This Sunday we did not have a regular sermon – instead, we all listened to the book “Stone Soup.” Stone Soup is an old folk tale in which strangers enter a village and, hungry from their journey, knock on doors to ask for food. However, each time they ask they are told that there is no food. Deciding that the inhabitants of the town must be poorer than they are, the travelers decide to make Stone soup. They are given a big pot, they fill it with water, and then add a stone, telling those who are watching them that they are making a magical soup – and adding that it would be just a little better if it had a carrot. A small child offers up a carrot; it is added to the soup. Then the travelers ponder how a potato could add flavor as well, and someone offers a potato – and little by little the town people each donate something for the pot – one green bean, one egg noodle, one kernel of corn – and as more and more vegetables are added to the pot, the soup becomes better and better. At the end, the travelers have a big pot of warm, tasty soup that is shared with each of the villagers, who are quick to bring tables and bread and cheese – and all are eat and satisfied. And all of that from a stone and water. The story shows how, when we all share what we can, we can make amazing things happen. Church is a little like Stone Soup. We all come together and we all add our gifts to the pot and cook up something wonderful and delicious – all it takes are the waters of baptism and Jesus our rock. Together we become a small example of what God’s dream of shalom for the world looks like. What makes us the community – the soup - we are? Are there ingredients we need more of? Are there ingredients that we would like to see less of? Are there ingredients not in the pot, that we would like to try? What is the perfect recipe for our stone soup?? What can you share and add to the pot? This is an invitation – a call – to make 2019 the Year of Stone Soup for Trinity. “Bring what you’ve got. Put it in the pot. Every bit counts, From the largest to he least. Together we can celebrate A Stone Soup feast!”[1] Let's all bring our ingredients – no matter how big or small. Whatever it is, bring it, throw it in the pot – and let us make stone soup. Let us stir it all up and let us serve the community the best 'soup' there is in Collegeville. May we be a place where nobody goes hungry and everybody gets their fill. [1] From “Stone Soup” as retold by Heather Forest and published by August House (1998)
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Current Worship BulletinCopyright & Recording/Streaming NoticeMusic used in worship services that is not in public domain has been copied, recorded, podcasted, and/or streamed using the following licenses:
ONE LICENSE A-729543 CCLI Copyright License 20805891 CCLI Streaming License 20805884 ONLINE WORSHIPWorship is normally live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/TrinityUCCCollegeville
Worship BulletinAuthorPastor Suzanne Schwarz-Green is the pastor of Trinity Reformed Church, UCC, in Collegeville, PA. Archives
October 2022
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