Sermons

Great Expectations - Youth Service
Shepherd’s Grace Church
September 29, 2019

Greeter—

Joys and Concerns—Aidan

Praise and Worship—Albert Kriz

Call to Worship—Chance

Children’s Time—Lauren

The Lord’s Prayer—All Raped Up

Our Father who art in heaven

Hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our trespasses

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil

For thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory

Forever! Amen!

Hey God who lives right near us

We are prayin’ today so you can hear us!

We love your name and want to call you

Bring your house down and bust a move here

We know in heaven you sing and dance

We’ve got the “Wo” do you wanna take a chance?

We don’t want nothin’ but just enough

Don’t let us steal no other stuff

Some done us wrong, it made us mad

We’re gonna let go … it ain’t so bad

There’s lots of cool stuff here in this place

Keep us from grabbin something to disgrace

For it all belongs to you and that’s no lie

Just let us hang for ever and we’ll be alright! Out!

Hebrew Bible Lesson—Ex. 32:7-14—Baylee

7The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; 8they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!< 9The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. 10Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.” 11But Moses implored the Lord his God, and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. 13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’“ 14And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people

Celebration in Song—Baylee

As we prepare for prayer, today we remember the great expectations of generations who have gone before us. The medley you are about to share in invites us into songs of worship from the very early years of our time as Christians to the very latest. Sing along to as many as you know and enjoy the ones you don’t. Worship takes on different styles but it should always seek to praise and glorify the one true God, the God of unconditional love.

Pastoral Prayer—Baylee

Eternal God, today we come to you with great expectations. We expect you to fulfill your promises to us…all of them. We expect you to fulfill your promises to us even though we have not kept our word to you. In this moment, forgive us and let us start again. Instead of expecting your love dear God, let us expect your grace instead. You know your grace! Your unmerited favor that you pour out on us. We don’t deserve it but you give it and perhaps if we expect it, we can relax a little and let all the worry and care in our own lives ease off our shoulders just a bit. Perhaps if we know your grace will always be there for us…even when we don’t deserve it, perhaps we can make better choices and live more like you want us to instead of being tempted all the time. Perhaps if we expect your grace…even trust your grace we will be able to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Today, let your grace be our great expectation. Pour it out on us we pray and as we receive it, the incredible life saving, world saving grace that only you can give…let it change our hearts and our very lives. Then, let us, your grace filled people be your great expectation. Let us be the ones who work for justice and hope and peace and preservation in your world. Let your great expectation be that we make a difference right where we are, even as others, those who sang the songs of the ages made a difference in their time. Let us do the work you give us to do, right here, right now and let us expect that your will can be accomplished in what we do.

Let our expectation be that your will is not only done in our work but also in the work that is done by others. We pray for these others today. Many are called to do your work and your expectation is met as we all respond together. Today, we remember them all…especially those who are in far away places protecting and serving to keep us free to worship you. Let our expectation today be that you will keep them safe. Return them home safely to us and as you do, let us gather round them and rejoice, giving you all the praise, all the honor and all the glory.

Today, Lord, let us expect even more from you. Do not let our prayers cease before we remember those who think, and live and act differently from us. Can you believe it Lord? There are those in our world who would speak evil against us? There are even those who would raise an hand or point a weapon at us. Keep them safe too, Lord. Let that be our expectation of you. Keep our enemies safe.

Then, one day, a day only you know call us all together…friend and foe alike. Lead us to a place you have chosen and there, teach us to lay down our weapons and join together our arms. Arm in arm, let us walk together to the top or your holy mountain where we can learn from your very mouth how to beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks. This is our prayer. It is a prayer of peace. Our great expectation is Peace; a peace which passes all understanding, a peace where nothing is missing and nothing is broken. Our expectation is Shalom. Dear God, grantus your peace. This pe pray through the power of your Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Offering and Doxology—Chance/Aidan

Aidan—Hey God, thanks for all the good stuff you throw our way. This morning as we throw a little back in the plates let us remember how grateful we are and let us expect that you will use our gifts for the very best purposes. This we pray through the power of your Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Gospel Lesson—Luke 15:11-32—Hadley/Shae

11Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 25“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”

Message—Great Expectations

(Chance)Father—Oh, yeah! I had such great expectations for my sons. Their mother died when the youngest was only two. I often thought I might like to have daughters but it was not to be. Daughters…how much easier than sons. No fighting about who got to ride on the front of the donkey and who had to ride on the back. Daughters…no worry about where they were when it came time to be in late at night. Daughters…only one thing to worry about…Sons. Now that I think about it, maybe I am better off with sons.

