Sunday, August 25, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Bible Challenge 08//25 - 08/31
Greetings All!
This week we continue our journey through most of the first major prophetic book, Isaiah. Remember this book is named after the prophet Isaiah who ministered to the southern kingdom of Judah for a period of about sixty years (740-680 BC) through four different kings.
Isaiah came from a privileged family and he was well educated. Some people have even called him the
"Shakespeare of the Bible" because of the beauty and poetry of his words. He lived in the city of Jerusalem for most of his life. He was married (his wife is called a prophetess) and they had at least two sons that are mentioned in the book of Isaiah. He lived at the same time as three other minor prophets: Amos, Micah and Hosea. Strong tradition suggests that he died a martyrs death under the reign of King Manasseh by being placed within the hallow of a tree trunk and sawed in two.
The name Isaiah means "the salvation of the Lord" and the book is often referred to as the "Book of Salvation." The first 39 chapters deal mainly with strong messages of judgment against Judah and a call to repentance and holiness. He predicted the demise and captivity of Judah, yet comforted people with the hope that God had promised a Redeemer. The last 27 chapters contain God's message of forgiveness, consolation and hope as God speaks through Isaiah, revealing his plan of blessing and salvation through the coming Messiah. The New Testament quotes the book of Isaiah 66 times, more than any other Old Testament book except for Psalms.
Here is the schedule:
25, Sunday: Isaiah 6-9
26, Monday: Isaiah 10-13
27, Tuesday: Isaiah 14-17
28, Wednesday: Isaiah 18-21
29, Thursday: Isaiah 22-25
30, Friday: Isaiah 26-29
31, Saturday: Isaiah 30-33
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
This week we continue our journey through most of the first major prophetic book, Isaiah. Remember this book is named after the prophet Isaiah who ministered to the southern kingdom of Judah for a period of about sixty years (740-680 BC) through four different kings.
Isaiah came from a privileged family and he was well educated. Some people have even called him the "Shakespeare of the Bible" because of the beauty and poetry of his words. He lived in the city of Jerusalem for most of his life. He was married (his wife is called a prophetess) and they had at least two sons that are mentioned in the book of Isaiah. He lived at the same time as three other minor prophets: Amos, Micah and Hosea. Strong tradition suggests that he died a martyrs death under the reign of King Manasseh by being placed within the hallow of a tree trunk and sawed in two.
The name Isaiah means "the salvation of the Lord" and the book is often referred to as the "Book of Salvation." The first 39 chapters deal mainly with strong messages of judgment against Judah and a call to repentance and holiness. He predicted the demise and captivity of Judah, yet comforted people with the hope that God had promised a Redeemer. The last 27 chapters contain God's message of forgiveness, consolation and hope as God speaks through Isaiah, revealing his plan of blessing and salvation through the coming Messiah. The New Testament quotes the book of Isaiah 66 times, more than any other Old Testament book except for Psalms.
Here is the schedule:
25, Sunday: Isaiah 6-9
26, Monday: Isaiah 10-13
27, Tuesday: Isaiah 14-17
28, Wednesday: Isaiah 18-21
29, Thursday: Isaiah 22-25
30, Friday: Isaiah 26-29
31, Saturday: Isaiah 30-33
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Friday Fives
1. Preaching Series - This Sunday we will continue our series on the Methodist Way. Several years ago we spent time seeking to understand how these practices were calling us to live out our faith. This time around we are going to focus on how we have been living out these practices in our lives over the last several years. This Sunday our emphasis will be on the practice of Extravagant Generosity and how we as the body of Christ can model this in our faith walk. I encourage you to invite a friend and come and see how God has been working in our congregation!
2. Food 4 Kids - We are once again participating in the Food 4 Kids backpack program by sponsoring Shady Hill Elementary. Food 4 Kids was created in 2004 when it came to the attention of school teachers that many children were not being fed over the weekend. The "backpack program" as it's termed, was created to provide food for each child that qualifies at the school level for assistance. By volunteering to help fill these backpacks, you help ensure that children in Marion County do not go hungry over the weekend. Beginning in mid-September, we will meet at InterFaith on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 A.M. and fill the backpacks. With four people, this averages about 20 minutes to complete. I hope you will considering volunteering this year, with whatever time you can spare. If you are interested in helping please contact Debby Baugher.
