Thank you to Bev Burns for helping with worship.
Summary: Ruth and the Roman Centurion have something very important to teach us about faith. Who we are as individuals (part of a particular group completely opposed to or different from another group) does not matter. It does not matter is you are republican or democrat, black or white, male or female, a resident of rural or urban America, a US citizen or an immigrant. What matters is our kindness towards those who are different than us and our trust in God and in Jesus. In Bethlehem, Ruth was known as that Moabite woman – but that did not stop her from giving up all she knew to help out her mother-in-law. The Roman Centurion was clearly the one with power with 100 men at his command, and yet he humbled himself to Jesus so that his slave could be healed. Neither democrats nor republicans are evil opponents. They are your neighbors and family. You know this.
Now, it is time as Christians we put into clear action what the Bible teaches us – what Ruth and a Roman Centurion teach us. Your faith is more important than any other trait that identities you. Your faith in God, your faith in Jesus, not only sustains you in troubled times and strengthens you to help all people. In addition, your faith places you in the position to see that same faith in those who might oppose you and to be united in that faith for the good of all people and creation. (~ Pastor Michelle Elfers)
