Hello Everyone,
Just a reminder that worship at both churches will be changing times beginning this coming Sunday through the month of August. Peace United Church will have worship beginning at 9:00 AM and Grey Eagle UMC with start worship at 10:30 AM. Please remind your friends and neighbors who attend our churches about the time change.
This week we continue with our readings about King David, in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, and in the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John concerning the “Bread of Life”.
2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a – Last week we read about King David’s affair with Bathsheba and his orders to have Uriah killed in battle. In the verses not read this happens. In verse 11:26 what is Bathsheba’s reaction to the news of Uriah’s death. Then what does David do in verse 27? The verses in chapter 12 are God’s, through the prophet Nathan, reaction to what David has done. What does Nathan tell David about a poor farmer, his only lamb, and the rich neighbor? How does David react to the story? What does Nathan tell David beginning in verse 7? What was David’s main offense against God? Notice the order of the offenses in verse 9: killed Uriah with a sword, taken Uriah’s wife, and used the Ammonites to do the killing (see 11:16-17). Notice though in verse 10 the serious offense is the taking of Uriah’s wife. What does Nathan say David’s punishment will be? Who seems to be the ones that will suffer the most in verse 11? What is David’s reaction to Nathan’s accusation? Also notice that throughout this reading and last week’s reading that the only time Bathsheba’s name is mentioned is when David asks a servant who this woman was. She is always referred to as “Uriah’s wife” or “the wife of Uriah”. Why do you think this may be? The assigned reading cuts the story off prematurely. Who is the one that ultimately suffers (verse 14 and verses 15b-19)? How do you and we deal with a verse that says “The Lord struck the child” who was a newborn?
Psalm 51:1-12 – There are several well known verses in this Psalm including one or two in the unread verses 13-19. Check out verses 1, 6, 10, 16, and 17. As I look at these verses, maybe they all seem familiar because I have read this Psalm numerous times. What is the anguish that the psalmist, David, is expressing. What does the heading indicate? (Note: in the TANAKH, the Jewish scriptures, the headings are given verse numbers, thus verse 1 in our Bible is verse 3 in the TANAKH Psalm 51.)
Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 – The Israelites are wandering in the desert and have run out of food. What is their complaint in verse 3? Where would they rather be? What will God do for them in verse 4? What will be given to the Israelites in the evenings? What is given to them in the mornings? What is the meaning of the word “manna” (you may have to check your footnotes)?
Psalm 78:23-29 – The entire Psalm is recitation of the history of Israel. This section concerns the gifts of food God gave in our Exodus reading.
Ephesians 4:1-16 – These verses begin the second half of the letter which might be called an “ethical” teaching. Last week’s reading was Paul’s prayer for the church that we would all be “rooted and grounded in love.” This love is the starting point for Christian living. In verse one, who is Paul writing to? You may have to refer to the beginning of the letter, verse 1:1. What does Paul want the church to do (verse 1) and how are we do do that (verses 2-3)? Name all the “ones” in verses 4-6. How is God described in verse 6? What were we given? List the various offices that some are called to in verse 11. What is the ultimate goal of those gifts and callings in verse 12 and 13? What are we not to be in verse 14 and what should we be in verse 15? In essence we should become Christ, or the body of Christ since Christ is the head. We can only be the body of Christ if we, the Church, work together with Christ.
John 6:24-35 – This story picks up the day after Jesus fed the 5000 and the morning that he walked out to the disciples’ boat and stilled the wind (6:1-21). You may as well read verses 22 and 23. What do the people want from Jesus according to Jesus? What should the people (and by extension, we) be looking or working for (verse 27)? According to Jesus, what is the work God performs in us (verse 29)? What miracle do the people mention in verse 31? According to Jesus, what is the true miracle that God gives to the people?
Some possible sermon topics: From 2 Samuel - What is the consequence of desire that leads to sin? From Ephesians – What does it mean to live a “Christian life” rooted and grounded in love? From John – What do we desire, how is that desire misdirected, and what does God give us for what we truly need? Maybe they can all be worked into a sermon?
Have a great week serving the Lord!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Readings for Sunday, July 29, 2012
Hello Everyone,
PUC’ers – This Sunday we will have our regular service at 10:30 AM at our South Building. You could, however choose to go to the Ecumenical Worship at the County fair on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Everyone – Grey Eagle UMC Garage Sale is happening this Friday and Saturday from 8 AM to 2 PM on both days.
