove featured on the front cover. He had the urge to ask his dad about the bird -- he didnít really know if it was a dove or a pigeon or what -- but he knew from experience it would be better to wait and ask the question on the way home. And now his whole family joined his uncle and aunt at the baptismal font.
"In Christian love you have presented Jason for Holy Baptism. You should, therefore, faithfully bring him to the services of Godís house..." Jeremy heard those words being spoken by the pastor, but he only half-listened to the baptismal service. He kept glancing at the dove hanging over his head. He would definitely have to ask about that bird. "Pour out your Holy Spirit, so that Jason who is here baptized may be given new life," the pastor continued.
After worship, in the car, Jeremy said, "Iím hungry. When are we going to eat?"
His father replied, "Weíre going to your uncle and auntís house for a baptismal dinner, but it shouldnít be too long."
"Why are we baptized?" Jeremy asked. His father was glad he had taught Sunday school for the past five years and that some of the lessons had dwelt on baptism. As best he could he tried to explain about the forgiveness of sins and Godís acceptance of us into his family through baptism.
Jeremy wasnít through with the questioning. "The pastor said in his sermon that Jesus was baptized. Did he have to have his sins forgiven, or what?"
"Oh, lordy," Dad thought to himself, but he struggled through an answer he hoped was at least halfway correct. "No, Jesus didnít have any sins to forgive. But he was baptized kind of as a sign that... that... that God has a special task for him to do." Whew!
"Whatís the bird hanging above the baptismal thing?" Jeremy asked.
"I can deal with this," Dad thought to himself with some relief. "That bird is supposed to be a dove. And it reminds us of Godís Spirit coming to us -- as it did to Jesus -- in baptism. Also it reminds us that God was pleased with his Son Jesus."
"Oh," Jeremy replied nonchalantly. "I wonder what weíre having for dinner."
(Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit, 56 Stories for Cycle A [Lima, Ohio: CSS Publishing, Co., 1995], pp. 21-22)
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How to Share Stories
You have good stories to share, probably more than you know: personal stories as well as stories from others that you have used over the years. If you have a story you like, whether fictional or "really happened," authored by you or a brief excerpt from a favorite book, send it to StoryShare for review. Simply email the story to us at storyshare@sermonsuite.com.
**************
StoryShare, January 13, 2008, issue.
Copyright 2008 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 517 South Main Street, Lima, Ohio 45804.
What's Up This Week
"Welcoming Mr. Forsythe" by Argile Smith
"The Question about the Dove" by Merle Franke
What's Up This Week
How an individual handles power reflects on that individual's character. Some wield power with an iron fist, ensuring that everyone knows who is in charge. Some shy away from power, not wanting the responsibility. Others fall somewhere in between. If we were to look throughout history for the best example of how to wield power and authority, we would have to find it in Jesus. Here was God in the flesh, with the same power that created all that is, and yet he carried that power and authority gently and with compassion and love. Argile Smith offers us a worldly example of this mixture of power and compassion in "Welcoming Mr. Forsythe." In addition, Merle Franke takes us on a journey of discovery with ten-year-old Jeremy as he explores the meaning of baptism in "The Question about the Dove."
* * * * * * * * *
Welcoming Mr. Forsythe
Argile Smith
Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43
Mr. Forsythe made his work as an elementary school principal look easy. He had a knack for managing his swarm of teachers, coaches, administrators, students, and parents so that teaching and learning could happen every school day. Even though he didn't try to rule with an iron hand, everyone seemed to have tremendous respect for him.
He certainly didn't look like a top-shelf administrator. Not a tall man at all, he had a few strands of unruly gray hair on the top of his head with a little more hanging on for dear life around his hat line. A portly fellow, he cut a heavy-in-the-middle figure that would remind you of Santa Claus, and he always looked like he had been dressed by committee. Nothing he wore seemed to match really well or fit quite right. His signature accessory to his garbled wardrobe happened to be a pair of thick glasses that perched precariously on the end of his nose all the time.
Mr. Forsythe had incredible power over the school. Teachers lived with the reality that he could fire and replace each one of them as he deemed necessary. Students knew that the stroke of his pen could have them imprisoned to detention, Saturday school, or worse. Parents learned that he had the clout to make things happen. Every member of the school board understood his depth of his influence in the community.
But power didn't matter to him very much. The children in his school, however, meant the world to him. He cared deeply about them -- each one of them.
For instance, he liked to drop by the third-grade classes and quiz the students on their multiplication tables. All third-graders should have a firm grip on everything from "two times one" to "nine times nine" as far as he was concerned. That's why he would arrange "surprise" visits to each of the third-grade classes.
