Sabbath Freedom

SERMON TITLE:   “Sabbath Freedom”
SERMON TEXT:    Luke 13:10-17
PREACHER:           Rev. Kim James
OCCASION:           August 25, 2019, at First UMC
 
 
INTRODUCTION
 
                Next Sunday I’m going to begin a September sermon series called “Teach Us to Pray.”  We’ll begin that series with a focus on the Lord’s Prayer.  Today, though, I’m preaching from the Lectionary.  The Lectionary is a three-year rotation of scriptures that are assigned to each Sunday.  Some denominations use the lectionary in a rigid and mandatory way.  Some churches and preachers never use the lectionary.  And some of us use it sometimes, when it fits in with what we’re up to.  That’s me today.  I read this assigned Gospel text and thought, yes, “Sabbath Freedom,” that’s a good message for us to hear.
                Because this is a text about freedom, it seems like it requires a more free-style structure than my usual two or three points.  So today, we’re going to do a guided meditation, and I’m inviting you to just let yourself loose in this story. Think of it like you’re at the movie theater with a great big screen and surround sound.  Maybe you’re even wearing 3-D glasses.  Relax.  You’re in a safe place.  Sit yourself comfortably and breathe deeply.  Roll your shoulders, if that feels good to you.  Stretch out your arms and wiggle your fingers.  And relax again.  Breathe deeply.  Are you ready to see and hear and experience and feel?  OK.  Here we go.

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