What do you do when someone comes looking for a fight?
The Bells of Peace were tolled this past Veterans Day Morning, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, as it was the 101st anniversary of the Armistice which ended WWI. St. Matthews took part in this national event, where tower & interior bells from participating churches all across the country rang 21 times in salute to our Veterans.
In continuation of this honor, Veterans were musically saluted in this Sunday's service, with The Armed Forces medley being sung by the choir and congregation, while members of each branch stood in order to allow us to acknowledge them. Jim Dallas soloed and sang "In My Own Lifetime" by Bock & Harnick, praying "In My Own Lifetime, I want to see the fighting cease." Among the instrumentals chosen to honor them were Billy Joel's "Goodnight Saigon," Ben E. King's "Stand By Me," Mariah Carey's "Hero," and Glenn Miller's "American Patrol."
Next Sunday's music will be in honor of Native American Heritage Month, with Kim Trolier joining us on flute, and a special Native American chant with the youth & senior choirs.
Did you know that you have a little superhero in you? On Sunday, in a nod to Veteran's Day, the children's message was focused on our everyday superheroes but with a special twist. Everyday, we are confronted with heroes who do incredible, and sometimes impossible, feats. Fireman run towards burning buildings; first responders and police protect and help those in need.
Although, there are other superheroes in life that sometimes we forget: teachers, bus drivers, waiters, that person who held the door open for you this morning. As well as we all have our own superhero inside of us because we are God's children. When we do something kind to others, we are being a superhero. And, as Abigail said, we know the ultimate superhero, Jesus, who defeated sin & death for our sake.
So this week, how can you be a superhero in someone else's life?
In Jr Church, we continued our journey through the Old Testament. We learned about Moses teaching the Israelites about their history and laws. This is an example of the importance for our families, so that they can learn together on their faith journey.
Next week, we will take a break from our curriculum to focus on Creation Care for Native American Heritage Sunday.
In the sermon, Jesus came up against some Sadducees who to him looking for a (theological) fight. They came to Jesus with an attack question: a question designed to destroy the other person's viewpoint. These types of questions are designed to prevent the inquirer from changing their own viewpoint, since they are destroying their opponent's worldview.
The Sadducees weren't really interested in what Jesus believed about the possibility of resurrection from the dead. Their question about one bride for seven brothers was not a question which they hoped would bring them some new knowledge or understanding. Their question was not serious, except that it was seriously designed to entrap Jesus into taking a position that would alienate people while making themselves look good at his expense.But Jesus' opponents are the ones who are demolished by their own questions. He cuts through to the real issue -- do they really believe in God? Is their God big enough and powerful enough to raise the dead? His God is. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is. God is a God of the living. And people of faith, whether long dead or not, are alive to this God, who is the author not of death but of life. That is the amazing good news that Jesus brought us.