On a typical surprise visit, he would say to the teacher, "I dropped by to see if these students were as smart as the other third-grade classes." Then he would ask, "Would you mind if I asked a few questions?"
That's when the fun would begin. He would walk down the aisles, point to a student at random, and throw out a question like, "Two times seven?" A correct answer got a hearty, "Great!" Answering incorrectly got an encouraging "you'll get it next time" reply. Up and down the aisle he would go, hurling multiplication table questions left and right. Then he would leave, thanking the teacher for allowing him to interrupt and adding so everyone could hear, "They're really smart, aren't they?"
One day he made a surprise visit to a class in which Charlie sat quietly trying to deal with a toothache. Charlie came from a poor family that couldn't afford dental care. He didn't wear nice clothes either, and he knew it. In fact, Charlie spent much of his time at school trying to be invisible. To make matters worse, his tooth hurt on the very day Mr. Forsythe made one of his surprise visits his class.
In usual fashion, Mr. Forsythe made his way up and down the aisle and quizzed one student after another, getting closer to Charlie with each step he took. Then he flashed the question at Charlie, "Six times nine?"
Forgetting his pain for a split second, Charlie spoke up, "Fifty-four."
Then Mr. Forsythe launched a follow-up query, "Nine times eight?"
"Seventy-two!" Charlie shot back.
"You're good." Mr. Forsythe said. Then he turned to the teacher and confirmed, "He's really good."
After Mr. Forsythe left the classroom, Charlie thought about Mr. Forsythe's visit. The most powerful person in his third-grade world had just said in public that he mattered. For a while, his tooth stopped hurting, and his self-esteem healed a little too. As far as he was concerned, Mr. Forsythe could visit his classroom anytime.
Jesus came, powerful yet gentle and caring. People who know Him that way always welcome Him into their lives.
The Question about the Dove
Merle Franke
Matthew 3:13-17
At ten years of age Jeremy suddenly became more curious about baptism, since his infant cousin Jason was being baptized at the worship service this morning. Jeremyís inquisitive eyes and mind focused today on things that in the past had passed him by without much notice.
The baptismal font in this contemporary church building had a dove suspended above it, held in place by wires that could not be seen from farther than a few feet away. Was that bird always there? Or did they put it up there just for today, he wondered? And the worship bulletin for this Sunday also had a dove featured on the front cover. He had the urge to ask his dad about the bird -- he didnít really know if it was a dove or a pigeon or what -- but he knew from experience it would be better to wait and ask the question on the way home. And now his whole family joined his uncle and aunt at the baptismal font.
"In Christian love you have presented Jason for Holy Baptism. You should, therefore, faithfully bring him to the services of Godís house..." Jeremy heard those words being spoken by the pastor, but he only half-listened to the baptismal service. He kept glancing at the dove hanging over his head. He would definitely have to ask about that bird. "Pour out your Holy Spirit, so that Jason who is here baptized may be given new life," the pastor continued.
After worship, in the car, Jeremy said, "Iím hungry. When are we going to eat?"
His father replied, "Weíre going to your uncle and auntís house for a baptismal dinner, but it shouldnít be too long."
"Why are we baptized?" Jeremy asked. His father was glad he had taught Sunday school for the past five years and that some of the lessons had dwelt on baptism. As best he could he tried to explain about the forgiveness of sins and Godís acceptance of us into his family through baptism.
Jeremy wasnít through with the questioning. "The pastor said in his sermon that Jesus was baptized. Did he have to have his sins forgiven, or what?"
"Oh, lordy," Dad thought to himself, but he struggled through an answer he hoped was at least halfway correct. "No, Jesus didnít have any sins to forgive. But he was baptized kind of as a sign that... that... that God has a special task for him to do." Whew!
"Whatís the bird hanging above the baptismal thing?" Jeremy asked.
"I can deal with this," Dad thought to himself with some relief. "That bird is supposed to be a dove. And it reminds us of Godís Spirit coming to us -- as it did to Jesus -- in baptism. Also it reminds us that God was pleased with his Son Jesus."
"Oh," Jeremy replied nonchalantly. "I wonder what weíre having for dinner."
(Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit, 56 Stories for Cycle A [Lima, Ohio: CSS Publishing, Co., 1995], pp. 21-22)
**********************************************
How to Share Stories
You have good stories to share, probably more than you know: personal stories as well as stories from others that you have used over the years. If you have a story you like, whether fictional or "really happened," authored by you or a brief excerpt from a favorite book, send it to StoryShare for review. Simply email the story to us at storyshare@sermonsuite.com.
**************
StoryShare, January 13, 2008, issue.
Copyright 2008 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 517 South Main Street, Lima, Ohio 45804.
