Sunday, December 26, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP AT ST. MARK'S
Christmas Holy Communion Services
Christmas Eve Worship with Carols and Candlelight - 11:00pm
Christmas Day, a simple service for families and friends - 11:00am
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Notes for Adult Bible Fellowship, October 3
Introductory pastoral note: I love Jesus. I love the Bible. And I love you all. I hope these weekly emails are evidence of all three. But I want you to know that I don't expect any of you to read everything I'm sending. My prayer is that you will engage what you find most interesting, helpful, encouraging, and challenging. As you grow in your Bible knowledge I want you to see the next steps for your continuing growth in both knowledge and Christian character.
So if you're a little overwhelmed with the amount of information I'm sending you, (a) that's okay, (b) don't read it all. Just start with one of the Bible readings and commit to reading it five times before Mass on Sunday. Repetition is the mother of observation. As you observe the text, you will ask better questions of it, and I trust that you will find it asking better questions of you (for the Word of God is living and active).
I've linked three files to this week's post. They are all .pdf files containing helpful summaries for context questions.
(1) The books of the Bible by genre is a quick way to see what kind of book each reading comes from.
(2) The Bible translation comparison helps us begin to understand basic translation principles and the nearly bewildering scope of the contemporary Bible market.
(3) The Bible time-line is just that. You can you the author and date information from the NIV study bible link and see where, on the time-line, the book fits.
The collect and lessons (in the NRSV) for Sunday, October 3 are here.
Links to the lesson in the ESV are in the headings for each section.
NOTE: The lessons I'm linking to the ESV site are longer (i.e. include more context and content) than those given in the lectionary. In particular, the Gospel lesson needs verses 1-4 of Luke 17 to help us understand why the disciples say to Jesus, "Increase our faith!"
Habakkuk 1:1--2:5
Context: Introduction to Habakkuk from the NIV Study Bible. This is a short, helpful introduction to a powerful book. I urge you to take the time to read the intro (and the book!).
Observation: Verse 1 introduces the book. Verses 2-3 are the prophet's complaint. Verses 5-11 are God's answer. Habakkuk complains again in 1:12--2:1. God answers in 2:2-5. What are the prophet's complaints? What are God's answers?
Meaning: God doesn't overlook evil. And his solution to the problem may challenge our expectations and preferences.
Application: For those of us who question how God tolerates or allows the presence of injustice and evil (and I trust that's most of us), will we learn and possess the courageous faith and patient hope of Habakkuk?
Psalm 37:3-10
Context: Introduction to Psalms from the NIV Study Bible. This is a selection from the Psalm. It's worth it to read the whole thing. At a minimum read verses 1-2 so we can see what question verse 3 is intended to answer.
Observation: What are we told to do? What are we told not to do?
Meaning: This psalm encourages me, as a Christian who is to have my complete confidence (faith) in God, to re-evaluate the soundness of protest politics (i.e. the politics of anger, be they left or right). "Righteous indignation" doesn't seem to be a play in the playbook.
Application: God's goodness and his patience (his timing and apparent slowness in fighting evil) go together. Consider this psalm in relation to Luke 6:32-36 and Colossians 3:8-17.
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Context: Introduction to 2 Timothy from the NIV Study Bible. These are some of St. Paul's last words of instruction and encouragement to St. Timothy.
Observation: What is Paul's first instruction to Timothy (v. 6)? For what reason, or on what basis, does he give this instruction? What is Paul's second instruction (v. 8)? What has God done for Paul and Timothy and all of us (vv. 9-10)?
Meaning: Timothy is charged to rekindle the fire of God's grace in the face of suffering and opposition that would smother it. The basis for Paul's confidence (and Timothy's and ours) is the good news of the Gospel (vv. 9-10).
Application: What gifts of grace are ours through baptism and confirmation? What small, repeatable, and practical steps might we take to rekindle these gifts? What portions of the Bible and the Prayer Book might we read to remind ourselves of what they are? (BCP 301-308,311 for Holy Baptism; BCP 303, 309-311 for Confirmation) What do we promise and pray for in Baptism and Confirmation? Do these graces manifest themselves in a spirit of power, love, and self-control?
Luke 17:1-10
Context: Introduction to Luke from the NIV Study Bible.
Observation: What's Jesus' specific teaching in verses 1-2? What's Jesus' specific teaching in verses 3-4? How does the exhortation "Be on your guard" (NRSV) or "Pay attention to yourselves" (ESV) link the concept of occasions for stumbling (vv. 1-2) and the necessity of forgiveness of someone who repents (vv. 3-4)? What is the necessary condition for forgiveness? Is it possible to forgive if this condition isn't in place? In light of vv.7-10 how much extra credit should we expect for obeying Jesus' instructions? What does the disciples' question in v. 5 tell us what we need in order to follow Jesus' teaching? What does Jesus' response tell us? How does all of this relate to Luke 13:10--17:10 and the question "Who will participate in the Kingdom of God"?
Meaning: Once again, I've got until Sunday to work on this and today is Tuesday. Offhand, I'd say that grace (God's willingness to help) and faith (are requirement to trust him and ask for his help) are essential when it comes to welcoming the lost who are found (ch. 15), seeking the lost who need to be found (ch. 15), valuing people over money, influence, and outward appearance (ch. 16), and growing the kind of character which will repent when corrected so that we can correct a brother or sister and forgive them when they repent. And a proper humility (Lk 14:11) will allow a servant to do his work for his master, letting the work be its own reward.
Application: Romans 12:1-3 comes to mind.
See you all Sunday.
Fr Greg+
So if you're a little overwhelmed with the amount of information I'm sending you, (a) that's okay, (b) don't read it all. Just start with one of the Bible readings and commit to reading it five times before Mass on Sunday. Repetition is the mother of observation. As you observe the text, you will ask better questions of it, and I trust that you will find it asking better questions of you (for the Word of God is living and active).
I've linked three files to this week's post. They are all .pdf files containing helpful summaries for context questions.
(1) The books of the Bible by genre is a quick way to see what kind of book each reading comes from.
(2) The Bible translation comparison helps us begin to understand basic translation principles and the nearly bewildering scope of the contemporary Bible market.
