Blogging toward Sunday

"Light of the World" via Wikimedia Commons

In preparation for worship this Sunday, February 9th, take some time to simply reflect on the art provided above. What do you notice about the painting? What draws you in? What do you like best about it? How does gazing at it make you feel?

Now, turn to the Scripture readings for Sunday that include Isaiah 58:1-9a and Matthew 5:13-20. First, read through the passage from Isaiah. Herein, how are false religion and true religion described? In verse 9, what is stated as the consequence of true religion?

Finally, turn to the gospel reading which is part of the Sermon on the Mount. What are the topics of Jesus' address? How are salt and light portrayed? In Jesus' eyes, how righteous are the scribes and Pharisees, really? What does the word "righteousness" mean to you? In your own faith journey, how do you live your life as salt and light? Is there a way in which you feel God is calling you to be "saltier" or more of a "light-bearer?"

On your journey toward Sunday, allow time to simply be with God and quietly listen to what message God might have for you now, at this very moment of your life.

As always, I look forward to the next time we gather to worship our Lord and Savior. 

Until then, may the following blessing (found in the Iona Abbey Worship Book) be yours:

May God, who knows your path 

and the places where you rest,  

be with you in your waiting,

be your good news for sharing,

and lead you in the way that is everlasting. Amen.

Shalom,

Glenda 

Blogging toward Sunday

The Sermon on the Mount (1896), Károly Ferenczy via Wikimedia Commons

In preparation for worship this Sunday, read Micah 6:1-8. This text contains some of the most frequently quoted words of the Hebrew Bible. What are they?

Now let's turn our attention to the gospel reading for the day: Matthew 5:1-12. You will notice that this, too, is a well-known text. Take time to read it a couple of times and then reflect on the following:

1. What is this sermon often called?
2. Jesus begins teaching here at the beginning of chapter 5. Where does this section of teaching end?
3. The Beatitudes begin with the word "Blessed," in some Bible translations, while the word is interpreted as "Happy" in others. In your opinion, which translation of the word better fits the teaching? Why?
4. What strikes you as most important about The Beatitudes?

On your journey toward Sunday, I hope you are able to sit a while with Scripture and the above questions. Then join us in worship so we can continue the discussion.

May you and those you love know the power of God's blessings this week.

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

Google Image used by permission via Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD

In preparation for worship read Isaiah 9:1-4 and reflect on the following:

1. What promises do you find in this text?
2. How is light used as a metaphor?
3. What nations/lands are named?

Now turn to our gospel reading found in Matthew 4:12-23. Using the spiritual practice of lectio divina, read through the passage at least 3 times. After each reading, sit prayerfully, considering what word or phrase God might be speaking directly to you today. Afterward, spend a few moments considering the following:

1. What does Jesus mean when he calls his followers to be "fishers of people"?
2. What must I leave behind to be a faithful disciple of Jesus?

Finally, I offer you this prayer from Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion, edited by Kimberly Bracken Long:

God, our light and our salvation,

Jesus announced the nearness of your kingdom

and called his disciples to be fishers of women and men.

Give us courage to follow in the way of Jesus,

that our lives may bear witness to the good news of the 

kingdom at hand

and our vocation serve to draw people to your salvation;

through your Son, Jesus Christ, in the power of

the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May the Lord bless you and those you love this week. I look forward to seeing you face to face on Sunday and joining you in worship of our Gracious and Holy God.

Shalom,

Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

John the Baptist; Image via Wikimedia Commons

Our Scripture readings for Sunday include Isaiah 49:1-7 and John 1:29-42. In the gospel reading John the Baptist testifies about Jesus, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on [Jesus]. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God." Afterward, two of John's disciples leave in order to follow Jesus. 

Take time to read through the passage from John at least twice. Then consider the following:

1. How do you imagine the person, John the Baptist?
2. What was John's calling?
3. Did he fulfill it?
4. Finally, what is your calling and how are you fulfilling it?

As always, I look forward to worshiping with you Sunday.

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

via Google Images

This Sunday we continue our journey through Advent by considering a "Theology of Time." In preparation for worship, take some time to sit quietly for a while with the following Scripture readings: Genesis 1:1-5, Exodus 3:14-15, and Matthew 11:2-11. Then reflect on these questions:

1. What kind of relationship do I have with time?
2. How do I use it?
3. Whose is it?
4. How often do I consult God before planning the hour, the day, the week, the year?

A prayer written by Fiona Bennett entitled "The hope of the Seed" speaks to "time" in a special way. May her words be a blessing for you this week.

The hope of the Seed

            In this waiting time, creating Spirit,

            we give you thanks for the new life,

            the new world which rose up

            from the Seed which died.

            We thank you for the hope of the Seed.

We take encouragement that over many years

the life of the Seed has spread,

wending its way across the earth;

flourishing where it finds welcomed space;

greening;

bringing new life wherever it finds root.

Help us to be good gardeners;

to recognize Christ’s Seed wherever it grows;

to learn how best to care for the Seed;

to work hard with patience, endurance and faith

throughout the seasons;

to experience the pleasure, challenge and delight

of the gardener

as we nurture Christ’s greening of the whole earth. 

As always, I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday.

Shalom, 

Glenda.

Blogging toward Sunday

I hope you will join us for worship this Sunday when the CHPC Choir presents "Breath of Heaven." In the meantime, as your journey through Advent, one question and two tasks are before you. First, during the week, meditate on how the God-given gift of music enriches your life during Christmas and throughout the year. Then, I hope you will enjoy two musical treats. The first is a video a young friend shared with me recently. It is truly amazing. The second video is "Hallelujah Chorus" presented in an original and powerful way. Enjoy!

May the Lord bless you and the people whom you love during the Seasons of Advent & Christmas.

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

via Google Images

The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The season provides a time of celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and a time of anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Therefore, Advent is more than a historical marker of something that took place 2000 years ago. It’s a time frame with a double focus—both past and future. Advent also has a present focus—symbolizing the spiritual journey of persons and congregations, who yearn to live holy lives during these “in between times.”

On our journey through Advent this year, we will consider how we live out “time” as we wait. In preparation for Sunday, read Genesis 1:1-5, Exodus 3:14-15, and Matthew 11:2-11. Then join us for worship as we ponder a theology of time and the importance of living spiritually, in the present tense. 

May the following prayer written by John Bell bless you on your Advent journey.

You keep us waiting.

You, the God of all time,

want  us to wait

for the right time in which to discover

who we are, where we are to go,

who will be with us, and what we must do.

So thank you…for the waiting time.

You keep us looking.

You, the God of all space,

want us to look in the right and wrong places

for signs of hope,

for people who are hopeless,

for visions of a better world which will appear

among the disappointments of the world we know.

So thank you…for the looking time.

You keep us loving.

You, the God whose name is love,

want us to be like you—

to love the loveless and the unlovely and the unloveable;

and, most difficult of all,

to love ourselves.

So thank you…for the loving time.

And in all this,

you keep us.

Through hard questions with no easy answers;

through failing where we hoped to succeed

and making an impact where we felt we were useless;

through the patience and the dreams and the love of others;

and through Jesus Christ and his Spirit,

you keep us.

So thank you…for the keeping time,

and for now,

and for ever,

Amen.

I look forward to our time of worship this Sunday.

Shalom,

Glenda