Generous Hearts

Marcia Shetler

Call to Worship

One:    For this day set aside to worship you as a gathered faith community,

All:      We give you thanks, O God.

One:    For your desire to have a relationship with us, your children,

All:      We give you thanks, O God.

One:    For your saving grace given to us through the gift of your Son,

All:      We give you thanks, O God.

One:    For your forgiveness that overcomes our guilt and shame,

All:      We give you thanks, O God.

One:    For your caring love that knows no limits,

All:      We give you thanks, O God.

One:    For the joy and blessings of serving you in community,

All:      We give you thanks, O God.

One:    For the promise of eternal life,

All:      We give you thanks, O God.

One:    For all these things and more, we give you thanks, as your grateful people.

All:      Amen.

Call to Confession

Ever faithful God, you have called us to love one another. Together we confess that we do not always love one another as we should.

Prayer of Confession

God, forgive us. Sometimes our lack of love comes from indifference. At other times, we put ourselves and our desires ahead of others’ needs. And at other times, our lack of love is intentional, founded upon hate or fear. We fail to love because our love for you and trust in you are not complete.

Assurance of Pardon

One:  God loves us, in spite of our shortcomings. God receives our confessions with a gracious and forgiving heart, restoring and renewing our souls. Let us remember the words of the psalmist, “Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

All: Through the love and mercy of God, we are forgiven. Amen.

 Prayer for Illumination

Loving and gracious God, you are always ready to guide your children through the workings of the Holy Spirit, if we only ask. Help us to approach you with the zeal and enthusiasm of Zacchaeus. Assure us that though our search for your guidance may seem as unclear as looking for you through the branches and leaves of a sycamore tree, if we are attentive, we will hear your voice. Help us to listen and respond. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Scripture Possibilities for the Sermon

Generous Hearts

This week’s scripture texts tease out generosity as a matter of the heart. The Old Testament, Psalm, and New Testament passages give us illustrations of God’s generous heart. God’s gracious redemption is available when our faithfulness falls short, our guilt overwhelms us, and our circumstances seem to limit us. The Epistle reading inspires us to support each other in our faith communities with love and prayer so that together we can be generous witnesses for Christ.

In our efforts to please God, we sometimes forget that God knows us intimately in ways we cannot begin to imagine. God’s understanding and generous care for us are unfathomable and immeasurable. In response to this love, our giving should be more than an assumed, routine act of the weekly worship service: it should represent our heartfelt gratitude to God and our deep love for those within and beyond our church family.

• Isaiah 1:10-18

This passage in some ways parallels 1 Corinthians 13:3—“If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” Isaiah makes it clear that going through the motions of making a sacrifice is not what God is looking for regarding righteousness and faithfulness. The people of God are to cease to do evil and learn to do good, with four specific do-good activities listed in verses 16 and 17. Note that these are all relationship-based: fulfilling God’s mission requires getting involved.

Yet for all this harsh dialog, this passage ends with an invitation and finally with the greatest of invitations. God continues to reach out to God’s people: “Come, let’s consider your options,” and finally, “Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become white like snow; though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet, you can become white like wool.” (v. 18, NET)

• Psalm 32:1-7

The act of redemption is evident in this Old Testament passage. The psalmist notes the folly of harboring guilt rather than making confession.

In verse 6, the psalmist encourages the godly to “pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment” (NLT). Even in times when we feel we least deserve it, God is ready to provide comfort and deliverance. Those who have an ongoing relationship with God—sharing deeply with their creator and redeemer both the successes and failures of life—will not be disappointed.

• Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus did not let his reputation dampen his desire to see Jesus. His enthusiasm suggests he was anticipating a transformational moment just from the opportunity to simply get a glimpse of him.

Zacchaeus was not disappointed. Not only did Jesus pass by, but he sought Zacchaeus out within the leaves and branches of the sycamore tree. Jesus called Zacchaeus to join him, not for just a moment but for a meaningful portion of time.

