The rhythms of Ecclesiastes’ verses about time have been spoken and sung by many.  They speak of a seasons and times, and while our lives may seem captive to these, we also belong to the one who is the Lord of time itself.  Because we belong to Christ, our everyday rhythms are only a small part of an eternal reality.

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in Chapel

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

10:00 a.m. – Contemporary worship

Sunday evening – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday Night Live – music in Grundahl Park

For Everything There Is a Season
August 4, 2013
Ecclesiastes 2:18-3:8

Key Verse: “There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in their toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God; for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? … For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, 3:1

Time: 3rd century B.C.

Background: Today’s reading acknowledges that life is filled with ups and downs, and nothing can be done to change this reality. Futility comes when humanity strives only to fill life with happiness and material possessions, because those can only be temporary. The expectation that life can always be positive will only lead to disappointment.

On the other hand, if people acknowledge and accept that life will also come with sadness, mourning, illness, and broken relationships, then they can come to accept their deep need for God. God has the power to bring healing and comfort in the midst of illness and grief. God’s presence can make these bearable. God can bring a deep joy that transcends despair.

Community: Where is God in the midst of the broken places in your community? How can you bring God’s presence to those who are in despair?

At Home: Where are the places of despair in your own life? Make a list of actions you can take this week that might bring you closer to God. Do one action this week. Where did you see God working, even in the midst of despair?

Read This Week:
Monday: Parable of a Rich Fool, Luke 12:16-21
Tuesday: Ambition and Desire, Ecclesiastes 6:1-12
Wednesday: A Sinful World, Ecclesiastes 7:1-29
Thursday: An Imperfect World, Ecclesiastes 8:1-17
Friday: An Uncertain Life, Ecclesiastes 10:1-20
Saturday: Charity, Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Next Week: Spiritual Blessings, Ephesians 1:1-14

 

While Solomon’s proverbs extol on optimistic view of how a life filled with wise decisions will be happy and prosperous, Ecclesiastes (the preacher) has seen the good and the bad that happen to all people, often without a clear reason.  Ecclesiastes causes us to consider hard questions about seeking God’s presence in all things instead of relying on our own strength and wisdom.

Worship this week – Saturday, 5:00 p.m. in Chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

 Sorrow in Knowledge
July 28, 2013
Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

Key Verses: “Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under the sun?” Ecclesiastes 1:2-3

Time: 3rd century B.C.

Background: Ecclesiastes is generally attributed to Solomon, son of King David. However, it was likely written by an anonymous author.

This is a book that investigates the meaning of life. The conclusion repeated throughout is that the actions of humanity are “vanity,” which may also translate to mean futile, meaningless, empty, or temporary.

At first reading, this may seem depressing or desperate, but there is a deeper meaning that breathes hope into the midst of despair. The author discovers that the actions of humanity are vain, primarily when those actions are self-seeking. But underneath is a message of hope, that people’s actions are full and meaningful when they are driven by a search for God. When a desire for the presence of God is central, then humanity finds happiness and meaning.

Community: What messages or behaviors do you see in culture that can be deemed vain, futile, or empty? What messages or behaviors are full or meaningful? What makes them different? Where is God in these?

At Home: Which of your actions or behaviors are vain? Change one behavior this week that can lead away from futility and toward meaning. What did you learn about yourself in the process of change?

Read This Week:
Monday: Do Not Worry, Luke 12:22-23
Tuesday: Vanity of Pleasure and Wealth, Ecclesiastes 2:1-17
Wednesday: Human Striving, Ecclesiastes 3:9-22
Thursday: An Earthly Life, Ecclesiastes 4:1-12
Friday: Political Fame, Ecclesiastes 4:13-16
Saturday: A Self-Seeking Life, Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

Next Week: For Everything There is a Season, Ecclesiastes 2:18-3:8

 

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