(3) The Bible time-line is just that. You can you the author and date information from the NIV study bible link and see where, on the time-line, the book fits.
The collect and lessons (in the NRSV) for Sunday, October 3 are here.
Links to the lesson in the ESV are in the headings for each section.
NOTE: The lessons I'm linking to the ESV site are longer (i.e. include more context and content) than those given in the lectionary. In particular, the Gospel lesson needs verses 1-4 of Luke 17 to help us understand why the disciples say to Jesus, "Increase our faith!"
Habakkuk 1:1--2:5
Context: Introduction to Habakkuk from the NIV Study Bible. This is a short, helpful introduction to a powerful book. I urge you to take the time to read the intro (and the book!).
Observation: Verse 1 introduces the book. Verses 2-3 are the prophet's complaint. Verses 5-11 are God's answer. Habakkuk complains again in 1:12--2:1. God answers in 2:2-5. What are the prophet's complaints? What are God's answers?
Meaning: God doesn't overlook evil. And his solution to the problem may challenge our expectations and preferences.
Application: For those of us who question how God tolerates or allows the presence of injustice and evil (and I trust that's most of us), will we learn and possess the courageous faith and patient hope of Habakkuk?
Psalm 37:3-10
Context: Introduction to Psalms from the NIV Study Bible. This is a selection from the Psalm. It's worth it to read the whole thing. At a minimum read verses 1-2 so we can see what question verse 3 is intended to answer.
Observation: What are we told to do? What are we told not to do?
Meaning: This psalm encourages me, as a Christian who is to have my complete confidence (faith) in God, to re-evaluate the soundness of protest politics (i.e. the politics of anger, be they left or right). "Righteous indignation" doesn't seem to be a play in the playbook.
Application: God's goodness and his patience (his timing and apparent slowness in fighting evil) go together. Consider this psalm in relation to Luke 6:32-36 and Colossians 3:8-17.
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Context: Introduction to 2 Timothy from the NIV Study Bible. These are some of St. Paul's last words of instruction and encouragement to St. Timothy.
Observation: What is Paul's first instruction to Timothy (v. 6)? For what reason, or on what basis, does he give this instruction? What is Paul's second instruction (v. 8)? What has God done for Paul and Timothy and all of us (vv. 9-10)?
Meaning: Timothy is charged to rekindle the fire of God's grace in the face of suffering and opposition that would smother it. The basis for Paul's confidence (and Timothy's and ours) is the good news of the Gospel (vv. 9-10).
Application: What gifts of grace are ours through baptism and confirmation? What small, repeatable, and practical steps might we take to rekindle these gifts? What portions of the Bible and the Prayer Book might we read to remind ourselves of what they are? (BCP 301-308,311 for Holy Baptism; BCP 303, 309-311 for Confirmation) What do we promise and pray for in Baptism and Confirmation? Do these graces manifest themselves in a spirit of power, love, and self-control?
Luke 17:1-10
Context: Introduction to Luke from the NIV Study Bible.
Observation: What's Jesus' specific teaching in verses 1-2? What's Jesus' specific teaching in verses 3-4? How does the exhortation "Be on your guard" (NRSV) or "Pay attention to yourselves" (ESV) link the concept of occasions for stumbling (vv. 1-2) and the necessity of forgiveness of someone who repents (vv. 3-4)? What is the necessary condition for forgiveness? Is it possible to forgive if this condition isn't in place? In light of vv.7-10 how much extra credit should we expect for obeying Jesus' instructions? What does the disciples' question in v. 5 tell us what we need in order to follow Jesus' teaching? What does Jesus' response tell us? How does all of this relate to Luke 13:10--17:10 and the question "Who will participate in the Kingdom of God"?
Meaning: Once again, I've got until Sunday to work on this and today is Tuesday. Offhand, I'd say that grace (God's willingness to help) and faith (are requirement to trust him and ask for his help) are essential when it comes to welcoming the lost who are found (ch. 15), seeking the lost who need to be found (ch. 15), valuing people over money, influence, and outward appearance (ch. 16), and growing the kind of character which will repent when corrected so that we can correct a brother or sister and forgive them when they repent. And a proper humility (Lk 14:11) will allow a servant to do his work for his master, letting the work be its own reward.
Application: Romans 12:1-3 comes to mind.
See you all Sunday.
Fr Greg+
Monday, September 27, 2010
Clarification on some recent local news coverage of the Archbishop of Canterbury
In our local paper there was a short news article on Sunday, September 26th, quoting the Archbishop of Canterbury on the issue of qualifications for Bishop with regard to those who experience same-sex attraction.
I was unaware until yesterday that this had run in our local paper. If any of you have concerns over the report, I found the following analysis quite helpful. It is a two-part post on one of most informative Anglican blogs which is hosted by the Canon Theologian of the Diocese of South Carolina, the Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall Harmon.
Click here for part 1 of 2
Click here for part 2 of 2
The upshot of both pieces is that this is a non-story. The Archbishop isn't saying anything new. He cannot change the teaching of the Communion and he isn't trying to do so. The standard for unmarried clergy is still abstinence. And for married clergy the the standard is faithfulness (in the traditional, Christian understanding of "marriage" and "faithfulness").
Blessings,
Fr Greg+
I was unaware until yesterday that this had run in our local paper. If any of you have concerns over the report, I found the following analysis quite helpful. It is a two-part post on one of most informative Anglican blogs which is hosted by the Canon Theologian of the Diocese of South Carolina, the Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall Harmon.
Click here for part 1 of 2
Click here for part 2 of 2
The upshot of both pieces is that this is a non-story. The Archbishop isn't saying anything new. He cannot change the teaching of the Communion and he isn't trying to do so. The standard for unmarried clergy is still abstinence. And for married clergy the the standard is faithfulness (in the traditional, Christian understanding of "marriage" and "faithfulness").
Blessings,
Fr Greg+
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Notes for Adult Bible Fellowship, September 26
Here are some notes for the Adult Bible Fellowship this coming Sunday.
The readings for Sunday on one page in the NRSV and the psalm from the BCP may be found here.
