Rally Sunday 09/13/09
Rally Sunday
09/13/09
Various Bible verses
Today is that special Sunday where we focus on Christian education, especially the teaching of God’s Word to our children on Sunday morning. We are once again blessed with having a dedicated staff of teachers and helpers. When I came here almost six years ago there were those of the congregation who felt that it was their calling to teach our children of the love of God. They were Lisa Spradley, Debbie Geroux, who got teacher of the year in the Southern District, and Chris Noffke who if I have my facts right gave many years of service in the Sunday School department of this congregation. I am sure that there are others sitting out there who have taught our children and I give thanks to God for each one of you too.
There have been others who have contributed their love of teaching, like Lori Johnson who brought her unique talents to our congregation and who is now using those talents in another congregation where they live.
Today we will be installing right after the sermon another group of individuals who feel that strong calling of the Holy Spirit to teach our young. Some have been teaching for some time, others are stepping up for the first time. Some will be teachers others will be helpers or substitutes, but in whatever capacity they will be serving our congregation they are doing one of the most important tasks this congregation has been given, that is the teaching of our children, for without their dedication, just like those that have gone before them, some children would not know of Jesus and his love.
We have for a couple of years been calling Sunday School Bible Time since it more accurately describes what is being done and gets rid of the word school. Each week different Bible characters visit our opening and tell the story in first person, so that the children can better grasp the meaning of the Bible stories.
Each Bible Time lesson teaches through word and example a moral lesson that hopefully our children can apply in their lives. But most importantly they will be taught a lesson about the grace of God. To give you an example let’s take the Bible story of Jonah. Now we are all familiar with that story and I would dare say that if I were to ask any of you the lesson to be learned from that story you would say, “Obey God because when he wants something done he will accomplish it even if it means you have to go through trials and tribulations, hopefully not being swallowed by a fish.
While that lesson is there, it is not the main lesson that God wants us to learn in that story. God wants us to learn that he loves all people even those we would consider to be enemies of ours. He will do whatever it takes to give them a chance to repent and receive his forgiveness, thus saving them from everlasting condemnation.
Jonah did not like the Ninevites, after all they were enemies of Israel, but God wanted them to hear his call for repentance even if that call came from a man who was only going through the motions. Jonah did not want them to repent. In fact he was hoping God would destroy them. But God had a different plan. God’s outcome, although he uses people does not depend on who is preaching. It does not depend on whether the preacher believes what he preaching or depend on if you like the preacher or not. God’s power is in the Word of God, for that is where the Holy Spirit works, for we are told in God’s Word, “How can they come to faith if they are not taught the Word of God.” And “if nobody goes how can they learn?”
That is why these folks who will come forward in a few minutes are so important to the ministry of our congregation. They, maybe you too, and it is not too late to join them, if you want to be part of this important ministry will be doing what God wants us to do, that is teaching all nations.
Jesus' disciples took him seriously when he gave them this great commission two thousand years ago. Today, as teachers of Jesus we are to still take Jesus seriously. In Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 27-28a, Paul tells us that we each have specific gifts, given to us by God. In Ephesians 4:11-13, he tells us that we are to use those gifts in order to prepare God's people for works of service. These words challenge us to teach in such a manner that we get an active, involved response from those we are teaching. As you get to know your students, actually students of Jesus, you will see that they need to be involved in their own learning.
Each one of you, not just our teachers, is a role model for the children of our congregation. They are watching your behavior. They, even when they do not realize it, are learning the importance of your faith in Jesus Christ. Are you forgiving? Do you accept people as they are? Do you take an active part in the life of the congregation, attend Bible classes, and tell others of Jesus? The children are watching to see just what it means to be a Christian.
