Thank Offering Sunday - November 22 (Waterville)

And what does God ask of us?

Women in this congregation have quietly went about the task of ministry for well over 100 years. It was the men who goofed things up right? We had some great leaders over the years - women who for the sake of the Gospel strove to be confident in faith, leading with authority and love, and have left a legacy in our hearts.

We are thankful today and bring an offering of praise for the great leaders of the past and look for the leaders of the future who will lead in confidence and grace. Whether our offering come in the form of Krumkake or through the gifts of our tithe we are thankful for the work of God in this place.

1. Be ready for the task of ministry!
1. Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, ²to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. ³For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. ⁴But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
2. The call goes out for...
2. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you!
1. ⁸And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but” against the Lord. ⁹Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’“ ¹⁰And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. ¹¹The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ¹²“I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’“
2. God has answered prayer through the community of this church, through the meeting of the Women of Waterville, and through authentic love for each other.
   
3. "I thank my God for you."
3. Be ready for the day to come.
1. ¹⁸Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ ²⁰But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ ²¹So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”
2. What are we passing on to our young women in this parish? Why are these things that we do important? Really it isn't about baked goods, the gatherings, but it is far more importantly about living in the community of faith and living out together our calling.
3. The world is changing, the world is hurting. Are we up for the challenge?