Scriptures for September 26th: Jeremiah 32:1-3, 6-15; Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31 Theme: What does it mean to live righteously?
Jeremiah: How can you tell if an idea is just a crazy thing that your mind came up with, or is it truly a vision from God? Does it pull you apart, or help you pull things together? Does it help you or does it hinder you? No matter how crazy the idea, if it helps you make it through a tough time – it is a thought from God. God told Jeremiah to go rebuy his families land at full price, even though he knew that the land would lose value. But it was a hope in the future that God had promised, that his people would come home and inhabit the land. And they did, Jeremiah was not always popular for his decisions, but he never gave up on his relationship with God.
1 Timothy: We are ending our lessons from Timothy in his first letter, and will be going into the second letter. First Timothy reminds us of our moral character as Christians. As the rest of the world is clamoring for success, we should be clamoring for good moral character. Paul says that we are not to pursue riches at all, but learn to be satisfied with what we have. If we have the basic necessities of life, then God is taking care of us. We just need to be clear about what we need and what we want.
Questions: When things are going bad in your life, what is it that gives you hope? What signs do you see in your life that God is finally turning things around and is about to make a difference in your life? What is it about the love of money that seems to make us want more? What are the evils that are produced by greed? How do you control greed?
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
September 19, 2010
Scriptures for September 19th: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1; Psalm 79:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13 Theme: Prayer should be the center of our lives.
1 Timothy: We know that Timothy was a young disciple of Paul, who was empowered to carry on Paul’s message to his own community. He reminds us that prayer is not just something to do, it is a way of life. It essential to our faith and something we should do all of the time. Ironically, we are all quick to say that we do not know how to pray. Timothy says to pray for all people, pray for leaders, then pray for the faithful.
Luke: Sometimes Jesus gives a straight forward message that makes “common Sense”. But most of the time, Jesus wants us to take a second to process and think about what he says and not search for the easy answers. Why would Jesus praise an employee who forgives the debts of others in order to protect himself? Money are other resources are not our life, but they can be used to further the message of God. We should not shy away from those resources, but make sure that they are used for good. But we must always remember that resources are not our end, God is our ultimate resource.
Questions: When we pray, do we just pray for those who are on our side or do we pray for everyone? Do we pray for the Cubs, or do we pray for a game fairly won? How often do you pray? How important is your prayer life? Do you set aside time to pray? What does it mean for prayer to be a way of life? How do you spend your money? Do you spend time praying before you spend? Is your spending connected to your prayer life? What role does Jesus have in what you spend money on?
1 Timothy: We know that Timothy was a young disciple of Paul, who was empowered to carry on Paul’s message to his own community. He reminds us that prayer is not just something to do, it is a way of life. It essential to our faith and something we should do all of the time. Ironically, we are all quick to say that we do not know how to pray. Timothy says to pray for all people, pray for leaders, then pray for the faithful.
Luke: Sometimes Jesus gives a straight forward message that makes “common Sense”. But most of the time, Jesus wants us to take a second to process and think about what he says and not search for the easy answers. Why would Jesus praise an employee who forgives the debts of others in order to protect himself? Money are other resources are not our life, but they can be used to further the message of God. We should not shy away from those resources, but make sure that they are used for good. But we must always remember that resources are not our end, God is our ultimate resource.
Questions: When we pray, do we just pray for those who are on our side or do we pray for everyone? Do we pray for the Cubs, or do we pray for a game fairly won? How often do you pray? How important is your prayer life? Do you set aside time to pray? What does it mean for prayer to be a way of life? How do you spend your money? Do you spend time praying before you spend? Is your spending connected to your prayer life? What role does Jesus have in what you spend money on?
Thursday, September 2, 2010
September 12, 2010
Scriptures for September 12th: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; Psalm 14:1-7; I Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10 Theme: God wants us to repent, not from fear of punishment, but in celebration of grace.
Jeremiah: The weather is about to change, fall is on it’s way. One of the sure ways to know that fall is here, is to listening to the wind. As the weather gets harsher, the winds get stronger. The air gets a little colder. If you listen closely to the impending winds, they can say a lot. Jeremiah is saying that as the fall winds come, they are a warning from God, that judgment is coming. This is not an ordinary wind, it is a little stronger because it needs to get your attention. That it is time for something to change inside of you.
