using our gifts

Good evening friends,

I'd like to remind you to set your clocks ahead an hour before you go to bed on Saturday, so you'll be on time to hear Karen's sermon debut. I know she's going to do a great job and will appreciate your support. It takes a lot of courage to preach for the first time.

In our reading for tonight Paul uses himself as an example. He remembers his call and how, even though he made mistakes, God has worked powerfully through him to welcome the gentiles into the family of faith. From there he argues they shouldn't get discouraged that he's in prison, since that too will end up being a blessing for them. God truly can turn trouble into opportunity.

God bless,
Sam

Ephesians 3:1-13

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— ²for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, ³and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, ⁴a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. ⁵In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: ⁶that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

 ⁷Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. ⁸Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, ⁹and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; ¹⁰so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 

¹¹This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹²in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. ¹³I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory.

Jesus, Paul and MLK

Good afternoon brothers and sisters,
Fifty years ago today one of the great modern prophets raised his voice against the evil of racial segregation and oppression. Fifty years later, many barriers have come down, but people are still denied access to many of the things we all need because of race or economic bondage. We still have a long way to go to build God's just and righteous kingdom.

Our reading today reminds us that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was not only a great leader, but a minister of the gospel following in the prophetic footsteps of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jesus, Peter and Paul. Like Jesus, Peter and Paul, he spoke out for God's justice and ultimately paid with his life. May we continue their legacy by following Jesus wherever he leads.

God bless,
Sam

Acts 21:7-16

7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we greeted the believers and stayed with them for one day. ⁸The next day we left and came to Caesarea; and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him. ⁹He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy. ¹⁰While we were staying there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹He came to us and took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands with it, and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, “This is the way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.” ’

¹²When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ ¹⁴Since he would not be persuaded, we remained silent except to say, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’

15 After these days we got ready and started to go up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came along and brought us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to stay.

persecution and witness

Good afternoon friends,
As a reminder, we don't have supper and scripture tonight, but we do have a potluck supper and worship tomorrow evening beginning at 6 in Christler Hall for Maundy Thursday. Maundy Thursday is one of my favorite days of the year because it shows us Jesus at his most human. I hope you'll be there for that service. 




In today's reading the crowd asks Jesus about the big buildings of the religious establishment and then about the end of the world. Jesus replies that we don't know when the end will come, but it will be dramatic. More than that, he warns his disciples that they can expect to be persecuted, but that even persecution is an opportunity to spread the good news of God's love. Historically, the church is most successful and faithful when we have the least amount of power. That means times of trouble are also opportunities to be embraced. That's a good word for us as we follow Jesus to the cross this week.

God bless,
Sam

Luke 21:5-19

⁵When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ⁶“As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” ⁷They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 

⁸And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. ⁹“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” ¹⁰Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; ¹¹there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. ¹²“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. ¹³This will give you an opportunity to testify. 

¹⁴So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; ¹⁵for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. ¹⁶You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷You will be hated by all because of my name. ¹⁸But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹By your endurance you will gain your souls.

lemons to lemonade

Good afternoon sisters and brothers,
Tonight, we're celebrating Halloween with the neighborhood from 5:30-7. The church is hustling and bustling to get ready, and it's going to be a good time. If you haven't done it yet, make sure to put the time change in your calendar for Sunday. I know I'm looking forward to the extra hour; I'll bet you are too. 


Today's reading comes from Paul in prison. As he starts this wonderful letter to the church at Philippi, he wants to reassure them that he is OK. He assure them that even his time in jail will be fruitful for the gospel and for him. The truth is that God can take anything in our life, good or bad, and use it for our growth. Sometimes our worst moments end up bringing us closer to God. For Paul and the early church, conflict and persecution spread the message of God's love. How can we use our opportunities to share God's love today?

Blessings,
Sam

Philippians 1:12-21

¹²I want you to know, beloved that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, ¹³so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; ¹⁴and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear. ¹⁵Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. ¹⁶These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; ¹⁷the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. 

¹⁸What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. ²⁰It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

questions on the road

Good morning brothers and sisters,
First I'd like to remind you about the exciting opportunity to participate in the Christian Life and Witness Class offered by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association over the next three weeks. It is a series of three classes focused on deepening our faith and sharing that faith with others. From the preview I received at a pastor's gathering, the quality and style is excellent. I think you'll find it refreshing, encouraging and challenging. The class is offered Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 7-9 and Saturday mornings from 10-noon at various sites. I'll be attending the class on Saturdays at Bridge Builders Church at 1787 Norton Street (between Waring and Goodman). The class is free and is an great opportunity to deepen your faith and hear a different perspective than you'll normally hear from me.


Today's reading takes place Easter afternoon. Two of Jesus' disciples are going to a nearby town after hearing the report of the women who went to Jesus' tomb and found it empty. As you read, try to imagine being one of Jesus' disciples processing the crazy last week of his life.

God bless,
Sam

Luke 24:13-24

¹³Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁴and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, ¹⁶but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 

¹⁸Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” ¹⁹He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. ²¹But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. 

Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. ²²Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, ²³and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. ²⁴Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.”