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November 3 Worship

10/28/2013

This coming Sunday is All Saints Sunday. We remember those who have gone before us to the Lord as well as those alive today in faith. The Gospel reading (Luke 6:20-31) presents us with Jesus' words known as the Beatitudes. They tell us of a state of blessedness.

"Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh."

Jesus' words go against what our world values. God's heart has a place for those who are destitute and mourning. However, consider also the words that Jesus directs to his those who follow him that come shortly after his words of blessing:

"But I say to you that listen, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strike you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt." NRSV

Clearly, it goes against our culture to live in such a manner. We are directed as saints to have a concern for others who are our enemies and those who are in need. This is what sets saints apart from others.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

What challenge do you see in living out these words of Jesus today?

If you have ever been hungry or mourning, have you ever felt blessed?

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October 27 Worship

10/21/2013

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This Sunday is Reformation Sunday. We would remember the heritage in terms of what Martin Luther brought to the church. He wanted to free people from having a guilty conscience and have people see Christ as providing all that is needed for one's salvation. The message on Sunday will focus on the Gospel Reading (John 8:31-36).

Here is the text:

John 8:31-36 "Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Very truly I tell you , everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." NRSV

This is an amazing text concerning what Jesus says about freedom. It is about being free from the "slavery of sin." (John 8:34). There are ways that sin can keep us in bondage:
1. We can feel guilty over what we have done.
2. We become addicted to something, where we have created an idol in our lives.
3. We unknowingly do what is not right before God.

Of course, we all are enslaved to sin. There is the wrong we continue to do as well as the good we ought to have done but left undone.

However, there is freedom from sin in that we can be empowered through Christ to live a life that is pleasing to God. The strength here comes from Jesus' life.

We are free in the sense, too, in that we have received God's forgiveness for the sin in our lives. We could not do otherwise to merit our entrance into heaven.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection:

Do you feel this sense of freedom in your own life?
Is there something to which you are in bondage, where you need to turn to Christ's power to free you?

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October 20 Worship

10/14/2013

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Praying can be a very demanding task. While bringing our requests before God, there are times when an answer does not readily come. What happens after a period of time when there is no response from God? Here are some possible thoughts that can come to one's mind:

1. I'm not worthy to have my request fulfilled.
2. God has other plans for me.
3. I don't appear to be serious about praying before God.
4. Maybe God has lost interest in what I have been requesting.

The list could continue as to why after a period of time, we would simply want to stop praying. However, Jesus did not want us to lose heart.

He presented a parable about a woman who comes before a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. She pleads for justice and because of her persistence is granted her request. Here is the story:

Luke 18:1-10 "Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” ’ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’" NRSV

The story is to give us encouragement - even in cases where we are experiencing an injustice! We can pray to God for help!

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

How do you see God as being different from the judge in this story?

How would this difference make a difference in your praying?

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October 13 Worship

10/7/2013

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This Sunday's theme centers on healing and I will be offering the individual prayer for health and healing. My focus will be on the story of Naaman's healing as recorded in 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15. Naaman, who is the commander of the army of Aram (Syria), finds himself afflicted with leprosy. A captured Israelite girl who is serving in his household then suggests he travels to the prophet Elisha for healing.

Naaman makes the journey to Elisha and is given instructions by a messenger as follows:
"Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean." 2 Kings 5:10 Naaman can't figure out why he couldn't wash in his own river back home. Anyway, Naaman immerses himself in the Jordan River and is healed!

A couple of things to note and for you to consider.
1. Naaman was willing to listen to someone who was an enemy of his own country. How open are you for advice from anyone outside your comfort zone?
2. Naaman gets healed by merely immersing himself in water. How open might you be to healing such as with alternative medicine?

Healing can come in many different ways to us. If we approach our concern in prayer, we never know what door God might open up for us to find healing. The question is: Do you want to be healed?

The prayer this Sunday will focus on the whole person. If you are in need of healing for any kind of brokenness in your life, I encourage you to come.

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November 3 Worship

October 27 Worship

October 20 Worship

October 13 Worship

I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

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