08/25/23
I used to make enchiladas for my sons. The youngest one would always want me to save a little bit of the seasoned meat and one tortilla for him. That’s it. Just some crumbs of meat and a tortilla. He would take it and make himself a taco to hold him over until the enchiladas were done. He didn’t need much, just the crumbs.
As a child, I would hang around the kitchen when my mother was baking something. It didn’t matter what it was, when she was finished pouring the mixture into the pan, before she cleaned the bowl, I would ask if I could lick the spoon. And sometimes the bowl, too! You see, I knew that whatever made that dessert so good was also in the remaining dough, just in a different form. I didn’t need much, just the crumbs.
There once was a woman from the land of Canaan. A Syrophoenician woman as described in Mark’s writing. And Jesus came to her area. Even though she herself was not a Jew, she had heard about the miracles this young Jewish carpenter had performed. She had heard about Him healing people of sickness and disease, curing demon-possessed folks. And while she was not a Jew, she knew power when she saw it. There was something different about this Healer. Something holy.
I find it fascinating that some unchurched folks seem to have more faith than those who attend every Sunday! This mother was desperate for healing. Not for herself, but for her daughter who was possessed by a demon. So, she had the nerve, the unmitigated gall, call it what you want, but she had the faith to approach Jesus on behalf of her child.
Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.”
Matthew 15:22
The disciples wanted to send her away. Even Jesus told the woman that He was sent to the people of Israel, of which she was not. But there was something about this Healer that wouldn’t let her quit even when Jesus compared her to a dog!
He [Jesus] answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food
and throw it to the dogs.”
Matthew 15:26
Wait, maybe I didn’t hear Jesus correctly.
He [Jesus] answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food
and throw it to the dogs.”
Is He, is Jesus calling her a dog? I probably would’ve left after that one. Yet, she stayed. And she presented her case to Jesus.
She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs
that fall from their masters’ table.”
Matthew 15:27
Mic drop! What persistence, what courage…what faith this woman had! She didn’t need a whole lot from Jesus, just crumbs from His table would be enough to heal her baby girl!
Church, are you so busy looking for a lightning bolt from the sky (although I’m told that they start from the ground!) that you miss the glimmers of hope right here on earth? You forget the fact that Jesus is in the everydayness of our lives. Faith the size of a mustard seed is not very big, but it’s all you need to move mountains! There is power in the table crumbs of Jesus. I invite you to join us this Sunday for worship as we talk about the Power in the Crumbs.
Trivia Night & Silent Auction
This year we will celebrate 55 years of ministry at the UMC of Green Trails! The celebration begins with Trivia Nite on Friday, Sept. 15. The donation is $25/person or $200 for a table of 8. Put a team together with family and friends (including your kiddos) and let’s have some friendly competition! There’s also an e-giving line item for Trivia Night.
***SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS NEEDED***
The Family Trivia Night Task Team is looking for donations for the silent auction fundraiser that will occur Friday, September 15, 2023 during Trivia Night. Donations can be brought to Amanda Hughes or Jei Evans at the church. Here are some ideas of donations: Tickets or gift cards to restaurants, spas, sporting events, gyms, hotels, destination vacations, airline tickets, concerts, movies, theater events, pet daycare, etc.
New donation items might include jewelry, original pieces of art, congregation talents and services (babysitting, pet sitting/walking, cleaning, baking, tutoring, photography, event planning), games, puzzles, pop culture items, new release books, etc.
The Trivia Night Task Team will have a sign-up sheet in the Narthex lobby for attendance and for donated items. Email Amanda Hughes: amanda.hughes@att.net, or call: 314-920-5724 with questions.
55 for 55
Our anniversary fundraising goal is $55,000 in honor of 55 years of faithful service and generosity. I invite you to consider how you will participate in giving. Whether it’s $5, $500, or some multiple of 5, no gift is too small (or too large!). There is a line for 55 Anniversary giving on our e-giving site, or you can write “Anniversary” on the memo line of your check. We will culminate our 55th Church Anniversary celebration on Sunday, November 5, with worship and dinner. Let’s celebrate 55 for 55!
Anniversary T-shirts
You can pre-order your t-shirt starting today! In fact, there will be an Anniversary table in the Narthex lobby for all things Anniversary. You can order a t-shirt, sign up for Trivia Night, donate to the Silent Auction, and sign up to volunteer at the table.
Need Prayer?
Our Prayer Team has you covered! Next Sunday, Aug. 28, prayer will be offered from 9:00-9:45am, in the Prayer Room (across from the Sanctuary). In times like these, we need prayer more than ever, and the Prayer Team is here for you! “Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:13-14.
Psalms Praylist
I’m dedicating the month of September to praying the Psalms! We will use those 30 days to pray through all 150 Psalms and it will only take 10-12 minutes of your day. It will be in audio format, so all you will need to do is click and listen. Keep moving your faith forward by listening to the Psalms Praylist in September!
WOW Returns!
Wednesday, Sept. 6, marks the return of WOW (Word on Wednesday) our churchwide Bible studies. We will have 2 classes from which to choose. Class offerings will come soon. Dinner will be at 5:45p (potluck) and class will start at 6:30p.
Back to Church Sunday
will be on September 24. This is a great opportunity to gather family, friends, and neighbors and invite them to church!
Stay in the Know!
Don’t forget to pick up this month’s Memory Verse Card and other information at the Welcome Center or the Coffee Station. Just our way of helping you to stay in the know!
Worship With Us ~ Sundays at 10:00am
In-house:
14237 Ladue Rd.
Chesterfield, MO 63017
or
Online:
Sunday School for all ages at 9:00am!
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
Comentários