October 17, 2021 - Laity Sunday

Breaking Open the Scripture Scripture for October 17th: Lamentations 1:1-6, 3:19-26, Psalm 137, Psalm 37:1-9, 2 Timothy 1:3-7, Luke 17:5-10 theme: Laity Sunday Song: What a Friend we have in Jesus UMH 526 Luke: Jesus is explaining what it means to be a servant. He feels that is an important lesson for leaders. Usually when we have servants, we Lord it over them and tell them what to do and give them no apologies. Jesus turns the tables and says that if we want to lead, then we have to be willing to serve. When we help people in need, we do it not for glory, but because it is what we are called to do as people of faith – it is our duty. He starts out by saying that we do not have to have a lot of faith to be effective – the faith of a mustard see will open the door and call God’s presence into the situation. Laity Sunday helps us to understand that all of us have a job to do, all of us have talents to give. Psalm 137: This psalm speaks to the situation of the church in the midst of the pandemic. How can we sing praise songs when there are so many problems in the world? The Hebrews had been taken away from their land, their heritage and they were being held hostage in a strange land. Their praise of God was also a celebration of being on their land, fulfilling the promises of God. God tells them that this terrible time will too pass. One day it will all make sense. One day the same people that terrorized the Hebrews will be terrorized themselves. But the good news of it all will be that they will once again be the apple of God’s eye. God will bring them home and restore their faith. When this pandemic is over, may God do the same for us. Questions: When have you had an opportunity to be a servant for God? When have you had an opportunity to be a leader for God? How has the pandemic affected your faith in the church? What will restoral after this is over look like for you?