This week we begin 5 weeks of reading in the Gospel of John chapter 6. All of these readings center on the theme of Jesus being the “Bread of Life”. We also continue with Ephesians and our continuous readings in the Old Testament and the kings of Israel.
2 Samuel 11:1-15 – In the passages between last week’s reading (2 Samuel 7:1-14) and this reading, David and his army has gone to war and defeated various enemies: the Moabites, Zobah, the Arameans, the Edomites and the Ammonites. Our reading opens with the statement that David sent his army against the Ammonites but he stayed home. What does a king with nothing to keep himself occupied but cast a wandering eye on a youthful beauty? This, of course, is the story of David’s indiscretion with Bathsheba. Of course, Bathsheba is not totally innocent in this story, but the power of a popular king to misuse that power is a strong temptation. How many rulers, kings, and presidents have misused that power? One of the amazing points of the story is Uriah’s (Bathsheba’s husband, a Hittite and not an Israelite) faithfulness to his king and his fellow soldiers.
Psalm 14 – The Psalmist decries the wickedness and unbelief of people. He also is concerned with how the wicked, wealthy, and evildoers treat the poor of the world. (verses 4 and 6).
2 Kings 4:42-44 – This short little story is about the prophet Elisha and the feeding of hundreds of people with 20 barley loaves and some ears of grain. God says, “They shall eat and have some left”. This story was chosen to accompany the Gospel reading.
Psalm 145:10-18 – The entire psalm is in praise of God who is good and great. Please read verses 8 and 9. These statement sums up the revelation of God to the people of Israel and all the world. Please remember these verses as you read the rest of the Old Testament. This is the God Jesus knew and called “Abba”, “Father”.
Ephesians 3:14-21 – In verses 1-13 of chapter 3, Paul alludes to the revelation of the mystery of Christ that was given to him following his conversion. He talks about the grace that was given him to take that message to the Gentiles and make known the mystery of God’s plan. Please read those verses because it is on that basis that Paul starts this week reading with, “For that reason . . .” He prays for the church in Ephesus to have strength and power from the Spirit and that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith and grounded in love. He also wants the church to know the love of Christ and the fullness of God. Knowledge of God is call “theology” from the Greek Theo = God and Logos = knowledge. All of us have a theology, but is our knowledge limited to a few well worn phrases? While Christ’s love may exceed all knowledge, does that mean we should abandon learning all we can about God who is revealed in the Bible, and fully revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Several Christian writers have said that theology is “faith seeking understanding”.
John 6:1-21 – This passage basically retells the Mark stories we read the last two weeks: Mark 6:30-44 and Mark 6:45-52. John names the disciples who object to their feeding of the crowd. John also has a young boy offering the 5 barley loaves and 2 fish to the disciples. John also calls the feeding of the crowd one of the signs that point God coming to earth in Jesus. An excellent summary of the signs in John, including the sign of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, at Signs in John.
Have a great week serving the Lord. Invite someone to church this week.
PUC’ers – This Sunday we will have our regular service at 10:30 AM at our South Building. You could, however choose to go to the Ecumenical Worship at the County fair on Sunday at 11:00 AM.
Everyone – Grey Eagle UMC Garage Sale is happening this Friday and Saturday from 8 AM to 2 PM on both days.
This week we begin 5 weeks of reading in the Gospel of John chapter 6. All of these readings center on the theme of Jesus being the “Bread of Life”. We also continue with Ephesians and our continuous readings in the Old Testament and the kings of Israel.
2 Samuel 11:1-15 – In the passages between last week’s reading (2 Samuel 7:1-14) and this reading, David and his army has gone to war and defeated various enemies: the Moabites, Zobah, the Arameans, the Edomites and the Ammonites. Our reading opens with the statement that David sent his army against the Ammonites but he stayed home. What does a king with nothing to keep himself occupied but cast a wandering eye on a youthful beauty? This, of course, is the story of David’s indiscretion with Bathsheba. Of course, Bathsheba is not totally innocent in this story, but the power of a popular king to misuse that power is a strong temptation. How many rulers, kings, and presidents have misused that power? One of the amazing points of the story is Uriah’s (Bathsheba’s husband, a Hittite and not an Israelite) faithfulness to his king and his fellow soldiers.
Psalm 14 – The Psalmist decries the wickedness and unbelief of people. He also is concerned with how the wicked, wealthy, and evildoers treat the poor of the world. (verses 4 and 6).
