Second Sunday after Pentecost
Unifying Theme: |
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| Scripture | Theme | Hymns |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis
18:1-15, (21:1-7) --or-- Exodus 19:2-8a |
Promise and fulfillment to Abraham and Sarah --or-- God's covenant, offered after deliverance |
374: Standing on the
Promises 384: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling 462: 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus |
| Psalm
116:1-2, 12-19 --or-- Psalm 100 |
A Psalm of commitment --or-- A Psalm of praise |
354: I Surrender All 682: All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night |
| Romans 5:1-8 | We have hope because Christ gave Himself for sinners | 368: My Hope Is Built 378: Amazing Grace |
| Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23) | Christ shows compassion Himself and through His disciples | 438: Forth in Thy Name, O
Lord 650: Give Me the Faith Which Can Remove |
Trust is one of those marvelous words that can be used in many different ways. As a noun, it refers to the confidence that we have in someone or something. It can also be a bank account that is entitled to special protection. As a verb, it is the act of placing confidence in someone else. Whether it is a thing or an action, though, we often speak of "levels" or "degrees" of trust. Between the best of friends there is great trust. How much do we trust others? How much do they trust us?
This week's featured hymn was written by Louisa Stead. The story is told that she and her husband were watching their young daughter by the beach. Someone cried out for help. There was a boy in the water. Mr. Stead went to the rescue, but the frightened boy pulled him under the water in a panic. Mrs. Stead and her daughter could only watch from the beach as the boy and her husband drowned.
Stead was a poor woman and she was hardly able to provide for her daughter. One day when it seemed that all of their resources were gone, she found a gift of food and money left on her doorstep. It was on that day that she sat and wrote these words:
| 1. 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word; just to rest upon his promise, and to know, "Thus saith the Lord." (Refrain) |
2. O how sweet to trust in Jesus, just to trust his cleansing blood; and in simple faith to plunge me neath the healing, cleansing flood! (Refrain) |
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| 3. Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease; just from Jesus simply taking life and rest, and joy and peace. (Refrain) |
4. I'm so glad I learned to trust thee, precious Jesus, Savior, friend; and I know that thou art with me, wilt be with me to the end. (Refrain) |
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Stead trusted Jesus completely. She had nothing of her own to trust in. Yet the Lord provided for her day after day, year after year. She relates her experience in such a wonderful series of stanzas. Trusting what Jesus says; trusting what Jesus did; trusting what Jesus shares; and rejoicing simply in having Jesus as a friend. Even the closing line is compelling: "O for grace to trust him more!" Although her trust was so complete, Stead asked for grace to trust even more!
May we trust Jesus as Louisa Stead did. May we yearn for grace to trust even more. And, as the unknown person who provided food and money for Stead, may we be the instruments that put trust into action.
God bless you--
Lection at HymnSite.com
God bless you!
| Passages suggested are from The Revised Common Lectionary: Consultation on Common Texts (Abingdon Press, 1992) copyright © by the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), P.O. Box 340003, Room 381, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Reprinted with permission of CCT. |