Preparing for Sunday, May 3rd

Beginning this Sunday,I am leaving the lectionary to focus on Spiritual Gifts.
This week, we begin a series of sermons concentrating on our call to ministry and the spiritual gifts God grants all Christians. We begin by considering our own call. Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul:

26Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Cor 1:26-31

By baptism, all Christians are called to ministry by God. What does it mean to be called by God?

What do you find surprising in God’s call on your life? What would others find surprising?

Have you ever taken time to consider your own call?

We used to speak of finding one’s vocation—a word which means “calling.” Now, we speak of careers. What difference, if any, would it make in your life, if you were to think in terms of calling instead of career? Would it change your attitude toward your daily work? Would you feel any need to change your work or your lifestyle?

Just some things to consider this week!