Discussion January 8, 2012

GENESIS 1:1-5

¹In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, ²the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. ³Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. ⁴And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. ⁵God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

For Consideration

There is a car commercial on T.V. with a young child dressed up as Darth Vader. Little Darth is going around the house, arms stretched out in front, attempting to make things happen with the force. Nothing happens until the young Vader tries it out on his dad's car. Standing inside the house dad uses the remote control to start the car. Darth himself is taken aback and we all laugh or at least smile. 

For commercial: CLICK HERE

Why do we find this funny?

Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63) In today's scripture God said, "Let there be light." His words created a new order. Does God speak to us though visions and dreams or is it safer to say we get to God the most simple way - words?

A Message from the Publisher

Merry Christmas

It is difficult to adequately express gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of our Sunday School Class. The effort of preparing for our weekly discussions combined with your participation in the Chapel have caused my faith and relationship with God to grow stronger. At least that's what I think (always a dangerous proposition. see Isaiah 55:8).

During this time of Advent our focus is the coming of the Lord incarnate. In several months we will be preparing for Easter. During Jesus earthly ministry we are taught how to love God and our neighbors. All of this culminates on the Cross of Christ.

We believe in Jesus Christ and trust in the reality of redemption. It is important for our relationship with Christ to be strong and grow. Our usefulness to God depends on that and that alone.

Please consider other ways outside our weekly class to become more useful to our Lord. If you have any suggestions please post to the blog or email me by clicking here. Emails will be kept confidential.

God bless you,
Greg M

Discussion for December 18, 2011

 2 SAMUEL 7:1-11, 16

¹Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, ²the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” ³Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you.”

⁴But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: ⁵Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? ⁶I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. ⁷Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” ⁸Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; ⁹and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. ¹⁰And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, ¹¹from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.

¹⁶Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.

For Discussion:

Why is it important for the Messiah to be from "the house of David?"

What problems could this cause with Jesus when He actually showed up?

Discussion December 11, 2011

JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28

⁶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

¹⁹This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” ²⁰He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” ²¹And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” ²²Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” ²³He said, 
     “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 
          ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” 
as the prophet Isaiah said.

²⁴Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. ²⁵They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” ²⁶John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, ²⁷the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” ²⁸This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

For Consideration

John is the first human introduced in this grand prologue. What is John's mission?

How does John distinguish himself from the Messiah?

What is the the definition of "Witness?"

Advent Prayer of Confession

Roben Mounger & Pam Hanners wrote this prayer for last week's service. The words were inspired from Psalm 85 and Isaiah 40:1-11

Glorious God of the Fresh Start,
you paid our penalty and remain beside us,
never weary, always watchful.
Yet we confess we are often forgetful of you.
Fragile as flowers, we fade under the frosts of our fears and failures.
Wake us, renew us, gather us in your arms.
Inside your arms, we feel comfort for the days ahead.
Inside your arms, we hear guidance for green pastures.
Wake us, renew us, gather us in your arms.
Amen

The Rev.Fred Craddock

On Monday 28 November, CNN ran a story on Fred Craddock. The story mentions his time in Columbia and a bit of his personal story. Click Here for the John Blake story.

Discussion December 4, 2011

 ISAIAH 40:1-11

¹   Comfort, O comfort my people,
          says your God.
²   Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
          and cry to her
     that she has served her term,
          that her penalty is paid,
     that she has received from the Lord”s hand
          double for all her sins.

³   A voice cries out:
     “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,
          make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
⁴   Every valley shall be lifted up,
          and every mountain and hill be made low;
     the uneven ground shall become level,
          and the rough places a plain.
⁵   Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
          and all people shall see it together,
          for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

⁶   A voice says, “Cry out!”
          And I said, “What shall I cry?”
     All people are grass,
          their constancy is like the flower of the field.
⁷   The grass withers, the flower fades,
          when the breath of the LORD blows upon it;
          surely the people are grass. 

⁸   The grass withers, the flower fades;
          but the word of our God will stand forever.
⁹   Get you up to a high mountain,
          O Zion, herald of good tidings;
     lift up your voice with strength,
          O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
          lift it up, do not fear;
     say to the cities of Judah,
          “Here is your God!”

¹⁰  See, the Lord GOD comes with might,
          and his arm rules for him;
     his reward is with him,
          and his recompense before him.
¹¹  He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
          he will gather the lambs in his arms,
     and carry them in his bosom,
          and gently lead the mother sheep.

For Consideration

-In Vs 2 we have "received from the Lord's hand double for our sins" yet in Vs 11 He gently feeds, gathers and carries us. Is the Lord conflicted? 

-Can we know grace without judgment and wrath?

Discusion 27 November 2011

Greg H has graciously offered to lead the class this Sunday. Joe will be referring to Isaiah 64: 1-9  during the worship service. Greg's comments on his Lectionary selection, "I guess I'll go with the scary Mark."

GOSPEL MARK 13:24-37

²⁴“But in those days, after that suffering, 
     the sun will be darkened, 
          and the moon will not give its light, 
²⁵  and the stars will be falling from heaven, 
          and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 
²⁶Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. ²⁷Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

²⁸“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. ³⁰Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. ³¹Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

³²“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.³³Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. ³⁴It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. ³⁵Therefore, keep awake — for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, ³⁶or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. ³⁷And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

For Consideration Why do you suppose this selection is used the first week of Advent?

