Sunday Morning Worship

May 13, 2020

May 10 – Mother’s Day

Opening Thoughts for Sunday School – Matt Patches

Matt read the suggested scripture for the International Sunday school lesson Zechariah 8:18-23 – “Promising Peace” – even though we would not be studying that particular subject. However, peace certainly fits into a study on mothers.

Whether we identify with Zerubbabel in Zechariah or the disciples in the boat with Jesus, remember:

The world brings trouble.

God brings peace.

Jesus brings peace

We are invited to live in peace with God.

Sunday School Teachers – Gloria Martin (center) – young children; Cathy Diffenderfer (right) – grade school children; Darlene Miller (left) – youth.

Gloria read the story of Punchinello from the book “You Are Special” by Max Lucado. Their youngest daughters answered questions now and then.

It is a story about whimsical Wemmicks – little wooden people who learn through a series of dots and stars that their maker Eli loves each one.

Stars went to the wooden people who did good things and dots went to those who fumbled and made mistakes.

Poor Punchinello couldn’t do anything right. He’s the odd fellow who trips over paving stones and can’t even jump over a box.

He was covered with dots and very discouraged until he met Lucia.

Unlike him and many other Wemmicks the stickers didn’t stick to her. And what’s more – she didn’t even seem to care.

Punchinello is curious to know why stickers won’t stay on Lucia and why she doesn’t care. When he finally works up courage to ask her, she smiles and tells him “It’s easy. Every day I go to see Eli.”

“Eli, who is Eli?”

“He is our maker.”

Punchinello swallowed his fear and timidly approached the wood shop, desperate to know what it is about Eli that makes the dots fall off.

This is how Punchinello learned that Eli loved every Wemmick he made. No matter their size, shape, or talent. Punchinello learned that Eli thought he was pretty special and that Eli never makes mistakes.

Imagine Punchinello’s delight when he learned that his value didn’t depend on what others said or did to him. Eli asked Punchinello to come see him every day to be reminded that he loved him.

That is how God loves us – unconditionally – because we are His own special creation – and He doesn’t make mistakes.

He wants us to come see Him every day.

Cathy began by telling everyone – especially the grade school children – that the story about Punchinello is an allegory, a story to help us understand that God loves us.

She reminded us that we are often faced with problems and situations that frighten, weary or discourage us.

Her first illustration began with a glass of water which represented our lives – the dyes represented problems and situations that discourage and “color” our lives.

Jesus clears our problems if we trust Him and visit Him every day – just like Punchinello trusted Eli and began visiting him every day.

The water cleared. At this point the light lavender is a reflection from her surroundings.

She used another illustration to represent trust.

To do this she pushed 3 pencils through a bag of water without a leak – a reminder to trust God to help us deal with our problems.

God gives us courage to not “leak” or worry.

Her next illustrations was about keys. She likes keys and keeps those that mean something to her.

The one that has the word prayer taped to it was from her father-in-law. She found it when the family went through his things – following his death.

She doesn’t know how he used it, but she knows that prayer was very important to him and that he prayed for his family – by name – every day.

Prayer is a key to communication with God.

Her basket was filled with illustrations of how to live for Jesus every day: read the Bible, memorize verses, sing gospel songs, and encourage others.

“Hint, hint. This is Mother’s Day. Maybe you could do the dishes for your mother.”

If you are artistic be creative by using things you find in your yard or around the house.

Darlene started with a “Sword Drill” for the teenagers. They were supposed to see who in their house could find these verses first – before she rang the bell.

These were some of the verses she called out:

Joshua 1:9 – Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Psalm 18:6 – In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Psalm 56:3 – What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Isaiah 41:10 – Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Psalm 91:11-12 – For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

What are you afraid of?

How does fear make you feel?

She shared a few personal experiences.

She received a call from their youngest son Jared who was on a mission trip in the Philippines – in the middle of the night – saying he was in the hospital. She prayed most of the night, but received peace from God – reminding her that Jared was in His hands.

She doesn’t like driving in new places – places like the city of Lancaster with many one-way streets. One day when visiting a friend in Lancaster, she was concerned about how she would find her way home when another friend came to visit and said, “Just follow me.”

Another time she felt led to call their son Brent who was driving truck (big rig) out-of-state. When she asked how he was doing, he said, “I just had a frightening experience. I met a vehicle going the wrong way on the interstate and had to pull off the road so his car wouldn’t hit me.” The next day when Darlene talked to her mother, she learned that her parents felt led to specifically pray for Brent – about the same time he was facing his frightening situation.

When you hear the Holy Spirit prompting you to pray for someone – there is probably a reason that person needs God’s protection or a reminder of His love.

Last summer when her mother was ill and in the hospital for a long time, there were many times when God came through for her with strength when she was weary.

Make your life a journey of courage.

Opening Thoughts before Worship – Luther Patches

Mother’s Day reminds me of Proverbs 1:8, “Forsake not the law of thy mother.”

Mothers are a light and sweet aroma in our homes.

Fathers are like a lamp – the mothers are the wick, often carrying out the direction in which the parents want to lead them.

Mothers always seem to be the one who notices what is going on – good or bad. She is the one who is aware of concerns and joys.

Scott Rohrer read II Timothy 1:3-8 and introduced a Mother’s Day video that was produced by Garth Shenk.

The video represented women and mothers from our church.

Message – “A Mother’s Vision” – by Jon Cassel

Today’s social distancing does not seem to fit in with Mother’s Day.

A mother’s vision is to care and nurture – and that hasn’t changed throughout the centuries.

Each mother and woman’s highest calling is to be a daughter of God.

As a rule, the mother eagle is the one who prepares her eaglets to fly – just like mothers with a vision want their children to “fly” and be successful in life – spiritually and in their daily work.

Message in three sections: Teaching, Loving, Comforting

Teaching

He placed a bell to his left (our right) to represent a mother as a teacher.

Most mothers – and women who are not mothers – teach those beyond their family.

Proverbs 1:8. Forsake not your mother’s teaching

Proverbs 31:27. She opens her mouth with wisdom.

Susanna Wesley and her husband, Samuel, had nineteen children.

She prayed for each one by name – every day.

She spent one hour per week with each child.

A mother’s vision shapes her children.

Do not compare your vision with any other woman.

Jon read part of the poem The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Rules the World by William Ross Wallace.

When we are taught in Deuteronomy 6:7 to teach our children diligently, it is a life-long journey. A reminder to never stop teaching.

Mothers, your calling is not to make your children perfect.

Don’t make God’s Word more difficult than it is.

Teach your children with confidence.

Loving

He used a flower to represent love.

A plant takes cultivation. Plants and flowers do not grow without cultivation – weeds grow without care.

Imagine what it was like for Jochebed when her son Moses was born and she had to place him in a basket in the Nile. I am sure she had a plan and a vision for Moses.

Imagine what it was like for Mary to be pregnant with Jesus. Everyone thought he was an illegitimate baby. Her love for Jesus had to be difficult – when he was a child and especially when he was misunderstood and eventually crucified.

Love must “let go” – and the cycle continues to the next generation.

Love is a vision so your children can leave you.