the Tidings The Seeking Father Inside this issue: Adult Education . . . . 12-14 Care Ministries . . . . . . . 6-7 Children’s Ministry . . 24-25 Churchwide . . . . . . . . 14-15 Elder Care . . . . . . . . . 18-20 Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Generosity . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
In Luke 15, Jesus told a parable about a father who had two sons. One of the sons demanded his inheritance, and he went to a “far away” place, where he wasted everything. He was far away, not only in a geographical sense, but far away from receiving the love and grace of his father. He eventually, and, inevitably, found himself in bad circumstances and could only find a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry that he even wanted the food the pigs ate. In that muddy state, he came to his senses. He decided to go home, repent, apologize, and ask to be received as a servant.
Tim Carpenter Senior Pastor
When the father saw his son coming home, (he must have been keeping watch) he ran down the middle of the street and greeted his son. He did not care what others of his social class would think. Some believe that he did so to protect his son from those who might seek retribution for his hateful act against his father.
GUMP (Preschool) . . . . . 27 GUWF . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-17 Health & Wellness . . . . . . 5 Hospitality . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8 Message from Pastors Tim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Mimi . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Older Adults. . . . . . . 21-23 OLEC . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-31 United Methodist Men . . . 5 Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-26
The younger son was not prepared to accept his father’s forgiveness. He was going to ask to be employed as a servant. Before he was even able to complete what he came to say, the father had given him a robe, the family ring, and shoes. Before he could even ask for forgiveness, he was already fully restored as a son. That’s how eager God is to offer forgiveness and recognition to all his children who come home. There is no place or condition in which we can find ourselves where our Father will not offer forgiveness—often before we can even finish asking for it. Now, the other son, who had been faithful, was angry and refused to celebrate his brother’s return. The story ends with the father pleading for him to rejoice, “For your brother was dead and is alive, he was lost and is found.” If you find yourself in a “far away” place from God’s way, go home to a Father who seeks to restore you. And, if you have long been faithful, do not allow resentment to cloud your joy. Enjoy the home that is already yours. In both instances, your Father seeks to rejoice!