The Sunday readings and psalm in the ESV translation are linked to the references in the headings.
Once again, on the issue of context, a good study Bible. In fact, the book introductions of the NIV Study Bible are available on-line.
Other study Bibles are the ESV Study Bible, Life Application Study Bible (available in various translations), or the Oxford Annotated Bible. Also, The Message paraphrase by Eugene Peterson has excellent book introductions that are quite down to earth.
Once again, if you wanted to build a small, affordable collection of resources, there are excellent one-volume Bible commentaries and Bible dictionaries available. And some are available for trial use at the lending library of the Mt. Pleasant Center for Christian Studies. We also have some resources in our parish library.
Amos 6:1-7
Context: Click this link for the Amos intro in the NIV Study Bible. And here is a little of Peterson's introduction in the Message. "The biblical prophets continue to be the most powerful and effective voices ever heard on this earth for keeping religion honest, humble, and compassionate. Prophets sniff out injustice, especially injustice that is dressed up in religious garb. They sniff it out a mile away. Prophets see through hypocrisy that assumes a religious pose. Prophets are not impressed by position or power or authority. They aren't taken in by numbers, size, or appearances of success. They listen to God and rigorously test all human language and action against what they hear. Among these prophets, Amos towers as a defender of the downtrodden poor and accuser of the power rich who use God's name to legitimize their sin."
Observation: To get the main thought without getting lost I had to link the opening (6:1a) to the conclusion (6:6b). And here's what I got. "Woe to those at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria . . . but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph."
Notice the first sentence. "Woe to those at ease in Zion [the capital and religious center of Judah, the southern Kingdom], and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria [the capital and religious center of Israel, the northern Kingdom]." Amos, who is from the south, Judah, is prophesying in the North, Israel. And through him God speaks to both. And speaking to both, he speaks to those who are at ease, those who are most pleased with and would want to continue the religious, political, and economic status quo. And the message is that those "at ease" should be grieved that their faithless leadership is leading to the ruin of the whole, "Joseph"understood as a reference to the northern Kingdom of Israel.
Meaning: The people in ancient Israel with leadership responsibility and the means [wealth & power] were cursed ["woe"] for caring more about their comfort than for responding to God's warning through the prophet.
Application: Do I chose comfort and unresponsiveness to God's word? Or will I go without something I might want, possess, and even be entitled to for the purpose of obedience to the specific teaching of God?
Amos was likely a prosperous rancher (to put it Texas terms) in the south. God called him to a preaching ministry in the north. After completing his mission, it is thought by some that Amos likely returned to his business. I raise this to highlight that wealth itself is not the biggest problem. Faithless disobedience among God's people is the critical issue. And faithlessness combined with wealth is a particularly dangerous combination that Amos addressed with stunning clarity.
Psalm 146:4-9
Context: Click this link for an introduction to Psalms in the NIV Study Bible. This psalm is one the begins and ends with a call to praise, literally "Halleujah."
A note on Psalm translations. You may notice differences in the Psalms in the Book of Common Prayer, and those in most translations o the Bible. There's a good reason. The prayer book translation of the Psalms is based on the work of Miles Coverdale. According to one writer, "Coverdale's translation of the Psalms (based on Luther's version and the Latin Vulgate) have a particular importance in the history of the English Bible. This Psalter, as revised by Coverdale himself for the Great Bible, continued to be used in the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer up until the late twentieth century. For many Anglicans and Episcopalians the words of Coverdale's version are more familiar and beloved than any other translation of the Scriptures. Others are familiar with some of Coverdale's renderings through Handel's Messiah, which in several places uses the Prayer Book Psalter instead of the King James version." Most other translations of the Psalms are made with specific reference to the Hebrew (or perhaps Greek translations). And most English translations are made under the influence of the King James Version.
Observation: The prayer book v. 4 is v. 5 in the ESV (remember, the text is inspired, not our arrangement of it in verses). The first verse gives us a "what": Blessed or happy (or, really well-off, this person has it made) are God's people, "the one who has the God of Israel as his help." The remaining verses, 5-9 BCP (vv. 6-10 ESV), tell us why this person is blessed or well-off.
Meaning: The character of the highest ruler (God, for his people) determines the true happiness of his people.
Application: Where to do really put my confidence for my highest good? The economy? Which political party is in the majority? The performance of my favorite sports team? My career (past, present, or future)? Or the reality and goodness of the God of Israel?
1 Timothy 6:11-19
Context: Introduction to 1 Timothy from the NIV Study Bible. In this section of the letter, Paul is giving personal instruction to Timothy and working to close the letter.
Observation: In v. 11. Paul tells Timothy to flee "these things." What are "these things"? This is kind of a context question for which we will need to review vv. 9-10 and find that "these things" are the desire to be rich and love of money. I found it profitable to go back and scan 6:6-10 (and even vv.2b-5). What, specifically is Timothy to pursue instead of "these things"? What specific charge does Paul give Timothy? What confession did Jesus make in the presence of Pilate (see John 18:37)? What is Timothy to tell the rich? What else does Paul tell Timothy in v. 20 (yet another context question, of sorts)?
Meaning: If Timothy is going to speak truth to those entrusted with riches in this age, he has to be content and filled with virtue (righteousness, godliness, faith, steadfastness, gentleness). To be filled with these things, he must pursue them (order his life around gaining them as predicable character traits). This involves unswerving commitment to Jesus and the authentic and trustworthy record of his teachings given to Timothy.
Application: What do I love more? Virtue or money? Which subject do I think about most frequently and for the longest stretches? I'm not suggesting that thinking about money in terms of stewardship is the main problem. I'm referring to obsessing over the acquisition of wealth and an inordinate desire for more. In other words, it's not a sin to balance the check book or make a budget for 2011. But worrying about money and planning on and growing in the character of Christ are different activities. Which one gets 51% or more of my best efforts?
Luke 16:19-31
Context: Introduction to Luke's Gospel in the NIV Study Bible. Luke 16:19-31 is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. This parable is the final part of teaching to the disciples involving all of Luke 16. We covered 16:1-13 last week. The lectionary skips 16:14-18, which is unfortunate. I think including vv. 14-18 is essential for understand the parable. I also think that including these verses introduces many challenges, especially with regard to verse 18 (on divorce). Please be patient with the text (and with your priest).
