"Refreshing"
a condensed version of the sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Somonauk, Illinois.

PODCAST of "Refreshing"

Keep hydrated

How much water are we supposed to drink everyday? For so long I’ve read that it is 8- 8 oz glasses per day. It’s been reported that drinking that much per day lets your body do a better job of cleaning out toxins, helps weight loss and results in healthier skin. More recently, however, researchers have questioned the claims and the recommendation – even going as far as saying, ‘Just drink when you’re thirsty."

"whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple--truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

In this week’s short Bible reading from Matthew 10:40-42, Jesus finishes up the instructions he gave to the disciples (filled with warnings about difficulties and assurances that God would provide what was necessary) with a reference the disciples and anyone else hearing and reading would understand, "Help refresh the helpless and forgotten – and you’ll be rewarded."

Jesus had spent plenty of time previously reminding the disciples that seeking rewards for showing love towards others wasn’t what the whole "Love God and love others" was all about – so I don’t think this talk of rewards was meant to bring out the greed in the hearers. I think it was really meant to leave a lasting, refreshing image in the mind of the hearers.

I know that any act of kindness brings satisfaction and something good for the giver:

This week while working hard at Tower Hill camp for Habitat/Volunteer camp – 25 youth and adults – 5 from Union Congregational Church, we were refreshed.

Yes – we were refreshed on Monday – when we first started working

• At a Habitat for Humanity Home in Michigan City, Indiana.
• At a local home where we put half a roof on a large shed/barn.
• At a Women’s shelter where we did what was described as "a million little jobs that all needed doing
• And right at Tower Hill camp where we almost completed the wiring on one of the camp buildings that is being remodeled.

The weather was great – the breezes cooled us, and we drank water when we were thirsty.

And we were refreshed on Tuesday when we

• Finished the roof
• Did lots more work on the Habitat home
• And started and finished a myriad of small projects at camp

On that day – the heat was awful – and we drank lots of cool water to keep from getting dehydrated. We often had to take water breaks every 15 minutes!

All week long we worked on projects – ones that refreshed the areas we were working and ones that had a refreshing impact on our souls.

But in the evening, it was time for more physical and spiritual refreshment.

We got to swim several days in Lake Michigan – cool and refreshing!

One day we got to experience a giant slip-n-slide down a hill at Tower Hill – very messy and very refreshing!

Every night we had a campfire worship right on the beach of Lake Michigan. We watched the sunset, sang songs (yes – I got to lead the songs – we had a great time singing together.) prayed and grew closer to God together. Very refreshing!

"whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple--truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

I don’t think any of the folks who went on the trip went there to receive a reward –

• Brian – who brought with him such gifts of service and amazing construction know how – came to share gifts – and was rewarded by the gifts of others
• Colin – who brought with him gifts of service and friendship that were, in many ways, unleashed during the trip, was rewarded by the gifts of others
• Lori – who brought with her a wealth of experience from other Habitat trips and showed gifts of service, artistic talent and care for all – was rewarded by the gifts of others.
• Stephen – who brought with him gifts of willingness to try new things and a welcome heart for all – was rewarded by the gifts of others.
• And I – who came with gifts of service, music and inspiration (It feels weird to say stuff like that – it’s just what others said – so I’ll repeat what I heard . . . ) was rewarded by the gifts of others.

Last week when we sent out the 5 of us who went to Habitat/Volunteer camp – we also sent out everyone here at Union Congregational Church – Each one of us went out into the world with gifts of service and whatever else God granted – For some it was a great week. For some it was terrible. For some it was not at all memorable. I hope in some way you were able to reach out to others with that cup of cool water – and at the same time you were rewarded by the gifts of others.

But this reaching out to one another with a ‘cup of cool water’ isn’t something that should stop after a week. In the closing worship service at camp this week, we focused on the talents God has blessed all with. The service was a challenge to use those gifts, some of which have been unleashed during this week, at home, school work etc. We spent time identifying gifts that each student and adult have -- it was a great "warm fuzzy" with God woven all through.

• What cup of cold water do you need to receive today? May we all be blessed and receive that refreshment that we desperately need.
• What cup of cold water can you give today? May we all be blessed and give that refreshment that is desperately needed.

Let’s not be in it for the reward – Let’s go out and share a cup of cold water in Jesus name –

Jesus brings refreshment – share that refreshment with others.

That’s refreshing!

Close with prayer.

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