You can now access recordings of my sermons at
http://fairportucc.org/page/sermons
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Worshipping with Children and Hawaiian Shirt Sunday--7-12-15
This summer we have been experimenting at First Congregational UCC in Fairport NY with making worship more children friendly. This has included: various dramatic scripture readings; a table in the front of the worship space for children to do quiet activities at; interaction with children (of all ages) throughout the service; a 9 week series on David and more. This is a congregation where children are usually only in worship briefly and then leave for Sunday School. This summer the children are welcomed to remain in worship for the entire time.
Here is a sample of what worship included for July 12, 2015-- when we went with a Hawaiian theme-- wearing Hawaiian shirts, dresses and were given leis as we entered the worship space. Also worship was followed by a fellowship time of pineapple, Hawaiian punch, coconut cookies and banana chips-- as well as Hawaiian music videos. It was a fun day!!
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
is a community of faith centered in Jesus Christ which seeks to be
faithful as a continuation of his life on earth. While our roots are deep, we seek
ever new ways to be the people of Christ here and now.
26 East Church Street, Fairport, New York 14450
223-0224
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
July 12, 2015 9:30 AM
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Aloha— welcome to worship— if you are new we extend a special welcome — it so good to be able to worship with you today and we ask that you please fill out a welcome card— including your email address.
If you have any questions please ask someone near you or look for our welcomer— with a green name tag
please could everyone make note your attendance on the pads at the center end of the pew and please place these in the offering plate
everyone is encouraged to join us for a special time of fellowship following worship through this door.
Prayer requests can be made during the prayer time or by writing down on a prayer card in the pew
Raihn—July 19-July 26th talk to Steve Smith
Trainings listed in News in the Pews—
October 25th-November 1st.
Show up and sing choir— August 2
CALL TO WORSHIP (Edith Wolfe, Hawaii)
From the rising of the sun, unto the going down of the same;
The Lord’s name is to be praised.
O magnify the Lord with me;
And let us exalt his name together.
Let us praise God for the sun, which shines so brightly in Hawaii; for the warmth and light which the sun gives, day by day, season by season, year after year;
God be praised for the sun.
Let us praise God for each day’s sunrise; for the new hope which each new dawn brings; for the new life and the new chance which come to each and all as the sun comes up on each new day;
God be praised for the sunrise.
Let us praise God for each day’s sunset; for the brilliant splash of color on sea and sky as the sun goes down; for the comfort of knowing, as the evening shadows fall, that our day’s work is done and we may go now to our rest;
God be praised for the sunset.
PRELUDE “Sweet Leilani (Lay-lah-nee)” Harry Owens
REFLECTION (from Psalm 19:14, Edith Wolfe, Hawaii)
Ke nana aki nei makou ia Oe, e ka Haku, no na mea ai i hanai aku, i ko makou kino, ame ka pomaikai, i hooikaika aku i ko makou uhane, ame kou aloha i hoolako i ko makou ola. Amene.
English translation: We look to Thee, O Lord, for food to nourish our body, and for grace to strengthen our spirit, and for love to enrich our life. Amen.
RINGING OF THE BELL
INVOCATION
ALOHA—
A Hawaiian woman noted for her wisdom, Pilahi Paki, best interpreted ALOHA by using each letter of the word to describe the values espoused by the expression:
A – is akahai (ah-kah-high), which means gentleness, kindness, caring.
L – is lokahi (loh-kah-hee), meaning unity, harmony, oneness, being of one mind.
O – is 'olu'olu (oh-luh-oh-luh), an expression of cheerfulness brought about by a feeling of pleasantness, kindness, comfort and a positive attitude.
H – is ha'aha'a (hah-ah hah-ah), a word expressing humility and meekness.
A – is ahonui (ah-ho-nuh-wee), which expresses patience, endurance, perseverance
Aloha is best practiced within the context of community where people interact closely with one another.
In the Hawaiian culture, the 'ohana (oh-hah-nah) or family, is the arena where aloha can be initially experienced by the younger members of the family.
The 'ohana (oh-hah-nah) is not only the typical nuclear family, but includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, spouses, sons and daughters, as well as hanai (hanh-nigh) or adopted children. The nurturing qualities of aloha are strong bonds that connect each member of the ohana (oh-hah-nah) to the other.