Also, remember that Luke 16 has for it's immediate context Luke 15. And the main theme connecting all of Luke 13:10--17:10 is "Who will participate in the Kingdom?"
Observation: After the parable of the unjust steward (16:1-9), and v. 13, "You cannot serve both God and money." Immediately v. 14, "The Pharisees, who were lovers of money" . . . ridiculed Jesus. You can almost see them rolling their eyes and sighing. Jesus answers them in v. 15. The teaching in vv. 16-17 is challenging (v. 16b is hard to translate). I plan on addressing this in some detail on Sunday.
The verse on divorce (v. 18) must be heard in this specific context as a statement to the Pharisees who were lovers of money. Notice the verse very carefully (this is where observation really helps). First of all, we're talking about 1st century Jewish divorce and remarriage (not 20th & 21st Century American divorce. That's it's own subject.) My point is that Jesus is speaking to Jewish leaders about their interpretation of the law of Moses.
We'll take it by half verse. "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery." Jesus is here talking clearly to men about men and their treatment of women. And remember, he's speaking to men "who justify themselves" publicly, but "God knows their hearts." Second half verse, "he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery." Again, Jesus is here talking clearly to men about men and their treatment of women. Again these are men who justify themselves, love money, and function as religious leaders and experts in the law of Moses.
Meaning: I'll be working on this part all week.
I'm taking the time in this reflection: (1) to help us see how observation, especially attention to all of Luke's writing in chapter 16, is essential if we are to begin to approach his meaning. (2) I want our people who have gone through the trauma of divorce, or those of you who have children who have undergone the same, to trust that Jesus is not out to get you or your children. In the case of Luke 16, it appears that Jesus is speaking boldly to powerful Jewish men who are not compassionate to Jewish women (see Peterson's comments above on prophets "sniffing out" injustice). A parable on the dangers of merciless living immediately follows. And the solution Jesus gives in this parable is attention to and obedience to the law of Moses (it's spirit, heart, purpose, and meaning).
Application: tune in Sunday.
Blessings to you all,
Fr Greg+
The readings for Sunday on one page in the NRSV and the psalm from the BCP may be found here.
The Sunday readings and psalm in the ESV translation are linked to the references in the headings.
Once again, on the issue of context, a good study Bible. In fact, the book introductions of the NIV Study Bible are available on-line.
Other study Bibles are the ESV Study Bible, Life Application Study Bible (available in various translations), or the Oxford Annotated Bible. Also, The Message paraphrase by Eugene Peterson has excellent book introductions that are quite down to earth.
Once again, if you wanted to build a small, affordable collection of resources, there are excellent one-volume Bible commentaries and Bible dictionaries available. And some are available for trial use at the lending library of the Mt. Pleasant Center for Christian Studies. We also have some resources in our parish library.
Amos 6:1-7
Context: Click this link for the Amos intro in the NIV Study Bible. And here is a little of Peterson's introduction in the Message. "The biblical prophets continue to be the most powerful and effective voices ever heard on this earth for keeping religion honest, humble, and compassionate. Prophets sniff out injustice, especially injustice that is dressed up in religious garb. They sniff it out a mile away. Prophets see through hypocrisy that assumes a religious pose. Prophets are not impressed by position or power or authority. They aren't taken in by numbers, size, or appearances of success. They listen to God and rigorously test all human language and action against what they hear. Among these prophets, Amos towers as a defender of the downtrodden poor and accuser of the power rich who use God's name to legitimize their sin."
Observation: To get the main thought without getting lost I had to link the opening (6:1a) to the conclusion (6:6b). And here's what I got. "Woe to those at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria . . . but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph."
Notice the first sentence. "Woe to those at ease in Zion [the capital and religious center of Judah, the southern Kingdom], and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria [the capital and religious center of Israel, the northern Kingdom]." Amos, who is from the south, Judah, is prophesying in the North, Israel. And through him God speaks to both. And speaking to both, he speaks to those who are at ease, those who are most pleased with and would want to continue the religious, political, and economic status quo. And the message is that those "at ease" should be grieved that their faithless leadership is leading to the ruin of the whole, "Joseph"understood as a reference to the northern Kingdom of Israel.
Meaning: The people in ancient Israel with leadership responsibility and the means [wealth & power] were cursed ["woe"] for caring more about their comfort than for responding to God's warning through the prophet.
Application: Do I chose comfort and unresponsiveness to God's word? Or will I go without something I might want, possess, and even be entitled to for the purpose of obedience to the specific teaching of God?
Amos was likely a prosperous rancher (to put it Texas terms) in the south. God called him to a preaching ministry in the north. After completing his mission, it is thought by some that Amos likely returned to his business. I raise this to highlight that wealth itself is not the biggest problem. Faithless disobedience among God's people is the critical issue. And faithlessness combined with wealth is a particularly dangerous combination that Amos addressed with stunning clarity.
Psalm 146:4-9
Context: Click this link for an introduction to Psalms in the NIV Study Bible. This psalm is one the begins and ends with a call to praise, literally "Halleujah."
A note on Psalm translations. You may notice differences in the Psalms in the Book of Common Prayer, and those in most translations o the Bible. There's a good reason. The prayer book translation of the Psalms is based on the work of Miles Coverdale. According to one writer, "Coverdale's translation of the Psalms (based on Luther's version and the Latin Vulgate) have a particular importance in the history of the English Bible. This Psalter, as revised by Coverdale himself for the Great Bible, continued to be used in the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer up until the late twentieth century. For many Anglicans and Episcopalians the words of Coverdale's version are more familiar and beloved than any other translation of the Scriptures. Others are familiar with some of Coverdale's renderings through Handel's Messiah, which in several places uses the Prayer Book Psalter instead of the King James version." Most other translations of the Psalms are made with specific reference to the Hebrew (or perhaps Greek translations). And most English translations are made under the influence of the King James Version.
