Will Shewey: Showing Honesty and Intregrity in the Big and the Little Things
There’s the story of an older man who was a carpenter, told his boss that he was going to retire. The boss man was sad to lose the carpenter, but he understood. The boss asked if he’d stick around for one last job, to build one final house. The old man reluctantly agreed, figuring he could get it done quickly. He cut corners, used cheap material, and rushed through the work.
When the house was done, the boss arrived for final inspection. But instead of walking, uh, into the house and looking through it, he reached into his pocket and handed the carpenter the keys. “This is your house,” the boss said. “My retirement gift for your many years of service.” The carpenter was stunned. If he had known he was building his own house, he would have done it so much differently. Now, he’d have to live in a house that he had built none too well. Showing honesty and intregrity in the big and the little things would have served the carpenter well. So I hope that will tie into our sermon.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRAYERS:
Pray for Alice, Matthew, Danielle, Mrs. Mannas, Jackie and Cynthia in Alabama. And my sister, Debbie in North Dakota received a very hard fall and some fractures in the past few days, so please remember my family members in North Dakota.
Shades of Grace International, our ministry in Nigeria, Africa, is going to host an area-wide medical clinic in November for a whole week. The hospital in that community, where our ministry is located is closing down an entire section of their hospital, and every doctor and every nurse and every staff person, person is donating one week of their time to help patients.
They’re anticipating 400 people, or maybe more, with malaria, diabetes, dental health, HIV, breast and prostate surgeries, hernia, cataracts, and more. All of this is gonna happen in a hospital setting in Nigeria, and it’s going to happen because of us, the storefront church that supports them now for almost five years as we began that ministry there.
Our goal… And you know I never talk about money. We don’t talk about taking up offerings, but in this case, I just want you to be aware, if the Lord lays it on your heart to help, we have a goal of $5,000. And I’m gonna give my part of that, first 1,000. Thank you. I’m glad I didn’t say the first 5,000.(laughs) I’d have to go take out a loan from somebody. But I’m going to give the first 1,000, and whatever you can give toward that, making that happen in November.
If you decide to write a check, you can just put on your memo, “Africa Mission for Shades of Grace”. American money goes really far in Africa, so. And as I told you, we do not solicit funding for anything that we do, but this is an outreach ministry that’s very important to our people there. So if the Lord lays it on your heart between now and the next few weeks, thank you for remembering that.
We’re going to have a wonderful anniversary coming up in about a month, sometime in mid-October. We’re going to be celebrating our 11th year in this building, and we’re already in our 11th year now when we count the few weeks that we were in Mayfair Fellowship Hall. We have a really exciting announcement for that, and, I’d love to tell you now, but I can’t. But it’s gonna be a wonderful blessing, and we want you to help us, to be here on that Saturday morning in October for our worship service as we celebrate 11 years and hopefully 111 more to go.
A movie matinee will be this Thursday at 2:00 PM. That’s free to the community. And we have popcorn, pizzas, cold drinks, and a good movie, Faith of Angels, and it’s all free. Thanks to those who assist us in making that possible. Today is the last day that you can sign up for the ladies’ retreat because it’s coming up this weekend, beginning on Friday evening. So, please remember that, ladies. If you want to do that, make sure we’ve got your name.
And then finally, this is coming up November 1st, which is only about six more weeks. We will have our community burial of the unclaimed. We do that every year around All Saints. This year, it will actually be on All Saints Day. We’ve buried over 150 people in the last eight years at Immanuel Cemetery. And this year, I spoke a couple of days ago with our funeral director, who is coordinating this with us and Immanuel Church, and we could have as many as 30 or 40 cremains this year. We don’t know yet, because there is a process we have to go through in finding next of kin and all of that before we can actually carry it out. So some of those may be extended over until next year’s burial.
I’m going to be reading today from Luke 16. And again, I’m reading something different that I haven’t done before. But I’m going to read this from The Message. Just a word of explanation for this, The Message is not a translation necessarily of the scripture, it’s what is called a transliteration.