2 Kings 4:42-44 – This short little story is about the prophet Elisha and the feeding of hundreds of people with 20 barley loaves and some ears of grain. God says, “They shall eat and have some left”. This story was chosen to accompany the Gospel reading.
Psalm 145:10-18 – The entire psalm is in praise of God who is good and great. Please read verses 8 and 9. These statement sums up the revelation of God to the people of Israel and all the world. Please remember these verses as you read the rest of the Old Testament. This is the God Jesus knew and called “Abba”, “Father”.
Ephesians 3:14-21 – In verses 1-13 of chapter 3, Paul alludes to the revelation of the mystery of Christ that was given to him following his conversion. He talks about the grace that was given him to take that message to the Gentiles and make known the mystery of God’s plan. Please read those verses because it is on that basis that Paul starts this week reading with, “For that reason . . .” He prays for the church in Ephesus to have strength and power from the Spirit and that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith and grounded in love. He also wants the church to know the love of Christ and the fullness of God. Knowledge of God is call “theology” from the Greek Theo = God and Logos = knowledge. All of us have a theology, but is our knowledge limited to a few well worn phrases? While Christ’s love may exceed all knowledge, does that mean we should abandon learning all we can about God who is revealed in the Bible, and fully revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Several Christian writers have said that theology is “faith seeking understanding”.
John 6:1-21 – This passage basically retells the Mark stories we read the last two weeks: Mark 6:30-44 and Mark 6:45-52. John names the disciples who object to their feeding of the crowd. John also has a young boy offering the 5 barley loaves and 2 fish to the disciples. John also calls the feeding of the crowd one of the signs that point God coming to earth in Jesus. An excellent summary of the signs in John, including the sign of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, at Signs in John.
Have a great week serving the Lord. Invite someone to church this week.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Readings for Sunday, July 22, 2012
Thanks to all who helped with the Grey Eagle Community Island Service. The day was not too hot (at least until after the service) and the fellowship was wonderful. A lot of people did a lot to make it work: Jim Hammersten, his daughter Linnea Ingold, and the Tschida Family, John and Janet Roe, Bob and Nancy Kutter, Lois Sorenson, Tara Prout, and everyone who brought food for the dinner. Thank you all.
This week we will be taking a minor deviation from the gospel lesson because of last week’s deviation. Our readings are:
2 Samuel 7:1-14a – I am not sure why the Lectionary Committee decided to end the reading at the first part of verse 14. The reading should go to verse 17. David is now the undisputed king of the twelve tribe of Israel and all external enemies have been defeated. David even has a palace (home) to live in and wants to build a temple (cedar home) for the Ark of the Covenant. The bulk of the reading is God speaking to the prophet Nathan. Nathan is to tell David not to build the temple for God hasn’t needed a temple before. God will also raise up one of David’s sons to build the temple. God also promises that David’s “house”, meaning family, will rule Israel forever.
Psalm 89:20-37 – The first part of this Psalm, verses 1-37, describes and praises God for the covenant made with David for an everlasting dynasty. The second part, verses 38-52, chastises God for breaking that covenant. Because of this, we can infer that David did not write the Psalm and that it may have been written about the time of the Babylonian Exile. Our reading is a section that remembers the rule of David and God’s promise to him.
Jeremiah 23:1-6 – This is a warning to the leaders of God’s people. If the leaders scatter the flocks then God will raise up new shepherds to lead. Some have speculated that this was one of several passages that Jesus was referring to in John 10, the Good Shepherd discourse.
Psalm 23 – Is there anything left to say about this most famous Psalm? It comes up in our readings about 3 times a year. The last time was in April.
Ephesians 2:11-22 – There is a lot of thinking to be done with this passage. Two who were far apart, the Jews who were near to God and the Gentiles who were far from God, are brought together by the blood of Jesus Christ. The dividing wall has been torn down. The law has been abolished so God can create one humanity. The two are reconciled in one body because of Christ’s death on the cross. We are no longer strangers but are one family in God’s house in which Jesus is the cornerstone. Since I haven’t asked many questions today here are a few. Why does humanity keep putting up walls to divide: Democrat/Republican, Conservative/Liberal, citizen/non-citizen, Hispanic/black/Asian/white, rich/poor, straight/gay? As the late Rodney King asked once, “Why can’t we all just get along?” Isn’t that why we killed Jesus, because we need our victims, our stumbling blocks? But God took the block we stumbled on and made him the cornerstone of our new life in God’s household (1 Peter 2).
