Our Worship Series this past Sunday, "Road to Light: Mapping the Journey" asked the question "Why did Jesus have to go to Jerusalem? Why did Jesus have to die?" I talked about "Atonement Theories" and I apologize for getting into the weeds of theology. Hopefully you remember that theories don't save us; Jesus does. If you are interested, I have posted a compilation of some my newsletter articles on atonement from 2008-2010. You can find it at: Atonement Theories - a summaries by Gary. We will be talking about this at our "Coffee, Cookies, and Conversation" tomorrow night at 6 pm at Peace United and 7:30 pm at Grey Eagle UMC.
This week our Worship Series focuses on "Clear the Way for the Journey". Here is what I wrote about it:
What gets in our way to see and hear the Good News that Jesus gives? Our privilege as white Americans? Our wealth? Our power? Our pride? Why do Christians often fall back into the old ways of dual thinking: us vs. them; white vs. everyone else; America vs. the world; male vs. female vs. non-conforming; Christian vs. Muslims vs. Hindus vs. Buddists. What needs to be cleared out of our Temple of Power?
The Lectionary Readings are:
Exodus 20:1-17 – “The Big Ten” and not the college sports conference.
Psalm 19 – In praise of God’s Law. Verse 14 should be very familiar to you.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 – Our witness of the cross may seem like foolishness to others but it is the power of God that saves us. If Jesus is God, and we believe he is, then his death on a cross might make God seem foolish and weak. But, “for God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.”
John 2:13-22 – In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the clearing of the Temple by Jesus happens in the last week of Jesus’ life, some 5 days before his crucifixion. In the Gospel of John, this episode happens at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Why do you think John wanted this story here?
Psalm 19 – In praise of God’s Law. Verse 14 should be very familiar to you.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 – Our witness of the cross may seem like foolishness to others but it is the power of God that saves us. If Jesus is God, and we believe he is, then his death on a cross might make God seem foolish and weak. But, “for God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.”
John 2:13-22 – In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the clearing of the Temple by Jesus happens in the last week of Jesus’ life, some 5 days before his crucifixion. In the Gospel of John, this episode happens at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Why do you think John wanted this story here?
Have a great week serving God by serving neighbors!
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Gary Taylor
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