Christ as we gather together as your oh hah nah we bid Aloha to you and to each other. Amen
*HYMN “This is a Day of New Beginnings”
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Bill Wallace, Aotearoa/New Zealand)
All-loving God, you do not delight in holding our sins against us, but instead long for us to grow into greater maturity. Help us to forgive ourselves, as you forgive us, so that we may also be able to forgive others.
*AFFIRMATION
We are lovable persons created by God. We are given permission to enjoy being ourselves, to use our power responsibly and to be singers and dancers of God’s new age. Amen
MOMENT FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART
Last week we read a story about when David found out about the death of Saul and Jonathan— who was Saul? Who was Jonathan?
David was very sad to learn about the death of his best friend Jonathan— when someone or something you love dies how do you feel? add tears to our poster.
And since King Saul has died… David becomes King— move crown
Today we are going to hear another story about David—and a woman named Abigail— listen to the story and pick words to describe Abigail and David in the story.
The children were given a worksheet
PASSING OF THE PEACE— Let us share the Aloha of Christ with one another
PRAYER OF THE DAY Reader: Diana Smith
Holy God, we confess our lack of trust in you. May the truth of your Word, O God, purify our hearts and minds. Grant us grace to hear you speak and to respond with joy, obedience and faith. For the sake of Christ we pray. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING 1 Samuel 25:2-42
Steve Smith, Diana Smith, Sondra Franzen, Jim Franzen
Narrator: There was a certain man in Maon who carried on his business in the region of Carmel. He was very prosperous—three thousand sheep and a thousand goats, and it was sheep-shearing time in Carmel. The man’s name was Nabal (which means Fool), a Calebite, and his wife’s name was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and attractive, the man brutish and mean.
David, out in the backcountry, heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep and sent ten of his young men off with these instructions:
David: “Go to Carmel and approach Nabal. Greet him in my name, ‘Peace! Life and peace to you. Peace to your household, peace to everyone here! I heard that it’s sheep-shearing time. Here’s the point: When your shepherds were camped near us we didn’t take advantage of them. They didn’t lose a thing all the time they were with us in Carmel. Ask your young men—they’ll tell you. What I’m asking is that you be generous with my men—share the feast! Give whatever your heart tells you to your servants and to me, David your son.’”
Narrator: David’s young men went and delivered his message word for word to Nabal. Nabal tore into them,
Nabal: “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? The country is full of runaway servants these days. Do you think I’m going to take good bread and wine and meat freshly butchered for my sheepshearers and give it to men I’ve never laid eyes on? Who knows where they’ve come from?”
Narrator: David’s men got out of there and went back and told David what he had said. David said,
David: “Strap on your swords!”
Narrator: So they all strapped on their swords, David and his men, and set out, four hundred of them. Two hundred stayed behind to guard the camp.
Meanwhile, one of the young shepherds told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, what had happened:
Servant: “David sent messengers from the backcountry to salute our master, but he tore into them with insults. Yet these men treated us very well. They took nothing from us and didn’t take advantage of us all the time we were in the fields. They formed a wall around us, protecting us day and night all the time we were out tending the sheep. Do something quickly because big trouble is ahead for our master and all of us. Nobody can talk to him. He’s impossible—a real brute!”
Narrator: Abigail flew into action. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep dressed out and ready for cooking, a bushel of roasted grain, a hundred raisin cakes, and two hundred fig cakes, and she had it all loaded on some donkeys. Then she said to her young servants,
Abigail: “Go ahead and pave the way for me. I’m right behind you.”
Narrator: But she said nothing to her husband Nabal.
As she was riding her donkey, descending into a ravine, David and his men were descending from the other end, so they met there on the road. David had just said,
David: “That sure was a waste, guarding everything this man had out in the wild so that nothing he had was lost—and now he rewards me with insults. A real slap in the face! May God do his worst to me if Nabal and every mongrel in his misbegotten brood aren’t dead meat by morning!”
Narrator: As soon as Abigail saw David, she got off her donkey and fell on her knees at his feet, her face to the ground in homage, saying,
Abigail: “My master- David, let me take the blame! Let me speak to you. Listen to what I have to say. Don’t dwell on what that brute Nabal did. He acts out the meaning of his name: Nabal, Fool. Foolishness oozes from him.