Discussion 20 November 2011

Matthew 25:31-46

New International Version (NIV)

The Sheep and the Goats

    ³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³²All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

   ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

   ⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

   ⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

   ⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

   ⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

For Consideration

-In Verse 32 "All the nations" implies far reaching theological implications. Does this passage about the conditions for salvation apply to everyone, everywhere throughout time? 

-How does this passage address Grace and belief in the Gospel?

-Is it fair for us to look at this passage isolated from other texts in Matthew?

-Can you see yourself as, "the least of these?"

Discussion for November 13, 2011

After reviewing the possible Lectionary scriptures (Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18, Psalm 90:1-12 and Matthew 25:14-30) I had to go with the Thessalonians slection. I was initially excited to look at Zephaniah because if holds one of my favorite verses 3:17 but Sunday's reading didn't come anywhere near this verse. So we're back to Thessalonians.


Have you ever seen a sign that reads: "Jesus is coming.....act busy?" or a bumper sticker that says, "Jesus is coming...are you ready?"

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

New International Version (NIV)

The Day of the Lord

 ¹ Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ² for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁵ You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

For Consideration:

-In Verse 5 Paul tells the Thessalonians they are "children of the light" and not in darkness. Does this sound arrogant, exclusive? Could churches today use this passage to convey unhelpful speculation on who is understood to exist in the foreboding realm?

-Verses 10 and 11 give us the reasons to act and what to do. How and when do we benefit from, "encouraging and building up each other?" 

Family of Abraham - Toward a Common Vision

On Wednesday 16 November from 7-9 p.m. you are invited to a special evening of learning and discussion at West End United Methodist Church (2200 West End Ave).

The program agenda calls for dialogue on Sharia Law, teachings of the Qur'an, what role do the mosque and Imam play in the American Muslim community and other issues of importance.

To view PDF Flyer: Click Here

For more information: Click Here

Habitat Painting- REVISED

Saturday, 12 November all those knowing the correct end to hold of a professional grade paint brush are asked to share some time at our Habitat project at 407 East 11th Street.

Volunteers meet at 0900 Saturday. If you have any equipment (brushes, ladders, buckets, etc) consider bringing that along as well.

Discussion 6 November 2011

Matthew 25:1-13

New International Version (NIV)

Matthew 25

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

 ¹ “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

   ⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
   ⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
   ⁹ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
   ¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
   ¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
   ¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
   ¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.


For Consideration:

• What constitutes wisdom and foolishness in this situation?
• Does this parable produce a sense of urgency or offer peace of mind?

Brown School Pioneer Days

Three good & one
not so good Presbyterians

This past Friday one couldn't help but notice a number of Presbyterians at the Brown School Pioneer Days. Carey and Nunie co-chaired the fund raiser. Net proceeds were $1,000 more than past years for over $3,300! Obviously the results speak of exemplary leadership.

Discussion 30 October 2011

Paul the Apostle

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. ¹¹ For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, ¹² encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

 ¹³ And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

For Consideration:
Vs. 11-Paul claims to have dealt with the Thessalonians "like a father with his children." How do we identify with our spiritual "parents"...those that have faithfully instructed and influenced us?

Is it necessary for disciples of today to be "pure, upright, and blameless in our conduct" (vs 10) toward those with whom the Gospel is shared? Is this kindred to "faith without works?"

Habitat for Humanity

This past Saturday volunteers from 1st Pres., Rock Springs Baptist Church & Maury County DHS worked on the Habitat house. One couldn't have asked for a better day. Our own Brooks & Leigh Jones commandeered hammer and caulk gun respectively. After suggesting applying caulk is similar to applying mascara, Leigh quipped, "Do I look like i've got time for mascara? Brooks, children....really."

23 October 2011 Discussion

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
 ¹ You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. ² We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. ³ For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. ⁴ On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. ⁵ You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. ⁶ We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. ⁷ Instead, we were like young children^[a] among you.

   Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, ⁸ so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

"The Spirit gives us gifts for the building up of the church and sends us into the world to participate in God's kingdom work, started with the ministry of Jesus Christ"

               Quote from Jennie Barber's Statement of Faith


For consideration:
-In the 4th verse Paul explains what motivates them to share the Gospel. How does God test our hearts? 
-How does this passage guide us when faced with evil & unjust suffering? 

Pumpkin Carving Tip

Joe demonstrates a better way to access your Halloween pumpkin. Carve the access hole in the bottom of the large fruit. This makes mounting and lighting the candle safer and easier. Joe credited Martha Stewart with this innovative suggestion.

The Sunday School Class

Sunday School Class

(Currently meeting in The Chapel)

·This open discussion class follows scripture selections from the published Presbyterian USA Lectionary.

·Participants include, but not limited to, disparate individuals (Young, AARP & beyond) whose commonality acknowledges God’s Grace & His desire for Reconciliation and Restoration with our neighbor.

·The class endeavors to be a safe place to share one’s spiritual hopes, strengths, struggles, questions and fears as it relates to the selected Bible verses.

·Participants that only listen contribute essential support to the entire class.

·Best answer when asked how one would describe the Sunday School Class:  “I don’t know.”

We seek to help change that response through our interpretations of The Holy Bible.

What they say……….

--helps me focus week to week on what I need to be doing as Christ's disciple.

--provides a richer reading of the scriptures as class members share their perspectives and experiences.

-Personally, I always leave with the feeling that nothing can separate us from the Love of God.  

-open-minded, welcoming, and that we value the spiritual experiences of others.