Proper 14 (2025)

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Hymn #405 My Faith Has Found A Resting Place

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Lord's Prayer

Children's Message . . . Kolaya

Blessing of the Backpacks Prayer

Gracious and loving God,

As a new school year begins, we come before you with hope and anticipation. We bring to you our students, our teachers, and all those whose lives are shaped by the rhythms of the school year.

Today, O Lord, we lift up...

Congregation (or Leader, if non-responsive):

All students—from preschoolers to graduate students, from those beginning their first day of school to those returning to the classroom or continuing their education in new ways.

Homeschool students and those learning in unique settings.

All who learn with excitement, and those who approach school with anxiety or fear.

Lord, bless them with curiosity, courage, and confidence.

All teachers—those in public, private, charter, and homeschool settings.

Professors, student teachers, and aides.

Special education teachers and support staff.

Grant them wisdom, creativity, and compassion.

All school staff and administrators—principals, counselors, nurses, librarians, coaches, and custodians.

Office workers, cafeteria workers, IT staff, bus drivers, and crossing guards.

Everyone who makes the school day possible.

Lord, may they serve with strength and be honored in their calling.

All parents and caregivers—those guiding, supporting, and sometimes struggling alongside students.

Foster families, grandparents, and daycare providers.

Give them patience, grace, and peace.

All who support the work of learning in our community and congregation—mentors, tutors, volunteers, and all who encourage growth in body, mind, and spirit.

Remind us that we are all part of this journey.

Lord, bless every backpack and laptop, every lunchbox and locker.

Let them carry not only books and supplies, but also hope and your presence.

May this year be filled with kindness, friendship, growth, and joy.

We entrust this school year to your loving hands.

Watch over these, your beloved children.

In the name of Jesus, our Teacher and Guide, we pray.

Amen.

Scripture Reading

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

Hebrews 11:1–3 NIV

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Hebrews 11:8–16 NIV

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Sermon

I’d like to commend you all today for what you have done this morning. In fact, for what you did not just this morning but also last night that helped you get here today.

You see, while there may be some who can get up automatically, most of us need to set an alarm. We need to hear that sound in the morning that causes us to realize it’s time to go. Those of you who needed to do so, did it.

Which meant that this morning, when the alarm went off, you knew it was time to get up and do whatever it is you needed to do. Some of you showered, brushed your hair, brushed your teeth. Some of you had to brush your kids’ hair and teeth. You got dressed. Fixed breakfast, ate breakfast. Started lunch or decided on lunch. At the right time, you got the family out to the car, where you turned the key or pushed the button to start the ignition, pulled out of the garage, driveway, or parking spot, and drove, turning left or right, just as you needed to, in order to arrive by 9:00 am or close to, walking up the steps, opening the door, finding your seat and sitting down, prepared to worship.

Now, believe it or not, each of those steps relied on faith. You trusted the alarm to stay powered and go off at the right time. You trusted the water to be hot enough for a shower which meant you trusted the water heater to work. You trusted your fridge to keep cold things cold and your stove or oven to work to make breakfast. Maybe your toaster to make toast.

You had faith your family was ready and dressed. Your car would start. That someone would remember the way here. And that this place would be here although it may have been a week or so since you saw it last. You had faith that the pews would hold, the ceiling remain above, people would be glad to see you and you have faith that I have a word from God for today.

It is amazing when you think of all of the decisions you made today that were actually steps of faith. And the writer to the Hebrews defines faith like this, “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Now, you put a lot of faith in what we might consider human constructs. The alarm clock was built by human hands. Your bathtub or shower, the refrigerator, the stove, the car you drove, and even this building in which you now sit were all made by humans.

But what if God asked you to practice your faith? What if God asked you to do the same thing He asked of Abraham? Leave all you are familiar with and go to a land I will show you. Do you go? Or do you make excuses? Lord, you know I need a bit more information. I would absolutely do that but now just isn’t a good time. I just retired. Just got a raise. I’m closer to my grandchildren. Or, simply, I’m too scared.

I imagine Abraham was also scared. But he had also received a blessing. A blessing that he would have children more numerous than the stars in the sky or the sand on the beach, and that through his children all nations would be blessed. I wonder if this promise didn’t help him make the move. Perhaps he and Sarah were so anxious to have children that they were willing to do whatever it took, even if it seemed “crazy” to everyone else.

Can you imagine the conversation Abraham might have had with his father? With the other members of his family? Abraham? Where are you going? I don’t know. And why are you going? To have children. But you could have children here. You just have to be patient. Dad, I have been patient. It’s not happening and God told me I had to go. He told me he would bless me.

Fast forward to the last few years of Abraham’s life. He received this call at 75 years old. He arrives in the promised land that same year. He’s 86 when Ishmael is born. Isaac is born when he’s 100. And after Sarah dies, he remarries and with his second wife has 6 more kids. So when Abraham dies at the age of 175, he has 8, count them 8 children.

Now, 8 is a far cry from the promise. 8 doesn’t even scratch the surface of stars in the sky or sand on the beach. But notice Abraham doesn’t give up. Abraham doesn’t call God’s promises into question. In fact, the writer to the Hebrews says about him, and others like him, “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised;” Which means they trusted God whether they saw the fulfillment of the promise or not. They knew that God kept His word. They knew He was true to His promises. And they knew His timing was different from theirs.

But what about us? Do we trust God with that kind of faith? Do we take Him at His word? Do we recognize His promises to us may not happen in our lifetime. Maybe He told you, your whole family would be saved. Perhaps He told you, your grandchildren would serve Him. Or maybe He simply asked you to trust Him right now. Whatever it might be, even though you have not seen the fulfillment, will you trust God in this moment and the next?

You know, just a few minutes ago we prayed for our students. And the school year ahead will have its share of surprises — just like Abraham’s journey did. Our students don’t know every assignment or challenge they’ll face. Our teachers don’t know every question that will be asked. And we don’t know every twist our own journeys will take. But like Abraham, we can step forward in faith, trusting that the God who calls us is also the God who goes with us. So whether you’re carrying a backpack or a briefcase, a Bible or a burden, take the next step knowing this: the One who promised is faithful. Walk in that confidence this week — and watch what God will do.” He is our everlasting God.

Everlasting God

Giving of Tithes and Offering

Doxology

Prayer of Dedication

Hymn #506 I Will Sing Of My Redeemer

*Benediction

May the faith that called you to follow

go before you to guide your steps.

May the hope of God’s promises

strengthen your heart and soul.

Go in peace, and serve the Lord. Amen.

Sanctuary

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