“I wasn’t there when the young men my master sent arrived. I didn’t see them. And now, my master, as God lives and as you live, God has kept you from this avenging murder—and may your enemies, all who seek my master’s harm, end up like Nabal! Now take this gift that I, your servant girl, have brought to my master, and give it to the young men who follow in the steps of my master.
“Forgive my presumption! But God is at work in my master, developing a rule solid and dependable. My master fights God’s battles! As long as you live no evil will stick to you.
If anyone stands in your way,
if anyone tries to get you out of the way,
Know this: Your God-honored life is tightly bound
in the bundle of God-protected life;
But the lives of your enemies will be hurled aside
as a stone is thrown from a sling.
“When God completes all the goodness he has promised my master and sets you up as prince over Israel, my master will not have this dead weight in his heart, the guilt of an avenging murder. And when God has worked things for good for my master, remember me.”
David: “Blessed be God, the God of Israel. He sent you to meet me! And blessed be your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and taking charge of looking out for me. A close call! As God lives, the God of Israel who kept me from hurting you, if you had not come as quickly as you did, stopping me in my tracks, by morning there would have been nothing left of Nabal but dead meat.”
“I accept your gifts. Return home in peace. I’ve heard what you’ve said and I’ll do what you’ve asked.”
Narrator: When Abigail got home she found Nabal presiding over a huge banquet. He was in high spirits—and very, very drunk. So she didn’t tell him anything of what she’d done until morning. But in the morning, after Nabal had sobered up, she told him the whole story. Right then and there he had a heart attack and fell into a coma. About ten days later he died.
When David heard that Nabal was dead he said,
David: “Blessed be God who has stood up for me against Nabal’s insults, kept me from an evil act, and let Nabal’s evil boomerang back on him.”
Narrator: Then David sent for Abigail to tell her that he wanted her for his wife. David’s servants went to Abigail at Carmel with the message,
Servant: “David sent us to bring you to marry him.”
Narrator: She got up, and then bowed down, face to the ground, saying,
Abigail: “I’m your servant, ready to do anything you want. I’ll even wash the feet of my master’s servants!”
Narrator: Abigail didn’t linger. She got on her donkey and, with her five maids in attendance, went with the messengers to David and became his wife.
SPECIAL MUSIC "My Wordless Prayer” Craig Courtney Heather Watras, soloist
MEDITATION
David and his men were traveling in the wilderness on their return from the funeral of Samuel— they were in need of fresh provisions
and they knew that Nabal— who was Wegmans wealthy— was nearby and that it was sheep shearing season
Understandably David assumed that since his men had taken good care of Nabal’s sheepherders when they were in his neck of the woods— that Nabal would be willing to return the favor by providing them with some grub
seems reasonable
But the name Nabal means fool and that is what he is
he is selfish and foolish, denying to assist the king and his men
Then ..David’s reaction is a bit extreme… he takes 400 men with their swords strapped on to basically go and start a war over this offense
Neither of these men of privilege and power are behaving well
which is one thing— but they put 1000s at risk in the process
The whole story of David is a novel and soap opera all rolled into one
his story is one of a series of relationships and power grabs that include lots of violence
with a little harp playing on the side
Did you notice in the text— the story— how David starts out by sending greetings of Peace—
Peace! Life and peace to you. Peace to your household, peace to everyone here!
But then how quickly he turns to shouts of Strap on your swords!!!
David is a disappointment to us here— we see a side of Great King David that is less than great
So David and his army head towards Nabal’s place to do battle
Enter Abigail
who knows much about Abigail?
her name means joy of her father
in Elizabeth Cady Stanton's commentary on the passage she questions Abigail’s father for marrying her off to such a man as Nabal— noting his wealth might have played a role but saying— Wisdom is good with an inheritance; but an inheritance without wisdom is good for nothing.
saint
patron saint of beekeeping
Abigail gets wind of her foolish and brutish husband’s behavior and the possible repercussions and what does she do…???
This privileged wife of a w-e-a-l-t-h-y man
she doesn’t complain or whine or throw a tantrum or make threats or feel sorry for herself
she comes up with a possible solution to avert a war
and she puts her plan into action— gets people to help her
and it works— battle avoided
Abigail’s problem solving saves lives— it makes peace
Abigail is a peace maker
Go to the David— put a peace sign and write Abigail
Abigail’s objective is to make peace with David
And she is willing to take blame that is not hers in order to make peace.
okay, so Her life depends on it.