Luke: The gospel lesson is a perfect compliment to the Hebrew bible text. Jesus too talks about judgment. But he adds one important ingredient – that is grace. We are all sinners, when we sin we are lost to God. Just as we celebrate when we find something, the angels of God celebrate when we realize the errors of our ways. Notice that in each case of something being lost the owner throws a party when it is found. We come together every Sunday to celebrate that we are sinners, but never truly lost to God.
Questions: As fall approaches, what changes need to be made in your life? What habits and beliefs have we become so used to, that we have forgotten? Does realizing our sin stop the consequences of what it about to happen? Who do you know in your life who is lost? What do you need to do to make sure that they are found? How are you planning to celebrate?
Jeremiah: The weather is about to change, fall is on it’s way. One of the sure ways to know that fall is here, is to listening to the wind. As the weather gets harsher, the winds get stronger. The air gets a little colder. If you listen closely to the impending winds, they can say a lot. Jeremiah is saying that as the fall winds come, they are a warning from God, that judgment is coming. This is not an ordinary wind, it is a little stronger because it needs to get your attention. That it is time for something to change inside of you.
Luke: The gospel lesson is a perfect compliment to the Hebrew bible text. Jesus too talks about judgment. But he adds one important ingredient – that is grace. We are all sinners, when we sin we are lost to God. Just as we celebrate when we find something, the angels of God celebrate when we realize the errors of our ways. Notice that in each case of something being lost the owner throws a party when it is found. We come together every Sunday to celebrate that we are sinners, but never truly lost to God.
Questions: As fall approaches, what changes need to be made in your life? What habits and beliefs have we become so used to, that we have forgotten? Does realizing our sin stop the consequences of what it about to happen? Who do you know in your life who is lost? What do you need to do to make sure that they are found? How are you planning to celebrate?
Thursday, August 26, 2010
September 5, 2010
scriptures: Hebrews 13:1-8;15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14
sermon: The Angels Present in your Life
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it."
Hebrews 13:2
Scriptures for next week:
Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
song for Englewood: In Christ there is no East or West UMH 548
for Rust
Call to Worship
Leader: The One who speaks harsh words calls us this day
People: Too often we take kinds words as weakness and soft words as permission to do our own thing.
Leader: The God who challenges our turning away summons us this day.
People: the way of life is do difficult. We have sinned, but we have some excellent excuses!
Leader: God has heard all of our excuses and will not accept any of them.
People: We have come to worship and to be made right with our God.
Breaking Open the Scriptures:
Scriptures for September 5th: Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalm 139:1-6,13-18; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33 Theme: God’s intention for your life
Jeremiah: We tend to be very fearful of judgment. As Christians we don’t want to come out and do it to others, and we don’t appreciate it when others do it to us. We attribute this fear to Jesus, and say that Jesus tells us not to judge. When that is not what Jesus said. He said, judge others with the same measure that you expect to be judged. If you expect to be judged fairly and respectfully , then do the same to others. There is nothing wrong with judgment. God uses it to bring healing and reconciliation to the world. He shapes our lives with judgment and encouragement. How willing are you to be shaped by the potter’s hand?
Psalm 139: Is it a comfort that God knows all about you? Or is that threatening? Is it a comfort that God plans and directs your life, or is that a confining thought? Well like it or not, God has known us since before our birth. God has had plans for us and that is why we are here. To discover those plans as we discover our relationship with the holy.
Questions: In the hands of God we are like clay, how has God reformed you? How do you respond when others judge you? How do you respond when God judges you? What is the difference? What proof do you have in life that God is always present with you? How do you know when you are following God’s lead in your life?
Luke 14:1, 7-14
sermon: The Angels Present in your Life
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it."
Hebrews 13:2
Scriptures for next week:
Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
song for Englewood: In Christ there is no East or West UMH 548
for Rust
Call to Worship
Leader: The One who speaks harsh words calls us this day
People: Too often we take kinds words as weakness and soft words as permission to do our own thing.
Leader: The God who challenges our turning away summons us this day.
People: the way of life is do difficult. We have sinned, but we have some excellent excuses!
Leader: God has heard all of our excuses and will not accept any of them.
