Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Scripture Readings for the next two Sundays

Hello Everyone,

Last week I tried an experiment with this weekly email. Rather than commenting on each of the scripture lessons I asked you to comment on one of the lessons according to your last name and send it back to me. Well, three people took me up on the challenge and sent back a response. Those responses were very thoughtful and insightful. Thank you. I will try that again in the near future and I hope more people will respond.

I will be taking a break from posting on this blog next week so this week I will list and give a brief statement of the subject of the lessons.

April 17, 2016 – Fourth Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:36-43 – Tabitha, a disciple devoted to good works and charity, and who was also a wonderful seamstress, got ill and died. Peter is summoned and when he arrived he said to her, “Tabitha, get up!”. She opened her eyes, sat up, and, with Peter’s assistance, she stood up.

Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd (verses 1-4) and the host of grand feast (5-6). Some think these two themes may have been separate psalms that were merged into the one we know and love.

Revelation 7:9-17 – John’s vision of the uncounted multitude of people who have emerged from the great ordeal to worship the Lamb. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb who is also their shepherd.

John 10:22-30 – Jesus is in Jerusalem at the Festival of Dedication (Hanukah?) and has been challenged by the religious authorities. The sheep, his followers, hear his voice and follow. No one can take them from Jesus because his Father has given them to him. “I and the Father are one.” (To find out their reaction to that statement read verses 31-39.)

April 24, 2016 – Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 11:1-18 – So, what happens when Christians begin to work with “unacceptable/those” people? You get called before the church council, that’s what. And that is what happened to Peter following his baptizing Cornelius, a gentile and a Roman Centurion. “Who was I to hinder God?” he asked.

Psalm 148 – Let all of creation Praise the Lord! Angels, sun, moon, stars, waters from above, sea monsters, fire, hail, snow, frost, mountains, hills, fruit trees, cedars, wild animals, cattle, bugs, birds, kings, princes, rulers, young, old, and all people, praise the Lord.

Revelation 21:1-6 – John sees a vision of the great city of Jerusalem descending from the sky. God will dwell with God’s people. God will make all things new. The word translated as “dwell” is “tabernacle”. The Tabernacle was a great tent the Israelites carried with them in the desert. So . . . God will camp with God’s people.

John 13:31-35 – Jesus gives a the disciples (and us) a new commandment, “that you should love one another.” We love each other because Jesus loves us. How is that love lived out in your life.

Have a blessed week serving God by serving others in all that you do.

Peace in Christ,
Pastor Gary

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