3. Installation Service - You are cordially invited to a Service of Installation for Rev. Sue Haupert-Johnson, our newly appointed District Superintendent. It will take place on Sunday, September 8th, at 3:00 P.M., in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church of Ocala, 1126 E. Silver Springs Boulevard. Also, our Bishop, Ken Carter will be in attendance. There will be reception in the Family Life Center immediately following the ceremony and an open house for the new district office. Everyone is invited and I want to encourage you to attend. You will have the opportunity to hear some of the vision Rev. Haupert-Johnson has for the North Central District. I hope to see you there!
4. Nursery Help - We are looking for people to help us staff our nursery on Sunday mornings. The number of young people we have in the nursery is growing and needless to say,
that is a good thing! If you are interested in helping Ms. Joy care for
and teach our kids during worship, please let the church office know. You can email by clicking here, or call 629-5688. Thus far, we have had two people sign up and we are looking for at least eight. Remember the old adage, many hands make light work. I hope you will consider volunteering to help support this ministry.
Have a great weekend and I will see you Sunday!
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Midweek Moment
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40, NIV)
What a moving passage of Scripture. This was Jesus’ response to a group of Pharisees when questioned about which commandment was the greatest. But this response was more than just an answer to a trivia question or the answer to timely problem. This answer is much, much more.
How often a day, in the midst of your schedules, obligations, commitments, personal interests, and relationships, do you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind? When you look back on your interactions with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, people that drive you crazy, how frequently did you love your neighbor as yourself?
As you ponder those answers for yourself, let me share mine with you; “not very often” and again, “not very often”. I get wrapped up in those schedules, obligations, commitments, interests and I am afraid my love of God and others is not always very evident. It seems that a brief exchange or a curt interaction in my dealings with people, people that I love, happen too often.
To love God means that we need to put God first in our lives, even before our family. It means that every decision, every action, every thought needs to be steeped in the grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness that is God. When we do that, I think we might find many of our decisions, actions, and thoughts turn out a tad different.
The love of God is life changing and transforming. When the love of God is allowed to permeate the soul, it changes everything. It shifts focus, intention, language, and desires. But the great thing about the love of God is that it is not one sided. Just as we are called to love God with all that we are, God already loves us in the same way.
This week I encourage you to take time to seriously discern where God ranks in your life. Then, if you are not happy with the answer, take time to ask God how you can change it. God is always willing to grow closer to us, we just need to ask.
Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!
What a moving passage of Scripture. This was Jesus’ response to a group of Pharisees when questioned about which commandment was the greatest. But this response was more than just an answer to a trivia question or the answer to timely problem. This answer is much, much more.
How often a day, in the midst of your schedules, obligations, commitments, personal interests, and relationships, do you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind? When you look back on your interactions with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, people that drive you crazy, how frequently did you love your neighbor as yourself?
As you ponder those answers for yourself, let me share mine with you; “not very often” and again, “not very often”. I get wrapped up in those schedules, obligations, commitments, interests and I am afraid my love of God and others is not always very evident. It seems that a brief exchange or a curt interaction in my dealings with people, people that I love, happen too often.
To love God means that we need to put God first in our lives, even before our family. It means that every decision, every action, every thought needs to be steeped in the grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness that is God. When we do that, I think we might find many of our decisions, actions, and thoughts turn out a tad different.
The love of God is life changing and transforming. When the love of God is allowed to permeate the soul, it changes everything. It shifts focus, intention, language, and desires. But the great thing about the love of God is that it is not one sided. Just as we are called to love God with all that we are, God already loves us in the same way.
This week I encourage you to take time to seriously discern where God ranks in your life. Then, if you are not happy with the answer, take time to ask God how you can change it. God is always willing to grow closer to us, we just need to ask.
Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!
Monday, August 19, 2013
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Bible Challenge 08/18 - 8/24
Greetings All!
This week we finish up the books of poetry in the Old Testament as we read Ecclesiastes and the entire book of Song of Solomon. Also attributed to King Solomon, Ecclesiastes seems at times like a reflective autobiography. The author proclaims all of the actions of humantiy to be "vain, futile, empty, meaningless, temporary, transitory or mere breath" (depending on the translation!) because all of life ends in death. So we are to focus all of our efforts towards that which is above this life: "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep His commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone" (12:13).
The last book of poetry is also known sometimes as "Song of Songs" but most people remember it because of its content. If it were a movie it would probably have an "R" rating because of the way the physical relationship between the man and the woman is described in detail. This book is always a reminder to me that when God created us he created our whole person - sexuality included - and that it is a gift to be celebrated within the right contexts.
