Solomon’s proverbs lead us to consider how the choices we make each day will result in justice or harm for ourselves and others.  God’s desire is for us to live healthy lives and just relationships which are life-affirming.  He warns us that poor decisions and foolish living bring harm.

Let’s be sure to show up to worship this week, so that all the visitors to the art fair will see a church that is vital and active.

Worship – 5:00 p.m. Saturday in Chapel

Sunday —    8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Wisdom of Solomon
July 21, 2013
Proverbs 10:1-12

Key Verse: “The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise child makes a glad father, but a foolish child is a mother’s grief.” Proverbs 10:1

Time: 10^th – 6^th century B.C.

Background: In keeping with Proverbs’ instruction for living with peace and justice, today’s reading guides hearers in the ways of justice. Each verse helps distinguish wisdom from foolishness. Each lifts up a virtue such as righteousness, diligence, prudence, listening, integrity, and love.

These need not be read as warnings of punishments from God, but as warnings about consequences for our own actions. With or without God’s involvement, our actions bring their own consequences. God doesn’t desire to punish, but desires to see us succeed and deliver justice and happiness throughout the world.

Community: What are some of the consequences of the actions of our communities, both positive and negative? Do we find that our laws and customs foster despair, poverty, and injustice, or happiness, plenty, and justice?

At Home: Take a personal inventory at the end of each day this week. Make a mental (or written) list of all the choices you made that contributed or detracted from justice and happiness. Take note not only of the things you could do better, but also of the things you did well, the good decisions you made, and the positive interactions you had with people.

Read This Week:
Monday: Do Not Judge, Luke 6:37-38
Tuesday: Tongue of the Wise, Proverbs 15:1-12
Wednesday: Fine and False Speech, Proverbs 17:1-12
Thursday: Words of Wise and Foolish, Proverbs 18:1-24
Friday: A Good Name, Proverbs 22:1-16
Saturday: Wisdom Weighed, Proverbs 24:3-12

Next Week: Sorrow in Knowledge, Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

 

God not only created “me and all that exists,” God rejoices in and is irrevocably committed to the beloved creation. God delights in you and me. God rejoices in all things great and small. Take time this week to take note of the wonder, order, and beauty of God’s creation.

We join in worship in the beauty of the outdoors this Sunday with one worship service at Brigham Park at 10:00 a.m. followed by a potluck picnic.

There will still be Saturday evening worship in the chapel at 5:00 p.m.

Wisdom at Creation
July 14, 2013
Proverbs 8:22-36

Key Verses: “The Lord created me [Wisdom] at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of long ago. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.” Proverbs 8:22-23

Time: 10^th – 6^th century B.C.

Background: Today’s reading poetically lifts up wisdom’s role in the creation of the world. Here wisdom is personified as a female companion of God’s, sharing in the delight of all that God has made. With a gentle nature she seeks to instruct humanity so that they too, might delight in God’s creation.

Again we learn that wisdom of God, not possession of material goods, leads to true happiness. Wisdom desires happiness for us.

Community: How does this image of Wisdom make the creation story richer? What role does Wisdom have not only in creation, but also in the day to day spinning of today’s world? How might we use our wisdom to make this world better?

At Home: How can you find wisdom in creation? Make time this week to become connected with nature in some way. Take a walk or eat a meal outdoors. Take notice of the miraculous, intricate wisdom found in nature. What do you learn about yourself and about God when you are intentional about this time and attention?

Read This Week:
Monday: Jesus Stills a Storm, Luke 8:22-25
Tuesday: Wisdom and Folly, Proverbs 9:1-18
Wednesday: Fear of the Lord Prolongs Life, Proverbs 10:23-32
Thursday: Godless and Upright, Proverbs 11:1-11
Friday: Discipline of Knowledge, Proverbs 12:1-8
Saturday: Source of Great Wealth, Proverbs 13:1-11

Next Week: Wisdom of Solomon, Proverbs 10:1-12

 

For the next few weeks we turn to the Old Testament’s words of wisdom in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.  These words continue to instruct us, and challenges us to consider who we will listen to each day.

Worship with Holy Communion this weekend

  – Saturday at 5:00 p.m.  in the Chapel

  – Sunday at 8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship

  – Sunday at 10:00 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Don’t forget – Next Sunday, July 14 – worship and picnic at Brigham Park!  

