The prophet Amos speaks a harsh word about the emptiness of worship when separated from lives lived with justice and integrity. The same question has echoed every generation down to today – “Do our actions as a people reflect the words which we utter in worship?”
Worship this weekend: Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. Sunday School and Fellowship hour
10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship
November 16-17, 2013
Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24
Key Verses: “I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies… But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream.” Amos 5:21, 24
Time: about 786-743 BCE
Background: God’s kingdom split into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The Northern Kingdom started worshiping in the wrong places and with influences from surrounding nations’ worship practices. It also allowed the gap between rich and poor to grow, so that the poor were mistreated terribly.
God was angry with the abuses. Without justice and peace, the people’s worship was empty. God refused to receive their worship as long as people were being mistreated. God desired true justice and peace over empty rituals.
Community: How is the gap between poor and rich manifested in your community? What can you do to lessen the gap? What can your community of faith do to make its worship practices full and meaningful?
At Home: What worship ritual holds the most meaning for you? Is it something you do inside or out of worship? Be intentional this week to perform this ritual with meaning. Or create a new ritual that connects you with God. Do it every day this week.
Read This Week:
Monday, Nov 18, The Peaceful Kingdom, Isaiah 11:1-9
Tuesday, Nov 19, A Warning of Destruction of Jerusalem, Isaiah 22:1-14
Wednesday, Nov 20, Praise for Deliverance from Oppression, Isaiah 25:1-12
Thursday, Nov 21, Israel’s Redemption, Isaiah 27:1-11
Friday, Nov 22, A Rebellious People, Isaiah 30:8-17
Saturday, Nov 23, The Peace of God’s Reign, Isaiah 32:16-20
Next Week: Sunday, Nov 24, Jeremiah, Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14
