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

Readings for Sunday, April 10, 2016

Hello Everyone,

Today my daughter and her boyfriend lost their son today. She gave birth to their son early this morning and he quickly died. Her and his due date was in the middle of August and the birth was too soon for him to be viable. A private memorial service is pending. Please keep us in your prayers.

This Sunday is Native American Ministries Sunday in the United Methodist Church. Grey Eagle UMC will be hosting Jim Allen, a lay person from the Leech Lake tribe who works with the Native American Ministries Action Team. He will be speaking about the mission work done by the team. In conjunction with Native American Ministries Sunday and Jim Allen, we will be honoring James Hammarsten, a member of GEUMC who died in January. Throughout his adult life, James Hammarsten supported the rights and equality of Native Americans, as does his daughter Linnea Ingold. Please join us in worship this Sunday at 9:00 am.

I am going to do something a little different this week. Instead of me commenting on the readings I ask you to read one passage and send me your comments on that passage answering these questions:

What do you think the passage meant to the original readers?
What does this passage mean to you?
Is there anything you can implement in your life from this passage?

If your last name begins with A, B, C, D, E, F, or G, please read and comment on: Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)

If your last name begins with H, I, J, K, L, or M, please read and comment on Psalm 30

If your last name begins with N, O, P, Q, R, S, or T, please read and comment on Revelation 5:11-14

If your last name begins with U, V, W, X, Y, or Z, please read and comment on John 21:1-19

I promise I will read all replies (There are 112 on this list).

I pray your week is filled with the Joy of the Resurrection.

Peace in Christ,
Pastor Gary Taylor

A Picture of the Cross

A PICTURE OF THE CROSS


It's the picture of violence,
Yet the key to peace.

A picture of suffering,
Yet the key to healing.

A picture of sorrow,
Yet the key to joy.

A picture of death,
Yet the key to life.

A picture of utter weakness,
Yet the key to power.

A picture of capital punishment,
Yet the key to mercy and forgiveness.

A picture of vicious hatred,
Yet the key to love.

A picture of supreme shame,
Yet the Christian's supreme boast.

Author unknown