Observation: The prayer book v. 4 is v. 5 in the ESV (remember, the text is inspired, not our arrangement of it in verses). The first verse gives us a "what": Blessed or happy (or, really well-off, this person has it made) are God's people, "the one who has the God of Israel as his help." The remaining verses, 5-9 BCP (vv. 6-10 ESV), tell us why this person is blessed or well-off.
Meaning: The character of the highest ruler (God, for his people) determines the true happiness of his people.
Application: Where to do really put my confidence for my highest good? The economy? Which political party is in the majority? The performance of my favorite sports team? My career (past, present, or future)? Or the reality and goodness of the God of Israel?
1 Timothy 6:11-19
Context: Introduction to 1 Timothy from the NIV Study Bible. In this section of the letter, Paul is giving personal instruction to Timothy and working to close the letter.
Observation: In v. 11. Paul tells Timothy to flee "these things." What are "these things"? This is kind of a context question for which we will need to review vv. 9-10 and find that "these things" are the desire to be rich and love of money. I found it profitable to go back and scan 6:6-10 (and even vv.2b-5). What, specifically is Timothy to pursue instead of "these things"? What specific charge does Paul give Timothy? What confession did Jesus make in the presence of Pilate (see John 18:37)? What is Timothy to tell the rich? What else does Paul tell Timothy in v. 20 (yet another context question, of sorts)?
Meaning: If Timothy is going to speak truth to those entrusted with riches in this age, he has to be content and filled with virtue (righteousness, godliness, faith, steadfastness, gentleness). To be filled with these things, he must pursue them (order his life around gaining them as predicable character traits). This involves unswerving commitment to Jesus and the authentic and trustworthy record of his teachings given to Timothy.
Application: What do I love more? Virtue or money? Which subject do I think about most frequently and for the longest stretches? I'm not suggesting that thinking about money in terms of stewardship is the main problem. I'm referring to obsessing over the acquisition of wealth and an inordinate desire for more. In other words, it's not a sin to balance the check book or make a budget for 2011. But worrying about money and planning on and growing in the character of Christ are different activities. Which one gets 51% or more of my best efforts?
Luke 16:19-31
Context: Introduction to Luke's Gospel in the NIV Study Bible. Luke 16:19-31 is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. This parable is the final part of teaching to the disciples involving all of Luke 16. We covered 16:1-13 last week. The lectionary skips 16:14-18, which is unfortunate. I think including vv. 14-18 is essential for understand the parable. I also think that including these verses introduces many challenges, especially with regard to verse 18 (on divorce). Please be patient with the text (and with your priest).
Also, remember that Luke 16 has for it's immediate context Luke 15. And the main theme connecting all of Luke 13:10--17:10 is "Who will participate in the Kingdom?"
Observation: After the parable of the unjust steward (16:1-9), and v. 13, "You cannot serve both God and money." Immediately v. 14, "The Pharisees, who were lovers of money" . . . ridiculed Jesus. You can almost see them rolling their eyes and sighing. Jesus answers them in v. 15. The teaching in vv. 16-17 is challenging (v. 16b is hard to translate). I plan on addressing this in some detail on Sunday.
The verse on divorce (v. 18) must be heard in this specific context as a statement to the Pharisees who were lovers of money. Notice the verse very carefully (this is where observation really helps). First of all, we're talking about 1st century Jewish divorce and remarriage (not 20th & 21st Century American divorce. That's it's own subject.) My point is that Jesus is speaking to Jewish leaders about their interpretation of the law of Moses.
We'll take it by half verse. "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery." Jesus is here talking clearly to men about men and their treatment of women. And remember, he's speaking to men "who justify themselves" publicly, but "God knows their hearts." Second half verse, "he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery." Again, Jesus is here talking clearly to men about men and their treatment of women. Again these are men who justify themselves, love money, and function as religious leaders and experts in the law of Moses.
Meaning: I'll be working on this part all week.
I'm taking the time in this reflection: (1) to help us see how observation, especially attention to all of Luke's writing in chapter 16, is essential if we are to begin to approach his meaning. (2) I want our people who have gone through the trauma of divorce, or those of you who have children who have undergone the same, to trust that Jesus is not out to get you or your children. In the case of Luke 16, it appears that Jesus is speaking boldly to powerful Jewish men who are not compassionate to Jewish women (see Peterson's comments above on prophets "sniffing out" injustice). A parable on the dangers of merciless living immediately follows. And the solution Jesus gives in this parable is attention to and obedience to the law of Moses (it's spirit, heart, purpose, and meaning).
Application: tune in Sunday.
Blessings to you all,
Fr Greg+
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Notes for Adult Bible Fellowship, September 19
We've launched two Sunday morning events that both begin at 9:45: Children's Sunday School & Adult Bible Fellowship.
For the Adult Bible Fellowship the topic will be the Sunday Scripture readings. There are several things that I'm hoping that our study, reflection, and discussion of the Scripture lesson will accomplish.
Most generally, I'm trusting that worship will be more dynamic as our ability to reflect with greater depth on Scripture increases. Reading and studying the texts before the service helps prepare us to continue to hear God speak to us as the Scriptures are re-read and re-encountered in the context of God's presence with us in worship.
Most specifically, I'm hoping that this will be an opportunity for many of you to learn and practice a disciplined, methodical approach to reading, studying, understanding, and enjoying the Bible. This approach is the COMA method, also called inductive Bible study. I've introduced this method before (here's a link to that introduction).
Last week I sent an example of the COMA method at work to a few folks in the parish. Their response was favorable, so I thought I'd do the same this week and send it to everyone. In the coming weeks I'm hoping to have time on Monday or Tuesday to put this together so you'll have more time to make use of it for Sunday.
Once again, our readings for Sunday in the NRSV translation with the collect may be found at this link.