What would it be like to take more than our share or even all the blame to create peace between you and someone else?
Most of us worry we will lose something by taking the blame for another’s actions— or even our own actions at times— we spend time trying to justify ourselves
sometimes avoiding blame at all costs
And maybe you're thinking that Abigail had nothing to lose… while we do
and her life depended on it
The truth isour life as a faith community does depend on making peace — granting forgiveness and accepting the regret of others
We all need to make peace with each other…over and over— that is what it means to be a follower of Jesus— putting others 1st
because like David—we make mistakes, we have bad days
we make poor choices— but God still loves us and forgives us
God still used David to do great things
And David has only begun to make horrendously poor choices and mistakes
We have tended to lift up only the good stories about David
he was not perfect— Abigail is just one of many wives David collected along the way of his life
David was not perfect.
nor are we and God uses each of us to be a blessing
I am not a big fan of David
I like Abigail
I admire that Abigail did NOT look for someone else to fix her problems
She not only saw what needed to be done— she did it.
She came up with a plan and she put it into action
The plan required sacrifice on her part
She was generous
because her life was on the line
We need to be generous with one another— because our life as a community of faith— as an oh-hah-nah is on the line
she was generous with her goods and her time
And she was generous with her compliments
She disarmed David with her willingness to take the blame and her effusive compliments and praise
She blessed David and he could not help but bless her back
We need to be generous with our praise and compliments— to appreciate others and their efforts on behalf of the church
see the God moments in those who are part of our faith oh-hah-nah
A little appreciation goes a long way
what would it be like to be generous with our praise and compliments?
To take the time to say Thank you… take the sticky notes and write a compliment or thank you to someone in this church family— we will post the on the door— put them in the offering plate
I have found Bea to be generous with praise and compliments to myself and everyone— what a blessing Thank you
her generosity of praise is a blessed God sighting
There are so many doing so many good deeds to bless this church family
Joe Charles… he was at church putting a window in my office this week— thank you Joe
Steve and Diana Smith and Sondra and Jim Frazen practiced for our dramatic reading— and weren’t they wonderful?
Each week there are counters who miss fellowship— thank you
and someone runs the sound… and ushers arrive early to greet you and prepare the space for worship— Thank you
Thanks to Stacy for helping to put the children’s table into action..Thank you
Thank you Bob for coming up with the Zaney idea for Hawaiian shirt Sunday and putting the plan into action
There is always lots that could be done to improve this faith oh-hah-nah
but as the song says we could also use “a little less talk and a lot more action.”
we need to come up with solutions and make plans to put them into action
if you see a need … pray for a action plan to meet it
Please don’t complain and expect someone else to fix it.
you are the church— you are the feet and hands of Christ.
ours is a story of relationships— of working together to serve each other and others we have yet to meet— we have yet to invite to join us.
You have been blessed to be a blessing— as if your life depends on it! Amen
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (A New Zealand Prayer Book)
You, O God, are supreme and holy.
You create our world and give us life. Your purpose overarches everything we do. You have always been with us.
You are God.
You, O God, are infinitely generous, good beyond all measure. You came to us before we came to you. You have revealed and proved your love for us in Jesus Christ, who lived and died and rose again.
You are with us now. You are God.
You, O God, are Holy Spirit.
You empower us to be your gospel in the world.
You reconcile and heal; you overcome death.
You are our God. We worship you.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND OUR LORD’S PRAYER
Joys and Concerns of the People
Prayer of the People (Kum ba Yah is sung and prayers are said between the verses)
Comfort-
Healing—
Those traveling—
Our Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO OFFERING OUR GIFTS AND LIVES
Offertory “Farewell (Aloha Oe)” K.M. Queen Lihuokalani
* Presentation of Our Gifts to God (We Give Thee but Thine Own)
We give thee but thine own, Whate’er the gift may be. All that we have is thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from thee.
* Blessing over our gifts
For fish and poi, for bread and meat, For all Thou givest us to eat; For hands that help and hearts that share, Lord, offer we our grateful prayer. Amen.
*HYMN “All Things Bright and Beautiful”
*BENEDICTION
An Hawaiian Blessing
Run with the name of the Christ!
Make God’s will happen.
Look! the dawn is coming in this difficult life,
So move forward!
