First in all things

More accurately, this is two sermons, as the worship service at Park View Mennonite was divided into two movements. The first movement, titled "First and Best" focused on thanks giving, and Pastor Phil Kniss looked at Deuteronomy 26:1-11 to explore our calling to be stewards of what God has given us. god instructed the Israelites on how to worship and live in the promised land BEFORE they came into the land. Perhaps God knew that if we were not taught, we would forget that it is from God's hand that all good gifts come. Perhaps God knew that we needed reminders that ALL that we have is first of all Gods. We are trustees of what is rightfully Gods. Our offerings are an act to remind us of that. As a way of celebrating God's bounty, Pastor Phil invited the congregation forward to bring their offerings and their pledges for what we hope to give this coming year. In the second movement, titled "First Above All Powers", focus was given to Christ the King Sunday, to the idea that God is the ultimate power. Using the text from Colossians 1:11-20, Pastor Phil looked at what it means for Christ to be King. As citizens of a nation that exercises power in this world, how do we keep power from possessing us? Recently leaked documents have exposed abuse of power by the U.S. and Iraqi forces during the war in Iraq. But we also have power that can abuse and demean. The Good News of Jesus Christ calls us to realign ourselves against the power of this world. We can shed light on the misuse of power, and we can pray for the powers that govern the world. We can be a prophetic voice pointing toward the power of God.