The Hardest Thing to Do

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First a word. Thank you for subscribing and reading the newsletter. If there is something you'd find helpful for the newsletter or bible website, feel free to reply to this email. I'm always interested in knowing what pain points people experience in ministry. One of mine was finding liturgy that fit. So, I spent 6 years writing and organizing liturgy so I'd have it at the ready. That's allowed me to share it on the site.

So, feel free to share ideas or just say hi.

Oh, I share a picture of our kids below on our recent trip out of state.

-Jason

Now, let's get into it.

I'll cut to the chase. Here's the question: What is the hardest thing to do sometimes?

My answer: asking for help.

Why is it so difficult for us to ask for help? When we know we are stretched beyond our ability?

This Sunday I'm preaching on Elijah, Peter on the water, and Romans 10. You can read the text of the sermon here (The Drought and the Drowning).

I frequently deal with this matter with congregants. Many times I hear, "I don't want to be a bother" or "I thought I could handle it," or "I wish we would have talked sooner." Meanwhile, dozens of people are behind the scenes just waiting to help someone!

In the texts for this Sunday, Elijah is worn down, despondent, and wants to give up. His perspective is narrowed down to himself. Later, God taking this into account, essentially says, "If you're overwhelmed and want to give up, anoint these men to help you do the work. And, it's not just you out here doing the work. There are 7,000 who haven't bowed down to Baal."

Paul, in Romans 10, sums it up well. You don't have to think you have to climb to heaven to get God to help you. It's in your mouth and in your heart. If you call out, God will save you.

The Liturgy I've written for this Sunday incorporates these ideas and celebrates God's willingness and commitment to save and help us. Feel free to take a look at it.

Did you know?

What is the only miracle by Jesus that is included in each of the four gospels?

Answer: The Feeding of the 5,000​

As you likely know, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John have their own audiences in mind when they craft their gospels. Matthew tends to focus on his Jewish audience, Mark his Roman, Luke to Theophilus, and John to a growing church community.

Matthew points out how Jesus fulfills prophecy. Mark moves at a breathless pace, showing a Jesus of action who meets urgent need without hesitation, well suited to a Roman audience that valued power and efficiency. Luke, writing with a physician's eye for detail and a heart for the marginalized, lingers on Jesus' compassion for the crowd and his instruction to the disciples to be the ones who feed them. John, always wanting to teach the deeper sign behind the sign, uses the feeding as a launching point for the Bread of Life discourse, pointing past the miracle itself to who Jesus is.

Four writers, four audiences, one meal that fed them all.

So important is this miracle and the meaning behind it, they just could not do without.

Liturgy Corner Also tucked into the Liturgy page at www.pastorjasonelder.com: a small collection of Benedictions and Blessings, including one for a funeral, one for a wedding, and one gathered from voices around the world. Planning ahead for World Communion Sunday? The Benedictions from Around the World were made for exactly that moment, when the table stretches wider than your own sanctuary walls. ​Go to the liturgy​

Sounds Odd!

We took a family trip to Boston, or rather BAHSTON (sounds odd!). Our three kids (college, high school, and almost junior high), had a great time and spent ample time in the pool.

Summertime is truly a blessing.

Hope your summer is/was filled with moments of joy.

-Jason

A Benediction from Around the World

Syriac Malankara (India)

All my best to you,

Rev. Jason B. Elder