Sunday June 7th 2026- Ruth Loss and Loyalty

Sunday June 7th 2026- Ruth: Loss and Loyalty ![rw-book-cover](https://img.youtube.com/vi/O76M7rzE2zU/maxresdefault.jpg) 🔗 **Source:** [Sunday June 7th 2026- Ruth: Loss and Loyalty](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O76M7rzE2zU) > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: [biblical-exegesis, immigration-faith, community-ministry] > author: [MISSING] > source: [MISSING] > reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O76M7rzE2zU > date created: {{date:YYYY-MM-DD}} {{time:HH:mm}} > > # 🏷️ Title: Sunday June 7th 2026- Ruth: Loss and Loyalty >  ## 🧭 Table of Contents - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) - [📚 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#️-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [🛡️ DARVO Analysis](#-darvo-analysis) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) ## 📝 Summary - A Sunday worship service featuring a sermon on the Book of Ruth, exploring themes of loyalty, immigration, and God's inclusive love - Pastor Caroline is away at the first Keystone Conference, with a guest preacher delivering the message - The sermon emphasizes Ruth's courage as a foreign woman choosing loyalty over security, paralleling modern immigration challenges - Church announcements highlight community outreach including Maranatha Ministries partnership and upcoming prayer labyrinth sessions - The service demonstrates progressive Christian values of welcome, inclusion, and social justice ## 📖 Main Content ### Church Context and Leadership The service takes place with Pastor Caroline attending the inaugural Keystone Conference in Lancaster, PA—a merger of four Pennsylvania UCC conferences with 800 delegates. The guest preacher emphasizes the importance of engaging with the wider church beyond local congregations. ### Community Ministry Focus Significant time is devoted to Maranatha Ministries, a local organization serving homeless populations, food pantries, and prison ministry. Craig Newcomer reports serving 480,000 pounds of food annually and achieving 63% permanent housing success for shelter residents. The ministry operates without government grants to maintain their ability to incorporate faith-based programming. ### Biblical Exegesis: Ruth as Model of Faith The central sermon focuses on Ruth 1, examining the story through the lens of immigration, loyalty, and God's inclusive love. Key theological points include: - **Historical Context**: The story occurs during the lawless period of the Judges, with strict laws forbidding intermarriage with foreigners - **Social Marginalization**: Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth represent society's most vulnerable—widowed foreign women without male protection - **Ruth's Choice**: Unlike the practical Orpah, Ruth commits to Naomi with the famous declaration: "Where you go, I will go... Your people shall be my people and your God my God" - **Divine Inclusion**: God's response is to make Ruth the foremother of King David, demonstrating divine preference for faithfulness over ethnic purity ### Progressive Christian Themes The sermon explicitly connects Ruth's story to contemporary issues: - Immigration and xenophobia - Religious laws used to exclude rather than include - The courage required to cross cultural and religious boundaries - God's expansive love transcending human-made divisions ## 🗒️ Notes #### ⏱️ [00:00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O76M7rzE2zU?t=0) Pre-service music and preparation - Band practicing "How Great is Our God" - Sound check and coordination with musicians #### ⏱️ [00:15:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O76M7rzE2zU?t=930) Welcome and announcements - Summer snacks collection for Network Ministries - Dominican congregation potluck event scheduled - Prayer labyrinth sessions planned for upcoming Sundays #### ⏱️ [00:25:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O76M7rzE2zU?t=1545) Construction update - Parking lot paving scheduled for week of June 15th - Appreciation expressed for volunteer coordination - Request for patience during construction phase #### ⏱️ [00:28:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O76M7rzE2zU?t=1710) Maranatha Ministries mission moment - Craig Newcomer presents ministry overview - 480,000 pounds of food distributed annually - 63% success rate for permanent housing placement - Moving from flood-prone location to larger facility on Main Street - Volunteer opportunities highlighted #### ⏱️ [00:45:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O76M7rzE2zU?t=2700) Children's message: Divine Animal Kingdom series - Introduction to summer sermon series on animals in Bible - Discussion of Noah's ark, nativity stable, and creation stories - Over 120 animal species mentioned in scripture - Emphasis on humans as caretakers, not dominators #### ⏱️ [00:55:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O76M7rzE2zU?t=3320) Main sermon: Ruth - Loss and Loyalty - Pastor acknowledges rarely preaching on Ruth due to lectionary positioning - Ruth's name means "beloved" - Story set during violent, lawless period of Judges - Focus on faithfulness over purity as primary virtue #### ⏱️ [01:12:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O76M7rzE2zU?t=4335) Theological analysis of Ruth's choice - Comparison between practical Orpah and courageous Ruth - Ruth's declaration of loyalty transcending ethnic boundaries - God's response: making foreign woman ancestor of King David - Challenge to contemporary exclusionary religious practices #### ⏱️ [01:25:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O76M7rzE2zU?t=5140) Application to modern faith - Call to move beyond "threadbare" familiar traditions - Embrace of expanding relationships across boundaries - Commitment to inclusive love over societal divisions - UCC values of welcome and justice emphasized #### ⏱️ [01:35:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O76M7rzE2zU?t=5700) Communion service - Open table theology emphasized - Prayer for Pittsburgh UCC church that burned, now receiving $60,000+ in donations - Blessing of offerings for global ministry ## 📚 References - [Book of Ruth, Chapter 1](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth%201&version=NRSV) - [Matthew 25:31-46](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025%3A31-46&version=NRSV) - Maranatha Ministries founding scripture - [United Church of Christ Statement of Faith](https://www.ucc.org/beliefs_statement-of-faith/) - [Common Lectionary](https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/) ## 🗣️ Paraphrase A guest preacher delivers a powerful sermon on the Book of Ruth while Pastor Caroline attends a major UCC conference. The message emphasizes Ruth's courage as a foreign woman choosing loyalty over security, drawing explicit parallels to modern immigration issues and religious exclusion. The service showcases progressive Christian values through community partnerships with homeless ministries and emphasis on God's inclusive love that transcends human-made boundaries. The preacher challenges the congregation to move beyond familiar, safe traditions toward expanded relationships that reflect divine acceptance rather than societal division. ## 📰 Newsletter This Sunday's worship from our UCC community offers rich insights for WordPress developers and faith-based organizations building inclusive digital spaces. The sermon on Ruth provides a masterclass in narrative theology—showing how ancient stories speak to contemporary challenges around immigration, inclusion, and community building. Notice how the preacher connects biblical exegesis to modern social justice, a technique valuable for content creators addressing complex topics with historical grounding. The service also demonstrates effective community partnership models (like Maranatha Ministries) that could inspire collaborative approaches in open-source development. The emphasis on "expanding relationships" rather than retreating to familiar spaces resonates with WordPress's commitment to democratizing publishing and building bridges across communities. ## ✅ Action Items #### Community - Research local homeless ministry partnership opportunities similar to Maranatha model - Explore prayer labyrinth or contemplative space development for community wellness - Document successful community outreach metrics and replication strategies - Develop volunteer coordination systems for multi-organization collaboration #### WordPress - Create accessibility guides for faith-based WordPress sites serving diverse communities - Develop multilingual content strategies for congregations serving immigrant populations - Build community partnership page templates highlighting social justice initiatives - Document best practices for live-streaming worship services with quality audio/video ## 🧪 Hypotheses - Progressive Christian communities using inclusive biblical interpretation attract more diverse congregations than those emphasizing doctrinal purity - Community partnerships between religious organizations and social services achieve better outcomes than isolated ministry efforts - Sermon series connecting ancient texts to contemporary issues increase engagement among younger demographics - Churches emphasizing social justice themes demonstrate stronger financial support for missions and outreach - Open communion theology correlates