Blogging toward Sunday

Image of The Sea of Galilee via Wikimedia Commons

Sunday we begin a six-week sermon series on Nature. We will consider images and/or stories of water, mountains, trees, birds, animals and the overall message creation speaks to all who have eyes to see and ears to hear. In readiness, instead of the usual Blog contents, I will provide mostly pictures and poetry, with a few key Scripture verses to help you along the way.  Hopefully, you will journey through the next 6 weeks with an "eye" toward God in nature.

Key Texts: Genesis 1 and Psalm 8. May these passages give you a starting place to ponder the wonder of God's creation, in general, and the theme of water found in God's Word, in particular.

The following is a Water Prayer that recognizes our misuse of this life-giving resource. May it be our prayer this week:

Loving God,

whose son Jesus Christ

called all who were thirsty

to come to him, believe and drink,

Look in mercy

on your people living in dry lands, and

struggling to survive without access to

safe drinking water.

Forgive our selfishness in life and our

misuse of

our natural resources.

We commit ourselves to value and care

for your gifts to us.

May rivers of living water

and practical compassion for all who

suffer flow out from our hearts.

Refreshed by your Spirit,

and following in the way of Jesus

Christ,

We will continue to serve you

in the people and creation entrusted to

our care.

Amen.

(Adapted from a prayer by Rev Canon Paul Robertson 2004)

May the Lord bless you this 4th of July week. I look forward to our Sunday worship, especially as we gather around the waters of our baptism to confess our sins, and around the Table of our Lord to partake of  Holy Communion.

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

The Lectionary readings for Sunday, June 30 include Psalm 77:1-2,11-20 and Galatians 5:1,13-25. First read the psalm, which happens to include a hymn recalling the events of the exodus.

Image via churchart.com

Now turn your attention to Paul's letter to the church in Galatia. Read through the text at least twice. Then consider the following:

1. In this portion of the letter, what grabs your attention?
2. What does Paul write concerning freedom?
3. What does Paul say about the law?
4. What single commandment sums up the law?
5. Verse 16 begins, "Live by the Spirit..." Literally, this means to "walk by the Spirit." What does "walking by the Spirit" mean to you?
6. Note the list of vices mentioned by Paul.
7. Note the list of virtues.

On your journey toward Sunday, may you find ways to love your neighbor as yourself. As always, I look forward to our worship time together.

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

Image of Psalms from Dead Sea Scrolls via Wikimedia Commons

On your journey toward Sunday, first read Paul's writing to the church in Galatia from Galatians 3:23-29. In the last verse Paul writes, "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise." As heirs of Abraham and as Christians, we are particularly blessed that the Hebrew Scriptures are included in our own sacred texts. In light of this, the sermon for Sunday will focus on the Jewish "songbook," if you will, specifically Psalm 42 and 43.

The Psalms, or the Psalter, is a collection of prayers and songs composed and collected throughout the history of the people of Israel. While these poetic songs include songs of thanksgiving and praise, there are also a large selection of songs of lament or prayers for help. In some cases it is an individual who is crying out to God. In others, the entire community is responding to overwhelming distress by pleading to God.

Since Psalm 42 and 43 are actually only one psalm, we will be considering both readings. Through the spiritual practice of Lectio Divina, slowly and prayerfully read Psalm 42-43. What do you notice from the reading? Does something specific get your attention? Now, try to place yourself in the story by imagining that you are one of the people of Israel who has been in Babylonian captivity. Read the text again, slowly and prayerfully. What new learning do you notice this time? Finally, read the passage one last time, but this time pay particular attention to metaphors and images of water. You may wish to close your time of study and reading by saying The Lord's Prayer or Psalm 23 either silently or aloud.

As always, I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday. May God bless you and those you love.

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

The Apostle Paul by Rembrandt; via Wikimedia Commons

In preparation for worship read Galatians 2:11-21. Actually, verses 11-14 are not included in the Lectionary texts for Sunday, but including them will help you better understand the "big picture." As you reflect on the reading, consider the following:

1. What is the issue between Paul and Peter?
2. How does Paul react?
3. Regarding verses 15-21, what is Paul's argument?
4. What strikes you as most interesting about this passage of Scripture?

During my study of Galatians 2:15-21, the sentence that jumps out for me is found in verse 20: "It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me." As you journey toward Sunday, ponder this one question: "How does my life demonstrate that Christ lives in me?"

