Sometimes faith feels like a burden. Christianity has often positioned “faith” as believing in certain doctrines about God or Christianity that are just difficult to accept. Like the White Queen in Alice in Wonderland, faith is often seen as believing six impossible things before even eating breakfast. Like Alice, I often respond, “I can’t believe the impossible.”
But just before the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith, Jesus told them that they must forgive. In fact, Jesus’ whole ministry could be summed up by his teachings on forgiveness. That’s because for Jesus, God is love and God is forgiveness. That’s why Jesus consistently invites us to stop cycles of violence and revenge and replace them with cycles of love and forgiveness. This does not mean that we stop working for justice. But it does mean that we work for a more just world without letting hatred get in the way. As Jesus alludes to, sometimes this feels as impossible as uprooting a mulberry tree and planting it in the ocean. But together, with faith, we might be able to do what seems impossible.
God be with you. All: And also with you. Prelude Music - Jean Lighting of the Peace Candle - Holly and Melanie All: We pray for peace, In our hearts, In our homes, In our nations, And in our worlds. Scripture: Luke 17:5-10 Call to Worship One: We gather together bringing our faith and our doubts. All: God loves us in our faith and in our doubts. One: May our faith in God’s love increase. All: Let us increase our faith by sharing love with others. Amen. Passing of the Peace Song - Singing Skies - by Rhonda and Dave Offering Prayers of the People Our God, who art in heaven Hallowed by your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Forever and ever. Amen. Sermon: How To Increase Your Faith Communion Benediction May God bless you and keep you. May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God look upon you with kindness and give you peace, This day and forevermore. Amen