with higher levels of congregational diversity and retention ### 📊 Methodology - Comparative analysis of congregation demographics across different theological approaches - Longitudinal study of community partnership outcomes in faith-based social services - Survey research on sermon engagement across generational cohorts - Financial analysis of giving patterns in progressive vs. traditional congregations - Ethnographic study of communion practices and community formation ### ❓ Questions - How do progressive biblical interpretations affect traditional congregation retention rates? - What specific community partnership models prove most effective for homeless services? - How can digital ministry tools better serve multilingual and immigrant populations? - What role does liturgical inclusion play in broader community acceptance? - How do UCC merger strategies (like Keystone Conference) impact local church identity? ### 🔮 Future Research - Effectiveness of animal-themed sermon series for environmental stewardship messaging - Impact of prayer labyrinths and contemplative practices on community mental health - Digital tools for managing complex volunteer coordination across multiple organizations - Long-term outcomes of inclusive communion practices on church growth and diversity - Best practices for guest preaching relationships during pastoral conference attendance ### 💡 Implications **Practice**: Faith communities can model inclusive digital spaces that welcome diverse voices while maintaining theological integrity. **Policy**: Religious freedom discussions benefit from understanding how progressive interpretations create rather than threaten community cohesion. **Education**: Seminary training should include community partnership development and social justice theology application. **Technology**: WordPress and similar platforms need better tools for multilingual, multi-generational content delivery. **Funding**: Successful community ministries demonstrate sustainable models combining private donations with volunteer labor while maintaining mission focus. ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment Reading level estimate: Grade 10-12 (Flesch-Kincaid formula: complex theological concepts balanced with accessible narrative style) #### 👀 Visual learners Present: Hymnal references, structured liturgy, visible community partnership displays Improve: Biblical story visualization, community impact infographics, architectural diagrams of new ministry facilities #### 🔊 Aural learners Present: Live music, responsive readings, guest speaker presentations Improve: Sermon podcasting, multilingual audio options, enhanced sound system for accessibility #### 🗣️ Verbal learners Present: Rich biblical exegesis, historical context explanations, theological term definitions Improve: Discussion guides, small group study materials, glossary of progressive Christian terminology #### 🧩 Kinesthetic learners Present: Passing the peace, communion participation, volunteer opportunity sign-ups Improve: Prayer labyrinth walking, hands-on service projects, interactive children's messages #### 🧠 Logical learners Present: Structured sermon progression, clear community partnership metrics, systematic theology Improve: Decision trees for ministry involvement, impact measurement dashboards, theological argument mapping #### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social learners Present: Community announcements, partnership presentations, congregational participation Improve: Small group formation, interfaith dialogue opportunities, social media community building #### 🧘‍♀️ Solitary learners Present: Individual prayer time, personal reflection during communion Improve: Meditation guides, journaling prompts, self-directed Bible study resources #### 🌿 Naturalistic learners Present: Animal kingdom sermon series, creation theology references Improve: Environmental stewardship connections, outdoor worship options, ecological justice themes ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment #### Screen reader semantics Present: Clear spoken announcements, verbal hymn directions, audio description of visual elements Improve: Structured worship bulletin formats, consistent heading hierarchy, descriptive alt text for projected images #### Keyboard navigation Present: Traditional worship flow accommodates mobility limitations Improve: Digital worship guides, accessible online giving platforms, keyboard-friendly livestream controls #### Contrast and readability Present: Large print hymnals available, clear speaking voice projection Improve: High-contrast bulletin designs, adjustable text size for digital content, lighting optimization #### Text resizing and reflow Present: Responsive to various hymnal sizes and formats Improve: Mobile-friendly worship guides, scalable projection text, flexible seating arrangements #### Media and captions Present: Clear audio system, verbal repetition of key information Improve: Live captioning for hearing-impaired, transcript availability, sign language interpretation #### Forms and interactions Present: Simple offering and communion procedures Improve: Accessible volunteer sign-up systems, clear donation processes, inclusive prayer request methods ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment #### Cultural breadth Present: Immigration-focused theology, multilingual community acknowledgment, Dominican congregation partnership Improve: More diverse biblical translation references, global Christianity perspectives, expanded cultural celebrations #### Inclusive language Present: Gender-neutral God language, progressive theological terminology, immigrant-affirming rhetoric Improve: Consistent inclusive pronouns, expanded accessibility language, cultural sensitivity training #### Neurodiversity support Present: Structured liturgy, clear transitions, multiple engagement options Improve: Sensory-friendly worship times, processing support materials, flexible participation expectations #### Representation Present: Diverse community partnerships, immigrant-focused ministry, progressive leadership model Improve: More diverse worship leadership, expanded cultural representation, inclusive imagery choices #### Psychological safety Present: Open communion policy, non-judgmental welcome statements, grace-based theology Improve: Clear community guidelines, conflict resolution processes, trauma-informed ministry practices ### ✅ Logical Validity #### Strong reasoning - **Biblical exegesis methodology**: Preacher demonstrates solid hermeneutical approach by examining Ruth's story within historical context while drawing contemporary applications, avoiding both literalism and complete relativism - **Community partnership logic**: Maranatha Ministries' no-government-grants policy creates logical consistency between mission (faith-based service) and methodology (independence from secular restrictions) - **Progressive theology coherence**: The sermon's argument flows logically from scriptural foundation to contemporary application, maintaining theological integrity while addressing social justice concerns #### Fallacies - **Possible anachronism**: Applying modern immigration concepts to ancient Near Eastern tribal relationships may oversimplify historical context - **False dichotomy risk**: Presenting choice between "purity-focused" vs "relationship-focused" faith traditions may oversimplify complex theological positions - **Appeal to emotion**: Heavy emphasis on Ruth's courage and loyalty, while powerful, could overshadow rational theological analysis #### Tone of voice - **Pastoral and prophetic**: Combines comfort ("beloved community") with challenge ("do not retreat to threadbare traditions") - **Academically informed but accessible**: Uses theological terminology while maintaining conversational clarity - **Progressive but respectful**: Critiques exclusionary practices without attacking persons who hold different views ### 🛡️ DARVO Analysis No DARVO patterns detected. The sermon maintains accountability focus on systemic exclusion rather than individual persecution. When addressing opposition to inclusive theology, the preacher focuses on challenging ideas and systems rather than attacking accusers or claiming victimhood. ## 🎯 Conclusion This worship service demonstrates how progressive Christian communities can effectively bridge ancient scriptural wisdom with contemporary social justice concerns. The Ruth sermon provides a masterclass in biblical interpretation that honors textual integrity while addressing modern immigration challenges. The community partnership model exemplified by Maranatha Ministries offers practical frameworks for faith-based social services that maintain mission focus while achieving measurable impact. For WordPress developers and digital ministry professionals, the service showcases the importance of accessible, inclusive platforms that can serve diverse communities while maintaining theological authenticity and social justice commitments. --- ## Full Transcript [00:01] I'm saying [00:05] to a point where like it would be [00:08] amazing [00:15] for now. [00:15] >> Yeah, we'll get there. I would love to [00:18] have like one [00:20] one [00:24] >> singing [00:28] a song. Okay. [00:40] >> Bring it back. [01:02] of the king. [01:12] And all the earth rejoice [01:34] trembles at his voice. [01:41] is our [01:52] single [02:05] point. [02:09] I see that now. And