Eugene Peterson has taken this, I believe that’s who did The Message, and has taken it and put it into very common words that we can understand today. You can read Luke 16, the first 13 verses in other translations of the scripture, and you will find that this is really what he’s talking about, okay?
Jesus said to his disciples, “There was once a rich man who had a manager. He got reports that the manager had been taking advantage of his position by running up huge personal expenses. So he called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? You’re fired. And I want a complete audit of your books. The manager said to himself, “What am I gonna do? I’ve lost my job as manager. I’m not strong enough to do a laboring job and I’m too proud to beg. Ah, I’ve got a plan. Here’s what I’ll do. Then when I’m turned out in the street, people will take me into their houses. Then he went at it, one after another. He called in the people who were in debt to his master and said to the first, “How much do you owe my master?” He replied, “100 jugs of olive oil.” The manager said, “Here, take your bill. Sit down. Quick now, write 50.” To the next he said, “And you, what do you owe?” He said, “100 sacks of wheat.” And he said, “Take your bill, write in 80.’
Now, here’s a surprise. “The master praised the crooked manager.” Why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens.
They’re on the constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. Jesus said, “I want you to be smart in the same way, but for what is right, using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.” I thought I’d make it through.
Then Jesus went on to make these comments. “If you’re honest in small things, you’ll be honest in big things. If you’re crooked in small things, you’ll be a crook in the big things. If you’re not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store? No worker can serve two bosses.” As the translation, one says no man can serve two masters. “He’ll either hate the first and love the second, or adore the first and despise the second. You cannot serve both God and the bank.” Okay? That is the translation from The Message, or transliteration, edition from Luke 16, the first 13 verses. I talked to you when we began this morning about the carpenter. Remember what we said? We’ve done a whole lot between then and now.
About the carpenter who decided on his final job to take cuts, to cut some corners to get the job finished…. and then he discovered that it was to his own disadvantage because the house was his to own. I want you to think about the kind of houses we’re building today. In light of the parable that Jesus gave, some theologians have said that the parable that I just read from the Gospel of Luke is probably one of the most difficult parables to understand because Jesus seems to be praising a man who is not honest in his dealings.
But as we read completely through it, we understand that Jesus is commending the man for his willingness to carry a project through. So, we’re all building a house in some way or another. Now as far as I’m concerned I wouldn’t even know how to lay a cornerstone or a foundation for a house. I’m not a carpenter. I know there are some good carpenters among us today. But think about it in the terms that we do understand.
Every email that we send, every meeting that we go to, every piece of work that you and I complete plays a role in building our professional reputation, by what people think about us, by whether or not we are people of integrity or whether we are known as something less than that. The person who takes small things seriously earns the trust of the people around them. They create value in the eyes of all the people that they encounter. And then that person who’s faithful in that small task will be given bigger opportunities, the types of opportunities that can actually change one’s life and make a big impact in the world.
The last shall be first. I think about people that I know, people I’ve known, and I think about so many precious people that have come through these doors in the last 11 years, almost 11 years now. Many of them are in heaven. They’ve gone on to the reward. And I could start calling names and thinking about so many of them who sometimes would stand up here. I remember little Sherry.
We call her Little Sherry, Sherry Harris, who died a couple of years ago. But she stood up here and she sang, “Love lifted me. When nothing else on earth could help, love lifted me.” Now, we know that she’s in the presence of the Lord now after so many struggles, so much spiritual warfare, living in the streets, being abused and beaten and cursed so many times. I said I believed that in the eyes of God, even though she may have been considered last in this world, she may be the one who’s standing there helping open the door for the rest of us to get in.
Amen?
Somebody asked me this week in the office, “What is grace?” And it’s all over our windows, our doors, our logo, our letterheads, and everything we do. Grace. Shades of Grace. And I just simply said, “It’s so great, a gift from God, that we can’t describe it.” And all of us is kinda living at a different level of grace. I think we all are somewhere in our journey of faith, walking in grace, in faith.
