Psalm 104:24-34, 35b • Numbers 11:24-30 • 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 • John 7:37-39
This week’s theme is the giving of the Holy Spirit. The call to worship Psalm speaks of the Spirit being sent forth to create and renew. The Old Testament reading from Numbers presents the story of the Spirit resting on those who became empowered to prophesy. The Gospel reading from John equates the giving of the Spirit with rivers of living water. The text from 1 Corinthians gives an account of a variety of gifts that come from the same Spirit.
The Holy Spirit’s Unifying Gift of Diversity
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 (NIV)
Today is Pentecost. So often on this day we hear the dramatic story of the Holy Spirit descending on Pentecost as the beginning of... Read the article
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Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 • Acts 1:6-14 • 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11 • John 17:1-11
In our final week of the Easter season, we look forward to Pentecost, which celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit. The theme for this week is getting on with God’s work. Our call to worship Psalm reminds us that God cares for the lonely and the prisoners, suggesting that we have an active role in worship-leading them in singing and praise. In Acts 1, we hear the gentle rebuke from the angels following Jesus’ Ascension, reminding the disciples that they have a commission. Jesus’ prayer for the disciples in John 17 recalls that they have been chosen by the Father, and he prays for their protection as they remain in the world following his Ascension.... Read the article
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Psalm 66:8-20 • Acts 17:22-31 • 1 Peter 3:13-22 • John 14:15-21
The theme for this week is suffering and the nearness of God. Psalm 66 recounts the ups and downs of life, and it speaks of God’s faithfulness during the most difficult times. Paul explains the “Unknown God” to the Athenians in Acts 17:22-31, reminding them and us that “in him we live and move and have our being.” In John 14:15-21, Jesus promises another Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, who will never leave us as orphans. Our sermon text is I Peter 3:13-22, which explores the theme of suffering and the unspoken assumptions we make about it.
When Life Is Beautiful and Hard
1 Peter 3:13-22 (NRSV)
Author Kate Bowler seemed to have it all. At 35 years old, she... Read the article
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Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 • Acts 7:55-60 • 1 Peter 2:2-10 • John 14:1-14
Our theme mid-way through the Easter season is entering into the wonderful light of God. In Psalm 31, King David commits his spirit to God, and, knowing it is safe in the divine hands, professes the unfailing love of God. In John 14 we witness Jesus reassuring Thomas that he already knows the way into the Father’s house - through Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Stephen has a vision of Jesus at the right hand of God at the end of Acts 7, and even as he is stoned to death, he commits his spirit into Jesus’ hands and asks God to forgive his murderers. In our sermon passage for today we are told that the only stumbling block on the path to... Read the article
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“Tis impossible to be sure of anything but Death and Taxes,” said English actor and dramatist, Christopher Bullock in 1716. We can be even more sure of the resurrection.
In 1789, Ben Franklin changed Bullock’s statement a bit and said, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Theologically, Ben Franklin’s quote is more accurate because he limited his observation to things “in this world.” As Christ followers, we know we are citizens of another world – the kingdom of God, and there are many things we can be sure of. Easter points us to the reason we can be sure – the resurrection.
Let’s look at two passages that share observations and blessings from the resurrection.
Let’s first look at... Read the article
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Psalm 23:1-6 • Acts 2:42-47 • 1 Peter 2:19-25 • John 10:1-10
This week, we mark the fourth Sunday of Easter. In this season, we focus on what it means to live in the reality of Jesus, our risen Lord. Among many other things, he has revealed himself to be a gentle caregiver and guiding light. The theme for this week is Jesus is our shepherd and guardian. In arguably the most famous Psalm, David identifies the Lord as his shepherd. In Acts 2, we see the way in which a community cared for and nurtured by Christ behaves. In 1 Peter, we read how to bear up under suffering by relying on Jesus, the shepherd and guardian of our souls. Lastly, in John, Jesus reveals that he is the means by which sheep can find safety, nourishment, and... Read the article
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Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 • Acts 2:14a, 36-41 • 1 Peter 1:17-23 • Luke 24:13-35
This week’s theme is receiving salvation’s new orientation. The call to worship Psalm reflects on the psalmist’s experience of deliverance and his offering of himself to live a life of devotion in thankful response. The reading from Acts records the final section of Peter’s sermon on Pentecost where he urges repentance and baptism as a response fitting to receiving forgiveness. The text from 1 Peter is a reminder to those who have already been saved by the blood of Christ to live accordingly. The Gospel reading from Luke recounts the story of Jesus on the road to Emmaus who opens the hearts of two disciples, who at first did not recognize him,... Read the article
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Psalm 16:1-11 • Acts 2:14a, 22-32 • 1 Peter 1:3-9 • John 20:19-31
This week’s theme is tongues of praise. In our call to worship psalm, David declares that in God, his heart is glad, and his tongue rejoices. In Acts, the Holy Spirit falls on the disciples and they begin to speak in tongues of praise to God in various languages. In 1 Peter, the apostle writes to persecuted believers, telling them that the refining of their faith would result in them uttering praises to God. And in John’s gospel, a doubting disciple shouts his praise, “My God and My Lord!” after encountering the risen Savior.
The Truth, the Trials, and the Triumph
1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV)
Last week we celebrated Easter, or Resurrection Sunday. Today is... Read the article
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Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 • Jeremiah 31:1-6 • Acts 10:34-43 • Matthew 28:1-10
This week’s theme is celebration of restoration. The call to worship Psalm invites us into thanksgiving to celebrate the Lord’s victory over the enemy and the restoration of the rejected. The Old Testament reading from Jeremiah anticipates God’s work of restoration for Israel, delivering her from her many troubles and restoring her to a life of rest and rejoicing. The reading from Acts shares Peter’s words that celebrate the redemption Jesus has brought through his resurrection. The Gospel reading from Matthew retells the account of the first Easter with visits to the empty tomb.
Jesus Christ Is Risen
Matthew 28:1-10 (NRSV)
On this day of Easter, we... Read the article
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Job 14:1–14 or Lamentations 3:1–9, 19–24 | Psalm 31:1–4, 15–16 | 1 Peter 4:1–8 | Matthew 27:57–66 or John 19:38–42
Theme: Our new life in Christ is grounded in Jesus’ humility, service, and self-sacrificial love which he expressed by voluntarily laying down his life for every one of us.
Suggested Preparation:
Small Group Gatherings—Join together in groups of eight to twelve people during the discussion period. Have pen/pencil and paper available for each group, It may be helpful to have the discussion questions on each paper to encourage participation: (1) What are some areas of death, grief, loss, or sorrow that we see in our neighborhood or community? (2) How is Jesus at work right now in bringing his life... Read the article
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