Category: Scripture Notes

Good News - Week of 11/21/2016

11/21/2016

PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Unexpected God, your advent alarms us. Wake us from drowsy worship, from the sleep that neglects love, and the sedative of misdirected frenzy. Awaken us now to your coming, and bend our angers into your peace. Amen.
(from the the Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURES

Isaiah 2:1-5 - Out of the house of the Lord shall come wisdom and instruction, and all nations will convert their weapons of war into implements for sustaining life.

Psalm 122 - A psalm rejoicing in Jerusalem, a foretaste of what Isaiah prophesies.

Romans 13:11-14 - Salvation draws ever nearer, so live in the fullness of Christ, freed from the power of sinful desires.

Matthew 24:36-44 - The coming of the Son of Man will be a surprise, so be ready and wait for it!

Advent wreath

WHAT'S HAPPENING

What is Advent?
This Sunday, (November, 27) is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a season of four weeks including four Sundays. Advent derives from the Latin adventus, which means "coming." The season proclaims the comings of the Christ—whose birth we prepare to celebrate once again, who comes continually in Word and Spirit, and whose return in final victory we anticipate. Each year Advent calls the community of faith to prepare for these comings; historically, the season was marked by fasts for preparation. Each Sunday of Advent has its distinctive theme: Christ's coming in final victory (First Sunday), John the Baptist (Second and Third Sundays), and the events immediately preceding the birth of Jesus Christ (Fourth Sunday).

When you walk into the sanctuary you may see blue or purple coverings on the altar. You may also see other visual symbols such as an Advent wreath (an evergreen wreath with four candles and a central white Christ candle added on Christmas Eve/Day), evergreen wreaths and branches, a Chrismon tree (an evergreen tree covered with white monograms of Christ), and a Jesse tree (a tree with signs of the ancestors of Christ).
(adapted from Discipleship Ministries)

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Good News - Week of 9/4/2016

9/6/2016

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PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Jesus, let me do more unbinding than binding. Become greater in my life so that I will be an encourager for others. Amen.
(adapted from BWC Adventure Guide, Sept. 2011-Aug. 2012)

REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
A Prayer for the Anniversary of 9/11
by the Rev. Jeremy Pridgeon

O God, our hope and refuge,
in our distress we come quickly to you.
Shock and horror of that tragic day have subsided,
replaced now with an emptiness,
a longing for an innocence lost.

We come remembering those who lost their lives
in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania.

We are mindful of the sacrifice of public servants
who demonstrated the greatest love of all
by laying down their lives for friends.
We commit their souls to your eternal care
and celebrate their gifts to a fallen humanity.

We come remembering
and we come in hope,
not in ourselves, but in you.

As foundations we once thought secure have been shaken,
we are reminded of the illusion of security.

In commemorating this tragedy,
we give you thanks for your presence
in our time of need
and we seek to worship you in Spirit and in truth,
our guide and our guardian. Amen.

from Discipleship Ministries

A lost sheep, found behind rosemary plants. Catalonia. Public Domain.

NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURES
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 - The coming conquest of Judah by Babylon will be like powerful hot wind that destroys everything in its path.

Psalm 14 - This psalm was not addressing atheism, which would have been anon sequitur in the ancient world, but rather anti-Yahwism. The first line can be more accurately translated "Fools say in their hearts, 'There is nothing to [your] God.'" Or even, “Your God is nothing!” It is an example of “trash talk” by an invading army.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 - Paul begins this first letter to Timothy by identifying himself — and all followers of Jesus — as recipients of incredible mercy to show that God in Christ is out to save sinners.

Luke 15:1-10 - Lost sheep, lost coins, and celebration over one sinner who repents — Jesus' stories in response to criticism that he receives "sinners" and shares meals with them.
(From Discipleship Ministry)

Sunday School

SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS AGAIN
Our Sunday School is starting again, beginning Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 9:15 AM. Come, share and learn more about the bible.

Thanksgiving dinner

TURKEYS FOR THE HOLIDAY BASKETS
Help Beechfield UMC reach the goal of $400 to purchase 40 turkeys at $10 each for our Holiday Baskets to Feed the Hungry. Make checks payable to Beechfield UMC (put turkey on the memo line) or place cash in the pew envelope (write your name, amount and ‘turkey’ on the envelope).
Thanks in advance for your willingness to give!

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Good News - Week of 8/28/2016

8/29/2016

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PRAYER OF THE WEEK - NEW SCHOOL YEAR
Father,
We thank you for the opportunity to begin this new school year, and we ask that you bless the students, faculty, and student families that make our school a great place. We pray that you will guide us in your ways, so that we will seek your will in everything that we do, and love others as you love us. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
David Bennett - www.churchyear.net

NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURES
Jeremiah 18:1-11. At the potter's house: "Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you. ... Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings."

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (UMH 854). God knows us completely, inside and out. Thus God can both judge us and show mercy toward us when we repent.

Philemon 1-21. Paul writes to persuade a slaveholder (Philemon) to emancipate his slave, Onesimus.

Luke 14:25-33. Jesus lays out the non-negotiables for those who want to be his disciples: hate family and life, carry the crossbar of a Roman crucifix as you follow Jesus, and give up all your possessions.
(from Discipleship Ministries)

PRESCHOOL
It's back to school time at the Word of Life preschool! We're looking forward to seeing you and having another great year. If you haven't registered your child it's not too late.

HOLIDAY FOOD BASKETS
We have a goal of providing 40 needy families with turkeys for Thanksgiving/Christmas. You can donate by check. Make your check out to Beechfield UMC (put turkey on the memo line). You can donate cash. Just place your money in the pew envelope and write "turkey" on the envelope. Or you can click on the button below and donate by PayPal. Again, put "turkey" in the note. However you donate, we appreciate your help. Thank-you.

DISASTER AID
One way to help communities stricken by disaster is through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). UMCOR provides humanitarian relief and disaster response in the United States and internationally. Our efforts are targeted in places where natural disasters, war, or conflict have done so much damage that communities are unable to recover on their own. While UMCOR is not a first-response organization, we stand ready to accompany communities in need over the long haul of their recovery, until they are well on their way to establishing a “new normal” after a crisis.Click here to help support the work of UMCOR

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Good News - Week of 11/21/2016

Good News - Week of 9/4/2016

Good News - Week of 8/28/2016

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