People: We have come to worship and to be made right with our God.
Breaking Open the Scriptures:
Scriptures for September 5th: Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalm 139:1-6,13-18; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33 Theme: God’s intention for your life
Jeremiah: We tend to be very fearful of judgment. As Christians we don’t want to come out and do it to others, and we don’t appreciate it when others do it to us. We attribute this fear to Jesus, and say that Jesus tells us not to judge. When that is not what Jesus said. He said, judge others with the same measure that you expect to be judged. If you expect to be judged fairly and respectfully , then do the same to others. There is nothing wrong with judgment. God uses it to bring healing and reconciliation to the world. He shapes our lives with judgment and encouragement. How willing are you to be shaped by the potter’s hand?
Psalm 139: Is it a comfort that God knows all about you? Or is that threatening? Is it a comfort that God plans and directs your life, or is that a confining thought? Well like it or not, God has known us since before our birth. God has had plans for us and that is why we are here. To discover those plans as we discover our relationship with the holy.
Questions: In the hands of God we are like clay, how has God reformed you? How do you respond when others judge you? How do you respond when God judges you? What is the difference? What proof do you have in life that God is always present with you? How do you know when you are following God’s lead in your life?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
August 22, 2010
Scriptures for August 22nd: Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalms 71:1-6; Hebrews 12:18-29; Luke 13:10-17 Theme: Listening to God’s call in your life
Jeremiah: We will be looking at the words of the prophet Jeremiah for the next six weeks. Chapter one starts with the story of his call. The other prophets that we look at were called as adults. They became God’s spokesperson as a result of something they say going on in their lives. Jeremiah realizes that he was called from birth, from before birth to be a prophet of God. He calls himself a prophet to the nations – which means that he is called to speak to the Hebrews and gentiles. Everyone else (in some ways even Jesus) believes they are to speak just to the Hebrews. Jeremiah is alive in a time when his people are forced to live and deal with others, and Jeremiah must speak to the times – the time of exile.
Hebrews: This entire book helps us to remember the value of faith. It gives us advice on what we should remember. Today, we should remember that the gospel is good news. In a difficult atmosphere, we look for a tame faith, a dependable faith, a faith that makes sense to us. That is why we call Jesus our brother, and God our Father – we are looking for support. The author reminds us here that faith is anything but tame and predictable. The God we worship is an unquenchable fire, and he puts fire in our faith – to et up and do something.
Questions: When you look back at your life, what evidence do you have that God has been with you all along? What does it mean to be called by God? How is God calling you right now? How you try to make God dependable? How can you break out of your routine and see God in all of God’s glory?
Jeremiah: We will be looking at the words of the prophet Jeremiah for the next six weeks. Chapter one starts with the story of his call. The other prophets that we look at were called as adults. They became God’s spokesperson as a result of something they say going on in their lives. Jeremiah realizes that he was called from birth, from before birth to be a prophet of God. He calls himself a prophet to the nations – which means that he is called to speak to the Hebrews and gentiles. Everyone else (in some ways even Jesus) believes they are to speak just to the Hebrews. Jeremiah is alive in a time when his people are forced to live and deal with others, and Jeremiah must speak to the times – the time of exile.
Hebrews: This entire book helps us to remember the value of faith. It gives us advice on what we should remember. Today, we should remember that the gospel is good news. In a difficult atmosphere, we look for a tame faith, a dependable faith, a faith that makes sense to us. That is why we call Jesus our brother, and God our Father – we are looking for support. The author reminds us here that faith is anything but tame and predictable. The God we worship is an unquenchable fire, and he puts fire in our faith – to et up and do something.
Questions: When you look back at your life, what evidence do you have that God has been with you all along? What does it mean to be called by God? How is God calling you right now? How you try to make God dependable? How can you break out of your routine and see God in all of God’s glory?
Thursday, August 5, 2010
August 15, 2010
Scriptures for August 15th: Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19; Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56 Theme: The value of having faith in the unseen
Isaiah: These verses are a love song – to remind us of how much we are loved by God: A God who created us and will do anything for us. Who has been with us through all of the ups and downs of our lives. God is always there for us, but realizes that we are not always there for God. He expected that we would be grateful for return the favor. But we live in a world where hatred is present, where violence is present, where self centeredness is present. What happened? More importantly, what can be done about it?