Then we transition into the first of the prophetic books. There are 5 major prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel) and 12 minor prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi). The distinction between "major" and "minor" has nothing to do with importance and everything to do with the size of the book. And you will find that these are not in any kind of chronological order and eventually will bounce back and forth between prophets to the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The book of Isaiah is named for the prophet Isaiah who ministered to the southern kingdom of Judah for a period of about sixty years, through the reign of four kings. Many of Isaiah's prophecies concern a Savior and seem to be answered in the person of Jesus Christ. Consider Isaiah 7:14 for an example: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel."
Here is the schedule:
18, Sunday: Proverbs 29 - Ecclesiastes 1
19, Monday: Ecclesiastes 2-5
20, Tuesday: Ecclesiastes 6-9
21, Wednesday: Ecclesiastes 10 - Song of Solomon 1
22, Thursday: Song of Solomon 2-5
23, Friday: Song of Solomon 6 - Isaiah 1
24, Saturday: Isaiah 2-5
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
This week we finish up the books of poetry in the Old Testament as we read Ecclesiastes and the entire book of Song of Solomon. Also attributed to King Solomon, Ecclesiastes seems at times like a reflective autobiography. The author proclaims all of the actions of humantiy to be "vain, futile, empty, meaningless, temporary, transitory or mere breath" (depending on the translation!) because all of life ends in death. So we are to focus all of our efforts towards that which is above this life: "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep His commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone" (12:13).
The last book of poetry is also known sometimes as "Song of Songs" but most people remember it because of its content. If it were a movie it would probably have an "R" rating because of the way the physical relationship between the man and the woman is described in detail. This book is always a reminder to me that when God created us he created our whole person - sexuality included - and that it is a gift to be celebrated within the right contexts.
Then we transition into the first of the prophetic books. There are 5 major prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel) and 12 minor prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi). The distinction between "major" and "minor" has nothing to do with importance and everything to do with the size of the book. And you will find that these are not in any kind of chronological order and eventually will bounce back and forth between prophets to the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The book of Isaiah is named for the prophet Isaiah who ministered to the southern kingdom of Judah for a period of about sixty years, through the reign of four kings. Many of Isaiah's prophecies concern a Savior and seem to be answered in the person of Jesus Christ. Consider Isaiah 7:14 for an example: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel."
Here is the schedule:
18, Sunday: Proverbs 29 - Ecclesiastes 1
19, Monday: Ecclesiastes 2-5
20, Tuesday: Ecclesiastes 6-9
21, Wednesday: Ecclesiastes 10 - Song of Solomon 1
22, Thursday: Song of Solomon 2-5
23, Friday: Song of Solomon 6 - Isaiah 1
24, Saturday: Isaiah 2-5
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Friday Fives
2. YMCA Appreciation Sunday - This Sunday, August 18th we will take time to honor and recognize the campers and counselors from the YMCA Summer Day Camp during worship. This year has been the highest attended camp since they have started meeting here, averaging 150-160 children each day! The care and dedication these counselors show the children is a wonderful thing to witness. I hope you will make plans to be here that week so we can all show our love and admiration to these special people. We are also inviting them to our Fellowship Lunch, so would you please consider bringing a dish to share so we have plenty to go around.
3. Ocala Health and Rehab - This Sunday is our week to go and minister to the residents of Ocala Health and Rehab. I want to extend an invitation to all of you to come and join us, Sunday at 2pm. Ocala Health and Rehab is located just down the street from the church on the corner of Lake Weir Road and SE 24th Road. We begin with a few hymns, I give a brief devotion, and we wrap it up with a few more hymns and a prayer. It is a wonderful time of fellowship and spreading the love of Christ. I am sure you will enjoy it and be glad you participated! I hope to see you there!
4. Nursery Help - We are looking for people to help us staff our nursery on Sunday mornings. The number of young people we have in the nursery is growing and needless to say, that is a good thing! If you are interested in helping Ms. Joy, care for and teach our kids during worship, please let the church office know. You can email by clicking here, or call 629-5688. Remember the old adage, many hands make light work. I hope you will consider volunteering to help support this ministry.
5. Advent Conspiracy - This year we have set a goal to raise $5,000, by Christmas Eve, as a response to God's blessings in our lives. This gift, which is above and beyond our regular giving, will be split between Heifer International and Stop Hunger Now. If you would like to donate to this challenge, please mark your check or envelope "Heifer Fund" and place it in the offering plate or drop it by the church office. Thank you so much for your consideration in meeting this goal.Have a great weekend and I will see you Sunday!
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