Blessings,

Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

Image via Wikimedia Commons

The Lectionary readings for Sunday include Psalm 146 and Galatians 1:11-24. In order to get a clearer perspective on the situation in the church of Galatia, it would be helpful to read the entire chapter.

After you have prayerfully read the text, consider the following:

1. What is the tone of the beginning of the letter?
2. How does the tone change in verse 6?
3. What is the issue Paul is addressing?
4. In response to the challenges before him, Paul tells the story of his own calling in a way that highlights God's initiative. 

No doubt, Paul was a man with a strong personality. Even today there are people who are less than fond of Paul, thinking of him as arrogant and self-righteous. As you journey toward Sunday, reflect on your own feelings toward Paul. What do you like about him? What do you dislike? Have you ever given him much thought at all?

In his book, Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians, Tom Wright has this to say:

We are all different, and as the old Puritan said, God does not break all hearts in the same way. But it is a central strand of most Christian living that everybody needs, from time to time, to wrestle privately with God and his will. It is necessary, too, that church leaders should be seen to be telling their own story truly. For Paul, his story was closely linked with  God's unveiling of Jesus as the true messiah, the crucified and risen Lord of the world. His life, his vocation, his whole identity was stamped with the gospel message.

May God bless you this week. As always, I look forward to seeing you at the Celtic Worship Service Saturday at 5 p.m. and at worship on Sunday.

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

Image via Wikimedia Commons

We celebrate Pentecost on Sunday, May 19th. In preparation, read John 14:8-17 and Acts 2:1-21. Then spend some time meditating on these questions:

1. What does it mean to you that on the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came to reside within all believers?
2. In what way did some doubters explain the extraordinary behavior of Jesus' followers?
3. How do you see the Holy Spirit at work in our church today?
4. How do you see the Holy Spirit at work in your own life?

May the following "Blessing for Pentecost," written by Joyce Rupp encourage you on your journey toward Sunday.

May the enthusiasm of Spirit leap incessantly within you and help you to live a vibrant life.
May the warmth of Spirit's fire be extended through your concern and care for all those who need your love.
May the blaze of Spirit's courage enable you to speak the truth and to stand up for respect, dignity, and justice.
May the undying embers of Spirit's faithfulness support you when you feel spiritually dry and empty.
May the strength of Spirit's love sustain your hope as you enter into the pain of our world.
May the clear light of Spirit's guidance be a source of effective discernment and decision-making for you.
May Spirit's patient endurance be yours while you wait for what is unknown to be revealed.
May the steady flame of Spirit's goodness within you convince you every day of the power of your presence with others.
May the joyful fire of Spirit dance within you and set happiness ablaze in your life.
May the spark of your relationship with Spirit catch afire in the hearts of those with whom you live and work.
May you be mindful of the Eternal Flame within you. May you rely on this Source of Love to be your constant ally and steady guide.

As always, I look forward to worshiping you with you Sunday. This week I especially look forward to our wondrous celebration of Pentecost.

Blessings,
Glenda

 

Blogging toward Sunday

The texts for Sunday, May 12, 2013 include John 17:20-26 and Acts 16:16-34. Prayerfully read each passage at least two times.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus concludes his High Priestly Prayer. What do you notice about this prayer? For whom is Jesus praying? For what?

Now turn to the reading from Acts. Herein, we get a glimpse of what the new kingdom of God will look like. It will be a place where people are free--free from physical slavery as well as spiritual slavery. What else do you learn from this passage?

I invite you to spend some time reflecting on the following writing by Hans Kung found in his book, On Being a Christian:

What kind of kingdom will this be?
What kind of kingdom will this be?
It will be a kingdom where, in accordance with Jesus' prayer, God's name is truly hallowed, his will is done on earth, human beings will have everything in abundance, all sins will be forgiven and all evil overcome.

It will be a kingdom where, in accordance with Jesus' promises, the poor, the hungry, those who weep and those who are downtrodden will finally come into their own; where pain, suffering and death will have an end.

It will be a kingdom that cannot be described, but only made known in metaphors: as the new covenant, the seed springing up, the ripe harvest, the great banquet, the royal feast.

It will therefore be a kingdom--wholly as the prophets foretold--of absolute righteousness, of unsurpassable freedom, of dauntless love, of universal reconciliation, of everlasting peace. In this sense therefore it will be the time of salvation, of fulfillment, of consummation, of God's presence: the absolute future.
 

May the Lord bless you on your journey toward Sunday.
Shalom,
Glenda