Lenten Lesson 4 -- The hallmark of a grateful man

Evie Caldwell prepares to play the introit Friday afternoon at the beginning of the Community Lenten service at Memorial United Methodist Church. Caldwell has served as organist at each of the services this year.
(Dawn Cribbs/McCook Daily Gazette)

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"It is the hallmark of Christianity," said the Rev. Gary Brethour, pastor at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, during the Community Lenten service Friday at Memorial United Methodist Church.

"If we aren't people of gratitude our spiritual growth is hindered," he warned.

Alicia Ulmer sings "Watch the Lamb" for an attentive audience of 135 during the Community Lenten service at Memorial United Methodist Church. The song, by Ray Boltz, tells the story of the crucifixion from the perspective of Simon of Cyrene, the man compelled by the Roman soldiers to carry Jesus' cross to Golgotha.
(Dawn Cribbs/McCook Daily Gazette)

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The event, told in Luke 17:11-19, reveals that of the 10 who were healed of "that living death," only one, and a Samaritan at that, returned to Jesus with thanksgiving.

"'Were not all 10 cleansed?'" Jesus asked. "'Where are the other nine?''

The Rev. Gary Brethour, left, pastor at St. Patrick's Catholic Church and the Rev. Jon Albrecht, pastor at McCook Harvest Church share the podium Friday afternoon at Memorial United Methodist Church to open the fourth Community Lenten service for an audience of 135.
(Dawn Cribbs/McCook Daily Gazette)

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Brethour recalled an experience his brother had in San Jose, Calif., when he encountered another motorist on the side of the highway, hood up with smoke pouring from the engine compartment.

"My brother pulled over to help," said Brethour, "and grabbing his fire extinguisher, put out the engine fire."

To his brother's astonishment, the other driver simply closed his hood, returned to the driver's seat and pulled back into traffic.

"Not a thank you, not even an offer to reimburse him for the expended extinguisher," said an astonished Brethour. "He was flabbergasted by this man's lack of civility, of gratitude."

How do we respond? Brethour asked. It matters. It especially matters when we consider that the Passion of Christ has cured us of the "leprosy of sin."

"He has saved us from death," Brethour stressed, "There is no other cure that can heal us of our estrangement from God our Father."

This stranger, this "Samaritan" returned and worshipped, said Brethour. He fell at the feet of Jesus, thanking him.

And so, we too, worship. Not just on Sundays as the family of God, but every day, Brethour stressed, because God gives, every day. "God is the one who hears our cries in the middle of the night."

How else do we show our gratitude, Brethour wondered.

Giving, he explained -- of time, talent and treasures -- is gratitude in action. And, according to a former seminary classmate of Brethour, giving is accomplished in two ways: Giving to a need or needing to give.

"Even the desire to give is given to us by God," Brethour revealed. "Even if there was no need -- as if that could ever happen," he offered in an aside, "we still have a deep-seated need to give, a need given to us by God."

In fact, it is the act of giving that allows us to receive, he explained. "If our hands are full, how can we receive, unless we first give?"

It is God's good pleasure to give, Brethour continued, "and because he is pleased to give, we receive grace upon grace."

"First, give your time in prayer," instructed Brethour. For any relationship to grow there must be communication. Prayer is communication. Give your time to worship, he added. Keep an attitude of gratitude every day.

He shared a favorite phrase from a friend who survived a Nazi concentration camp. "Count your blessings," and took it a step further.

"Write them down, one by one, on page after page, and then when a bad day comes, take it down and reflect again on the goodness of God."

Brethour also advised, "At the top of each page, draw a picture of the cross. It shows us the love of God, a love we can never outlive."

He also encouraged the community congregation to gather, as the family of God, to give thanks, to worship. offering this reminder, in the form of a prayer:

"Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks. You have no need of our praise, yet our desire to thank you is itself your gift. Our prayer of thanksgiving adds nothing to your greatness, But makes us grow in your grace."

The Rev. Jon Albrecht served as worship leader and Evie Caldwell again lent her talents at the organ. Alicia Ulmer sang "Watch the Lamb," a song written by Ray Boltz that tells the story of the crucifixion through the eyes of Simon of Cyrene, the man compelled to carry Jesus' cross.

The congregation of St. Patrick's Catholic Church provided a tuna casserole, coleslaw, dinner rolls and desserts at the luncheon following the message. They also waited tables, offering beverages.

The annual Community Lenten services are sponsored by the Red Willow County Ministerial Association. A free will offering in support of the work of the ministerial association is accepted at the entrance to the sanctuary. A second free will offering is accepted in the Fellowship Hall to help defray the cost of the meal provided by the preaching minister's congregation.

The series of lessons continues at 12:05 p.m., Friday at Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Mary Hendricks, pastor at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, speaking on the healing of Jairus' daughter and the woman with hemorrhages.

For more information on the Red Willow Ministerial Association and to listen to an audio recording of each service, go online to: www.mccookchurches.org