Still, that one. The youngest. Tasar—that is Hebrew for youngest. Tasar could really push my buttons! He came to me one day last week. We were in the middle of working. It is just like Tasar to stop working just to talk. Anyway, he asked a question.

(Baylee)Tasar—Abba, will you sell all your stuff and split the money between me and Zaq (Pronounced Zak, short for Zaqen) He said, I just like to have the money around. All the stuff really isn’t that cool.

(Chance)Abba—Not that cool? NOT THAT COOL! What do you mean, not that cool? These are family heirlooms. I have had some of them since my father passed them down to me! Not that cool! I’ll give you not that cool. Why…that golden calf your mother has dates back to the time God led our people out of the wilderness. Not that coo…

(Baylee)Tasar—(Interrupting)—Ok, Ok, Ok…I get it! So some of the old stuff is really old and it means a lot to you. Give that stuff to Zaq. He will appreciate it a lot more than I will.

Aidan)Zaq—Did I hear my name?

(Chance)Abba—No, nothing Zaq. Your crazy brother just had a wild idea that I should sell all of my possessions and give him his half of them.

(Aidan)Zaq—What! What do you mean, give him his half!  He isTasar—the younger. He gets nothing. I mean, sure…you could give him a little I guess but he is entitled to nothing. I am the one who inherits everything.

(Chance)Abba—Zaq, you are the older and as such, you are entitled to more…but I am the father. I decide!

(Aidan)Zaq—Of course, Abba. You are the father. I will respect you and your wishes.

(Chance)Abba—Thank you Zaq, You know there was a time when our ancestors lived high on the mountain of the Lord and the Lord called up our ancestor Moses. He gave him the ten commandments and one of them was to honor your father and mother so that you may live long in the land that I am giving you.

(Baylee)Tasar—What a load—That was thousands of years ago and times have changed! Today, all my friends are getting the full share of their father’s inheritance…and they are getting it now. They are getting it when they are young so they will have time to spend it. It is our generation’s great expectation!

(Aidan)Zaq—Great Expectation my big toe! You have no right to expect anything. Abba worked hard for all he has and if he decides to give us anything, it will be by his grace and not because we deserve it.

(Chance)Abba—Well said, Zaq. However, I did not earn all that we have. Much of our treasure comes from your mother’s family. They gave me quite a dowry for marrying her. I would have married her for nothing but I sure got the best of that deal!

(Aidan)Zaq—Of course…Forgive me Abba. I miss Amma(Mother) also. There is not a day that goes by that I do not remember how she used to take me in her arms and play with me. I wish she could have been alive to watch Tasar grow up.

(Chance)Abba—Things might have been different. That is true. She might have been able to teach him respect for the things she brought to our marriage. That Golden Calf is just one of them. Her father told me that one of his gifts was the staff Moses used to ascend the mountain of the Lord.

(Aidan)Zaq—That must be priceless! Imagine a walking stick that has been in the presence of the Lord!

(Baylee)Tasar—Just a hunk of wood. I want the cattle that you are going to give me, Abba. I can raise them and breed them and sell them to those who need to make offerings to the Lord! I can make a nice profit!

(Chance)Abba—Do you know nothing of all I have taught you of our law, Tasar? Do you not remember what the prophet Micah said about cheating others and taking unfair advantage.

(Baylee)Tasar—Humpf—Old teachings for old ways. Where has it gotten anyone? How much more might you have had if you had my business sense?

(Chance)Abba—My son, I could ask you to look around and realize the comfort you live in and all you have. This all comes from the sweat of our brow and an honest day’s labor. However, because you think you can do better, I will honor your request. I will sit with my accountant and decide how much I am willing to give to you. You will have your decision in three days.

(Aidan)Zaq—Abba! How dare you give away that which belongs to us all. You know this son of yours is no good. You know he will squander it all away…then what!

(Chance)Abba—If he does, he does. What Tasar will do with his inheritance is up to him. My expectation of him is that he will find and use good judgment…however, I cannot force him. It is God’s great expectation that we all treasure the word given by Moses above all else. Tasar must learn this and he must learn it on his own.

(Aidan)Zaq—How foolish this is. Tasar is just going to squander that which he has. He has no respect for God or for God’s teaching! He has always taken the short cut on his studies and he leaves early on Sabbath!

