Dear Friends,
This past week has been filled with cold and ice. I pray that you have been safe and warm. We are continuing to read through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew this week. The highlight for this week is Jesus calling all of us the salt of the earth and encouraging us to let our light shine to give glory to God in heaven.
If you would like a home visit, conversation, or home communion, please call me at 573-437-2779 (church) or 573-832-2475 (cell).
- Dorcas meeting on Monday at 7pm.
- Bell Choir on Wednesday at 4:15pm & Choir Practice at 7pm
- Confirmation on Wednesday at 6:30pm
- Souper Bowl Sunday on February 12 after worship. Enjoy delicious soup and donate to Helping Hands.
Blessings,
Pastor Stephanie DeLong
Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9a, Psalm 112:1-9, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, Matthew 5:13-20
Sermon: Salt and Light
Swedish meatballs are an integral part of our family Christmas dinner because my mother is from Sweden and has instilled in us the tradition of making true Swedish meatballs. The boys love to eat Swedish meatballs which in the past have been prepared by my mother or me. This past Christmas I bought the supplies but asked Eddy to prepare the meatballs. I gave Eddy my mother’s authentic handwritten Swedish meatball recipe to follow.
Eddy read the recipe and set about making the meatballs. He made sure to roll them into small balls, as he had been taught. He fried them to perfection in the frying pan. He put his meatballs in a covered casserole dish to keep them warm. He served them on Christmas Eve, and I commented on just how perfect they looked. Then we all tasted the delicious looking meatballs and grabbed for our drinks. I asked Eddy, “How much salt did you put in the meatball mixture?” He replied, “A tablespoon.” The recipe calls for a teaspoon of salt. Eddy pleaded that he could not read my mother’s perfect cursive handwriting and confused tablespoon with teaspoon. Lesson learned, salt is necessary in Swedish meatballs, but a little bit goes along way.
In Matthew 5:13 Jesus calls all his followers “the salt of the earth”. (Note: the word for you in this context should be translated you all.) I do not know if Jesus is trying to say that we are important, but that a little of us goes a long way. But what if we turned out not to have any flavor or saltiness at all. What a bland world that would be. The purpose of salt would be lost.
Salt is used for so much. It is a disinfectant when put into a solution and swished around the mouth after oral surgery or gargled for a sore throat. Salt is used as a preservative for food. Salt is needed in cooking. Salt is important. We are important to Jesus’ ministry and need to maintain our distinct flavor in this world as we share the good news of Jesus and care for the world.
Sometimes, we may think that our efforts are not enough. We keep reaching out for people to be with us in worship and service, but many choose to go their own way. We share our resources, but people are still hungry and homeless. Shootings keep happening. Wars break out around the world. There is so much to be done.
Don’t lose heart oh salty ones. Remember a little bit of salt goes along way. Christians were not meant to take over the world, just to permeate it with the good news of Jesus. Salt may not be the main ingredient in cooking, but it does find a way to fill the meal with flavor.
An example of someone who is the salt of the earth and a person who lets his light shine would be a 100-year-old man in England. BBC America ran a story a few weeks ago about a Peter Davies who helps children with reading. (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-64325636) The World War Two veteran was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King's New Year Honors this year reported the BBC. After his wife died 6 years ago Peter Davies began volunteering at Dean Valley Community Primary School in Cheshire, England. Peter serves as salt and light when he patiently works with children who need help with their reading. The children became a blessing to him as he now has “street cred” in his small village among the young people. Every one of us has something to share with this world. Like Peter, we can be salt and light in the places which we live.
Take time think how we all can be salt and light in this world. What we do doesn’t have to be big, just filled with love of God and one another. Remember just a little bit of salt goes a long way.
Prayer: God of light and love, empower us to shine our light so that others may know your love. May our saltiness fill this world with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer list: Elizabeth, Cheryl, Dave, David, Evelyn, Jason, Paulette, Bobby, Kevin, Jim, Darryl (doing better!), Marilee, Beverly, Jim, Jenny, Jaqueline-Dixon’s daughter, Kirk, Barbara, Mitchell, Mahala, Mary, La Rae, Bud, Tyra, Marilyn, Tom, Jeff, Ken’s mom, Jesse and for peace.
