Generous Discipleship: Relationships

Our scripture passage for Sunday is the account of the widow’s mite.  Jesus was with the disciples outside of the Temple as people were making their donations to the Temple treasury.  Many rich people put in a large sum of money, possibly drawing the attention, head nods and approval of others.  The widow, placing two small coins in the treasury, was noticed by no one but Jesus. Jesus pointed her out and said that her gift was greater than any other because she gave it out of her poverty rather than out of abundance.

This Sunday’s sermon will conclude our month long focus on stewardship.  We’ve been thinking and praying about our lives in ministry and the ways we share our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness.  My original intention was to explore this passage about the generous widow and lift up the importance of our relationship with God, our resources and one another as we think about being generous disciples.  But I have a confession!  The more I studied this text, the more my sermon plan got derailed!  I started out thinking about the attitude of the “giver.”  I ended up realizing the spotlight was on the responsibility of the institution, the “receiver.”  Join me on Sunday to hear more about this dilemma!

As we plan for ministry in 2021, thank you to all of those who have been able to share an estimate of their anticipated giving.  We’re asking that all pledges be turned in by 10/31/20 if possible.  If you would like to share an estimate of giving you may mail your pledge card to the Church or provide an estimate through our website at www.pbumc.org/give2021.

One additional reminder – we’ll be celebrating All Saints Sunday on November 1st, remembering loved ones who have died in the last year.  With the ringing of a bell and a roll call of their names we’ll remember those who are “absent from our midst” but “present with the Lord.”  If you have a family member or friend who has died in the last year or so and you would like us to include their name, please e-mail me by Monday, October 26th.

I hope you’ll join us on Sunday for our livestream worship at 9:00.  Please know that all are welcome to join the Wednesday Bible Study that reviews the scripture and sermon topic from the previous Sunday and reflects on the questions that are listed below.  If you’re interested in joining us from 11:30 to 12:30 on Wednesdays, please notify the church office or Pastor Lori and we’ll send you the Zoom link.  Drop-ins are welcome!  Looking forward to being together on Sunday!

Blessings, Pastor Lori

Mark 12:41-44

Jesus sat across from the collection box for the temple treasury and observed how the crowd gave their money. Many rich people were throwing in lots of money. One poor widow came forward and put in two small copper coins worth a penny. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I assure you that this poor widow has put in more than everyone who’s been putting money in the treasury. All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she had, even what she needed to live on.”

Consider these questions:

1. What is your initial reaction to the story of the widow’s mite?  What are your thoughts about the widow?  Why does Jesus notice her and point her out to the disciples?
2.  What was the responsibility of the Temple related to donations at that time?  What is the responsibility of religious communities now related to what they receive?
3. How are we (PBUMC) doing with our giving and receiving?  What are our strengths?  Are there places we can do better?