let's see. [02:20] >> Cuz part of me was the same as you, but [02:22] part of you wasn't. So, I don't think [02:24] I'm in the right. [02:27] All right. [02:28] >> Did you make a copy of this? I mean, [02:30] it's just [02:32] >> Yeah. Let me see. [02:35] Make a copy. See if I can do it. Can you [02:37] do it without it? for them. Okay. [02:50] >> I think we'll try something different. [02:52] Everybody wanted to be a part. [03:06] >> Okay. All right. You guys [03:11] like [03:16] 1 2 3 4 [03:58] The s of [04:06] inst [04:07] See [04:10] all you rejoice [04:27] tonight [04:34] Heat. Heat. [04:44] Yeah. [04:46] Heat. [04:57] is [05:24] where I Heat. Heat. [05:35] The light [05:46] is [05:49] Heat. Heat. [05:59] Heat. Heat. [06:09] Heat. Heat. [06:20] Heat. [06:23] Heat. [06:33] Heat. Heat. [06:46] Heat. Heat. [07:03] How great [07:05] is our God. [07:08] Sing with me. How great [07:12] is our God. [07:16] How great. [07:19] How great [07:22] is our God. [07:35] back and [07:37] that's what [07:48] you're going to hear. [07:53] >> Thank you. [07:55] I can't quite tell. [08:06] So, this is [08:18] >> I need help. [08:24] So [08:25] >> I have this thing that tells me which [08:27] ones are [08:28] >> Hold on. [08:49] >> It's all set. [08:52] All right. [09:17] Amazing. [09:21] in [09:27] for me. [09:45] I think we have dinner. [09:53] >> No, but I [09:54] >> I think you should. [09:56] >> All right. [10:01] Just one [10:26] >> bar [10:28] the song of playing his go through. [10:36] >> Okay, let's try. [10:38] >> Okay, ready? [10:41] >> Ready. One, two, three, four. [10:56] You guys [11:09] see [11:17] the [11:25] The sp of the king [11:35] sing [11:37] all the earth [11:41] all the Praise you Lord. [11:46] He restra. [12:11] Heat. Heat. [12:22] Heat. Heat. [12:48] the bridge. You're good. [13:01] for [13:22] the night. [13:35] Heat. Heat. [13:45] Heat. [13:56] Heat. [14:05] Heat. Heat. [14:15] Heat. [14:24] Heat. [14:34] Heat. Heat. Heat. [14:44] Heat. Heat. [14:54] is our [14:57] sing. [15:08] How great [15:11] is our God? [15:18] How great [15:21] is our God. [15:24] Sing with me. How great [15:28] is our God. [15:31] All will sing your praise. [15:35] How great [15:39] is our God. [15:44] Um, [15:52] just [16:23] E F [16:42] no idea. [16:44] third sticks in my head. [17:10] You okay with it? [17:30] I want to [17:43] see [17:50] my [18:03] How wonderous. [18:13] I first [18:18] chained [18:24] free [18:31] tears on me [18:34] and I can [18:39] see [18:42] unending [19:00] everybody's [19:13] That's fine with me. [19:19] >> I do have this one. [19:22] >> I'm the worst football. [19:24] >> I don't know. [19:32] Hey, I'm going to [19:34] make sure all my other [19:54] I'll let you [20:31] All right. [21:08] How are you? [21:20] You guys [21:38] just finished up and winding [21:49] post. [22:36] Yeah. [22:58] He's not precious. [23:05] All right. [24:06] All right. [24:20] Hello. Hey, [24:48] >> down. [25:29] I think I got it. [25:55] I know. [26:10] You sit on your hand. [26:30] Yeah, [26:58] I had a beneficial. [27:03] It's okay. [28:54] The rest of you guys [28:56] Yes. [29:07] >> Yes. [29:59] Sorry. [30:44] I can see you [30:46] Two minutes. Two minutes. [30:49] Hey. Oh my god. [31:20] There you go. [32:10] All right. [32:15] Heat. [32:26] Heat. [32:36] Oh, [32:49] heat, [32:55] heat. [33:06] Good morning. Please join me in our [33:08] welcome. [33:10] No matter who you are or where you are [33:13] on life journey, you are welcome here. [33:17] >> Uh just a few quick announcements. [33:20] First, uh I want to highlight summer [33:22] snacks. I see some people dropping off [33:24] things, but we're collecting for Network [33:26] Ministries. There's boxes out in the [33:28] lobby, but uh snacks over the summer, [33:31] we're going to try and do as much as we [33:32] can. And both Sunday school classes [33:34] collect money to help that as well. Um [33:37] next Saturday night at 4:00, there's a [33:41] special um potluck lunchon is the best [33:45] way to describe it. But the congregation [33:47] from the Dominican Republic that meets [33:49] upstairs here on Sunday morning, Pastor [33:52] Martin promised Dominican food, [33:54] Dominican music, and our praise team [33:57] will be doing a song as well. So, it's [34:00] music and it's sharing and learning [34:02] about each other's congregation. Uh, I [34:04] don't know enough Spanish, but I know [34:06] Chris Chris can help uh do with the [34:10] translation and Pastor Martin. So, [34:13] again, music binds us together. So, sign [34:15] up just so we know how many people are [34:17] coming. That's next Sunday at or next [34:19] Saturday at 4:00. And let's see, Diana K [34:23] has an announcement. [34:27] >> Just a brief announcement here this [34:29] morning, a reminder that next Sunday uh [34:33] for Sunday school, we will be out in the [34:35] prayer labyrinth and um come and join [34:38] us. We look forward to a special time [34:40] there. Lloyd will be sharing some [34:43] thoughts on prayer. If you have a [34:46] favorite devotional book or something [34:48] you'd like to bring to help with your [34:50] own meditation time, that is fine. Um, [34:53] bring a chair. We're providing the [34:55] shade. We'll have a few just light [34:57] snacks. Um, if you would like a little [35:00] nourishment while you're reflecting and [35:03] praying. And, uh, we invite you to join [35:05] us for a special time out there. So um [35:08] looking ahead [35:10] uh in July July 12th we will be we will [35:13] be doing a very similar type thing but [35:15] we will be gathering at the peace pole [35:18] which is out front. So next Sunday is at [35:21] our labyrinth in the back and then in [35:24] July on the 12th gathering at the peace [35:27] pole and we'll be having a similar [35:29] prayer session then. And then in August, [35:33] Saturday, August the 22nd. Please note [35:37] that on your calendars, [35:39] um we are going to have a breakfast up [35:42] at our St. John's camp and that will [35:45] begin at 9:30. And following that, we [35:48] will have a time of prayer and uh song [35:54] up at our camp. And so we invite you to [35:57] join us for that. We do have a sign up [35:59] for that. And I really would encourage [36:01] you to go ahead and sign up. Um we would [36:06] like to kind of have a deadline of [36:08] August the 9th for that so we can plan [36:10] ahead how many to make breakfast for and [36:13] how many will be there. Uh there the [36:16] prayer or the focus will also be on [36:19] prayer and for those who are willing to [36:22] get up and walk the labyrinth up there. [36:24] It's a beautiful, beautiful experience [36:26] with our prayer labyrinth at camp. [36:29] However, if that is not um something you [36:33] want to attempt to do, we also have some [36:36] tactile labyrinths that we'll be [36:38] introducing for those of you who would [36:41] like to perhaps just stay in um in in [36:45] the the pavilion area. So, um we aim to [36:50] meet the needs of all also for that. If [36:53] you need to have some help getting up to [36:56] camp, the sign out sheet in the um the [37:01] welcome area out there has a place where [37:04] you can simply check that you would like [37:07] to have some assistance with a a drive [37:09] up to camp and back and we will have [37:12] we'll we'll take care of you. So, um [37:15] things to look forward to and lots [37:17] happening here. In the fall, we will be [37:21] kind of launching then some prayer [37:23] groups. So, what we're doing over the [37:25] summer is leading up to what we plan to [37:27] do in the fall. All right. Thank you. [37:32] >> Some of you probably noticed a little [37:34] bit of construction outside. So, Tom was [37:37] going to give us just a just a general [37:39] timeline because I don't think there's [37:41] much going on this week, but the week [37:43] after a lot. So, [37:46] >> yes, Emma. So, as you as said, there's [37:51] been a lot of work done this past week [37:53] in preparing for the paving. Um, there [37:55] will be nothing going on this coming [37:57] week unless there's just a little bit of [37:59] tidying up that the contractor needs to [38:01] do. The actual paving will commence on [38:03] the 15th of this month, uh, a week from [38:07] Monday, and it will expecting in [38:11] possibly two days. We're going to have a [38:12] meeting this week to decide on which [38:15] parking lot will get paved first. [38:17] That'll all get published out once we've [38:19] had that meeting. Um, I want to express [38:22] appreciation to Greg Sinclair and Tom [38:24] Kitten for all the work that they've [38:26] done in working with these contractors [38:28] to coordinate everything and pulling her [38:30] all together. Uh, and any project like [38:33] this, we've had a few speed bumps, but [38:35] they've all gotten worked out. So, [38:38] things are looking good. [38:40] Once the paving is completed, [38:44] we need to put the lines down for the [38:46] parking. Until that's accomplished, [38:50] it could be free range parking. [38:53] So, I just simply ask that you kind of [38:56] use your imagination of where a parking [38:58] line might be when you park your car so [39:00] that we're not having a bunch of pe cars [39:03] parked in a scattered bout manner. So, [39:07] bear with us. Um, we'll talk to the uh [39:10] contractor for the line painting uh this [39:13] week and we'll get that all