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Last Sunday, we honored the beginning of a new school year with a series of blessings. In both worship services, there was a rainbow of colors and cartoon characters as children came forward for the children’s message and the blessing of the backpacks. We then blessed the backpacks and the children who carried them, that they might have a good year as they grow in knowledge and in their personhood. We also prayed for teachers and those involved with the education system, asking that God would use them in the development of children and youth. Finally, we prayed for parents, who have the difficult tasks of supporting children, guiding them along right paths and transporting them to their various activities.
This Sunday, we have a unity service at 10:00 followed by ice cream sundaes in the courtyard
(or Asbury Room if it is raining). We recognize that for many, Labor Day weekend is the last gasp for summer, and a time for one last vacation trip. It is interesting that the original purpose of Labor Day was the celebration of the strength and productivity of American labor, as well as the prosperity and standard of living that labor provided. It may seem counterintuitive that we celebrate labor with a day of rest. However, we all know that without rest, we cannot remain strong and diligent in our work. Besides, rest (Sabbath) is a gift from God canonized in the Ten Commandments.
The sermon this week, will focus on Jesus’ invitation to find rest in him: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He spoke these words to a people who were toiling under an oppressive imperial regime, religious leadership that had made faithfulness burdensome and an economic system that exploited common laborers. Jesus knew the heaviness of life that people experienced and invited them a different perspective for life. We will explore this statement and see how Jesus’ invitation still applies to us … as does the promise of rest.