July 16, 2022

Dear Road Church Friends,

I send out this letter each week as a preview of my Sunday sermon and an invitation to join us at our 10:00 am service. The scripture lesson for this Sunday is Luke 10:38-42. It describes one of the many times Jesus was a guest in the house of Mary and Martha. These sisters are among the best known female friends of Jesus. Although this episode is very brief,—only five verses,— it gives us a lot to think about. It ends with a puzzling statement of Jesus, “there is need of only one thing, and Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” 

Luke sees an important lesson in Jesus’ reply to Martha’s complaint about Mary choosing to join the men and sit at Jesus’ feet to listen and learn, instead of helping her in the kitchen. Martha was upset at Mary for doing a “man thing” (getting educated), instead of doing what women were expected to do in the kitchen. But Jesus opened a door of opportunity for all women when he approved Mary’s decision, saying she has chosen the the one thing that is the better choice. There have been many Marys among us. More about this on Sunday.

          SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:38-42    SERMON TITLE: Mary and Malala

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

SEND ME

Use me, God, in thy great harvest field,

Which stretches far and wide like a wide sea,

The gatherers are so few, I fear the precious yield

Will suffer loss. Oh, find a place for me!

Be it a wide or narrow place, tis well

So that the work it holds be only done.

by Christina Rossetti

HYMN:  O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee  #589

    May the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

Pastor Norm

Our service on YouTube: https://youtu.be/P9NwDFSh5Bw