Hebrews: Hebrews has a very powerful message for us to remind us how important our faith is. Last week Paul defined what faith us. This week he traces the role of faith in the history of the faithful. He gives examples of people who became heroes because they followed their faith into new lives. And when we look back at our lives, we can be grateful for these acts of faith. But we can also follow their example and pave new paths for those coming after us.
Questions: What actions have we taken, which contributes to God’s despair? What has happened in the world? What have we done personally? How can we make amends to God? What obstacles do you face that require you to have faith? What things can you do in your life to follow your faith and to pave the way for others?
Isaiah: These verses are a love song – to remind us of how much we are loved by God: A God who created us and will do anything for us. Who has been with us through all of the ups and downs of our lives. God is always there for us, but realizes that we are not always there for God. He expected that we would be grateful for return the favor. But we live in a world where hatred is present, where violence is present, where self centeredness is present. What happened? More importantly, what can be done about it?
Hebrews: Hebrews has a very powerful message for us to remind us how important our faith is. Last week Paul defined what faith us. This week he traces the role of faith in the history of the faithful. He gives examples of people who became heroes because they followed their faith into new lives. And when we look back at our lives, we can be grateful for these acts of faith. But we can also follow their example and pave new paths for those coming after us.
Questions: What actions have we taken, which contributes to God’s despair? What has happened in the world? What have we done personally? How can we make amends to God? What obstacles do you face that require you to have faith? What things can you do in your life to follow your faith and to pave the way for others?
Friday, July 30, 2010
August 8, 2010
Breaking Open The Scriptures
Scriptures for August 8th: Isaiah1:1,10-20; Psalm 50:1-8,22-23; Hebrews 11:1-3,8-16 Luke 12:32-40. Theme: What does it mean to have faith in Christ?
Hebrews: We begin the first week of a four week study of the book of Hebrews. The author (which may be Paul) is teaching us the meaning of faith. Even though we can’t see, hear, or touch faith, faith is a living force in the world. It is not just a chance to use our creative imagination. It is a real and living force in our lives, which is working to guide us through difficult times. Just ask those who have been in difficult situations, did they make it up, or did they really know God’s presence in their lives.
Luke: This is a continuation of last week’s lesson on defining our treasure. Where we put our treasure is where we put our hearts. We have to be reminded that even though we have houses, cars, jewels, loved one here; our real treasure is in Jesus Christ. The world economy is dependent upon us as Americans wanting more and more stuff. Our need to buy keeps the world going. Jesus asks us, when is it ever enough – the attitude of scarcity keeps us enslaved into the world and its economy. Preparing ourselves spiritually brings us freedom.
Questions: What are the things that we as a church treasure? Where is Jesus Christ on that list? Where is doing what Christ tells us to do in that list? What does it really mean to be rich toward God? How can you turn scarcity into abundance? How can you turn your spiritual weaknesses into strengths?
Scriptures for August 8th: Isaiah1:1,10-20; Psalm 50:1-8,22-23; Hebrews 11:1-3,8-16 Luke 12:32-40. Theme: What does it mean to have faith in Christ?
Hebrews: We begin the first week of a four week study of the book of Hebrews. The author (which may be Paul) is teaching us the meaning of faith. Even though we can’t see, hear, or touch faith, faith is a living force in the world. It is not just a chance to use our creative imagination. It is a real and living force in our lives, which is working to guide us through difficult times. Just ask those who have been in difficult situations, did they make it up, or did they really know God’s presence in their lives.
Luke: This is a continuation of last week’s lesson on defining our treasure. Where we put our treasure is where we put our hearts. We have to be reminded that even though we have houses, cars, jewels, loved one here; our real treasure is in Jesus Christ. The world economy is dependent upon us as Americans wanting more and more stuff. Our need to buy keeps the world going. Jesus asks us, when is it ever enough – the attitude of scarcity keeps us enslaved into the world and its economy. Preparing ourselves spiritually brings us freedom.
Questions: What are the things that we as a church treasure? Where is Jesus Christ on that list? Where is doing what Christ tells us to do in that list? What does it really mean to be rich toward God? How can you turn scarcity into abundance? How can you turn your spiritual weaknesses into strengths?
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