Los Altos United Church of Christ

Mission Moments November 8, 2020 Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost Tending God’s Light... Matthew 25:1-13 Stewardship Sunday Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this Whenever Jesus begins a story this way, we have a clue that a truth about the reality of the world that God dreams for us is about to be revealed. Today we learn that the kingdom of heaven will be like ten young women, five of whom have enough oil to keep their lamps burning through the night and five of whom run out of oil, leaving their lamps in darkness. As with any parable, there are many lenses through which to look at this story. But in the year 2020, one helpful way to look at this parable is as a story about being prepared. Maybe through this parable, Jesus was giving us some clues about wrong ways and right ways to be prepared. The wrong way was not to anticipate all that might lead to needing a little extra. But it was also the wrong way to keep too much, to have more than was needed. See, the wise bridesmaids did not bring too much. They did not hoard, did not stock up, clearing the shelves of all the oil and leaving none for their neighbors. They did not come to the evening with more than they would need. They brought enough to be prepared for the night ahead. If 2020 has taught us anything, it is the importance of being prepared in the right way. On this Stewardship Sunday especially, the parable of the ten bridesmaids (as it is sometimes called) gives us the opportunity to look ahead, asking ourselves what it means to be prepared enough, but not to accumulate. The wisdom of the parable teaches us that it is wise to have all that we might need. But it does not advise squirreling away a treasure hoard. What we have is to be used to make light in the world. Let us do so!

From my friend Steve Gaarnas-Holmes An election day prayer Today I pray that our hearts may be awakened,... that our longing for peace and knowledge of our belovedness may arise in us and speak. That we are guided not by fear but by hope and our desire for justice that all are included in the blessings of life, and have a place of belonging. I pray that independent of outcomes of this election we guard our hope, treasure our joy, exercise our love, and bear witness boldly in the power of the One who lives in us all. I pray that we will stand against evil and injustice, against selfishness, violence and White supremacy, and for inclusion, truth-telling, and compassion. This day, regardless of the outcome, is not finalneither a loss nor a victory, but a step on the long road of justice and redemption. I pray that we will stay faithful and resolute on that journey. I pray that with gratitude and generosity, with hope and love and courage we will all take our place in the divine work of the mending of the world. God have mercy. Peace be with you.

Join us tomorrow, October 25 for our Sunday Worship on FB Livestream! BELOVED, LOVE - NEIGHBORS... Sunday Morning Worship will also LIVESTREAM ON FACEBOOK at https://www.facebook.com/losaltosucc

Join us tomorrow, October 4 at 10 AM for our Sunday Worship on FB Livestream! WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY... LOS ALTOS UCC is inviting you to Sunday Morning Worship on LIVESTREAM ON FACEBOOK at https://www.facebook.com/losaltosucc