scheduled [39:15] out too. So, just pay attention to all [39:17] the news blasts that come out as to [39:20] actually what's going to be happening [39:21] and when. Thank you so much for your [39:23] continued understanding and support and [39:26] patience. [39:30] Some of you may have noticed that one of [39:32] the three uh things that we're [39:35] supporting with first fruits this month [39:36] was a walk for poverty walk against [39:39] poverty. It rained last night in case [39:42] you didn't know it and it rained right [39:44] when the race walk was supposed to [39:47] happen. So um we'll still be collecting [39:49] first fruits for you know as one of our [39:52] three. The other one I'm happy to have [39:54] Craig Newcomer here from Marinatha [39:56] Ministries which is another one of the [39:58] things to give us a mission moment this [40:00] morning. So Craig, [40:07] >> good morning. [40:10] >> First of all, I want to thank you for [40:11] your continuous support on a monthly [40:13] basis to our ministry. Um we are a a [40:17] ministry that takes no grants uh state [40:21] or federal because we have to take God [40:23] out of what we do if we do. So your [40:27] support uh really helps us uh on a [40:30] monthly basis. Um first off I want to uh [40:34] share with you a little bit of uh [40:36] education about Marinatha. [40:39] Um if if you don't know uh Marinatha uh [40:43] the name comes from when Jesus used to [40:47] enter into towns that he was visiting [40:52] the um Is that better? Is that better? [40:57] >> Yeah. Don't don't be afraid to raise [40:59] your hand if you can't hear me. Um I [41:02] have a very soft voice. So um Marinatha [41:07] uh is is the name that that the [41:09] disciples spoke into each uh person's [41:12] ear when Jesus was coming into the town. [41:15] They said Marinatha not to alert the [41:18] others that he was coming. [41:21] So that's a little bit of history there. [41:23] So I'm going to read our founding [41:26] purpose to you. Um, so and I have these [41:30] brochures here out on the tables out [41:33] there. If you want to grab one on your [41:35] way out, feel free to. Um, the heart of [41:37] Marinatha Ministry, Inc. is to share the [41:40] love of Christ to those who are [41:42] searching for something in their lives [41:44] that is more than just a need for food, [41:48] budgeting, or housing. People need [41:51] healing, [41:53] freedom from prison, or just the [41:55] opportunity to share their fears and [41:57] disappointments in life. Through the [41:59] love of one to another, all the [42:02] hardships of life can come together. We [42:05] offer a hand up, not just a hand out, [42:08] without the barriers of life's judgments [42:10] of race, religion, and world views of [42:13] today. And that's our founding purpose. [42:18] Now, the [42:22] the hospice of what we do, the opice of [42:26] what we do is based off of Matthew 18 [42:28] where it says, "For I was hungry, you [42:31] gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, [42:33] you gave me something to drink. I was a [42:36] stranger and you invited me in. I needed [42:38] clothes and you clothed me. I was sick [42:41] and you looked after me. I was in prison [42:44] and you came to visit me." Then the [42:46] righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when [42:48] did we see you hungry and feed you or [42:50] thirsty and give you something to drink? [42:53] When did we see you a stranger to invite [42:55] you in or need clothes and clothe you? [42:58] When did we see you sick or in prison [43:00] and go to visit you? And the king will [43:03] reply, truly I tell you, whatever you [43:05] did for one of the least of these [43:07] brothers and sisters of mine, you did it [43:09] for me. [43:12] Marinatha relies and we touch every [43:14] single point in that scripture and [43:16] that's what we do. [43:22] So a little bit of what what we've done [43:24] in the past. So last year our food [43:26] pantry served 480,000 [43:30] pounds of food to the community. [43:34] And through that what we have done as [43:36] well is we supply smaller food pantries [43:40] to help them operate as well. So any [43:43] other food pantry is welcome to come to [43:45] our facility that is in need and will [43:48] supply them as well because we feel that [43:51] it's better to have more than less in [43:54] our community. our cold weather shelter. [43:58] Our our last winter, [44:01] 63% [44:03] of the 124 people that came into our [44:06] shelter were housed. And that's [44:08] permanent housing. That's not temporary [44:10] housing. That's permanent. [44:12] Um, now we do a thing called community [44:15] service. What I do for the people is [44:19] they come into us, they have to go out [44:21] and do three hours of community service [44:23] to get back into my shelter. the ne that [44:26] night. [44:28] So that teaches them responsibility and [44:32] the ability to give back. And we gave [44:35] back if you if you take that the hours [44:38] that we put into the community [44:41] and get minimum wage attached to that, [44:44] we gave back to the community $18,750 [44:48] last season during the winter months. [44:52] Um, we have a rep pay services which we [44:55] do more than just budgets for people. We [44:58] take them food. We get them anchored [45:01] into agencies. We make sure that they're [45:03] taken care of and anything that they [45:05] need, they can contact. My wife runs the [45:08] ne uh the rep payee program and she will [45:12] go out and do do anything for anybody to [45:14] make sure that they're taken care of. [45:17] We have a a street outreach program [45:20] where we go out and reach the homeless [45:23] uh during the summer months and then we [45:25] have a prison ministry that we work with [45:28] prisoners and try to get them turned [45:31] around in their life. [45:33] Now, um John had asked me to bring up [45:36] some long-term goals and some short-term [45:39] goals. So, we're getting a new building. [45:43] So, if many of you might know that we're [45:46] down there along the creek on Louden [45:48] Street and that's a flood zone and we're [45:52] always I'm always like when we have big [45:54] storms and stuff, I got my sandbags [45:57] ready in case I need them and I'm ready [46:00] to put a barrier around the building if [46:02] needs so. But I haven't had to do that [46:05] lately. One time I prayed on my knees in [46:09] the building because it was it came over [46:10] the sandbags and was coming up to the [46:14] back door of the building. And um [46:18] instead of going out and checking the [46:20] water line, I said, "Okay, God, I'm [46:23] trusting in you." And I walked away and [46:25] went into my office and spent an hour. [46:27] And when I came back out, the water line [46:29] had secceeded. [46:31] So he's protected us, but we're ready to [46:34] move. And we're moving to uh on Main [46:37] Street. If anybody remembers the old [46:40] Napa building downtown, [46:42] we purchased that and the two parking [46:44] lots next to it. And uh we'll be going [46:48] from 20 beds to 50 beds. [46:53] And our food pantry will be larger. [46:56] We're going to have a two-story [46:57] warehouse to store all the food. And um [47:01] that's our long-term goal. We're going [47:04] to be doing a fundraiser [47:06] when that happens. Uh August 16th is the [47:10] last date for the bureau to settle on [47:12] our property. Um and then once we get [47:15] the money from that property, we [47:18] purchase the other property and then [47:20] we'll do our first fundraiser that we've [47:23] ever done in 30 years for our ministry. [47:26] So we'll be reaching out when that time [47:28] happens. Um the needs that we have are [47:33] we could always use volunteers at our [47:35] food pantry and our shelter and our [47:38] prison ministry. So if anybody's [47:40] interested, um my phone number is [47:44] available to anybody. If you want to [47:46] give me a call, we'll set you up as uh [47:48] volunteering. Uh volunteering consists [47:51] at the food pantry. We're in there from [47:53] 8:00 to till about 2:00 every day, 5 [47:57] days a week. Okay. And the shelter, of [48:00] course, isn't is from December 1st to [48:04] April 1st. And uh sometimes churches [48:07] will adopt a night and take a night. And [48:10] then we always do yard sales. Uh in the [48:13] summer months, [48:14] our donations are lower because a lot of [48:17] people go on vacations and things like [48:19] that. So, we have continuous yard sales [48:24] from things that we have and we've [48:26] acquired from people to help pay our [48:30] bills. And that's that's how we do [48:31] things. And it's good to hear that you [48:33] guys are supporting Network Ministries, [48:36] too. Um they're just uh one of our [48:38] neighbors close. We donate to them on a [48:40] monthly basis. That's one of the things [48:42] that we do at Network Ministries. So, [48:44] we're a big family uh you know um in [48:47] this area with min other ministries. So, [48:50] if anybody has any questions, I can hang [48:52] around a little bit later and after the [48:55] service and uh feel free to come up and [48:57] speak to me. Blessings to all and again, [48:59] thank you. [49:02] >> Thank you, Craig. Please join me in [49:05] passing the peace. Peace of Christ be [49:07] with you. [49:08] >> Also with you. [50:02] Amen. [50:16] Hallelujah. [51:04] Heat. Heat. [51:12] Heat. Heat. [51:42] Amen. [52:33] Good morning. Good morning. [52:36] >> I I was reminded of the story when we [52:39] were passing the piece of the gentleman [52:42] who was out in his front yard tending to [52:44] his grass and garden and a neighbor [52:48] walked by [52:50] and she offered the blessing, God speed. [52:55] And the next day he was out in his front [52:58] yard [53:00] and the same neighbor passed by [53:05] and the man went up to her and handed [53:07] her a $100 bill [53:11] to which she asked, "What's this for? [53:15] Godspeed won the fourth at Belmont [53:18] yesterday." [53:23] Uh for some some of you expressed [53:26] genuine surprise that I was here today. [53:30] Um [53:32] Caroline is doing what Caroline needs to [53:35] do and she is immersing herself in the [53:39] wider church. She's attending the first [53:44] ever Keystone Conference this weekend in [53:48] Lancaster. [53:51] Keystone Conference is a merger [53:55] of the four conferences that used to [53:59] exist in Pennsylvania. Penn West, Penn [54:02] Central, where we were a part of, Penn [54:05] Northeast, and Penn Southeast. [54:09] And as we speak, she is immer immersing [54:13] herself in worship with 800 [54:19] I know 800 because I was there [54:21] yesterday. 