Sermon for November 20th, 2022
Contents
Exodus 36:2-7 (OT p.82)
2Moses then called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given skill, everyone whose heart was stirred to come to do the work, 3and they received from Moses all the offerings that the Israelites had brought for the work of constructing the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, 4so that all the skilled workers who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task being performed, 5and said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” 6So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, 7for what they had already brought was more than enough to do all the work.
2 Corinthians 8:1-12 (NT p.182)
1We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia, 2for during a severe ordeal of affliction their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means and even beyond their means, 4begging us earnestly for the favor of partnering in this ministry to the saints, 5and not as we expected. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us, 6so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking among you. 7Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.
8I do not say this as a command, but I am, by mentioning the eagerness of others, testing the genuineness of your love. 9For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 10And in this matter I am giving my opinion: it is beneficial for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something. 11Now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. 12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
Prayer for Illumination
Speak to us, living God, as you have spoken to our ancestors through the voices of your prophets, the breath of your Spirit, and the life of your Son, so that we may live according to your word; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Stewardship Sunday, Part 2
- Amy Field, First Presbyterian Preschool
- Bob Halter, BSA Troop 2
- Heather Karns, First Presbyterian Elementary School
Pledge Cards
- Bill Burroughs message on "Our Need to Give"
- Pledge Cards as a way to help us budget for the year to come
