Prelude – Lord, Be Glorified ‐ Kilpatrick

Meditation:

If we give money for the creation of a community of love, we are helping God build the kingdom. We are doing exactly what we are supposed to do as Christians. Paul is clear about this: Make love your aim ~Henri Nouwen

Silent Prayer

Prayer Song – Through it all ‐ Hymnal #507

Pastoral Prayer, Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Linda

Anthem – This is the Day ‐ Kirkland

Scripture Reading  – Matthew 25:14‐30 – Gerry Sleeth

Message – God Is our Future

Offering

Benediction

Matthew 25:14-30 – New Revised Standard Version

¹⁴ “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;

¹⁵ to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. At once

¹⁶ the one who had received the five talents went off and traded with them and made five more talents.

¹⁷ In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents.

¹⁸ But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

¹⁹ After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.

²⁰ Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’

²¹ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

²² And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’

²³ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

²⁴ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter,

²⁵ so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’

²⁶ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter?

²⁷ Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest.

²⁸ So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.

²⁹ For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.

³⁰ As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

God’s love brought us here & gave us resilient faith- defined LV. God’s love living here as we sow seeds of faith. Growing and using wisely the gifts God has given to us.  God cares deeply about our future and is working to build a strong, faithful and loving church, a church that can connect with people in fresh and innovative ways. How we help God’s future to come about and take form.

We are graced by God’s immense trust & giving in our lives. In parable of talents, the first two servants realize God’s abundance.  God is generous, has taken risks on us. We want to use well what God has given to us. Jesus says the greatest risk in life is to risk nothing, to care little, to not give our hearts away.

We easily feel fear in this inflation-ridden time. Election ads make us fearful. God wants us to trust, be hopeful; be grateful for what God has given to us.

Cultivate a life of generosity. When we say yes to sacrificial giving & tithing it teaches us to trust in God & not in the value of money. When we give with love amazing things can happen. God can build a future for us, this church. We continue to be Christ’s community in action. Let’s not act timidly in response to God’s generosity.