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<v SPEAKER_00>Welcome to the Spray United Methodist Church podcast.

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<v SPEAKER_00>My name is Hoyt, and I am grateful you are here today.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Let us take a moment to slow down, breathe, and rest in the presence of God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Today I want to talk about something I call the ministry of showing up.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Most of the Christian life is not lived in extraordinary moments, it is lived in ordinary faithfulness.

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<v SPEAKER_00>One prayer at a time, one act of kindness at a time, one faithful step after another.

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<v SPEAKER_00>When Jesus called his disciples, he did not hand them a ministry manual.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He simply said, Follow me.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They followed, they listened, they learned, they failed, they were forgiven, and they kept showing up.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That encourages me because the disciples were ordinary people.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Over time, by the grace of God, they were transformed because they stayed close to Jesus.

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<v SPEAKER_00>There are days when showing up is easy.

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<v SPEAKER_00>There are other days when the body hurts, the schedule is heavy, and our strength feels small.

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<v SPEAKER_00>On those days, faithfulness may not look impressive to anyone else, but God sees it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God sees the caregiver who keeps caring, the volunteer who keeps serving, the church member who keeps praying, the person who comes to worship after a difficult week.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Sometimes wisdom tells us to rest.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Sometimes wisdom tells us to ask for help.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But there is also a holy perseverance that says, Lord, if you give me strength for this day, I will use that strength to serve you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I think about this in the community table.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Sometimes the food goes quickly, sometimes there is more need than we can meet, but sometimes something important happens when the church shows up.

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<v SPEAKER_00>A family is greeted, a neighbor is seen, a person who feels forgotten is treated with dignity.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Food is placed into hands, but something more is offered.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We offer the love of Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The greatest example of showing up is Jesus Himself.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus shows up for the sick, the weary, the outcast, and the sinner.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He walked among people.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He listened.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He cared.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He loved.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And ultimately he showed up to the cross for us.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We do not show up to earn God's love.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We show up because Jesus first showed up for us.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Maybe someone listening today feels that what they do is small, their service is quiet, their work is mostly unseen.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Do not underestimate small faithfulness, a prayer, a visit, a meal, a ride, a kind word, a moment of patience.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God can use these ordinary acts in extraordinary ways.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The kingdom of God is built through many small acts of obedience offered to a great and holy God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So today, do not underestimate the ministry of showing up.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Show up with humility, show up with patience, show up with love.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You do not have to have all the answers.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You do not have to have to change the world today.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You simply need to be faithful where God has placed you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And when you are tired, ask God for strength.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Then take the next faithful step.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Let us pray.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Gracious and holy God, thank you for faithfulness to us.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Thank you for showing up in our lives to Jesus Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Help us to not overlook the ordinary places where you call us to be faithful.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Strengthen those who are tired.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Encourage those who feel unnoticed.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Comfort those who carry heavy burdens.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Teach us that ministry is not always dramatic.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Sometimes it begins with simply being present.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Help us to show up with the love of Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Amen.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Thank you for joining me on the Spray United Methodist Church podcast.

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<v SPEAKER_00>If you do not have a church home, we invite you to worship with us at Spray United Methodist Church, 803 Morgan Road, Eden, North Carolina.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Until next time, may God bless you, keep you, and remind you that faithfulness often begins with simply showing up.