Missionary Renegade: This Week in Worship • Stories of the Kingdom: Mustard Seed with Reverend Brent Ross, Senior Pastor, at Normal Heights United Methodist Church in San Diego, California, United States

Thursday, August 13, 2015

This Week in Worship • Stories of the Kingdom: Mustard Seed with Reverend Brent Ross, Senior Pastor, at Normal Heights United Methodist Church in San Diego, California, United States

What you'll find in this week's email:
• This Week in Worship -
Stories of the Kingdom: Mustard Seed
• Saying Goodbye to Our Interns
• Upcoming Movie Night ( 8/22 @ Sunset )
• Youth Lock In ( 8/22 - 8/23 • 6:30p - 11:30a )
• August Playgroups ( Tues, Thurs, Fri • 10:00a - 11:30a )
• Faith on Tap this Month ( 8/27 • 6:30p - 8:00p )

Pastor Brent is at a Conference this week in Boston and will return on Saturday. In the meantime, if you’d like to prepare for Sunday’s worship focus, you can find the Scripture passage here!
Sunday, 16 August 2015 Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32

Scripture Text: Matthew 13:31 Yeshua put before them another parable. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed which a man takes and sows in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows up it is larger than any garden plant and becomes a tree, so that the birds flying about come and nest in its branches.”
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Matthew 13:31-32

Verse 31

[31] Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

He proposed to them another parable — The former parables relate chiefly to unfruitful hearers; these that follow, to those who bear good fruit.

The kingdom of heaven — Both the Gospel dispensation, and the inward kingdom. Mark 4:30; Luke 13:18.

Verse 32

[32] Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

The least — That is, one of the least: a way of speaking extremely common among the Jews.

It becometh a tree — In those countries it grows exceeding large and high. So will the Christian doctrine spread in the world, and the life of Christ in the soul.

Sermon Story "The Smallest to The Largest" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 16 August 2015 with Scripture: Matthew 13:31 Yeshua put before them another parable. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed which a man takes and sows in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows up it is larger than any garden plant and becomes a tree, so that the birds flying about come and nest in its branches.”

as we read this passage of Scripture, there are many things that may go through one's mind. Maybe nothing if you have never heard about the mustard see. Maybe the fact that you you a girl or woman who wear a mustard seed necklace around one's neck as I saw my sister do. Maybe you have heard a sermon or a Sunday School Lesson dealing with talking about how this plant starts with the smallest of seed to grow into the largest of trees or bushes using this example to build one's local church from a samll church to a larger church in the community as Jesus' witness within the community. Yet, when we hear this about the mustard seed being the least seed, there is a reminder of the least of these my brothers and sisters, but especially people who are differently abled. The amzing thing is that when a local church begins to minister with the people who are differently abled, the church has a tendency to draw other people who are differently abled as well as other people who are sensitive to the people who are differently abled. We wonder how this happens, but too often people who are differently abled are devalued as people and even as people made in the full Image of God who have no gifts and graces to build God's Kingdom on earth as it is Heaven. When one church begins to value people who are differently abled, the word gets out and they flock to how they may learn more about this God of love who values them as whole people. We hears stories like this and as people move because of jobs or whatever, they desire to expand this ministry with to the communities they move. Even if they come to churches who do not see this need, they develop this call within some church in their new community and the word about people who are differently abled are valued as people of God for their gifts being used to build God's Kingdom. What characers to you relate or not relate to? How do understand the mustard seed as people who are differently abled to be discipled and discipling other people into being Jesus' followers? How we you be a part of this ministry within your church? As we come to seek God's Grace in eating the Body of Jesus and Drinking His Blood in participation of the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We come to receive from God singing the Hymn "Faith As Small As a Mustard Seed" by Doug Horley

Faith as small as a mustard seed will move mountains,

move mountains

Faith as small as a mustard seed will move mountains

by the pow'r of God.

Believe what Jesus said was true.

Believe He meant it just for you.

Wait and see what God will do as you pray, as you pray.

(submit corrections)

--and--

"Mustard Seed Faith" by Steven Ford

Verse 1:

My faith is taking me someplace;

somewhere, somehow

by faith there's grace.

Verse 2:

My faith can open every door,

with faith I'll trust Him more and more.

Chorus:

God will supply just what I need,

Lord, I believe, I believe,

in mustard seed faith,

mustard seed faith.

Bridge:

We've come this far by faith,

leaning on the Lord.

Trusting in His holy word,

He's never failed me yet;

mustard seed faith.

Vamp:

Faith, mustard seed faith.

This Sunday, we sadly say goodbye to Austin and Jessica, our two ministry interns from Point Loma Nazarene University who have worked with us this summer. Both Jessica and Austin have been doing wonderful work and ministry with the children and youth, and Austin also worked with a neighborhood bilingual playgroup. We will truly miss both of them as their work, ministry and presence here has been such a gift!

We're nearing NHUMC's final Movie Night of the Summer! This is a great opportunity to get out, join your neighbors, enjoy your local parks and have a fun, free evening under the stars. We'll be hosting The Jungle Book next Saturday on August 22nd, starting at sunset in Adams Park. Everyone is encouraged to bring a blanket, food and a friend.. and of course, the evening wouldn’t be complete without an intermission dance party! Visit nhmovies.org for more info, and mark your calendars now to see the rest of this Summer's family movies:
August 15th
Ward Canyon Park // The Princess Bride
August 22nd
Adams Park // The Jungle Book
September 12th
Ward Canyon Park // The Mask

We’re having a Youth Lock In for kids entering 5th-8th grade! First, there will be dinner and a movie in the park starting at 6:30pm on the 22nd. After the movie, we’ll head to church for games, dessert and lots of laughs! The lock in ends at 11:30am on Sunday, the 23rd. Breakfast will also be included. Please RSVP to Alisa at office@nhunited.org byTHIS SUNDAY!
Don’t Forget to Bring: a sleeping bag, pillow, PJ's, personal toiletries, a change of clothes, and a sleeping mat if you have one

During August, we'll have open play in our play room three times a week as an option to get out of the heat, but still get out of the house, play, and meet friends! Come and go as you please. All children under 5 and their caregivers are welcome. Play groups are everyTuesday, Thursday, & Friday from 10:00a - 11:30a.

Just a reminder to mark your calendars for Faith on Tap this month! We'll meet somewhere around Normal Heights on August 27th from 6:30 - 8:00pm. Faith on Tap is our casual beer and faith discussion group. Our topic for this month is Stories of Transformation: How do we change how we live, think and act in light of our faith? Watch for updates, and if you have any questions or would like more info, please feel free to email Brent at brent@nhunited.org.