We do not know if Zacchaeus’ declaration to Jesus about rectifying his unjust financial dealings was influenced by the negative response of the crowd and an attempt to assure Jesus that he was worthy of providing hospitality. Jesus’ public response indicates that Zacchaeus was sincere about his change of heart and was a witness of God’s love to those that society might name despicable.

• 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

Paul, Silas, and Timothy bookend the first chapter of 2 Thessalonians with examples for faith communities. They note that they give thanks for the Thessalonians at all times, and commend them for their faithfulness even in the midst of persecution and suffering. Verses 11 and 12 continue their prayer with petitions for the Thessalonians to remain steadfast and to grow in their faith. They encourage the Thessalonians to share their desire that in all things Christ is glorified.

Faith communities can be the sweet spots where loving relationships and generosity meet. Our biological and faith families are the most significant influencers of our understanding and practice of generosity. Congregations large and small can nurture a variety of loving relationships with creativity and imagination.

 Prayers of the People

One:  Let us draw near to the throne of grace with our praise and petitions to the Lord, as we pray together for our world:

All: God of generosity, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the church.

Almighty God, we give thanks for the gift of the body of Christ. We pray for all Christians, that their faith will continue to grow and that they will remain steadfast in their love for you and service to you. We pray that through your church, your name will be glorified.

(silent prayer)

All: God of authority, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for creation.

Creator God, we give thanks for our world and its abundance beyond measure. We pray for guidance as we fulfill our responsibilities as its caretakers. We seek justice for the wounded and broken places. Help us to be channels of your loving care for this great gift.

(silent prayer)

All: God of justice, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for this community.

Loving God, we give thanks for the gift of communities—rural villages, suburban neighborhoods, city blocks. We pray for your guidance and insights as we witness to the community in which we live. We pray for willing and loving hearts as we interact with our neighbors. Help us to cease to do evil and learn to do good. Help us to rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow.

(silent prayer)

All: God of compassion, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for all families and those who live alone.

Gracious God, we give thanks for the gift of families and for the cycle of life. We pray for those who are in strained and challenging relationships. We pray for those who struggle for acceptance. We pray for those who suffer in silence with burdens of shame and guilt. Help us to be ready to offer the healing balm of love and grace to those who are hurting as a bridge to you and your comfort and forgiveness.

(silent prayer)

All: God of wholeness, hear our prayer.

Patient God, we entrust our prayers to you. Give us insight to understand your leading and guidance as you answer our prayers. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Invitation to the Offering

As the beloved children of God, we should aspire to possess a gracious and generous heart. This is the most important thing we can claim to own. Everything we have is a gift from God. What we share of those gifts with the community is a witness to our generous hearts. Will those in our neighborhood, in our region, and in our world know of our gracious and generous hearts? Now is your opportunity to give.

Offertory Prayer

Gracious and loving God, as a community of faith we share these gifts. We pray that you will bless them, and that they will promote justice, give the oppressed reason to celebrate, give comfort to the orphan, and defend the rights of the widow. And help us to remember that our offerings to you do not end with this moment. They are a symbol that all we have, all that we do, and all that we are should be gifts for your glory and our neighbors’ good. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Charge and Benediction

Go now into God’s world, with the assurance that you are not alone! God is with you, touching your heart with mercy. Your community of faith is with you, filling your heart with encouragement. May your thoughts and deeds be a generous witness to all of God’s children, drawing them near to God’s love and grace. Amen.

As a Network for Growing Stewards, the Ecumenical Stewardship Center helps the church thrive as it learns to live generously. The Ecumenical Stewardship Center lives out its mission with a generous, prophetic, innovative, and collaborative vision and values. The Ecumenical Stewardship Center has supported the stewardship ministries of congregations and denominations for decades by providing publications, events, and professional growth opportunities focusing on the many aspects of Christian stewardship. Learn more at https://stewardshipresources.org.