These Utah high school students caused quite a stir with their chocolate chip cookies!

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(Thanks to Joy Ray for finding this news item)

Is slavery one of the ingredients in the packaging of wild caught seafood?  Probably.  According to an AP story, men from Burma are routinely enslaved to work the trawlers around Indonesia.  And because most of the work happens offshore, the slavery is hard to document and track.  These men, held by the “Lord of Death”, need the gospel of life!

(Thanks to Lisa Bartelt for drawing attention to this story.)

John 9:1-4; John 14:11-12

Jesus said to his disciples, “we must work the works of him who sent me” (verse 4). He later predicted that those who believed in him would do the same (and greater) works. As you reflect back on God’s works and the works of Jesus, what words come to mind about the nature of those works? How does that provide direction for your works in Jesus’ name—especially as it relates to low-wage workers? What should we expect to see happen when we do God’s work in the world?

There is no devotional for Sunday, March 29, 2015

This is the reason that we are on a Fast Food Fast for worker justice, why we are holding a Worker Justice Symposium ( WJ Symposium Poster ) TODAY at the Logan Square Library (1 pm),  and why we are joining Arise Chicago, Interfaith Worker Justice and others on April 15 to call for a raise in the minimum wage.

On Sunday, March 29, Kimball Avenue Church will participate with other Logan Square Churches in an event called, “We Who Are Many are One: From the Lord’s Table to Every Table.”  We’ll begin our Sunday at 3429 W. Diversey Ave for Worship at 10 am, then proceed with the other churches to the Logan Square Eagle monument at 11:30 am where we will break bread together with fast food workers and then parade to the local McDonald’s for a prayer vigil.  For more information, go to the Facebook Event page.  Be sure to DRESS FOR COLD WEATHER and bring an umbrella in case of showers.

Genesis 2:4-9, 15-20

In this version of the creation story, what roles are given to the human in the garden? How is the human a co-worker with God? Is your job (employment) the same as your work? If we are “co-workers” with God in the world, what does that imply we will do in the world? When do you most feel you are doing God’s work—whether at your workplace or elsewhere?

Exploitation of labor to produce our crops has been happening from the beginning…and it is still happening.  Watch the trailer of the documentary, “Food Chains”.  It is available for rent (limited time 0.99 rental) through iTunes.

Genesis 1:24-2:3;

What work are humans assigned? Would you say that work/labor is “divine punishment” for sin (see Genesis 3:16-19) or “divine calling”? If it is “divine calling”, how does that impact your work and your attitude toward your work? If it is “divine calling”, what attitude should we have toward those who cannot find employment or who work without pay or benefits?

The Northwest Indiana Times reports that Mitch Daniels, former Governor of Indiana and current President of Purdue University, has proposed a new way to fund higher education.  Investors would pay tuition for students who would pay back the investors using post-graduate income.  Opponents say this is nothing more than indentured servitude and would discourage students from entering fields that are traditionally lower paying–like teaching.  Read the entire story HERE.

Matthew 20:1-16

What surprises you about the landowner’s employment practices? Why do you think he would hire people at 5:00 pm—an hour before quitting time? What seems to motivate the actions of the landowner in hiring AND in wages? Do you think the workers’ complaint about unfair treatment is valid?

This is a story about the kingdom of heaven. How is employment and wages in the kingdom different from employment and wages in our world? Who receives the greatest benefits from “kingdom labor practices?” Would you like to work in the kingdom of heaven? Why or why not?

For Pastor Ray’s perspective on this story as it relates to employment and wages, go HERE