On Trusting God
July 7, 2013
Proverbs 1:1-7 & 3:1-8

Key Verse: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Time: 10^th – 6^th century B.C.

Background: Although the book of Proverbs is generally attributed to King Solomon, son of King David, much of the book was likely written by additional authors, some in the name of Solomon.

The first part of today’s reading lifts up some of the purposes of the proverbs, which include to learn, a guide for living with wisdom, peace and justice, and to gain knowledge and fear of the Lord.

The second part of today’s reading warns against being seduced by the wisdom of sinners. Their wisdom and desire for evil will, in the end, result in their own destruction.

Community: Whose voices are loudest in your community? Which are voices that entice people to sin? Which voices speak wisdom?

At Home: Whose voices will you listen to this week? Pay attention to the messages you receive from co-workers, family members, media, and news. Discern wisdom from folly and make a decision to follow the words of the wise.

Read This Week:
Monday: Parable of Two Houses , Luke 6:47-49
Tuesday: Warnings against Violence, Proverbs 1:8-19
Wednesday: Warnings against Neglect of Wisdom, Proverbs 1:20-33
Thursday: Reward of Seeking Wisdom, Proverbs 2:1-22
Friday: Wisdom More Precious than Wealth, Proverbs 3:9-20
Saturday: Wise Inherit Honor, Proverbs 3:21-35

Next Week: Wisdom at Creation, Proverbs 8:22-36

This week we turn to Luke’s gospel, and Jesus words: “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
These words jar us into asking, “How are our lives different as followers of Jesus than what they might have been otherwise?” I remember a bumper sticker asking, “If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Discipleship means living in ways we might not otherwise live.

Worship this week;  Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel

Sunday – Traditional worship at 8:30 a.m.

Contemporary Worship at 10:00 a.m.

 

Some questions to consider:

1. How have you experienced God’s call in your life? (To think about: The root of “vocation” means “to call”)

 

2. In what way is “journey” a good metaphor for our faith life? How would you describe your spiritual journey? Journeys have destinations or goals. What is your spiritual goal?

 

3. We talk a lot today about “family values.” What do you think these lessons say about family? In what ways can family distract us from discipleship? In what ways can its support discipleship?

 

4. We tend to stress the blessings of the Christian faith, how it empowers us and opens us to possibilities. To what degree do you think we should put more stress on the costs of serious discipleship?

 

 

 

We don’t always see ourselves as people in need of rescue, perhaps because we do not perceive the dangers that surround us.  But trials and temptations pull at our hearts each day, threatening to separate us from God, and from our families and friends.  We ask in this prayer for God’s wisdom, grace and might to lead us, guide us, and rescue us when we are in danger of falling under the influence of ungodly powers.

Worship (with Holy Communion) this week:  Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel

Sunday – Traditional Worship at 8:30 a.m.

Contemporary Worship at 10:00 a.m.

Please keep in your prayers our Local Missions Week that runs Sunday through Thursday.

 

Deliver Us
June 23, 2013
Matthew 6:13

Key Verse: Jesus said, “And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13

Time: 30-33 C.E.

Background: People have many different ways of imagining evil or the evil one. Some personify evil, a traditional red-horned, red-tailed being; others view an intangible concept of anything that reflects the absence of good. Whether personified or not, Jesus’ teaching made clear that there is a state of being that is contrary to God’s will. Jesus teaches us to ask for God to steer us clear of that contrariness and help us to turn toward God and God’s will.

Community: Where do you see evil exist in our world? Is evil a matter of individual choice, or can evil be executed communally? What can your community of faith do to live out God’s will in your surrounding community?

At Home: What distracts your attention away from God? Is it evil or something else? How does your image of evil shape your thoughts and behaviors? Take steps this week to focus your attention intentionally toward God and away from anything that distracts you from God.

Read This Week:
Monday: I Lift My Eyes to the Hills, Psalm 121:1-8
Tuesday: God’s Promise to Moses, Exodus 3:1-12
Wednesday: God’s Promise to Gideon, Judges 7:1-8
Thursday: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel 3:16-30
Friday: Lord Is My Deliverer, Psalm 18:1-3
Saturday: Lord Delivers Jonah, Jonah 2:1-10

Next Week: Guest Pastors Jared Parmley (Sat.) and JoAnn Fabie (Sun.) will preach on  Luke 9:51-62