Homily for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost - God Works in Mysterious Ways

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Homily by the Reverend Mitzi Noble

Prayer

O, God of grace and mercy, you are the source of all love and relationship. You created us for relationship, called us your people forever, granted us wisdom and freedom of choice. We believe that you came among us as Jesus Christ and commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves. You sent your very power to guide us through the Holy Spirit.  We understand that we are Christ's Body in this world serving, working, caring for our brothers and sisters, striving to  be reconciled to  you and each other even through our differences.

We have learned that you taught us to come together, to love and out of many to be One People.

Coming together and seeking answers, not just for our own needs and concerns, but to help others as your Body, the Church at Emmanuel, in our town, nation-indeed, throughout your creation to share our feelings and thoughts, trusting that you are present with us, guiding us, through our dialogue to reconcile within your Church universal.

We long to hear you say at the end of our days on this earth, "Job well done good and faithful servants!" Christ, you called us-- sinners and saints-to be God's witnesses, to bring about the peaceable kingdom. Grant us the patience, gentleness and love, accepting your forgiveness for all of our short comings and trusting that when you return, we may present to you a people, though individually unique, reconciled as One Body.

Now, as we worship and praise you, O God, may we know and feel your presence, 0 Christ, at our Communion, through the Word and Prayers, throughout our coming days, forgive us and walk beside us as you walked with all those be

May we love and honor you and your commands, as you love and accept us. We pray to you O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Homily

What does the Lord require of us? As I prayed about being with you today, I realized that the only real help I can offer is what I believe.

God works in mysterious ways. Not controlling us, our behavior or our future like operating puppets, but God is with us. I believe that God came among us to teach us how to love and live with each other, being faithful to God's dream for us. Created for relationship-DREAM.