800 delegates, pastors, lay [54:26] people [54:28] from the state of Pennsylvania. [54:32] And I invite you because I know from [54:37] experience [54:38] that [54:40] the local [54:42] the locals [54:44] do not engage the wider church as much [54:47] as they should. [54:49] I invite you at some point to be a part [54:53] of this. next year, next June, volunteer [54:56] to be a delegate from this church and [54:59] experience what [55:01] Caroline is experiencing today and I [55:04] know Steve is experiencing in the past. [55:07] The worship experience that she is a [55:09] part of today is going to be absolutely [55:12] amazing as I hope our worship experience [55:16] here today is as amazing as well. So [55:22] having said all that, let us rise and [55:25] let us join in our call to worship if [55:27] you are able. [55:36] Here in this place, there are no [55:39] foreigners [55:40] >> for all are welcome in God's house. Here [55:44] in this worship there is only [55:47] acceptance. [55:49] >> For love is the language of faith. [55:52] >> Here in our lives there is no divisions [55:55] >> for God dwells in each of us. [55:58] >> Come let us worship in unity and love. [56:03] Our opening hymn is hymn number 72. [56:22] Jesus [56:29] Christ. [56:38] Oh [56:47] my [56:58] god. [57:09] Every [57:19] time [57:22] I [57:32] go [57:35] Heat. [57:41] Heat. [57:51] We [57:56] all [58:20] Heat. Heat. [58:33] Take this. [59:08] Let us confess our sins to God from whom [59:11] our help comes. [59:16] >> Have faithful yet we have not loved you [59:19] with our whole hearts. [59:28] as ourselves. [59:30] >> You have modeled welcome and acceptance [59:33] and we do not always follow in your [59:36] ways. Turn us back to you, oh God, that [59:40] we may follow your commandments through [59:43] Christ our Lord. Amen. [59:48] >> Lord have mercy upon [59:53] us. [59:54] Christ have mercy on us. [60:00] Christ have mercy on us. [60:06] Christ have mercy on us. [60:12] Lord have mercy on us. [60:17] Lord have mercy on us. [60:25] Beloved, the Lord is loving, merciful, [60:28] and just. [60:30] Therefore, we are reconciled to God and [60:33] to one another that we might walk in [60:36] peace and love. [60:51] Yeah. [60:54] Heat. [61:04] Heat. Heat. [61:17] Amen. [61:34] >> Good morning. Matthew [61:37] 5:es [61:39] 3-9. [61:41] The biatitudes. [61:43] Blessed are the poor in spirit, for [61:46] theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed [61:49] are those who mourn, for they will be [61:52] comforted. Blessed are the meek, for [61:56] they will inherit the earth. Blessed are [62:00] those who hunger and thirst for [62:02] righteousness, for they will be filled. [62:06] Blessed are the merciful, for they will [62:08] receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in [62:12] heart, for they will see God. Blessed [62:16] are the peacemakers, [62:18] for they will be called children of God. [62:25] Allelujah. Praise Yahweh, my soul. [62:30] >> I will praise you. [62:34] God, [62:36] >> do not trust the rulers in mortals in [62:39] whom there is no salvation. [62:50] >> Happy are those whose help is in the God [62:53] of Israel, whose help is in Yahweh their [62:56] God. [62:58] Heaven and earth. [63:03] >> Yahweh, you keep faith forever. You [63:06] secure justice for the oppressed. You [63:08] give food to the hungry. You set [63:10] captives free. [63:30] Yahweh will reign forever. Your God Zion [63:34] through all generations. [63:36] Hallelujah. [64:06] Birthday. [64:44] The splendor of the kingsty [64:56] all you [64:59] all you rejoice. [65:04] He rest himself [65:06] in [65:10] the darkness [65:15] and treles. [65:23] How great [65:25] is our God [65:28] simply how great [65:32] is our God [65:35] sing [65:39] how great [65:41] is our Oh, [65:51] Jesus. [66:08] God and [66:11] one [66:15] father [66:23] and [66:27] how great [66:30] is our God [66:32] sing with me how great [66:36] is our God [66:39] and all see how great [66:43] how great [66:46] is our God. [66:59] You are worthy of all praise [67:06] and my heart Take our way [67:12] is our [67:26] worthy [67:34] How great [67:37] is our God? [67:45] How great [67:47] is our God? [67:51] How great [67:53] is our God? [68:00] How great [68:03] is our [68:10] great [68:15] singing with me? How great [68:19] is our God [68:22] and all will see how great [68:26] how great [68:30] is our [69:01] Down, Elanor. Oscar, I see you're here. [69:04] Oh, come on. Help me out. You're going [69:06] to make me sit up here all by myself, [69:07] are you, Oscar? [69:12] I don't know if we have any other youth. [69:22] So, I brought some friends with me [69:23] today. [69:30] When you think of animals in the Bible, [69:33] what stories automatically come to mind? [69:38] Noah and the ark. [69:42] Noah, that's probably the one most [69:44] people Hi, come on up. You were hiding [69:47] back there. [69:48] I'm glad you're here. [69:52] Okay, Noah is the one probably most [69:54] people think of. Can you think of any [69:56] other stories [69:59] where there's animals? [70:08] Ah, when Jesus was born in the stable. [70:11] Yeah. [70:13] How about creation? Genesis 1, where God [70:17] created the animals. [70:20] Do you have another one? Go ahead. [70:39] with the Joseph story. Okay. Well, [70:43] animals are mentioned all throughout the [70:45] Bible. [70:47] You mentioned, of course, Genesis 1 is [70:49] the story of creation. [70:51] And in that, the fifth day, God created [70:56] the animals that fly in the sky and swim [70:59] in the the seas. And on the sixth day, [71:02] he created those that walk on land, [71:05] including [71:07] man. [71:08] But man was created after all the [71:11] animals. [71:14] Reason being, [71:17] we were entrusted to take care of the [71:19] animals. [71:22] God created man to take care of the [71:25] animals. It says to have dominion over [71:27] them. That doesn't mean to dominate them [71:29] though and to hurt them or abuse them. [71:32] It means to care for them, to look out [71:36] for their needs. [71:39] Noah chapter nine in Genesis, [71:43] we always hear the story about the [71:44] building of the ark and the taking the [71:46] animals two by two. [71:51] But what we forget is that when the [71:53] rainbow, the ark was created in the sky, [71:56] God made the covenant [71:59] not only with Noah, mankind, but also it [72:04] says and the beasts. [72:06] That covenant is between God and all of [72:11] us, not just mankind. [72:16] And then of course, who were the first [72:19] to greet the Christ child? The animals. [72:24] God has a special place in his heart for [72:26] animals. So this summer, I'm going to do [72:29] a series. I haven't done a series for [72:31] about two years now. I'm going to do a [72:33] series this summer on animals in the [72:35] Bible. [72:37] I call it the divine animal kingdom. The [72:40] lessons we can learn from them. [72:44] Each week we'll take a different animal [72:47] and I'll talk about [72:49] that animal where it appears in the [72:51] Bible and the lessons we can learn from [72:53] the Bible. What lessons do you think we [72:55] can learn from animals? [73:04] How about patience? [73:07] Unconditional love. [73:10] Living for the moment. Not worrying [73:12] about things, but living for the moment [73:15] with those that we are with at the [73:17] moment. [73:19] Gentleness. There you go. [73:23] Animals have a lot to teach us, [73:26] which is why God gave them to us. [73:31] One Psalm says that the righteous take [73:35] care of their animals. [73:38] That's what we were entrusted to, to [73:40] take care of the animals. You know, in [73:43] the Bible, there are more than 120 [73:45] species of animals listed. Obviously, I [73:48] don't have that many weeks, so we're [73:49] going to clump them into groups like I [73:51] may do all birds, but more than 120 [73:55] animals are listed in the Bible. [73:58] That's how important the animal kingdom [74:00] is to God. [74:05] And that's for a reason. That's for the [74:08] the lessons. Are you trying to count [74:10] them? [74:15] So, divine