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 – We read 30-44 this past Sunday which was about the feed of 5,000. The skipped portion is the feeding (35-44) and Jesus walking on water (45-52). We will pick up the walking on water story and his healing in Gennesaret by reading:
Mark 6:45-56 – This story happens during the night following the feeding of the 5000 and is also told in Matthew 14 and John 6. Several interesting observations about this passage. 1. Jesus sends the disciples and then goes off to pray. Do we take time at the end of a busy and hectic day to pray? 2. The disciples struggle against an adverse wind, not a storm. Do we confuse the two, making storms out of adverse winds? 3. Jesus intends to walk past the disciples who shout out in fear of some ghost. Do we fear Jesus more then follow him? 4. Jesus speaks calming words, gets into the boat, and the winds cease. Again, like in Mark 4:35-41, the disciples now have to row to shore instead of using the winds. 5. Finally, in the healing scene, the sick and injured are laid in the marketplaces where they reach out to touch the fringe of Jesus’ cloak for healing. Do we sometimes fail to do our part to receive the healing of Jesus?
Have a great week reading the Word of God.
This week we will be taking a minor deviation from the gospel lesson because of last week’s deviation. Our readings are:
2 Samuel 7:1-14a – I am not sure why the Lectionary Committee decided to end the reading at the first part of verse 14. The reading should go to verse 17. David is now the undisputed king of the twelve tribe of Israel and all external enemies have been defeated. David even has a palace (home) to live in and wants to build a temple (cedar home) for the Ark of the Covenant. The bulk of the reading is God speaking to the prophet Nathan. Nathan is to tell David not to build the temple for God hasn’t needed a temple before. God will also raise up one of David’s sons to build the temple. God also promises that David’s “house”, meaning family, will rule Israel forever.
Psalm 89:20-37 – The first part of this Psalm, verses 1-37, describes and praises God for the covenant made with David for an everlasting dynasty. The second part, verses 38-52, chastises God for breaking that covenant. Because of this, we can infer that David did not write the Psalm and that it may have been written about the time of the Babylonian Exile. Our reading is a section that remembers the rule of David and God’s promise to him.
Jeremiah 23:1-6 – This is a warning to the leaders of God’s people. If the leaders scatter the flocks then God will raise up new shepherds to lead. Some have speculated that this was one of several passages that Jesus was referring to in John 10, the Good Shepherd discourse.
Psalm 23 – Is there anything left to say about this most famous Psalm? It comes up in our readings about 3 times a year. The last time was in April.
Ephesians 2:11-22 – There is a lot of thinking to be done with this passage. Two who were far apart, the Jews who were near to God and the Gentiles who were far from God, are brought together by the blood of Jesus Christ. The dividing wall has been torn down. The law has been abolished so God can create one humanity. The two are reconciled in one body because of Christ’s death on the cross. We are no longer strangers but are one family in God’s house in which Jesus is the cornerstone. Since I haven’t asked many questions today here are a few. Why does humanity keep putting up walls to divide: Democrat/Republican, Conservative/Liberal, citizen/non-citizen, Hispanic/black/Asian/white, rich/poor, straight/gay? As the late Rodney King asked once, “Why can’t we all just get along?” Isn’t that why we killed Jesus, because we need our victims, our stumbling blocks? But God took the block we stumbled on and made him the cornerstone of our new life in God’s household (1 Peter 2).
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 – We read 30-44 this past Sunday which was about the feed of 5,000. The skipped portion is the feeding (35-44) and Jesus walking on water (45-52). We will pick up the walking on water story and his healing in Gennesaret by reading:
Mark 6:45-56 – This story happens during the night following the feeding of the 5000 and is also told in Matthew 14 and John 6. Several interesting observations about this passage. 1. Jesus sends the disciples and then goes off to pray. Do we take time at the end of a busy and hectic day to pray? 2. The disciples struggle against an adverse wind, not a storm. Do we confuse the two, making storms out of adverse winds? 3. Jesus intends to walk past the disciples who shout out in fear of some ghost. Do we fear Jesus more then follow him? 4. Jesus speaks calming words, gets into the boat, and the winds cease. Again, like in Mark 4:35-41, the disciples now have to row to shore instead of using the winds. 5. Finally, in the healing scene, the sick and injured are laid in the marketplaces where they reach out to touch the fringe of Jesus’ cloak for healing. Do we sometimes fail to do our part to receive the healing of Jesus?
Have a great week reading the Word of God.
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