Christ ignites, enlivens and raises us up!
Beloved of God, you you are empowered so that all are lifted up!
Love and honor each other
and extravagantly pass on the new light that is within you! Amen
POSTLUDE “Hawaiian Hulas (Seven Hulas)” arr. by Louis Jacobson
Here is a sample of what worship included for July 12, 2015-- when we went with a Hawaiian theme-- wearing Hawaiian shirts, dresses and were given leis as we entered the worship space. Also worship was followed by a fellowship time of pineapple, Hawaiian punch, coconut cookies and banana chips-- as well as Hawaiian music videos. It was a fun day!!
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
is a community of faith centered in Jesus Christ which seeks to be
faithful as a continuation of his life on earth. While our roots are deep, we seek
ever new ways to be the people of Christ here and now.
26 East Church Street, Fairport, New York 14450
223-0224
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
July 12, 2015 9:30 AM
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Aloha— welcome to worship— if you are new we extend a special welcome — it so good to be able to worship with you today and we ask that you please fill out a welcome card— including your email address.
If you have any questions please ask someone near you or look for our welcomer— with a green name tag
please could everyone make note your attendance on the pads at the center end of the pew and please place these in the offering plate
everyone is encouraged to join us for a special time of fellowship following worship through this door.
Prayer requests can be made during the prayer time or by writing down on a prayer card in the pew
Raihn—July 19-July 26th talk to Steve Smith
Trainings listed in News in the Pews—
October 25th-November 1st.
Show up and sing choir— August 2
CALL TO WORSHIP (Edith Wolfe, Hawaii)
From the rising of the sun, unto the going down of the same;
The Lord’s name is to be praised.
O magnify the Lord with me;
And let us exalt his name together.
Let us praise God for the sun, which shines so brightly in Hawaii; for the warmth and light which the sun gives, day by day, season by season, year after year;
God be praised for the sun.
Let us praise God for each day’s sunrise; for the new hope which each new dawn brings; for the new life and the new chance which come to each and all as the sun comes up on each new day;
God be praised for the sunrise.
Let us praise God for each day’s sunset; for the brilliant splash of color on sea and sky as the sun goes down; for the comfort of knowing, as the evening shadows fall, that our day’s work is done and we may go now to our rest;
God be praised for the sunset.
PRELUDE “Sweet Leilani (Lay-lah-nee)” Harry Owens
REFLECTION (from Psalm 19:14, Edith Wolfe, Hawaii)
Ke nana aki nei makou ia Oe, e ka Haku, no na mea ai i hanai aku, i ko makou kino, ame ka pomaikai, i hooikaika aku i ko makou uhane, ame kou aloha i hoolako i ko makou ola. Amene.
English translation: We look to Thee, O Lord, for food to nourish our body, and for grace to strengthen our spirit, and for love to enrich our life. Amen.
RINGING OF THE BELL
INVOCATION
ALOHA—
A Hawaiian woman noted for her wisdom, Pilahi Paki, best interpreted ALOHA by using each letter of the word to describe the values espoused by the expression:
A – is akahai (ah-kah-high), which means gentleness, kindness, caring.
L – is lokahi (loh-kah-hee), meaning unity, harmony, oneness, being of one mind.
O – is 'olu'olu (oh-luh-oh-luh), an expression of cheerfulness brought about by a feeling of pleasantness, kindness, comfort and a positive attitude.
H – is ha'aha'a (hah-ah hah-ah), a word expressing humility and meekness.
A – is ahonui (ah-ho-nuh-wee), which expresses patience, endurance, perseverance
Aloha is best practiced within the context of community where people interact closely with one another.
In the Hawaiian culture, the 'ohana (oh-hah-nah) or family, is the arena where aloha can be initially experienced by the younger members of the family.
The 'ohana (oh-hah-nah) is not only the typical nuclear family, but includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, spouses, sons and daughters, as well as hanai (hanh-nigh) or adopted children. The nurturing qualities of aloha are strong bonds that connect each member of the ohana (oh-hah-nah) to the other.
Christ as we gather together as your oh hah nah we bid Aloha to you and to each other. Amen
*HYMN “This is a Day of New Beginnings”
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Bill Wallace, Aotearoa/New Zealand)
All-loving God, you do not delight in holding our sins against us, but instead long for us to grow into greater maturity. Help us to forgive ourselves, as you forgive us, so that we may also be able to forgive others.