For without faith, it’s impossible to please the Lord. You know that, right? Without faith, we cannot please the Lord. But we’re building our house. We’re building a spiritual house.
That I don’t know what tomorrow may bring. I have no idea what the future’s gonna be for me. But as for this moment, as for this hour, and as for this night, as I lay my head on the pillow, I thank you that it is well. Amen.
Isn’t that the way we’re supposed to live our life in every day? One day at a time, one minute at a time, one hour at a time. When we skip these small daily acts of grace and mercy, we may feel like, it’s okay. I didn’t pray as much today as I should have, or I didn’t really share my faith with someone or witness to the goodness of God. But if we compound that over months and years, then it’s gonna shape our spiritual house as to whether it’s able to stand those storms and battles when they come.
Link to YouTube Video – Luke Chapter 16:1-13
Luke 16-1-13
Shades of Grace offers memorial services at no cost to any family in grief. A certified counselor is available on site upon request, and a Parents of Addicted Loved One group/peer support meets each Sunday at 4:00 p.m. There is no financial cost to any thing we offer. If you’re unable to attend in person, all services are available online and are listed in our archives. There is also a way for you to contribute financially by a secure giving site listed on our Facebook page. We want you to claim a place with this congregation. All are welcome regardless of status, race, gender or any other “label”. God loves you.
We have friends who sleep in the streets, abandoned buildings and automobiles. Yes,
these include children and women. Our facilities offer meals five days a week to anyone hungry from the broader community, hot showers, birth certificates, mail service, emergency clothing and groceries.
For many who die alone and unclaimed, we help provide cremation and a final resting place. All services are free and without any strings attached. Many churches, caring citizens and civic organizations make this all happen.
Our Mission Statement is “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for transformation of the world.” Many thanks to all who join hands and hearts in unity as together the work of the “Church” is carried out.
We are zero tolerance when safety issues arise. Our goal is to make every worshiper, guests, and volunteers experience an atmosphere of security at all times. We are serving a unique sector of the city’s residents. East Sullivan Street is a safer place and the United Methodist Church is a positive permanent presence there.
Yes, we pay for extra security service, as all other similar organizations are required to do. We are doing our part of building healthy relationships and faithfully follow God’s call to reach the last, least, lost and lonely of our works.
NEWS AT SHADES OF GRACE:
Pastor Regina and/or Dr. Smiddy holds Bible Study, Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.
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PAL – A group that is being formed for support parents of children with addiction.
Sunday is my true time of Sabbath, and I am grateful to be scattering gospel seeds along my path.
One of the vital services performed by Shades is the purchase of birth certificates for anyone who needs it. These documents are necessary for housing, jobs and many other reasons. Many of those who come to us are homeless and alienated from any family connection. So they don’t have access to this information, Jimmy secures the document and keeps a duplicate on file.
On July 1, 2014, I was appointed by the United Methodist Bishop to serve the streets of Kingsport, Tennessee.
As we prepare to begin our 10th year of ministry, we offer thanks and praise to God for more miracles than we could ever imagine. We are equally grateful for all our partners and friends who helped the ministry be where we are today. I look forward to sharing many more stories with you and experiencing many more virtual worship services. God be with you all.
Shades of Grace: A United Methodist Congregation is living proof of our living God who loves each one unconditionally and gives us all a reason to keep pushing forward in faith.
Join us online Sunday and revisit this very unique and enlightening worship event. And invite a friend to tune in too! I believe you will be inspired.
Ministry at God’s Living Room is a most life changing and rewarding experience. It is at times the most difficult and heart wrenching experiences. Only the Lord knows the true impact on lives of the least of these. There aren’t enough words to describe this storefront house of worship.
The one thing that has never changed in our ever evolving congregation is the acceptance of ALL people. I have said many times if everyone is not welcome, then no one is welcome. It’s all or nothing. I firmly believe this commitment of caring for the least of these is the reason for our miraculous success and growth in the city. I’m thankful to represent Jesus in the United Methodist Church.