lessons from the animal [74:16] kingdom. You can look forward to that [74:18] each week during the summer that that [74:20] I'm here. I think I have one Sunday I [74:22] won't be here. [74:24] But, um, [74:26] we'll look more at the animals. Okay. [74:29] And no, I'm sorry. Cats and dogs are not [74:31] in the Bible. They might be your [74:32] favorites, but yeah, [74:35] let's bow our heads. [74:37] Lord, we thank you for all of creation. [74:40] You gave us a beautiful world [74:43] and you entrusted us to take care of [74:46] that. May we always remember that it is [74:50] not our world. It is yours and we are [74:53] simply here to be the caretakers [74:57] and learn [74:59] from those creatures you've given us to [75:01] teach. In your son's name we pray. Amen. [75:07] All right. There is children's corner. [75:08] Miss Shanny has it today. [75:12] I guess I'll let you guys sit here. Go [75:14] ahead. You can go back, honey. [75:19] Got you. There you go. [75:35] It's a good thing I still get nervous [75:37] when I ascend the pulpit. [75:40] My daddy told me a long time ago, [75:43] the day you don't get nervous when you [75:45] preach is the day you get out of the [75:47] business. [75:51] Um, [75:53] you may have noticed that I'm wearing a [75:56] a shirt that I'm very pleased to wear. [76:00] It's a it was a gift from my sister and [76:04] um [76:06] and I wore it last year when I was [76:08] filling in for Caroline. [76:11] It speaks to uh [76:14] the theme of our scriptures for today, [76:17] the allincclusive [76:19] love of God. [76:23] And you'll hear that theme [76:27] repeated in our scripture for today, [76:30] which comes to us from Ruth [76:33] the first chapter. [76:40] In the days when the judges ruled, [76:44] there was a famine in the land. [76:47] And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah [76:50] went to live in the country of Moab. [76:55] He and his wife and two sons. [77:00] The name of the man was IMC. [77:04] And the name of his wife was Naomi. [77:11] And the names of the two sons were Melon [77:14] and Chileon. [77:17] They were Ephereites [77:22] from Bethlehem and Judah. [77:26] They went into the country of Moab and [77:29] remained there. [77:32] But IMC, [77:34] the husband of Naomi, [77:36] died and she left was left with her two [77:40] sons. [77:43] These took Moabitete [77:45] wives. The name of one was Orpha [77:51] and the name of the other was Ruth. [77:57] When they had lived there about 10 [77:59] years, both Melon [78:02] and Chilion also died, [78:06] so that the women were left without her [78:09] sons [78:11] and her and her husband. [78:16] Then she started to return with her [78:18] daughters-in-law from the country of [78:22] Moab, [78:23] for she had heard in the country of Moab [78:26] that the Lord had considered his people [78:29] and given them food. [78:34] So she set out from the place where she [78:36] had been living, [78:38] she and her two daughters-in-law, [78:41] and they went on their way to go back to [78:44] the land of Judah. [78:47] But Naomi said to her two [78:50] daughters-in-law, [78:51] "Go back, each of you, to your mother's [78:54] house. [78:56] May the Lord deal kindly with you as you [78:59] have dealt with the dead and with me." [79:04] The Lord grant that you may find [79:06] security, each of you, in the house of [79:10] your husband." [79:13] Then she kissed them and they wept [79:16] aloud. [79:20] They said to her, "No, we will return [79:22] with you to your people." [79:27] But Naomi said, "Turn back, my [79:29] daughters. [79:31] Why will you go with me? [79:34] Do I still have sons in my womb that [79:37] they may become your husbands? [79:41] Turn back, my daughters, go your way. [79:44] For I am too old to have a husband. [79:49] Even if I thought there was hope for me, [79:51] even I should have a husband tonight and [79:55] bear sons, would you then wait until [79:57] they were grown? [80:00] Would you then refrain from marrying? [80:03] No, my daughters. It has been far more [80:07] bitter for me than for you because the [80:10] hand of the Lord has turned against me. [80:15] Then they wept aloud again. [80:19] Or kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, [80:24] but Ruth clung to her. [80:29] So she said, "Look, your daughter-in-law [80:32] has gone back to her people and to her [80:35] gods. [80:37] Return after your sister-in-law." [80:42] But Ruth said, [80:44] "Do not press me to leave you to turn [80:47] back from following you. [80:50] Where you go, I will go. Where you [80:52] lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall [80:56] be my people and your God my God. [81:01] Where you die, [81:03] I will die. [81:06] And there will I be buried. [81:10] May the Lord do thus to me and more as [81:13] well, if even death parts me from you. [81:21] When Naomi saw that she was determined [81:23] to go with her, she said no more to her. [81:28] So the two of them went on until they [81:31] came to Bethlehem. [81:34] When they came to Bethlehem, the whole [81:36] town was stirred because of them. And [81:39] the women said, "Is this Naomi?" [81:44] She said to them, "Call me no longer [81:48] Naomi, [81:49] but call me Mara, [81:52] for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with [81:54] me. [81:56] I went away full, but the Lord has [81:59] brought me back empty. [82:01] Why call me Naomi when the Lord has [82:04] dealt harshly with me and the Almighty [82:07] has brought calamity upon me?" [82:12] So Naomi returned together with Ruth the [82:16] Moabitete, her daughter-in-law, who came [82:20] back with her from the country of Moab. [82:24] They came to Bethlehem at the beginning [82:28] of the barley harvest. [82:32] The word of God [82:34] for the people of God. [82:38] Thanks be to God. [82:41] Will you bow your heads in prayer? [82:48] May the words of my mouth and the [82:50] meditations of our heart be acceptable [82:55] to you, oh God, our rock [83:00] and our redeemer. Amen. [83:08] Despite this youthful appearance, [83:12] I'm actually getting up in years. [83:18] And in preaching, I have to admit, I'm a [83:22] bit of a dinosaur. [83:26] Throughout my ministry, I have always [83:29] preached from what is called the common [83:32] lectionary. [83:34] a three-year cycle of readings. [83:38] So, I'm grateful for Pastor Caroline for [83:42] breaking the pattern and inviting to me [83:45] to preach on Ruth, which I have rarely [83:48] done throughout my ministry. You see, in [83:52] the common lectionary, Ruth's story [83:55] comes at the end of the Pentecost [83:57] season. [84:00] And there's a good chance it will not be [84:02] offered up at all in the third year, [84:07] depending on when Pentecost falls. If [84:10] Pentecost falls late, [84:13] we won't hear from Ruth. [84:16] Because of that, I think I've only [84:18] preached on Ruth maybe once or twice in [84:20] my ministry. [84:23] So, I thank again Caroline for this [84:26] opportunity to reinduce yourself and [84:30] myself to Ruth, a stalward of faith, [84:34] love, and devotion. [84:40] The name Ruth means [84:43] beloved. [84:46] and her story shows us why [84:51] the book of Ruth is brief. So if you [84:55] have not read it, [84:57] I encourage you to do so. [85:02] It is a beautiful story through which [85:04] God speaks to us today in marvelous and [85:09] mysterious ways. [85:12] The story introduces us to the ancient [85:16] practice of liverite ma marriage [85:20] in which the nearest male relative of a [85:24] dead husband is required to marry his [85:28] relative's widow. [85:32] But it also speaks of laws that would [85:35] forbid Israelite men from marrying any [85:39] foreign women. [85:42] Foreign women and children were not [85:45] permitted to live amid the people of [85:48] Israel because they were [85:51] unclean. [85:54] The people of Israel believe that God [85:57] demanded purity [86:00] among its people. [86:05] Sadly, [86:07] many religious communities today [86:10] believe the same thing. [86:13] Religious laws, particularly found in in [86:17] Hebrew scripture, the holiness codes, [86:20] and in some of Paul's writings, are used [86:23] to define some of God's children as [86:27] unclean and unacceptable. [86:32] Ruth's story, which is set in a time of [86:35] violence and lawlessness, [86:38] takes on a different, more welcoming [86:41] view of non-Israelites. [86:47] Here the primary virtue is not purity, [86:52] not who is in or out, but faithfulness [86:57] and loving relationships. [87:01] It is a story that we take to heart. [87:06] The main characters of the story are [87:08] those set at society's margins. They are [87:12] different. They are foreigners who are [87:14] seen by many as a threat to the proper [87:18] order. [87:20] Thus, many laws were erected to protect [87:24] and separate the good people from these [87:28] foreigners, from these immigrants. [87:32] The women in our story are living in a [87:35] male dominated world, a patriarchy in [87:39] which women suffered from sexism and the [87:42] religious laws that rendered women [87:44] voiceless and powerless. [87:48] Naomi, [87:49] Orfra, and Ruth were secure only when [87:53] their husbands were alive. After their [87:56] deaths, they were left vulnerable [88:00] and socially invisible. [88:04] The law offered them no protection [88:07] and the system around them failed. [88:11] In