Paul recognized this, and he set an example by helping persons to live lives worthy of God (1 Thessalonians 2:12). He suggested that we let Christ be in us when we teach (Colossians 3:15-17, 23), reminding us that we are to set an example (Titus 2:7-8). Paul also praised teachers by telling us that those who teach are worthy of honor (1 Timothy 5: 17). The writer of 2 Peter (3:18) tells us that we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. The writer stresses the importance for all of us, but particularly our Bible Time leaders to being faithful to the call and, consequently, being open to change in our lives.
Just as I have grown in my spiritual faith and hopefully my ability to teach you are growing in your faith and your ability to teach. In our walk of faith we will become more and more aware of God's presence, and we will see the larger scope of what we are doing. There is no magic bullet, only the Holy Spirit, but in the Holy Spirit you will see that it is only God’s grace that allows change to happen. It is in that grace that you will be reminded that your, or mine, or anyone’s salvation does not come from works. Faith and knowledge go together in search of service.
To those who have volunteered to teach and work with our children people volunteer in the church for a variety of reasons, but most often the reason has something to do with relationships; relationship with self, others, the church, or with God. It is my prayer that no matter what your motivation was for becoming involved with educating our children and youth about Jesus you will come to see your service, as I see mine, as a call from God.
My charge to you is the same as Jesus’ charge to the Church. Teach our children that being a Christian involves more than attending a particular church. Being a Christian involves one’s entire life. Our career is what we do for a living. While our vocation is the direction that we take in all areas of our lives. The service of teaching in the church definitely falls under the vocation category.
Your call to be a teacher, helper, or youth leader comes from God, just as my call came from God to be the Shepherd of Saint John Lutheran Congregation in Hattiesburg Mississippi.
Now to you the congregation in order to show your support for our teachers and youth leaders I ask you, “Will you offer each of the teachers, helpers, and youth leaders, and any others working with our children support through the congregation, providing them with adequate funds for teaching, provide quality learning opportunities, leadership, supplies, clean furnished rooms suitable for creating a learning environment for our children and youth and pray for them? If so answer, “We will with the help of God.”
Will those who have agreed to take part in our Bible Time and youth activities please come forward so that you may be installed.
09/13/09
Various Bible verses
Today is that special Sunday where we focus on Christian education, especially the teaching of God’s Word to our children on Sunday morning. We are once again blessed with having a dedicated staff of teachers and helpers. When I came here almost six years ago there were those of the congregation who felt that it was their calling to teach our children of the love of God. They were Lisa Spradley, Debbie Geroux, who got teacher of the year in the Southern District, and Chris Noffke who if I have my facts right gave many years of service in the Sunday School department of this congregation. I am sure that there are others sitting out there who have taught our children and I give thanks to God for each one of you too.
There have been others who have contributed their love of teaching, like Lori Johnson who brought her unique talents to our congregation and who is now using those talents in another congregation where they live.
Today we will be installing right after the sermon another group of individuals who feel that strong calling of the Holy Spirit to teach our young. Some have been teaching for some time, others are stepping up for the first time. Some will be teachers others will be helpers or substitutes, but in whatever capacity they will be serving our congregation they are doing one of the most important tasks this congregation has been given, that is the teaching of our children, for without their dedication, just like those that have gone before them, some children would not know of Jesus and his love.
We have for a couple of years been calling Sunday School Bible Time since it more accurately describes what is being done and gets rid of the word school. Each week different Bible characters visit our opening and tell the story in first person, so that the children can better grasp the meaning of the Bible stories.
Each Bible Time lesson teaches through word and example a moral lesson that hopefully our children can apply in their lives. But most importantly they will be taught a lesson about the grace of God. To give you an example let’s take the Bible story of Jonah. Now we are all familiar with that story and I would dare say that if I were to ask any of you the lesson to be learned from that story you would say, “Obey God because when he wants something done he will accomplish it even if it means you have to go through trials and tribulations, hopefully not being swallowed by a fish.
While that lesson is there, it is not the main lesson that God wants us to learn in that story. God wants us to learn that he loves all people even those we would consider to be enemies of ours. He will do whatever it takes to give them a chance to repent and receive his forgiveness, thus saving them from everlasting condemnation.