Readings for Sunday in the ESV translation will be linked to each Scripture heading. (note: I include multiple translations because no single translation is perfect, and the next best thing to learning Greek is studying with the help of multiple translations. If you're interested in even more translations available on the web, try biblegateway.com or biblestudytools.com and if you need an introduction to the differences between translations, here's a helpful, short introduction)
Amos 8:4-12
Context: Who and what is Amos? Amos is a prophet who wrote a shorter book (listed in the "Minor Prophets" (minor means "short" not "less important"). Many study Bibles have excellent introductory material. For example the ESV Study Bible has this short summary of the theme of Amos. "The theme of Amos is the universal justice of God. The Israelites clearly expected a “day of the Lord” when all their enemies would be judged (1:2–2:5). What they were not prepared for was that the judgment of that day would fall on them as well (2:6–9:10). Far from enjoying favored status, they would be held more accountable than their neighbors." There is much more that can be discussed here (the date of the writing itself, and that place that chapter 8 has in the whole of the book).
Observation: What words do you notice? What jumps out at you? In vv. 4-6, what do "those who trample on the needy" do? In vv. 7-12 what does the Lord do in response? If there was time (and there's never enough) it would be a good study to go through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy and see what the law teaches about how the rich are to relate to the poor, especially as it relates to their common privilege of being God's people, Israel, and worshiping God together as his people. (usually in a good Bible dictionary or encyclopedia, articles on these subjects are readily available).
Meaning: In this case there is a conflict between how God's people treat other people (especially those weaker than themselves) and how they "appear" in outward forms of worship and religious life (i.e. if someone is powerful and holier than thou but meaner than the dickens). God sees through the deception and into the reality of the heart. Those who know better will be corrected. There would seem to be a special emphasis on God's correction of those who are using their positions of religious and economic power to appear righteous while breaking the law and abusing God's people.
Application: How does my devotion to God and his ways show itself in how I treat other people, especially those who are weaker or less powerful than I am? Do I know what I'm supposed to be doing? If so, am I doing it? If I know what to do but I'm not doing, am I acting like there isn't a problem, or am I seeking to repent and be changed? The challenge of applying a passage like this is the challenge of letting it speak to us about our hearts and not about "those people" that we think are worse than we are.
Psalm 138
Context: In the Psalms, we are in the hymnal of ancient Israel. Psalm 138 is attributed to David ("Of David" is in the superscription).
Observation: Verse 6 seems especially important in light of the Amos reading. In the context of this Psalm, consider how verse 6 relates verse 1, especially, "for you have exalted above all things your name and your word" (138:1b, ESV). What does God's care for the lowly (the unimportant) and his distance from the haughty (the self-important) tell us about God's name, his word, and their exaltation?
Meaning: God's character (he answers prayer, and helps those in need) meets and fills our deepest need ("do not forsake the the work of your hand").
Application: In what do I put my confidence? My own intellect (ability to "figure things out"), my own power and influence? Or do I trust, put my confidence in, God's character (his name and word) and order my intellect, power, and influence accordingly. (remember, King David had a great deal of intellect, power, and influence, but he still knew he was helpless without God).
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Context: Paul is writing to Timothy about how the Gospel of Jesus shows itself in the behavior of those who trust Jesus. Conversely, those who deny Jesus ultimately slide into moral oblivion.
Observation: This section of Paul's letter deals with corporate prayer in the church and the issues surrounding its practice in the 1st century. Who are suitable people for Christians to pray for (vv. 1-2)? Were kings and emperors friendly to Christians in the 1st century A.D.? And how are Christians to respond to and support them? What are Christians trying to accomplish by their prayers (v. 2b)? What is God's express desire for all people, and how has he made it possible (vv. 3-6)?
Meaning: There is one mediator for all people: Jesus. This fact orders our corporate prayer life as Christians, and vv. 8-10 deal with some practical details for the ordering of peaceful prayer in the Christian community.
Application: When we gather on Sundays, how do we pray in light of (1) God's desires, (2) Jesus' mediation, and (3) our own internal peace and order?
Luke 16:1-13
Context: This is another teaching during Jesus' journey to Jerusalem (which begins in Luke 9:51). The immediate context, which is the parables in Luke 15, is very important to understanding this parable the teaching that follows.
Observation: What connects this parable to the preceding chapter? (Jesus "also" said, or "Then" Jesus said) What did the manager or steward do to get into trouble? To get out of trouble? Verse 8 requires careful observation. In the first half Jesus speaks about the master's evaluation of his servant (this is not Jesus' evaluation of the servant, he's just telling us what the master thought). The second half of verse 8 is Jesus' perspective.
Meaning: In short, very short, the dishonest manger acted with knowledge and shrewdness to secure his self-interest for his immediate future. He is a son of "this world", and is acting predictably to secure his well-being in this world. Do those who are "sons of light"--children of the coming age, those who are participating in the Kingdom--do those people handle their knowledge and their assets to secure their ultimate future security in the Kingdom of the age to come? How would that do that? Reflect on Jesus' teaching in Luke 12:32-34 and Luke 14:12-14.
Application: Do we make knowledgeable and practical decisions now in light of our true happiness and real future in the Kingdom? In particular, how do we do this in light of Jesus' express teaching to bless those who curse us, pray for our enemies, and give generously with no expectation to be paid back? How shrewd are we in the ways of the Kingdom?
--
Now, there is no way to cover all of this in a 45 minute discussion. And for everybody to have a chance to share something, I recommend that each person, if possible, come to the discussion prepared to share one or two observations from one of the passages that help them understand the meaning.
If there is time, and if someone is comfortable doing so, it may be helpful and appropriate to share a personal application. Clarification: a personal application is something you personally intend to do in light of some clear knowledge of the meaning of the Bible based on careful observation. Personal application is not what any one of thinks somebody else should do.
I pray that this will be a fruitful and encouraging exercise. I know from experience that learning the COMA method seems tedious and complicated at first. But think of it like learning the rules of a card game or working on a golf swing. When the fundamentals are in place, it's much more fun to play the game. The same goes with the Bible. As we develop careful and helpful habits of Bible study, we increase our confidence and joy as we listen to words of God in order to grow in the character of God.
God bless you richly as you study his word.
Yours,
Fr Greg+
For the Adult Bible Fellowship the topic will be the Sunday Scripture readings. There are several things that I'm hoping that our study, reflection, and discussion of the Scripture lesson will accomplish.
Most generally, I'm trusting that worship will be more dynamic as our ability to reflect with greater depth on Scripture increases. Reading and studying the texts before the service helps prepare us to continue to hear God speak to us as the Scriptures are re-read and re-encountered in the context of God's presence with us in worship.
