Sermon for January 13th, 2019
Contents
Jeremiah 29:11-13
11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. 12 Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. 13 When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart.
Matthew 18:1-5
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child, whom he put among them, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Faith & Film VII: Mary Poppins Returns
Three Minute Film Summary
The original Mary Poppins film ends with the Banks family (Mr. and Mrs. Banks, and their children Michael and Jane) flying a kite in the local park. 54 years later in our time, 25 years later in theirs, the Banks children have fallen on hard times. Jane and Michael Banks have grown up and together are caring for Michael's children, Annabel, John, and Georgie. Their mother, Michael's wife has recently passed away, and the Banks' home on Cherry Tree Lane is threatened with foreclosure by the very bank that Michael (like his father before him) works for.
On a windy day in the park, the older two children, Annabel and John, lose their youngest brother, Georgie, as he chases after his kite (which happens to be the very same kite from the original movie). A friendly lamplighter (or "leerie") named Jack helps Georgie to reel the kite back in, and as the clouds part in a glorious burst of sunshine, we see descending from the sky, kite in hand, none other than Mary Poppins, who explains that she has come to look after the Banks children once again.
What follows are several fantastical, musical, dance-filled adventures in this world as well as well as imagined ones, as Mary Poppins, along with Jack the leerie, and the children, and a whole host of characters (animated and otherwise) help the Banks family to put their house, their family, their finances--and most importantly, their outlook on life--together again.
