“Saving Starfish when Starfish are outlawed,” a sermon at Downey Memorial Christian Church, December 3, 2017

A friend who came to hear me preach later said, “you know, these days, we could just get on social media and get like 45 people to the beach to help us save starfish.”That would actually have strengthened my sermon. But here it is now, just in time for advent.

The scripture was Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19.

¹Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth

²before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!

³Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

⁴O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

⁵You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.

⁶You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.

⁷Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

¹⁷But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself.

¹⁸Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.

¹⁹Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.