Most specifically, I'm hoping that this will be an opportunity for many of you to learn and practice a disciplined, methodical approach to reading, studying, understanding, and enjoying the Bible. This approach is the COMA method, also called inductive Bible study. I've introduced this method before (here's a link to that introduction).
Last week I sent an example of the COMA method at work to a few folks in the parish. Their response was favorable, so I thought I'd do the same this week and send it to everyone. In the coming weeks I'm hoping to have time on Monday or Tuesday to put this together so you'll have more time to make use of it for Sunday.
Once again, our readings for Sunday in the NRSV translation with the collect may be found at this link.
Readings for Sunday in the ESV translation will be linked to each Scripture heading. (note: I include multiple translations because no single translation is perfect, and the next best thing to learning Greek is studying with the help of multiple translations. If you're interested in even more translations available on the web, try biblegateway.com or biblestudytools.com and if you need an introduction to the differences between translations, here's a helpful, short introduction)
Amos 8:4-12
Context: Who and what is Amos? Amos is a prophet who wrote a shorter book (listed in the "Minor Prophets" (minor means "short" not "less important"). Many study Bibles have excellent introductory material. For example the ESV Study Bible has this short summary of the theme of Amos. "The theme of Amos is the universal justice of God. The Israelites clearly expected a “day of the Lord” when all their enemies would be judged (1:2–2:5). What they were not prepared for was that the judgment of that day would fall on them as well (2:6–9:10). Far from enjoying favored status, they would be held more accountable than their neighbors." There is much more that can be discussed here (the date of the writing itself, and that place that chapter 8 has in the whole of the book).
Observation: What words do you notice? What jumps out at you? In vv. 4-6, what do "those who trample on the needy" do? In vv. 7-12 what does the Lord do in response? If there was time (and there's never enough) it would be a good study to go through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy and see what the law teaches about how the rich are to relate to the poor, especially as it relates to their common privilege of being God's people, Israel, and worshiping God together as his people. (usually in a good Bible dictionary or encyclopedia, articles on these subjects are readily available).
Meaning: In this case there is a conflict between how God's people treat other people (especially those weaker than themselves) and how they "appear" in outward forms of worship and religious life (i.e. if someone is powerful and holier than thou but meaner than the dickens). God sees through the deception and into the reality of the heart. Those who know better will be corrected. There would seem to be a special emphasis on God's correction of those who are using their positions of religious and economic power to appear righteous while breaking the law and abusing God's people.
Application: How does my devotion to God and his ways show itself in how I treat other people, especially those who are weaker or less powerful than I am? Do I know what I'm supposed to be doing? If so, am I doing it? If I know what to do but I'm not doing, am I acting like there isn't a problem, or am I seeking to repent and be changed? The challenge of applying a passage like this is the challenge of letting it speak to us about our hearts and not about "those people" that we think are worse than we are.
Psalm 138
Context: In the Psalms, we are in the hymnal of ancient Israel. Psalm 138 is attributed to David ("Of David" is in the superscription).
Observation: Verse 6 seems especially important in light of the Amos reading. In the context of this Psalm, consider how verse 6 relates verse 1, especially, "for you have exalted above all things your name and your word" (138:1b, ESV). What does God's care for the lowly (the unimportant) and his distance from the haughty (the self-important) tell us about God's name, his word, and their exaltation?
Meaning: God's character (he answers prayer, and helps those in need) meets and fills our deepest need ("do not forsake the the work of your hand").
Application: In what do I put my confidence? My own intellect (ability to "figure things out"), my own power and influence? Or do I trust, put my confidence in, God's character (his name and word) and order my intellect, power, and influence accordingly. (remember, King David had a great deal of intellect, power, and influence, but he still knew he was helpless without God).
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Context: Paul is writing to Timothy about how the Gospel of Jesus shows itself in the behavior of those who trust Jesus. Conversely, those who deny Jesus ultimately slide into moral oblivion.
Observation: This section of Paul's letter deals with corporate prayer in the church and the issues surrounding its practice in the 1st century. Who are suitable people for Christians to pray for (vv. 1-2)? Were kings and emperors friendly to Christians in the 1st century A.D.? And how are Christians to respond to and support them? What are Christians trying to accomplish by their prayers (v. 2b)? What is God's express desire for all people, and how has he made it possible (vv. 3-6)?
Meaning: There is one mediator for all people: Jesus. This fact orders our corporate prayer life as Christians, and vv. 8-10 deal with some practical details for the ordering of peaceful prayer in the Christian community.
Application: When we gather on Sundays, how do we pray in light of (1) God's desires, (2) Jesus' mediation, and (3) our own internal peace and order?
Luke 16:1-13
Context: This is another teaching during Jesus' journey to Jerusalem (which begins in Luke 9:51). The immediate context, which is the parables in Luke 15, is very important to understanding this parable the teaching that follows.
Observation: What connects this parable to the preceding chapter? (Jesus "also" said, or "Then" Jesus said) What did the manager or steward do to get into trouble? To get out of trouble? Verse 8 requires careful observation. In the first half Jesus speaks about the master's evaluation of his servant (this is not Jesus' evaluation of the servant, he's just telling us what the master thought). The second half of verse 8 is Jesus' perspective.
Meaning: In short, very short, the dishonest manger acted with knowledge and shrewdness to secure his self-interest for his immediate future. He is a son of "this world", and is acting predictably to secure his well-being in this world. Do those who are "sons of light"--children of the coming age, those who are participating in the Kingdom--do those people handle their knowledge and their assets to secure their ultimate future security in the Kingdom of the age to come? How would that do that? Reflect on Jesus' teaching in Luke 12:32-34 and Luke 14:12-14.
Application: Do we make knowledgeable and practical decisions now in light of our true happiness and real future in the Kingdom? In particular, how do we do this in light of Jesus' express teaching to bless those who curse us, pray for our enemies, and give generously with no expectation to be paid back? How shrewd are we in the ways of the Kingdom?
--
Now, there is no way to cover all of this in a 45 minute discussion. And for everybody to have a chance to share something, I recommend that each person, if possible, come to the discussion prepared to share one or two observations from one of the passages that help them understand the meaning.
