Blogging through October

We start the month of October by celebrating World Communion Sunday. What a wonderful way to begin thinking about the coming fall harvest and God's great generosity. Throughout the month, take time to prepare for worship by referring to this post each week. Reflect on the readings and questions or comments. Then, let us gather on The Lord's Day to sing, pray, listen, and commune with our Holy and Loving God. 

October 5, 2014

World Communion Sunday (originally called World Wide Communion Sunday) is a gift of the Presbyterian Church to the larger ecumenical church. The first celebration occurred at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburg, PA in 1933. Dr. Hugh Thompson Kerr, who presided over the first service, had this to say, several years later, "The concept spread very slowly at the start. People did not give it a whole lot of thought. It was during the Second World War that the spirit caught hold, because we were trying to hold the world together. World Wide Communion symbolized the effort to hold things together, in a spiritual sense. It emphasized that we are one in the Spirit and the Gospel of Jesus Christ." In preparation for this Sunday's worship, meditate on ways the very act of dining at The Lord's Table feeds you spiritually and brings you closer to people all over the globe. 

October 12, 2014

Read Matthew 22:1-14 and then consider the following:

1. In this text, what does Jesus say the kingdom of heaven is like?
2. Who are invited to the banquet?
3. What strikes you as most important about this reading?
4. About what would you like to know more?

October 19, 2014

Read Matthew 22:15-22.

1. What agenda do the Pharisees have in this reading?
2. Who joins them in their endeavor?
3. At the end of the day, what are the "things that are God's"?

October 26, 2014   ("Glory to God" Hymnal Dedication)

Read Exodus 15:20-21 and Revelation 19:1-8 and then consider the following:
Herein, songs are sung to worship God. Take a moment to reflect on other songs that are recorded in Scripture. In this day and time, what song do you sing to God? With words? With music? With your very life?

As always, I look forward to worshiping with you each Sunday morning. Come along, and bring a friend.

Shalom,

Glenda

Blogging through September

After completing the Sermon Series: Questions Jesus Asked, we return to the Lectionary as our guide through the ordinary days of Jesus' ministry. In preparation for worship each Sunday, be sure to refer back to this post each week and reflect on the readings and questions / comments. Then, let us gather on The Lord's Day to sing, pray, listen, and commune with our Holy and Loving God.  

September 9

Read Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20

1. From the Romans passage, what does Paul teach about fulfilling the law?
2. From his perspective, what time is it?
3. Turning to the gospel reading, reflect for a moment on verse 20. What happens in the midst of two or three gathered in Jesus' name?

September 14

Read Romans 14:1-12 and Matthew 18:21-35 

1. From Romans, what stands out for you as important about this reading? Why?
2. Turning to Matthew, who poses the question that Jesus answers with a parable?
3. What is the question?
4. How does Jesus' answer go against the grain of what we would expect?

September 21

Read Philippians 1:21-30 and Matthew 20:1-16

1. In his letter to the church of Philippi, what does Paul see as "gain"?
2. In the reading from Matthew, what does Jesus say the kingdom of heaven is like?
3. What is counter-intuitive about this parable?
4. How does the story end?

September 28

Read Philippians 2:1-13 and Matthew 21:23-32

1. In his letter to the church of Philippi, what does Paul urge the people to do?
2. How do you seek to "let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus"?
3. From the gospel reading, who questions Jesus' authority?
4. What meaning do you garner from the parable of the two sons?

As always, I look forward to our time of worship each Sunday. Come along and bring a friend!

Shalom,

Glenda