It has been quite awhile since I blogged. There seems to be a lot going on in my life, ministry, and in the church both local and at the state level. I am still waiting to see if I will be a grandpa for the 5th time. Hopefully by tomorrow. Tonight will be with the other two grand daughters.

Pentecost is next Sunday. I have been thinking and reflecting on some of the ways that we are worshipping at our church and with consultation have decided to take a look at changing some of the structure of the services. Currently we offer three services. Two on Sunday, the first is more contemporary and the second is traditional which means more liturgical. We also offer a Wednesday communion service so that we have communion every week that I am around. One way I have been contemplating changing the sermon is to plan at least one month and actually I have three months of sermon ideas and questions to reflect on. What I hope will happen is that people will read the scripture for that day and reflect and answer the questions that I have included. Then when they come to the service, we can reflect together what they have learned and what I may offer. I feel that this Sunday is the time we can look at this as the disciples found themselves thinking beyond what was and moving forward to what God wants. So here are the scriptures for June and the questions to reflect on:
Over the next month the following are the scriptures that will be the focus of the service. I am asking that you read them and reflect on some of the questions that are proposed so that you may be prepared for the service.

June 7th: John 3:1-17
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believed in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
When you read this verse what strikes you the most? Do you feel loved by God? John 3:17-18 continues about judgment. Do you feel assured of your salvation? Hoe do you see hope in these times? What does it mean to you to be born with new life?

June 14th: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
“for the Lord does not see as mortals see, they look on the outward appearances, but the Lord looks on the heart. (16:7b)”
This is the story of the choosing David as the new king of Israel. How does this story speak to your understanding of leadership today? How do you make judgments of others? Samuel was afraid to go to Bethlehem but he went anyway. Are there times in your life you felt the call of God but were afraid to act on it?

June 21st: 1 Samuel 17:1a, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49
This is the story of David and Goliath. In your life have there been situations that seem gigantic and overwhelming? What were some of the ways that you tried to handle those times? Did you feel that you were able to strategize your way around the situations? What learning’s have you kept to face such times again?

June 28th: Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15; 2:23-24 often found in the apocrypha.
13-15 “because God did not make death and he does not delight in the death of the living. For he created all things so that they might exist; the generative forces of the world are wholesome, and there is not destructive poison in them, for the dominion of Hades is not on earth. For righteousness is immortal.
23-24: for God created us for incorruption, and made us in the image of his own eternity, but through the devil’s envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his company experience it.”
To better understand these verses, read Wisdom of Solomon 1:1-2:24 in its entirety. There are those that say that the 10th commandment about coveting your neighbor’s wife and possessions covers almost the entire 10 commandments. Envy is often seen as one of the seven deadly sins. The author is also portraying two views of existence. What do you believe about our life? Is it accidental; short and there is nothing else? Should we just live it up to escape the despair? What outcomes might you imagine with such narcissist view? Or do you believe we are created for a purpose not by chance and that death is not the final answer? Is creation truly wholesome and that injustice foreign to creation?

I hope to summarize after each service what was talked about. This could also be something that could be used for small group discussions and even in families. I will be doing a sermon series on families starting in July. Stay tuned.