(Baylee)Tasar—My father was true to his word. He examined the books with his accountant and divided all he had between me and Zaq. He did not divide it evenly but I never thought he would. I was asking , hoping to bully him into giving more than I deserved. If the truth were told, I got more than I ever deserved. My brother was right. I was entitled to nothing, but my Abba is good and gracious.

A few days after my father gave me that which he said was mine, I made arrangements with a neighbor to sell the cattle. All that Abba left me was cattle because I told him I had a plan. I knew he would believe me if I told him I had a plan. He always wanted me to take responsibility…to set goals and to serve something bigger than myself.

My father behaved exactly as I thought he would. He trusted me and I tricked him. I took that which I had not earned and turned it into wealth beyond my wildest imagination. I snuck out of our compound late one night and herded my cattle to my neighbor. He paid me what we agreed and I took my new found wealth to the big city where there were so many more opportunities.

Imagine my father thinking I would ever be content making my living raising cattle. I knew I could be far more successful taking advantage of the many people in the big city who were unaware.

As I arrived in the city, I put my wealth in the cloak I was carrying. I had not walked a block when I met a young woman. Her name was Zanah(the Hebrew word for harlot)

Zanah asked if I knew my way around the city. I have been here a few times before with Abba but never on my own. I lied…a little I said.

(Shae)Zanah—Let me take you to one of the favorite gathering places here,

(Baylee)Tasar-- and she led me away to a back alley bar that was only fit for thieves and bandits. I recognized the place immediately. It was not the type of place where a young person of my age and experience would be treated kindly. Zanah, however was very beautiful.

(Shae)Zanah—Come in. If you do not like the bar tender, we can leave. I have things I need to do here so you just wait for me.

(Baylee)Tasar—I thought what could it hurt? I was only going to be there a few minutes. I took a seat in the corner and waited. I saw Zanah move over to the bar tender and speak with him a moment.  She then turned and waved at me. That was the last I ever saw of her. At once, the bar tender came over to me

(Hadley)Abarem—(Hebrew for bartender) said to me, Zanah says you came to the city to make some money. How would you like to make a quick score of cash?

(Baylee)Tasar—My heart was pounding in my chest that I had such good fortune on my first day. It might have taken weeks for me to find a person this well connected to the type of people so ready to be taken advantage of. I was thinking I could take advantage of the Abarem too! How smart could he be…he worked in this dump! Without missing a beat I said, “Why would you help me?”

(Baylee)Abarem—I expect that I will be well taken care of if I make you successful.

(Baylee)Tasar—I do have some means. What do you have in mind?

(Hadley)Abarem—There are people in the city who have never seen places far away. With just a small investment, we can buy trinkets that are false and sell them at huge profit because they do not know you and you come from far away. Go up and get a room for the night and tomorrow, I will have some salesmen stop by to see you.

(Baylee)Tasar—What about Zanah?

(Hadley)Abarem—Zanah has work for the night. She will look in on you early in the morning.

(Baylee)Tasar—Very well. I suppose I can wait until morning to see her. Thank you for your hospitality and for the generous offer. I shall give in much consideration.

(Aidan)Zaq—When Tasar left, my father was heartbroken. He didn’t work for weeks. He just moped about the house waiting and hoping that Tasar would return. I kept up with the chores of the vineyards and the few cattle we had left after Tasar took his share. Father struggled and eventually found his way back to work. Every morning I watched the disappointment in his face. Every evening, I saw him looking to the East, hoping Tasar would return.

(Baylee)Tasar—I thought of my father that night. I thought of how gullible and cowardly he was. He gave me everything I wanted and didn’t even try to fight to hold on to it. He was weak, I thought. He could never be as successful in the world as I was.

(Hadley)Abrahem—Tasar, wake and rise. It is time for us to go meet the salesmen that I talked to you abut.

(Baylee)Tasar—Where is Zanah?

(Hadley)Abrahem—Do not worry about Zanah! You can have many others if you are successful. Just hurry! These men will not be kept waiting…and bring plenty of money!

(Baylee)Tasar—I am coming! I am here! Let us be on our way!

(Hadley)Abrahem—The place we are going is not far. Listen to what these men have to say. Do not speak unless they speak directly to you. They know me and will trust me. There…just ahead is the place!

(Lauren)Sahatan—Welcome Abrahem. And who is this that you bring? How do we know we can trust him.