*AFFIRMATION
We are lovable persons created by God. We are given permission to enjoy being ourselves, to use our power responsibly and to be singers and dancers of God’s new age. Amen
MOMENT FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART
Last week we read a story about when David found out about the death of Saul and Jonathan— who was Saul? Who was Jonathan?
David was very sad to learn about the death of his best friend Jonathan— when someone or something you love dies how do you feel? add tears to our poster.
And since King Saul has died… David becomes King— move crown
Today we are going to hear another story about David—and a woman named Abigail— listen to the story and pick words to describe Abigail and David in the story.
The children were given a worksheet
PASSING OF THE PEACE— Let us share the Aloha of Christ with one another
PRAYER OF THE DAY Reader: Diana Smith
Holy God, we confess our lack of trust in you. May the truth of your Word, O God, purify our hearts and minds. Grant us grace to hear you speak and to respond with joy, obedience and faith. For the sake of Christ we pray. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING 1 Samuel 25:2-42
Steve Smith, Diana Smith, Sondra Franzen, Jim Franzen
Narrator: There was a certain man in Maon who carried on his business in the region of Carmel. He was very prosperous—three thousand sheep and a thousand goats, and it was sheep-shearing time in Carmel. The man’s name was Nabal (which means Fool), a Calebite, and his wife’s name was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and attractive, the man brutish and mean.
David, out in the backcountry, heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep and sent ten of his young men off with these instructions:
David: “Go to Carmel and approach Nabal. Greet him in my name, ‘Peace! Life and peace to you. Peace to your household, peace to everyone here! I heard that it’s sheep-shearing time. Here’s the point: When your shepherds were camped near us we didn’t take advantage of them. They didn’t lose a thing all the time they were with us in Carmel. Ask your young men—they’ll tell you. What I’m asking is that you be generous with my men—share the feast! Give whatever your heart tells you to your servants and to me, David your son.’”
Narrator: David’s young men went and delivered his message word for word to Nabal. Nabal tore into them,
Nabal: “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? The country is full of runaway servants these days. Do you think I’m going to take good bread and wine and meat freshly butchered for my sheepshearers and give it to men I’ve never laid eyes on? Who knows where they’ve come from?”
Narrator: David’s men got out of there and went back and told David what he had said. David said,
David: “Strap on your swords!”
Narrator: So they all strapped on their swords, David and his men, and set out, four hundred of them. Two hundred stayed behind to guard the camp.
Meanwhile, one of the young shepherds told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, what had happened:
Servant: “David sent messengers from the backcountry to salute our master, but he tore into them with insults. Yet these men treated us very well. They took nothing from us and didn’t take advantage of us all the time we were in the fields. They formed a wall around us, protecting us day and night all the time we were out tending the sheep. Do something quickly because big trouble is ahead for our master and all of us. Nobody can talk to him. He’s impossible—a real brute!”
Narrator: Abigail flew into action. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep dressed out and ready for cooking, a bushel of roasted grain, a hundred raisin cakes, and two hundred fig cakes, and she had it all loaded on some donkeys. Then she said to her young servants,
Abigail: “Go ahead and pave the way for me. I’m right behind you.”
Narrator: But she said nothing to her husband Nabal.
As she was riding her donkey, descending into a ravine, David and his men were descending from the other end, so they met there on the road. David had just said,
David: “That sure was a waste, guarding everything this man had out in the wild so that nothing he had was lost—and now he rewards me with insults. A real slap in the face! May God do his worst to me if Nabal and every mongrel in his misbegotten brood aren’t dead meat by morning!”
Narrator: As soon as Abigail saw David, she got off her donkey and fell on her knees at his feet, her face to the ground in homage, saying,
Abigail: “My master- David, let me take the blame! Let me speak to you. Listen to what I have to say. Don’t dwell on what that brute Nabal did. He acts out the meaning of his name: Nabal, Fool. Foolishness oozes from him.
“I wasn’t there when the young men my master sent arrived. I didn’t see them. And now, my master, as God lives and as you live, God has kept you from this avenging murder—and may your enemies, all who seek my master’s harm, end up like Nabal! Now take this gift that I, your servant girl, have brought to my master, and give it to the young men who follow in the steps of my master.
