Whew! I hadn't realized how long it had been since I last posted. My apologies to those who are still reading.

Busy transition time as we prepare for a new Fall, a new pastor, and a new menu for Wednesday night supper!

I will be posting a bit more regularly after we start a new church wide series based on the book by Kerry & Chris Shook, One Month to Live. That will begin next Monday, August 16.

Tonight, however, our Disciple group will be discussing the plight of the Israelites as they struggled for survival in the desert after fleeing from Egypt. What does it mean to really trust God for daily sustenance? When we say that God provides, do we mean it?

Creaturely comforts enslave us and demand our immediate attention. More important things like education, sound relationships, deep faith, require time and considerable discipline. Why must we learn the hard way? Why can't we have freedom and spiritual maturity quickly and easily?

Grace and Peace,

Is there a difference between God "knowing" a thing will happen and God "causing" a thing to happen? Are Christians more closely aligned with the views of the sadducees, Essenes, or Pharisees?

As we continue with our summer study of Judaism, tonight we will be exploring Jewish thought over the years regarding the relationship between God and humankind. We will also learn a bit more about early Jewish messianic expectations.

Join us tonight in our church library at 5:45!

God's blessings be upon you!

Tonight in our Disciple Bible study we will be exploring the idea that God works for good even when bad things happen. We will be looking at the story of Joseph being sold into slavery only to end up in a position where he is able to save his people.

The apostle Paul meditates on providence in Romans 8 which we will also read. In the King James Version, Romans 8:28 reads, "All things work together for good to them that love God." We will consider this passage in light of the Jospeh story. We will be discussing what we really believe about God's providence and our own destiny as children of God.

I hope you are having a great summer!

Celebrating the New Year in the Jewish tradition is not just a celebration of new beginnings. The New Year (Rosh ha-Shana) is considered the yearly day of judgment. The main theme projects God as king and judge of all mankind.

Our two most celebrated days recognize God's presence here on earth at Christmas and his sacrifice overcome at Easter. How does the theme of judgment impact how the Jewish people see their relationship with God? We recognize the theme of judgment but do not give it the same emphasis. What do we, as Christians, lose by not spending as much time thinking about God's judgment upon us all?

Tonight in the library we will be taking a look at the entire Jewish calendar and the way it defines jewish identity.

God's blessings be upon you,

We do not want to accept responsibility or blame for discord. We find it painful to acknowledge our own guilt. We postpone, wait for someone else to make the first move, or pray the discord will go away.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:21-24, "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift."

Tonight in our Disciple Bible study we will be reading accounts of Jacob reconciling with his father-in-law, Laban. We will also look at his reconciliation with his brother, Esau.

Be at Peace!

Turning to God in moments of need - praying - has definite biblical roots and was performed by both private individuals and public figures. Prayer, however, was not the standard means of worshipping God in the Hebrew Bible. Worship was primarily centered around the act of sacrifice. What major act or procedure does our worship revolve around today? What brings revelation or meaning to you in a typical time of worship?

Tonight's small group study will discuss Jewish Worship - Prayer and the Synagogue. I hope you'll be able to join us!

Blessings,

Tonight in our Disciple Bible study we will be talking about family conflicts and the presence of God. We will be reading about Jacob's journey from problems with his brother growing up to new problems finding a wife as an adult.

Genesis 28:16 - Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place; and I did not know it."

When have you missed a message from God because you were unaware of his presence? When has conflict revealed something of God to you?

Learn from that experience and then don't forget to share it with someone else!

Blessings,