(Hadley)Abrahem—This is Tasar and you know you can trust him because he is with me. Have I ever mislead you?

(Lauren)Sahatan—You have not…and you will never because you know the first time you do will be your last time! Does this man have sufficient wealth to make our little enterprise work?

(Hadley)Abrahem—I think you will find that he has enough to start. He may need to borrow to a little but he will agree to your terms.

(Baylee)Tasar—Wait! How do you know I will agree to the terms. I am the business man here! I will make the deal!

(Lauren)Sahatan—Very Good, Tasar. Here is what we are proposing. You will buy these trinkets from us. They are worthless and we will sell them to you for very little. You will sell them to the people traveling through the city for a large profit. We will keep one half of your profit and you will keep the rest. You will then buy more trinkets from us and keep selling them. As long as you sell what you buy, you will grow richer and richer. If you do not sell what you buy, we will repossess our goods.

(Baylee)Tasar—That sounds like a very easy business. When can we begin?

(Lauren)Sahatan—We can begin right now! Show me your money!

(Baylee)Tasar—Here is all I have he said, taking only half of his wealth from the place in his robes where it was hidden. This should be enough to start.

(Lauren)Sahatan—This is barely enough. Are you sure this is all you have? You will need more!

(Baylee)Tasar I thought for barely a moment before taking the other half of his wealth and giving it to Sahatan.

(Lauren)Sahatan—That is better. Do not try to withhold from me again. I must be able to trust you if we are going to do business together.

(Baylee)Tasar—I apologize! It will not happen again! Where do I set up my stores.

(Lauren)Sahatan—There, just at the edge of the city. That is the place where you will have the most customers. Give me your money and take your inventory.

(Hadley)Abrahem—I will help you set up the first day. You will see. You will sell out quickly!

(Baylee)Tasar—The profit I am making will make me more wealthy than my father and I will gain my riches quickly. This is going to be good business!

(Hadley)Abrahem—At the end of the day, take your money and your inventory back to Sahatan. He will sell you inventory for your next day. Good Luck.

(Baylee)Tasar—Luck…I do not need luck. I have great skill at deceiving people and getting them to do what I want. I am sure I will sell out before morning is over.

(Lauren)Sahatan—Well done Tasar. You have sold all your inventory. Here is your half of the profits. Here is your bill for tomorrow’s inventory.

(Baylee)Tasar—Yes. Tomorrow I will sell out again and the day after and the day after. Soon, I will be wealthy beyond all my dreams!

(Lauren)Sahatan—You should be careful to save some of your profits Tasar. There is rumor of famine in other lands and people may not be traveling as much. They may not have money for expensive trinkets!

(Baylee)Tasar—You are right Sahatan. I will save my money. I will save my money when I choose to save it, he thought. Who is this Sahatan that he thinks he knows business better than me. Did I not cheat my father out of his cattle and did I not sell those cattle at a very good price only to have the money to do this business. I am wise and I will be successful!

(Hadley)Abrahem—Tasar, you should go easy on the drink and the expensive food. You are spending your profits day after day. Are you putting enough back to prepare for the famine that is coming?

(Baylee)Tasar—Do not worry about me, Abrahem. I can take care of myself! I know my business and I will be fine. Still I wonder why I am not having so much money each day. Where are all my profits going I wonder.

(Lauren)Sahatan—Tasar, Famine has come to our land and you are not selling all your inventory. You do not have enough profit to buy your inventory for tomorrow. Do you have more money?

(Baylee)Tasar—No. If you could just loan me enough for tomorrow, I am sure I will have a better day.

(Lauren)Sahatan—You know the contract. We will forclose on your inventory today. There will be no more discussion!

(Baylee)Tasar—But what am I to do. The famine is coming and I have no work. Where can I go?

(Lauren)Sahatan—That is not my concern. I do think there are hog farmers who are hiring still.

(Baylee)Tasar—My ancestors are Abraham, Isaac, and Moses. I could never work on a hog farm.

(Lauren)Sahatan—Suit yourself but you no longer have inventory to work here. Be gone!

(Baylee)Tasar—Very well. I will go and find the hog farmer who will hire me. I am hungry. Could you loan me enough for a meal?

(Lauren)Sahatan—You have made me a small fortune selling trinkets but no, I will not loan you the money because I know you cannot repay it!

(Baylee)Tasar—Very well. I will be on my way!

