United Presbyterian Church of West Orange

"Unexpected"
 


By
Rev. Rebecca Migliore
July 3, 2016

 

This sermon was done as a conversation with the congregation—these are my notes


What Unexpected Things did you hear/find in the story of Naaman?

--Leprosy can happen to ANYONE (regardless of rank)

 

--Servant girl speaking up (and people listening)!

--Servants having to convince Naaman (later)

God seems to work through the unnamed, “little” people—slave girl, Naaman’s servants, even Elijah “speaks” through a servant

 

--Healing in River Jordan—washing is so simple

 

--Naaman not wanting to do simple thing

--Healing not words, or touch or …

 

Gold Cortex—picture of brain neurons

--Connections

--Connections wisdom, truth, justice, change

--Better than working alone

--Striving for relationships that enable a caring community

 

Ending response:

 

One: Sometimes you take us by surprise, God.

All: You speak to us through people and places that are unexpected. Disturb us with your wisdom.

 

One: Sometimes you take us by surprise, God.

All: Help us let go of our rational limitations.

 

One: Sometimes you take us by surprise, God.

All: Help us hear you in unexpected wisdom.

 

One: Sometimes you take us by surprise, God.

All: Help us listen to the experiences of people we do not hear.

 

One: Sometimes you take us by surprise, God.

All: You speak to us through people and places that are unexpected. Disturb us with your wisdom.

 

One: God, I’m little, but I matter. You speak through me.

All: Our gifts are little, but they matter. Work through these. Speak through these; and in all we say and do. Amen.