"Treat People With Kindness" Message from Sunday, November 8, 2020

Preachers: Paloma Campi & Sophia Downs

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Listen to podcast | Tithes and Offerings

Sermon Transcript

Will you pray with me please

Gracious and loving God, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight oh God, our rock and our redeemer. Amen.

My name is Paloma Campi and I am a member of the Epworth community. I love Harry Styles. Some of you may know who he is--but for those of you who don't--he's a popular singer who used to be in a British boy band called One Direction. After One Direction went on hiatus, he became a solo artist. One of the reasons I'm attracted to him is his main motto, which is, "Treat people with kindness." Through Harry's music I have learned a greater sense of self-love and appreciation leading up to this election.

Like many of you, I have been quite anxious. When I woke up on election day though, I opened my phone to find that Harry Styles had posted on Instagram. He posted a simple black picture with the words, "Vote with kindness" written on it. This was calming to me, because even though Harry can't vote in the United States, he still used his platform of over 32 million followers to share a message of hope and compassion.

I'm sharing this message with my friend Sophia Downs, so let's hear from her.

Sophia:

Have you ever done something for someone without expecting anything in return? How did you feel afterwards? You probably felt pretty good. Do you remember a time when you were feeling low? I imagine with all the stresses of the election, on top of the global pandemic, that many of you have had a lot of low points recently.

What was something that might have made you feel a little bit better? Whether it's a text from a friend, or a helping hand when doing the dishes, there are many little things others can do for us to help us feel better. You can be the friend or the helping hand for someone else too. Maybe you can make someone else feel a little less anxious or worried.

Though the "Treat People with Kindness" campaign was created to encourage young people to spread joy and compassion, it is for anyone who feels empowered to be kind. Treating people with kindness may sound easy, but if you have ever gone out on a limb to do something for someone, you know it takes courage to be kind. By being his unique self, Harry is showing other people it's okay to be themselves. That is a kindness to himself and to others.

In the scripture you heard earlier, Paul writes a letter to one of the churches he started. In this letter, he says to love your neighbor even if you do not agree with them. His point is that no one is better than anyone else, and no one knows everything. So, we should approach every situation with an open mind. Paul tells us to praise God but to remember to love one another despite our disagreements, and because of our differences.

Paloma:

You may be thinking, where do I belong in all this? Well maybe take some time this week to do one kind thing for someone else. This can be complementing a stranger's mask, or helping out a family member. One kind thing I've seen someone do is pay for the person behind them in a drive-through. In these situations, usually when the person realizes that someone else paid for their food, they pay for the person behind them and the cycle continues. Imagine if everyone in our congregation gave one compliment or did something nice to someone each day this week. And like the drive-through, those people might give someone else a compliment and those people might do a kind need for someone else. Think about how many people our Epworth community could reach with these simple acts of kindness. Amen.

***

Order of Service (Bulletin) - November 1, 2020

The Community Gathers

Prelude - Rev. Jerry Asheim 

Welcome & Announcements - Orion Lacey

Stewardship Moment - Paul Nasman & Anna Dellert

Opening Hymn: "For the Healing of the Nations" - Video by Chet Valley Churches, used with permission

Invocation - Alina McVey

To Hear the Word

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:12-17 - Meilin Jokela

Children’s Time - Orion Lacey

Anthem: "Wayfaring Stranger" - Sonia Seldon & Judy Kriege

Message: "Treat People with Kindness (TPWK)" - Paloma Campi & Sophia Downs

To Respond and Renew Commitment

Hymn of Response: "For the Healing of the Nations" UM Hymnal #428 - Rev. Jerry Asheim

Prayers of the People - Alexander Naar

Special Video - Epworth Youth God Squad; Compiled by Orion Lacey

The Prayer Jesus Taught (The Lord's Prayer) - Juliet Sisk-Hilton

Offering Our Tithes and Gifts - Gus Schafer

Offertory Music: "Great is Thy Thankfulness" - Caroline & Aeri Lee; Photos by Jamuel Starkey

To Disperse in Love and Compassion

Prayer of Dedication - Max Sisk-Hilton

Closing Hymn: "What Does the Lord Require of You" The Faith We Sing #2174 - Jim & Jeanne Strathdee

Benediction - Orion Lacey

Postlude - Rev. Jerry Asheim

​​Special thanks to:

Video producer: Tai Jokela

Podcast producer: Ethan Lindsey

Livestream producer: Merrie Bunt