Jonah did not like the Ninevites, after all they were enemies of Israel, but God wanted them to hear his call for repentance even if that call came from a man who was only going through the motions. Jonah did not want them to repent. In fact he was hoping God would destroy them. But God had a different plan. God’s outcome, although he uses people does not depend on who is preaching. It does not depend on whether the preacher believes what he preaching or depend on if you like the preacher or not. God’s power is in the Word of God, for that is where the Holy Spirit works, for we are told in God’s Word, “How can they come to faith if they are not taught the Word of God.” And “if nobody goes how can they learn?”
That is why these folks who will come forward in a few minutes are so important to the ministry of our congregation. They, maybe you too, and it is not too late to join them, if you want to be part of this important ministry will be doing what God wants us to do, that is teaching all nations.
Jesus' disciples took him seriously when he gave them this great commission two thousand years ago. Today, as teachers of Jesus we are to still take Jesus seriously. In Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 27-28a, Paul tells us that we each have specific gifts, given to us by God. In Ephesians 4:11-13, he tells us that we are to use those gifts in order to prepare God's people for works of service. These words challenge us to teach in such a manner that we get an active, involved response from those we are teaching. As you get to know your students, actually students of Jesus, you will see that they need to be involved in their own learning.
Each one of you, not just our teachers, is a role model for the children of our congregation. They are watching your behavior. They, even when they do not realize it, are learning the importance of your faith in Jesus Christ. Are you forgiving? Do you accept people as they are? Do you take an active part in the life of the congregation, attend Bible classes, and tell others of Jesus? The children are watching to see just what it means to be a Christian.
Paul recognized this, and he set an example by helping persons to live lives worthy of God (1 Thessalonians 2:12). He suggested that we let Christ be in us when we teach (Colossians 3:15-17, 23), reminding us that we are to set an example (Titus 2:7-8). Paul also praised teachers by telling us that those who teach are worthy of honor (1 Timothy 5: 17). The writer of 2 Peter (3:18) tells us that we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. The writer stresses the importance for all of us, but particularly our Bible Time leaders to being faithful to the call and, consequently, being open to change in our lives.
Just as I have grown in my spiritual faith and hopefully my ability to teach you are growing in your faith and your ability to teach. In our walk of faith we will become more and more aware of God's presence, and we will see the larger scope of what we are doing. There is no magic bullet, only the Holy Spirit, but in the Holy Spirit you will see that it is only God’s grace that allows change to happen. It is in that grace that you will be reminded that your, or mine, or anyone’s salvation does not come from works. Faith and knowledge go together in search of service.
To those who have volunteered to teach and work with our children people volunteer in the church for a variety of reasons, but most often the reason has something to do with relationships; relationship with self, others, the church, or with God. It is my prayer that no matter what your motivation was for becoming involved with educating our children and youth about Jesus you will come to see your service, as I see mine, as a call from God.
My charge to you is the same as Jesus’ charge to the Church. Teach our children that being a Christian involves more than attending a particular church. Being a Christian involves one’s entire life. Our career is what we do for a living. While our vocation is the direction that we take in all areas of our lives. The service of teaching in the church definitely falls under the vocation category.
Your call to be a teacher, helper, or youth leader comes from God, just as my call came from God to be the Shepherd of Saint John Lutheran Congregation in Hattiesburg Mississippi.
Now to you the congregation in order to show your support for our teachers and youth leaders I ask you, “Will you offer each of the teachers, helpers, and youth leaders, and any others working with our children support through the congregation, providing them with adequate funds for teaching, provide quality learning opportunities, leadership, supplies, clean furnished rooms suitable for creating a learning environment for our children and youth and pray for them? If so answer, “We will with the help of God.”
Will those who have agreed to take part in our Bible Time and youth activities please come forward so that you may be installed.
posted by Pastor Rhoads | 3:04 PM
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