this patriarchal world, they were [88:15] seen as having little value. [88:20] The mother-in-law, Naomi, believes her [88:23] only option is to return to her own [88:26] people and live out the rest of her days [88:29] with little hope of a new beginning. [88:33] In her eyes, her life has effectively [88:37] ended because her husband has died. [88:43] And yet, even in her darkest moment, [88:48] Naomi thinks first [88:51] of the two younger women who are [88:53] accompanying her, [88:56] who have lost their own husbands as [88:58] well. [89:00] She considers the enormity of the [89:03] situation, [89:06] makes a choice that may not serve her [89:08] own interests, and releases them from [89:12] any sense of obligation by urging them [89:15] to return to their own people. [89:19] She does so with a blessing that reveals [89:22] God's the God that she trusts [89:27] for her. Naomi, [89:30] God is inclusive and expansive even in [89:34] suffering and scarcity. And despite a [89:37] world that believes often believes [89:40] otherwise, [89:44] one of her daughter-in-laws, Orfra, [89:47] chooses to return to her people. And [89:50] really, no one can fault her. [89:54] She is doing what is seems to be [89:56] reasonable and and practical. [90:00] She is returning to her people where she [90:02] has the best chance to survive. [90:07] In many ways, Orfa is like us. [90:12] When life becomes difficult, we often [90:14] retreat retreat to the safety of what is [90:18] familiar. [90:19] In fact, if we were writing this story, [90:23] it might end here. [90:27] But it does not. [90:30] Ruth, [90:32] Naomi's other daughter-in-law, chooses [90:35] to remain with her. She sets aside her [90:39] own needs and commits to building a life [90:42] with Naomi in a land unfamiliar to her, [90:46] trusting in the promise of a loving and [90:48] gracious God she is coming to know. [90:54] And in one of my favorite passages in [90:58] scripture, she declares, "Where you go, [91:03] I will go. [91:05] Where you lodge, I will lodge. [91:10] Your people [91:12] shall be my people. Your God will be my [91:14] God. [91:18] I still get chills when I read that [91:20] verse. [91:24] To this, God's response [91:27] is to make her the foremother of King [91:29] David. [91:32] and by faith [91:35] a mother of us all. [91:41] So God once again uses someone we would [91:44] least expect to help us to see and [91:48] discover the true nature of God. [91:51] To help us realize what is truly [91:54] important to God. [91:57] God uses Ruth and Naomi to help [92:00] generations to come to realize the [92:03] unconditional, [92:05] the faithful, the expansive love that [92:09] God has, especially for the least of [92:13] these. [92:15] This story allows us to see the full God [92:19] fully, the God of creation, [92:22] not a God of our design. [92:26] Where much of society would like to [92:28] stereotype women as weak and marginalize [92:32] them, Ruth would not be marginalized. [92:37] Through her courage, through her [92:39] unfaltering commitment, we discover what [92:42] God is really like. [92:45] Ruth could have easily returned to the [92:48] familiar, to the safe, to the secure, [92:51] but instead squarely faced language [92:54] barriers, social barriers, religious [92:57] barriers. [92:59] She also faced the constant reminder [93:01] that she was an immigrant and therefore [93:04] was not one of us. [93:09] Nevertheless, she was willing to plunge [93:12] into Naomi's world, a world of desperate [93:17] poverty and uncertain future. [93:23] My friends, [93:26] God is certainly at work here [93:30] in subtle and powerful ways. [93:36] Through Ruth's courage, we are allowed [93:38] to see God in God's truest light. [93:44] Indeed, Ruth's courage is at the heart [93:46] of this story, but so is loving [93:49] relationship. [93:53] You see, Ruth clings to her [93:55] mother-in-law in a way that we should [93:57] cling not just to God, [94:01] but to others. [94:04] There should be no turning aside from [94:06] one another, even for good and practical [94:10] reasons. [94:12] There should be no turning our back on [94:15] one another, even if we want to play it [94:18] safely. [94:20] You are my God. [94:23] Where you go, I will go. [94:26] Indeed, at the heart of this story is [94:29] about loving committed relationships, [94:31] not only between Ruth and Naomi, but [94:34] between us, God, and one another. It [94:38] reminds us to renew our commitment to [94:41] God's mission in this church and to the [94:43] wider church by strengthening the [94:47] relationships that God values most. [94:52] Though we may be tempted to retreat into [94:55] silos, safe havens, build walls, play it [95:00] safe, [95:02] God calls us to follow Ruth and Naomi on [95:05] a path of relationship. [95:09] Even in these difficult times, we are [95:12] called to offer ourselves in loving [95:15] relationship [95:17] as a response to the many gifts that God [95:21] has given us. [95:25] My dear siblings, [95:28] the love at the heart of this story [95:30] should also be at the heart of our [95:32] faith, our mission. [95:35] Ruth's love rises above the boundaries [95:39] of birth, place, custom, tradition, [95:42] whether social or religious. [95:45] Her love has no limits. [95:48] We would be foolish not to nurture and [95:51] celebrate that same love within our [95:54] church in an and in our relationships on [95:58] earth and in our relationship with God [96:01] in heaven. [96:03] We must stop retreating into what is [96:06] threadbear, merely reasonable or [96:09] comfortably familiar to justify our [96:12] beliefs. [96:15] Like Ruth, we are called to trust the [96:18] everexpanding [96:20] spirit of God and move toward new [96:23] horizons and relationships God invites [96:26] us to embrace. [96:29] For we are all called as Christ's [96:32] followers to be in relationship. [96:35] The widow, the orphan, the stranger, the [96:39] foreigner, the unclassified, [96:41] the immigrant. [96:45] Don't you do just the practical or the [96:48] convenient. [96:50] Do not be directed by societal [96:52] structures, conventional wisdom, or the [96:56] religious proclamations of those whose [96:58] only mission is to divide and tear down. [97:02] But strive instead to be loving, [97:05] faithful, [97:07] and all embracing as God has shown us [97:11] through this story of Ruth and [97:15] throughout the scriptures. [97:19] May Ruth's God [97:21] be our God. [97:23] May her people be our people. [97:28] Amen. [97:34] We celebrate the United Church of [97:37] Christ, [97:40] especially this weekend, uh, conference [97:42] weekend. [97:45] And we celebrate here the United Church [97:47] of Christ by offering up the UCCC [97:50] statement of faith which is found on [97:53] page 12 [97:55] in our himnel. [97:58] Let us join together. [98:02] We believe in you, oh God, eternal [98:05] spirit, God of our savior Jesus Christ [98:08] and our God. And to your deeds we [98:12] testify. [98:14] You call the worlds into being, create [98:17] persons in your own image, and sets [98:20] before each one the ways of life and [98:23] death. [98:24] You seek in holy love to save all people [98:27] from aimlessness and sin. You judge [98:30] people and nations by your righteous [98:33] will declared through the prophets and [98:35] apostles [98:37] in Jesus Christ the man of Nazareth, our [98:40] crucified and risen Savior. You have [98:44] come to us and shared our common lot, [98:47] conquering sin and death and reconciling [98:51] the world to yourself. [98:53] You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, [98:57] creating and renewing the church of [98:59] Jesus Christ, binding in covenant [99:02] faithful people of all ages, tongues, [99:05] and races. You call us into your church [99:09] to accept the cost and joy of [99:11] disciplehip, to be your servants in the [99:14] service of others, to proclaim the [99:17] gospel to all the world, and resist the [99:20] powers of evil, to share in Christ's [99:23] baptism and eat at his table, to join [99:27] him in his passion and victory. [99:30] You promise to all who trust you [99:33] forgiveness of sins and fullness of [99:36] grace. Courage in the struggle for [99:39] justice and peace, your presence in [99:42] trial and rejoin, and eternal life in [99:46] your realm which has no end. Blessing [99:49] and honor, glory and power be unto you. [99:54] Amen. [100:22] So, I I observed a few weeks ago um [100:27] my grandson, 5-year-old grandson, who's [100:29] living with us, [100:32] um seated on the couch with his hands [100:34] folded and his eyes closed. [100:39] And I pointed out to my wife, [100:42] I I I think Rowan is praying. [100:47] Hallelujah. [100:50] And I walked in. [100:54] And I asked Rowan, "What are you doing?" [100:57] And he said, "I'm praying." [101:01] And I said, "But I don't hear any [101:03] words." [101:04] and he said, 'I wasn't praying to you. [101:12] Um, [101:15] God [101:17] God hears our prayers. [101:20] God hears our joys. God hears our [101:22] concerns. [101:24] And this is that time in our time [101:26] together that we offer those concerns, [101:30] those prayers, those joys to this wider [101:33] company and to God Almighty. So [101:37] are there prayers? Are there concerns? [101:39] Are there joys to be lifted up? [101:43] I see there's a microphone back. Good. I [101:45] don't have