We formerly live-streamed at 4:00 p.m. Sundays in real time. We continue streaming at that same time by edit\redaction and upload of previous Saturday service. Through it all, no aspect of our outreach and ministry ceased. We remain strong and vibrant as we seek to live into the vision of making disciples of Jesus Christ for transformation of our world. We are a safe sanctuary that welcomes and embraces ALL persons in the name of Jesus!
People come to the doors of Shades of Grace at all hours. People come in every size, shape, color, condition, circumstance, and unimaginable lifestyles. They come unhappy, high, hungover, ill, angry, rejected, dissatisfied, lonely, confused, unloved and feeling unworthy.
When they come, we do not ask them to answer questions or try to determine whether or not they are worthy.They simply come because the word ‘Church’ is on our windows. And Jesus says “Come.” We feed them, clothe them, give hot showers, medicines, and pray with those who are open to it. But all is done in Jesus’ Name. They know we will meet them where they are and not necessarily where we want them to be. A song we sing simply says, “People need the Lord. At the end of broken dreams, Christ is the open door.”
God loves all people. We are called to love all people. God is love. We’re simply scattering seeds and the Holy Spirit helps them grow. The end result belongs to God. We will continue to welcome, accept and embrace all people in the Name of Jesus Christ. We are the Church. We are the people of God. This is the Kingdom of God. It’s where I desire to be. Grateful for a storefront house of worship called Shades of Grace: A United Methodist Congregation. It is called God’s Living Room.
“Shades” began in October, 2014 as a new Church start of Holston Conference. Due to the nature of ministry with the least of these, there is no membership available. Anyone who claims a place here is accepted and given opportunities to be fully included in ministry. We offer sacrament of holy communion and baptism upon profession of faith. Worship is non traditional in many ways, but solidly grounded in Wesleyan Theology. We offer some of the very best music and worship to be found anywhere.
The ministry is active Monday through Saturdays every week, and closed on Sundays. We feed hundreds of meals to our community friends who are homeless and in need each week and provide hot showers for men and women. We furnish a clothing closet. We provide many funerals for homeless unclaimed in partnership with a local funeral home and Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Please share this ministry. It doesn’t matter where you live, who you love, car you drive (or not), live in a house or cardboard box, attire, piercings or tattoos. God loves ALL. As Oscar often says, “Pray for all who deal with addiction and depression. The world needs a lot more love. So, let it go; let it go.”
Challenging all to exercise and walk. Keeping up my steps. Staying healthy as possible to serve and witness for the Lord…Let’s get it done! Keep moving.
May eternal flames of the CHRIST candle continue to light our path as we “walk each other home”. My prayer is that not one of God’s little ones will ever be made to stumble because of my sincere efforts to fully follow the LORD. Thy will be done, LORD!
You can now listen to Shades of Grace on the Radio – FM 92.1
Everyone continue to pray for all who are feeling hopeless and helpless.
Link to YouTube Video – “Take Time to Be Holy”
Luke 10:27 “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”
It’s amazing how so many wandering souls make their way to our doors every day. Lord, May we be faithful to your call.
Serving the Last, Lost, Least and Lonely:
Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
FYI – Coming Events
Wednesday at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Bible Study with Pastor Regina Shelton, Will Shewey and Dr. Joe Smiddy
Recovery at Shades: Recovery meeting for ALL on Monday at 5:00 p.m. at 313 E. Sullivan St. Meetings will continue each Monday. Led by our Shades of Grace folk.
Would you like to share cards of encouragement with local persons in Recovery? Please write a note inside and drop them off at Shades of Grace at 313 E Sullivan Street anytime this week. Thank you friends!
“Link to YouTube Video – Watch Pastor Michele Beck’s Words of Inspiration
You Can Also Watch the Video of Sunday’s Service on the Shades of Grace UMC Facebook Page
We Have Provided a Donate Button for an Opportunity to Give. You will also be able to add prayer requests