(Jack)Kahzreem--Yes, Tasar. I will hire you to feed my hogs. I will pay you 1 sheckle per week. You can eat all the hog pods you want but you must never eat the hogs…even the sick ones.

(Baylee)Tasar—Kahzreem…the name means pig farmer. He was nothing. How did I end up working for him. And how has it been so long that I have worked for him. Day after day I feed his hogs, eating with them and wishing I could enjoy some of the meat…even the filthy meat of hogs. I would eat it in a second. There is a sick one over there that cannot last long. Perhaps just this once. But wait…how many of my father’s hired hands have enough to eat and even more. I will go to my father and confess my sins. I will ask him to hire me. Perhaps he will have pity on me as a man. I know I can never be his son again. I do not deserve that.

(Chance)Abba—There is something moving off in the distance. What could it be that would be coming from the east at sunset? I must prepare for a guest. Surely this man will need food and refreshment. Maseek, bring a garment and be ready for a stranger approaches.

(Dana)Maseek—At once my lord.

(Chance)Abba—Maseek, look. The stranger has a familiar shape. His frame is lean and he looks in great distress but…could it be? Could it be?

(Dana)Maseek—Could it be who?

(Chance)Abba—Could it be…yes it is! It is Tasar! It is my son who has been gone from us for all these years! Come, let us run to him. Tasar! Tasar! It is you! You have come home!

(Baylee)Tasar—Abba, it is me! I have returned but I can no longer be your son. I have sinned against you and against God! Please treat me as one of your hired hands.

(Chance)Abba—Maseek, fetch a robe, the finest one. Put a ring on this man’s finger and sandals on his feet for he was lost and now is found again! My greatest expectation has been exceeded! The one whom I thought was gone forever is now returned to us and we must celebrate.

(Dana)(Maseek—What would you like us to prepare, my lord?

(Chance)Abba—Prepare the fatted calf and call in all the neighbors. We must dance and sing and celebrate! We must rejoice and give thanks. It is like that new prophet Jesus said, “all of heaven rejoices when one sinner returns home.”

(Dana)Maseek—Yes my Lord, but what of your other son?

(Chance)Abba—Not now. Let us take care of the lost. The living will care for themselves. Come let us dance and shout.

(Aidan)Zaq—Maseek, what is all that noise? Why is there dancing in our courtyard?

(Dana)Maseek—Your father has thrown a party for your brother who has returned home!

(Aidan)Zaq—What!!! How dare he! That puny younger brother of mine went off to the big city and spent all my father’s inheritance on women and trinkets and now he is broke and has come crying home to daddy. No! It will not work!

(Dana)Maseek—Abba has heard your voice. Here he comes.

(Chance)Abba—Zaq, come in and celebrate. Your brother has returned and we have killed the fatted calf.

(Aidan)Zaq—No! He has lied and cheated and stolen from us. I have had to work twice as hard here just to overcome all he took. Now he comes back and you act as if he is a conquering hero! No! I will not have it. You offer him everything and you have never given me anything. Everything I have, I have had to work for.

(Chance)Abba—My son, everything I have is yours. You have the keys to the whole vineyard. It all belongs to you and it always will, but this brother of yours, this worthless, thieving liar and cheat has recognized that he needs the love of his father and he has come begging for it. Just as God said of Adam, this is flesh of my flesh, so to your brother is my flesh and I love him just as I love you. He is welcome here in this home forever and here he can dwell.

(Aidan)Zaq—Yes, Abba. Your grace and mercy have guided my whole life and I can see it now. There are many who go astray and when they return we celebrate. Just as when our sheep wander off and return or when we find something that is lost. It should be our great expectation that all that is created returns to the creator and all that is loved returns to the one who love us first. Great expectations should be great. They should be unconditional and they should be spectacular. What could be more spectacular than the unconditional love of a father for his son Amen

Characters

2nd Offering—Chance/Aidan

Prayer at offering—Chance

Lord, thanks for all these people who help and support us as young people. Bless them and their gifts. As we travel and do other things that bring us closer to you, let our expectation be that you will also bring us closer to them. This we pray through the power of Your Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Music

Blessing and Sending—Aidan

God, as we get ready to leave we just ask that you will meet our greatest expectation. Let us expect that your Holy Spirit comes to each one of us and guides us to do the work you want us to do. Let us expect that others will see the work you have started in us and want to join in because of the way we do the work. As we go out into the world, let us expect to find you in every person we meet and in everything we do. Let us go now in peace.