to walk. [101:52] I would like to offer a prayer for for [101:54] your pastor. I hope she's enjoying and [101:56] I'm sure she is her time. I uh had [102:00] breakfast with her yesterday [102:03] and um this is this is the place that [102:07] she really enjoys being with all her [102:09] colleagues and friends and and uh shop [102:13] talk as we might call it in pastoral [102:16] ministry. [102:20] And [102:22] in God's mercy, [102:25] keep Caroline in your prayers. [102:28] In God's mercy, here our prayer. [102:33] Anything else? [102:41] Then let us turn to God in the spirit of [102:43] prayer. [103:10] loving God, [103:13] we confess that we so easily lose sight [103:16] of your presence and ignore your [103:18] guidance. [103:21] The fears, the struggles of life tug at [103:24] us and keep us from looking beyond the [103:27] immediate concerns of daily living. [103:32] So it is good that we are gathered [103:35] to be reminded once again of a larger [103:38] picture that put you at the center of [103:40] all creation. [103:45] We thank you for the bold witness [103:47] offered by those who since the beginning [103:50] of creation have been forced into the [103:53] fringes of society. [103:58] We look to faithful women like Ruth as [104:02] examples of true faith and devotion. [104:07] instill in us the same courage, enabling [104:10] us to courageously [104:16] venture into alien territory, facing [104:18] derision and rejection, empowered to [104:21] live out the faith in its truest sense. [104:29] May their example and the loving example [104:31] of others throughout scripture [104:35] empower us to challenge the societal [104:37] norms that pits race against race, sex [104:41] against sex, us against you. [104:46] Help us to grow in faith so that we do [104:49] not fall prey to our fears. [104:54] But we too are bold in our witness of [104:56] the healing, renewing, creative presence [104:59] that brings all people together. [105:04] We know, [105:07] we know deep in our hearts that you love [105:09] all, male, female, native, foreign. [105:15] We know it because we too have witnessed [105:18] this truth in others like Ruth [105:22] and especially [105:25] especially in the teachings, the faith, [105:28] the life [105:30] of the one who taught us taught us to [105:32] pray by saying, "Our Father [105:36] in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy [105:40] kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth [105:44] as it is in [105:46] our daily [105:56] us. [106:06] Our gifts do make a difference. [106:09] I was reminded yesterday at conference [106:13] of how we in the wider church [106:17] can affect and bring peace to those who [106:20] are struggling. [106:22] A church you may have heard [106:25] Caroline speak to this. A church in [106:27] Pittsburgh in the early part of May [106:31] burned to the ground. a UCCC church. [106:36] And yesterday, [106:38] generous gifts [106:40] from people like you in the United [106:42] Church of Christ raised over $60,000 [106:47] to help this church rebuild, which they [106:49] are going to do. So, yes, [106:52] give all that you can. It makes a [106:55] difference. Let us receive our morning [106:57] offering. [108:47] Hallelujah. [109:18] Praise God. [109:24] Praise him. [109:30] Praise him. [109:37] Praise God. [109:40] Holy. [109:54] Let us pray. [109:57] Oh gracious God, bless our offering that [110:00] it may reach and touch those who hunger, [110:04] who hurt, who mourn, who seek new hope. [110:09] As part of the global village, we care [110:12] about all of our sisters and brothers [110:14] and siblings. [110:16] We pray for peace and justice, for [110:20] liberty to the oppressed, for joy to [110:23] those who are weary. in Jesus' name. [110:27] Amen. [110:31] You may be seated. [110:38] Our communion service is found on page [110:41] 72 [110:43] in the Himnel Companion. [110:54] God says, "Why spend money on what does [110:57] not satisfy?" [111:00] Listen to me and do what I say, and you [111:04] will enjoy the best food of all. [111:08] Listen now, my people, and come to me. [111:10] Come to me, and you will have life. [111:15] This table is open to all who confess [111:18] Jesus as Christ and seek to follow in [111:21] Christ's way. [111:24] Come to this sacred table not because [111:26] you must, but because you may. [111:29] Come not because you are fulfilled, but [111:32] because in your emptiness you stand in [111:34] need of God's mercy and assurance. [111:38] Come not to express an opinion, but to [111:40] seek a presence and to pray for a [111:42] spirit. [111:45] Come to this table then, sisters and [111:47] brothers, as you are. Partake and share. [111:52] It is spread for you and me that we [111:55] might again know that God has come to [111:57] us, shared our common lot, and invited [112:02] us to join people of God's new age. [112:07] God be with you. And also with you. [112:10] >> Lift up your hearts. [112:14] Let us give thanks to God most high. [112:17] >> It is right to give God thanks and [112:19] praise. [112:20] >> Holy God, we praise and bless you for [112:23] creation and the gift of life and for [112:25] your abiding love which brings us close [112:28] to you, the source of all blessing. [112:32] We thank you for your revealing your [112:35] will to us in the giving of the law and [112:38] in the preaching of the prophets. [112:41] We thank you especially that in the [112:43] fullness of time you sent Jesus born of [112:46] Mary to live in our midst to share in [112:50] our suffering to accept the pain and [112:52] death of the at the hands of those whom [112:55] he loved. [112:57] We rejoice that in a perfect victory [112:59] over the grave you raised Christ with [113:03] power to become sovereign in your realm. [113:07] We celebrate the coming of the Holy [113:10] Spirit to the gather your church by [113:14] which your work may be done in the world [113:17] and through which we share the gift of [113:19] eternal life. [113:21] With the faithful in every place and [113:23] time, we praise with joy your holy name. [113:30] Holy, holy, holy God of love and [113:34] majesty. [113:50] We remember [113:52] on the night of betrayal and desertion, [113:56] Jesus took bread, [114:00] gave it to you, [114:02] gave you thanks, broke the bread, [114:06] gave it to his disciples, saying, "This [114:08] is my body which is broken for you. Do [114:12] this in remembrance of me. [114:39] In the same way, Jesus also took the cup [114:43] after supper, saying, "This cup is the [114:47] new covenant in my blood. Do this as [114:50] often as you drink it in remembrance of [114:54] me. [115:03] Consecrate by your Holy Spirit these [115:06] gifts of bread and wine and bless us [115:09] that as we receive them at this table we [115:12] may offer your fa you our faith and [115:16] praise. we may be united with Christ and [115:19] with one another and we may continue [115:22] faith continue to be faithful in all [115:25] things [115:27] in the strength of Christ gives us we [115:30] offer ourselves to you eternal God and [115:33] give thanks that you have called us to [115:36] serve you [115:39] through the broken bread we participate [115:42] in the body of Christ [115:44] and through the cup of blessing we [115:46] participate fate in the new life Christ [115:49] gives. [115:51] Come, all things are ready. [117:14] Star. [118:09] Fatherish. [118:59] Hallelujah. [120:30] last. [121:03] Heat. Heat. [122:00] Glorious. [122:41] Let us pray. [122:43] We thank you, oh God, for inviting us to [122:47] this table where we have known the [122:50] presence of Christ and received all [122:52] Christ's blessing. [122:54] strengthen our faith, increase our love [122:57] for one another, and let us show forth [123:00] your praise in our lives. Amen. [123:05] Our closing hymn is hymn number 267. [123:09] 267. [123:17] Heat. [123:31] Heat. [123:39] Heat. Heat. Heat. [123:49] Yeah. [123:51] Heat. [124:01] Heat. [124:05] Heat. [124:15] Heat. [124:30] Heat. [124:49] Heat. [124:52] Heat. [125:23] My dear friends in the faith, [125:27] you're about to go back out into the [125:29] world, [125:31] which can be terrifying at times, [125:35] but it's a blessing nonetheless because [125:38] out there, you're going to meet God's [125:41] children. God's children who are loved [125:45] as richly and as deeply as we are loved. [125:51] So, greet them. Greet them in the [125:54] spirit, in the love and in the grace of [125:57] Christ. and welcome them [126:01] with the blessing of God Almighty, the [126:04] creator, the Christ, and the Holy [126:07] Spirit. Go in peace. [126:11] Amen. [126:20] Heat. Heat. [126:40] Heat. [126:54] Heat. [127:02] Heat. [127:23] Heat.  📄 **Full text:** ![[Full Document Contents/Articles/Sunday June 7th 2026- Ruth Loss and Loyalty.md|Sunday June 7th 2026- Ruth: Loss and Loyalty by YouTube]] ## Highlights - takes on a different, more welcoming view of non-Israelites. Here the primary virtue is not purity, not who is in or out, but faithfulness and loving relationships. It is a story that we take to heart. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01ktkpzbpc3wsavyv9gm5wsjem)) - Note: The sermon's read of Ruth: against a purity/insider-outsider frame, the book's primary virtue is faithfulness and loving relationships — a more welcoming posture toward the outsider. - Tags: sermon, bible, atom/literature/h1, ruth