“Forgive my presumption! But God is at work in my master, developing a rule solid and dependable. My master fights God’s battles! As long as you live no evil will stick to you.
If anyone stands in your way,
if anyone tries to get you out of the way,
Know this: Your God-honored life is tightly bound
in the bundle of God-protected life;
But the lives of your enemies will be hurled aside
as a stone is thrown from a sling.
“When God completes all the goodness he has promised my master and sets you up as prince over Israel, my master will not have this dead weight in his heart, the guilt of an avenging murder. And when God has worked things for good for my master, remember me.”
David: “Blessed be God, the God of Israel. He sent you to meet me! And blessed be your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and taking charge of looking out for me. A close call! As God lives, the God of Israel who kept me from hurting you, if you had not come as quickly as you did, stopping me in my tracks, by morning there would have been nothing left of Nabal but dead meat.”
“I accept your gifts. Return home in peace. I’ve heard what you’ve said and I’ll do what you’ve asked.”
Narrator: When Abigail got home she found Nabal presiding over a huge banquet. He was in high spirits—and very, very drunk. So she didn’t tell him anything of what she’d done until morning. But in the morning, after Nabal had sobered up, she told him the whole story. Right then and there he had a heart attack and fell into a coma. About ten days later he died.
When David heard that Nabal was dead he said,
David: “Blessed be God who has stood up for me against Nabal’s insults, kept me from an evil act, and let Nabal’s evil boomerang back on him.”
Narrator: Then David sent for Abigail to tell her that he wanted her for his wife. David’s servants went to Abigail at Carmel with the message,
Servant: “David sent us to bring you to marry him.”
Narrator: She got up, and then bowed down, face to the ground, saying,
Abigail: “I’m your servant, ready to do anything you want. I’ll even wash the feet of my master’s servants!”
Narrator: Abigail didn’t linger. She got on her donkey and, with her five maids in attendance, went with the messengers to David and became his wife.
SPECIAL MUSIC "My Wordless Prayer” Craig Courtney Heather Watras, soloist
MEDITATION
David and his men were traveling in the wilderness on their return from the funeral of Samuel— they were in need of fresh provisions
and they knew that Nabal— who was Wegmans wealthy— was nearby and that it was sheep shearing season
Understandably David assumed that since his men had taken good care of Nabal’s sheepherders when they were in his neck of the woods— that Nabal would be willing to return the favor by providing them with some grub
seems reasonable
But the name Nabal means fool and that is what he is
he is selfish and foolish, denying to assist the king and his men
Then ..David’s reaction is a bit extreme… he takes 400 men with their swords strapped on to basically go and start a war over this offense
Neither of these men of privilege and power are behaving well
which is one thing— but they put 1000s at risk in the process
The whole story of David is a novel and soap opera all rolled into one
his story is one of a series of relationships and power grabs that include lots of violence
with a little harp playing on the side
Did you notice in the text— the story— how David starts out by sending greetings of Peace—
Peace! Life and peace to you. Peace to your household, peace to everyone here!
But then how quickly he turns to shouts of Strap on your swords!!!
David is a disappointment to us here— we see a side of Great King David that is less than great
So David and his army head towards Nabal’s place to do battle
Enter Abigail
who knows much about Abigail?
her name means joy of her father
in Elizabeth Cady Stanton's commentary on the passage she questions Abigail’s father for marrying her off to such a man as Nabal— noting his wealth might have played a role but saying— Wisdom is good with an inheritance; but an inheritance without wisdom is good for nothing.
saint
patron saint of beekeeping
Abigail gets wind of her foolish and brutish husband’s behavior and the possible repercussions and what does she do…???
This privileged wife of a w-e-a-l-t-h-y man
she doesn’t complain or whine or throw a tantrum or make threats or feel sorry for herself
she comes up with a possible solution to avert a war
and she puts her plan into action— gets people to help her
and it works— battle avoided
Abigail’s problem solving saves lives— it makes peace
Abigail is a peace maker
Go to the David— put a peace sign and write Abigail
Abigail’s objective is to make peace with David
And she is willing to take blame that is not hers in order to make peace.
okay, so Her life depends on it.
What would it be like to take more than our share or even all the blame to create peace between you and someone else?
