We continue our sermon series from Matthew with the Parable of the Talents.  There are some troubling things about this parable, as, for example, the setting of the servant and the master.  Then there’s the ending with the third servant being tossed out into the darkness.  What did this servant do or not do that relegates him to this end?  The master is actually quite generous with what he trusts to the servants.  The third servant accuses the master of cruelty and selfishness.  But the third servant’s greater mistake may be that he took no risks.  This parable calls out for Christ’s followers not to take the gifts we have received from God and sit on them, but to step out and take a risk for the sake of love.  (NOTE: We are beginning to reopen from the COVID-19 pandemic.  The early service has a chamber choir but no congregation.  The late service has a limited congregation but no choir.  Except for some of the music, the services are essentially the same.  NOTE: Both videos begin with the Children’s Moment or sermon, but after starting you can scroll back to the beginning of the service if you want to see the entire service.)