Blog Archives

Good News - Week of 6/19/2017

6/20/2017

Friar (monk) in prayer

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

It is too easy, God
for faith to become an escape
– a way to avoid the pain of being human and alive;
or a path to success
– a way to persuade the universe to give us the things we want;
or a system of control
– a way to bend others to our will

But the faith you offer is different, Jesus,
more dangerous and compelling;
It’s the faith that carries the cross,
that embraces death
and lays itself down for the sake of others;
It’s the only faith that can lead us to resurrection
to life renewed and overflowing.

We praise you for this faith, God,
and open our hearts to receive it.
Amen.

NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURES

Genesis 21:8-21: Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away, but God promises to make Ishmael’s descendants into a great nation. When Hagar and Ishmael find themselves without food and water in the wilderness, God comes to their rescue.

Psalm 86:1-10: A plea for God’s mercy and rescue for the Psalmist who is in trouble, and a song of praise and affirmation of God’s greatness.

Romans 6:1b-11: Followers of Christ have died to sin and been raised to a new life in Jesus. Therefore we are no longer slaves to sin, and death no longer has power over us, but we are alive for God in Christ.

Matthew 10:24-39: Disciples are not greater than their teacher, and so if the teacher is insulted, the disciples will be even more. But, followers of Jesus must not fear those who can destroy only the body. Rather we must be willing to acknowledge Jesus, proclaim his message publicly and not seek to save our lives. When we seek to save our lives we lose them. Jesus did not come to bring peace, but conflict, and we are to love Christ more than our own lives.

This hymn is a call to commitment to follow Jesus and to fulfill our vocation through service.

0 Comments

Good News - Week of 6/11/2017

6/13/2017

0 Comments

PRAYER OF THE WEEK
God of compassion, you have opened the way for us and brought us to yourself. Pour your love into our hearts, that, overflowing with joy, we may freely share the blessings of your realm and faithfully proclaim the good news of Christ. Amen. (from Vanderbilt University)

Sarah Laughing

NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURES

Genesis 18:1-15 - The story for this week is for those who think there is no humor in the Bible.

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 - Psalm 116 is a prayer of thanksgiving.

Romans 5:1-8 - We often talk of hope as wishful thinking: “I hope it won’t rain”; “I hope I win the lottery”; “I hope my team wins the Super Bowl” but Paul’s concept of hope in Romans is different.

Matthew 9:35-10:23 - The parallel pattern of behavior between Jesus and his apostles is nowhere more striking than in Matthew's Gospel.

0 Comments

Good News - Week of 6/4/2017

6/4/2017

0 Comments

PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Thank you Lord, for the good gifts you have provided to help us on our journey. Renew, fill, and inspire us to new heights in Christ Jesus. Amen.

"St. Ignatius interior - Holy Trinity Window close-up
Stained glass window above altar of St. Ignatius Church, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The church is adjacent to Boston College. Theme is the Holy Trinity with the the hand representing God, the cross representing Jesus, and the dove representing the Holy Spirit." Thank-you John Workman!

NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURES

Genesis 1:1-2:4a: The account of the creation of heaven and earth, in which God speaks the creative Word and the Spirit hovers over creation.

Psalm 8: The Psalmist ponders how the great God who created all things nevertheless cares for human beings and gives men and women a place of stewardship over creation.

2 Corinthians 13:11-13: Paul closes his letter to the Corinthian church with the famous benediction invoking Christ’s grace, God’s love and the Spirit’s presence.

Matthew 28:16-20: Jesus commissions his disciples to serve the nations and to baptise them in the name of the Triune God.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

BRIDGE - MARYLAND
Only a few days left to get your tickets for "An Evening on the Bay with BRIDGE - MD". Call the church office Tuesday thru Thursday 9am - 2pm.

What is Trinity Sunday?
June 11 is Trinity Sunday. Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost to honor the Holy Trinity—the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Although the word “trinity” does not appear in Scripture, it is taught in Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 (and many other biblical passages). The concept of the trinity can never be completely understood or rationalized, but it is clearly taught in Scripture. Understanding of all scriptural doctrine is by faith which comes through the work of the Holy Spirit; therefore, it is appropriate that this mystery is celebrated the first Sunday after Pentecost, when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit first occurred.

On Trinity Sunday, the Christian Church ponders with joy and thanksgiving what the Father, Son and Holy Spirit have done to accomplish the salvation of sinful humanity. It is brought to remembrance how Christians should respond to the love God has shown us, praising Him and giving Him glory. We remember the Father as our Creator, the Son as our Savior and the Holy Spirit as our Comforter. Scriptural readings for the Trinity Sunday ceremony may include Psalm 8, beginning and ending with, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.” Second Corinthians 13:11-13 appeals to believers to aim for perfection and live in peace, ending with the prayer that the grace of Christ Jesus, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all, including again the commission Jesus left for believers in Matthew 28:16-20.

Trinity Sunday is to explain, to the best of man’s ability, the clues written in Scripture to guide us to a fuller understanding of our triune God. The Father is God from the beginning (John 1:1); Jesus revealed Himself as equal to the Father in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” Together, they sent the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). “For there are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one” (1 John 5:7-11). (from GotQuestions.org)

Rev. Barnes headed to new appointment
After four years of faithful service Rev. Valerie Barnes will be leaving for a new appointment. Her last preaching Sunday is this upcoming Sunday, June 11, 2017. Her last official day is Friday, June 30. Come out Sunday to bid her farewell and godspeed.

0 Comments

Good News - Week of 6/19/2017

Good News - Week of 6/11/2017

Good News - Week of 6/4/2017

Archives

Categories