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.