This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, July 29, 2012
July 2012 Archives
Psalm 96 Hymn 217 "O Sing a New Song"
THE HEBREW SCRIPTURE LESSON Luke 2:1-7
SERMON "Mary and Joseph's Unexpected Journey"
And everyone went off to his own town to register. LUKE 2:3
WORSHIP NOTES
In today's worship we continue our exploration of the biblical theme of journey. We are undergoing a journey ourselves throughout the summer as our building will be renovated, and on certain Sundays, we will have to worship in the fellowship hall.
The story at the heart of our worship this morning is Mary and Joseph as they journey to Bethlehem to give birth to their son. Since there is no ancient evidence of a universal, world wide registration ordered by Caesar Augustus, most scholars think Luke was using a literary device to communicate a couple of theological ideas. In particular, there is the connection made between Jesus birth and the town of Bethlehem. Also, by subtly framing Jesus birth in the context of this event, we have a comparison between the "divine" Caesar of power and Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who embodied divinity in a very different way.
This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, July 22, 2012
THE PSALM LESSON Psalm 89: 20-37
THE HEBREW SCRIPTURE LESSON 1 Kings 19:1-13
SERMON "Accepting Gifts for the Journey"
Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.
1Kings 19:7b
WORSHIP NOTES
In today's worship we continue our exploration of the biblical theme of journey. We are undergoing a journey ourselves throughout the summer as our building will be renovated, and on certain Sundays, we will have to worship in the fellowship hall. The scripture at the heart of our service this morning is the story of Elijah.
King David and his son King Solomon reigned over the united land of Israel for many years and their reigns are viewed as a great time in Israel's history. Following Solomon's reign a civil war and struggle for succession left Israel divided into the Northern and Southern Kingdom, also referred to as Israel (the North) and Judah (the South) around the year 922 BCE. Neither kingdom is known for doing a particularly good job of following God's Word, but the Northern Kingdom is noted especially for the wayward leadership of its Kings. The Northern Kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians in 722 BCE. The Southern Kingdom of Judah fell to the Babylonians in 587BCE.
Elijah is a prophet that spoke in the Northern Kingdom early in its existence. He is known as one who spoke against the practice of introducing other gods into worship and called for morality from the Kings. His story can be found in 1 Kings 17:1-2 Kings 1:15.
This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, July 15, 2012
THE PSALM LESSON Psalm 24
THE HEBREW SCRIPTURE LESSON Isaiah 43:16-21
SERMON "Isaiah's Journey: Something New"
See, I am doing a NEW thing. Isaiah 43:19
WORSHIP NOTES
In today's worship we continue our exploration of the biblical theme of journey. The scripture at the heart of our service this morning is the story of Isaiah. Our Call to Worship is taken from the central passage of our worship this morning and reminds us of God's activity among us. The Prayer of Confession expresses our own feelings of fear and lowliness as a result of our lack of faith. We will be singing our Psalm lesson this morning. In our Affirmation of Faith taken from the Presbyterian Church Book of Confessions, we embrace our mission and purpose in the world.
This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, July 8, 2012
THE PSALM LESSON *Hymn 248 "You Are Before Me, Lord" Sursum Corda
THE HEBREW SCRIPTURE LESSON Jonah 1:1-17
SERMON "Jonah's Journey: Running from Grace"
But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah
Jonah 1:17
WORSHIP NOTES
In today's worship we continue our exploration of the biblical theme of journey. We are undergoing a journey ourselves throughout the summer as our building will be renovated, and on certain Sundays, we will have to worship in the fellowship hall. The scripture at the heart of our service this morning is the story of Jonah. Our Call to Worship this morning is taken from our Psalm of the day, Psalm 139. In these words we catch a glimpse of God's ever present grace no matter where we find ourselves in life or in death. The Opening Hymn begins our worship with a spirit of praise for the King of Creation. The Prayer of Confession expresses our own tendency to be like Jonah in our unwillingness to embrace God's grace to those we consider especially wicked. We will be singing our Psalm lesson this morning. In our Affirmation of Faith taken from the Presbyterian Church Book of Confessions, we embrace our mission and purpose in the world. The hymn following the sermon "God of the Sparrow" captures our sense of awe, praise, grace, and love we experience in God. In our closing hymn "God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us" there is the beautiful line expressing much of our theme for this day - "Giver of grace for our needs all availing, Wisdom and strength for each day do thou send us, Patience untiring and courage unfailing."
This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, July 1, 2012
