The Kingdom of God is Like This

So THIS is what the Kindom of God is Like! 6/10/2024 - by: Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager - Starting With Scripture Share Rev. Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager is the Senior Associate Minister at The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme in Old Lyme, CT. Laura and her family live in Old Lyme. Scripture: Mark 4:26-34 (NIV) Jesus said, “This is what the kindom of God is like. A person scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether she sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though she does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, she puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” Reflection: So THIS is what the Kindom of God is Like! I am not a gardener. There I've admitted it. Every spring I eagerly purchase seeds of mint, thyme, and daisies hoping against hope that maybe my green thumb will finally sprout this year! I’m more of a “weekend waterer” and end up buying too many ready-to-plant geraniums and impatiens. I fill window boxes and hang baskets of petunias shaking their heads at me in the morning breeze. I’m too impatient for anything else. But my neighbor has the touch. Isabelle’s out there night and day season by season planting, tending, weeding, and watering. I’ve seen her elbow deep in manure, enriching the soil, and picking invasive bugs off her broccoli stalks one by one. Come July, we get invited to a backyard barbecue, with melt in your mouth buttery lettuces on burgers with spicy hot peppers; all washed down with chilled glasses of lemonade and sparkling rose. Thankfully, we just have to bring the chips and dip – and “my” cut wildflowers wrapped in twine. Abundance, joy and hospitality. This is what the kindom of God is like. Labors of love and plenty leading to the divine feast where all are welcome and can share what they have, whether it’s homegrown or not. Wrote Mary Oliver one afternoon, “The god of dirt came up to me many times and said so many wise and delectable things, I lay on the grass listening to (their) dog voice, crow voice, frog voice…” PRAYER O Generous Harvest, We give thanks for whatever we can bring to the table. We give thanks for the labors of love that lead us there. May we learn patience and gratitude for neighbors, too, who help us to tend gardens and feed everyone with care. Amen. New Prayer Requests: We ask churches and church leaders to join us in the following prayers either by sharing them during worship, printing them in bulletins, or sharing them in some other way. To make a prayer request, please contact Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane at cochranem@sneucc.org. Prayers of Intercession: For the people of Ukraine and the Middle East whose lives continue to be shattered by war, as well as the many landscapes that are currently embroiled in conflicts . For those grieving or suffering due to the ~7,200 gun violence deaths that happened in the US since the start of the year. For those suffering from hateful comments and toxic messages because of who they are or where they are on life's journey. Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving: For local church leaders who engage specific, faith-based approaches to politics For those those who are finding new ways to nurture and care for neighbors For the ability to pray together. (You are invited to participate in Pause for Prayer, Wednesdays @ 12:30, Live on Facebook. Add your prayers through the chat feature, and recordings can be found on the SNEUCC Facebook page or our webpage.) This Week in History: June 16, 1858 (166 years ago): Abraham Lincoln warns that America is becoming a “house divided,” paraphrasing a passage from the New Testament: “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” [History] “Study the past if you would define the future.” — Confucius Rev. Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager The Rev. Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager is the Associate Pastor at The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.