Most of us worry we will lose something by taking the blame for another’s actions— or even our own actions at times— we spend time trying to justify ourselves
sometimes avoiding blame at all costs
And maybe you're thinking that Abigail had nothing to lose… while we do
and her life depended on it
The truth isour life as a faith community does depend on making peace — granting forgiveness and accepting the regret of others
We all need to make peace with each other…over and over— that is what it means to be a follower of Jesus— putting others 1st
because like David—we make mistakes, we have bad days
we make poor choices— but God still loves us and forgives us
God still used David to do great things
And David has only begun to make horrendously poor choices and mistakes
We have tended to lift up only the good stories about David
he was not perfect— Abigail is just one of many wives David collected along the way of his life
David was not perfect.
nor are we and God uses each of us to be a blessing
I am not a big fan of David
I like Abigail
I admire that Abigail did NOT look for someone else to fix her problems
She not only saw what needed to be done— she did it.
She came up with a plan and she put it into action
The plan required sacrifice on her part
She was generous
because her life was on the line
We need to be generous with one another— because our life as a community of faith— as an oh-hah-nah is on the line
she was generous with her goods and her time
And she was generous with her compliments
She disarmed David with her willingness to take the blame and her effusive compliments and praise
She blessed David and he could not help but bless her back
We need to be generous with our praise and compliments— to appreciate others and their efforts on behalf of the church
see the God moments in those who are part of our faith oh-hah-nah
A little appreciation goes a long way
what would it be like to be generous with our praise and compliments?
To take the time to say Thank you… take the sticky notes and write a compliment or thank you to someone in this church family— we will post the on the door— put them in the offering plate
I have found Bea to be generous with praise and compliments to myself and everyone— what a blessing Thank you
her generosity of praise is a blessed God sighting
There are so many doing so many good deeds to bless this church family
Joe Charles… he was at church putting a window in my office this week— thank you Joe
Steve and Diana Smith and Sondra and Jim Frazen practiced for our dramatic reading— and weren’t they wonderful?
Each week there are counters who miss fellowship— thank you
and someone runs the sound… and ushers arrive early to greet you and prepare the space for worship— Thank you
Thanks to Stacy for helping to put the children’s table into action..Thank you
Thank you Bob for coming up with the Zaney idea for Hawaiian shirt Sunday and putting the plan into action
There is always lots that could be done to improve this faith oh-hah-nah
but as the song says we could also use “a little less talk and a lot more action.”
we need to come up with solutions and make plans to put them into action
if you see a need … pray for a action plan to meet it
Please don’t complain and expect someone else to fix it.
you are the church— you are the feet and hands of Christ.
ours is a story of relationships— of working together to serve each other and others we have yet to meet— we have yet to invite to join us.
You have been blessed to be a blessing— as if your life depends on it! Amen
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (A New Zealand Prayer Book)
You, O God, are supreme and holy.
You create our world and give us life. Your purpose overarches everything we do. You have always been with us.
You are God.
You, O God, are infinitely generous, good beyond all measure. You came to us before we came to you. You have revealed and proved your love for us in Jesus Christ, who lived and died and rose again.
You are with us now. You are God.
You, O God, are Holy Spirit.
You empower us to be your gospel in the world.
You reconcile and heal; you overcome death.
You are our God. We worship you.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND OUR LORD’S PRAYER
Joys and Concerns of the People
Prayer of the People (Kum ba Yah is sung and prayers are said between the verses)
Comfort-
Healing—
Those traveling—
Our Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO OFFERING OUR GIFTS AND LIVES
Offertory “Farewell (Aloha Oe)” K.M. Queen Lihuokalani
* Presentation of Our Gifts to God (We Give Thee but Thine Own)
We give thee but thine own, Whate’er the gift may be. All that we have is thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from thee.
* Blessing over our gifts
For fish and poi, for bread and meat, For all Thou givest us to eat; For hands that help and hearts that share, Lord, offer we our grateful prayer. Amen.
*HYMN “All Things Bright and Beautiful”
*BENEDICTION
An Hawaiian Blessing
Run with the name of the Christ!
Make God’s will happen.
Look! the dawn is coming in this difficult life,
So move forward!
Christ ignites, enlivens and raises us up!
Beloved of God, you you are empowered so that all are lifted up!
Love and honor each other
and extravagantly pass on the new light that is within you! Amen
POSTLUDE “Hawaiian Hulas (Seven Hulas)” arr. by Louis Jacobson
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