If there is time, and if someone is comfortable doing so, it may be helpful and appropriate to share a personal application. Clarification: a personal application is something you personally intend to do in light of some clear knowledge of the meaning of the Bible based on careful observation. Personal application is not what any one of thinks somebody else should do.
I pray that this will be a fruitful and encouraging exercise. I know from experience that learning the COMA method seems tedious and complicated at first. But think of it like learning the rules of a card game or working on a golf swing. When the fundamentals are in place, it's much more fun to play the game. The same goes with the Bible. As we develop careful and helpful habits of Bible study, we increase our confidence and joy as we listen to words of God in order to grow in the character of God.
God bless you richly as you study his word.
Yours,
Fr Greg+
St. Mark's News & Notes, September 17, 2010
Blessings to you all today.
Our readings for Sunday in the NRSV translation with the collect may be found at this link.
Readings for Sunday in the ESV translation.
Amos 8:4-12
Psalm 138
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Luke 16:1-13
The Sunday at 9:45 the classes continue: Children's Sunday School in the classrooms; Adult Bible Fellowship in the parish hall. The Adult Bible Fellowship will discuss the Sunday lessons from Scripture.
See you all Sunday,
Fr Greg+
Our readings for Sunday in the NRSV translation with the collect may be found at this link.
Readings for Sunday in the ESV translation.
Amos 8:4-12
Psalm 138
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Luke 16:1-13
The Sunday at 9:45 the classes continue: Children's Sunday School in the classrooms; Adult Bible Fellowship in the parish hall. The Adult Bible Fellowship will discuss the Sunday lessons from Scripture.
See you all Sunday,
Fr Greg+
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
St. Mark's News & Notes, September 3, 2010
As any of you are praying about a friend with no church home that you plan to invite to worship some Sunday, you might want to email a link to the our blog as part of your invitation to join us for worship.
Those who are our newest friends and may not know about Trinity Parish (which actually has its own blog), I'll explain. Trinity Parish of NE Texas is the name of the Church which is a shared work of St. David's, Gilmer, and St. Mark's, Mt. Pleasant. Sharing resources across the communities allows more stability and impact as we seek to be the Church.
Please allow a brief digression: In the New Testament, when St. Paul writes to the Church in a given city or region--the Church in the cities of Ephesus, Rome, Colossae, or the Churches of Galatia--he isn't writing to buildings. He's writing to people. And we can assume that these people didn't cease to be Church once the worship service had concluded. They are the Church, a untied body of all kinds of people whose "head" or King, is Jesus. And that's who we are. The Church.
One of gifts of being Church together between two cities is that we can learn, in some very tangible ways, that we need each other. We need each other to give and share our money to support the ministry in NE Texas. Even more, we need the various spiritual gifts that God has given each of us (see, for example, Rom 12:3-8ff) and our souls need the immediate and frequent opportunities to "love one another in brotherly love" and "outdo one another in showing honor" (Rom 12:10).
Our Almighty God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is gracious and good to give us himself and one another as he makes of us what we could never make of ourselves without his help: his Church. May we be his Church together each Sunday at Mass, and everywhere else we go through the week.
Our lessons for Sunday are:
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 1
Philemon 1-20
Luke 14:25-33
All three lesson & the collect of the week are also available here.
Announcements
St. Mark's - Adult Bible Fellowship, studying the Sunday readings, begins Sunday, September 10. Children's Sunday School also begins Sunday, September 10. Both begin at 9:45am. Adults will meet in the parish hall, and children in the classrooms.
St. David's - Our Wednesday evening Bible study on Colossians will begin this coming Wednesday, September 8, following the 6pm Mass. Please read Colossians chapter 1 at least two time. Come prepared to discuss verses 1-14. And if possible, read the whole book (it's only four chapters, you can do it!)
Blessings to you all in Christ,
Please allow a brief digression: In the New Testament, when St. Paul writes to the Church in a given city or region--the Church in the cities of Ephesus, Rome, Colossae, or the Churches of Galatia--he isn't writing to buildings. He's writing to people. And we can assume that these people didn't cease to be Church once the worship service had concluded. They are the Church, a untied body of all kinds of people whose "head" or King, is Jesus. And that's who we are. The Church.
One of gifts of being Church together between two cities is that we can learn, in some very tangible ways, that we need each other. We need each other to give and share our money to support the ministry in NE Texas. Even more, we need the various spiritual gifts that God has given each of us (see, for example, Rom 12:3-8ff) and our souls need the immediate and frequent opportunities to "love one another in brotherly love" and "outdo one another in showing honor" (Rom 12:10).
Our Almighty God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is gracious and good to give us himself and one another as he makes of us what we could never make of ourselves without his help: his Church. May we be his Church together each Sunday at Mass, and everywhere else we go through the week.
Our lessons for Sunday are:
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 1
Philemon 1-20
Luke 14:25-33
All three lesson & the collect of the week are also available here.
Announcements
St. Mark's - Adult Bible Fellowship, studying the Sunday readings, begins Sunday, September 10. Children's Sunday School also begins Sunday, September 10. Both begin at 9:45am. Adults will meet in the parish hall, and children in the classrooms.
St. David's - Our Wednesday evening Bible study on Colossians will begin this coming Wednesday, September 8, following the 6pm Mass. Please read Colossians chapter 1 at least two time. Come prepared to discuss verses 1-14. And if possible, read the whole book (it's only four chapters, you can do it!)
Blessings to you all in Christ,
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
St. Mark's News & Notes, August 20, 2010
Blessings to you all this week. My family and I are back from a wonderful week of camp. We are looking forward to launching into a wonderful season of school and, God willing, cooler temperatures.
I trust we will notice the upcoming temperature changes, and suspect that we will welcome the cooler weather (come on October!). I want to let you all know about another upcoming change that may or may not be noticeable to some of you. And, as to whether or not it's a welcomed change, I'd be happy to hear your responses, positive and negative.
The change will be two-fold, (1) a new lectionary (schedule of Sunday Bible readings), and (2) a different Bible translation (the New Revised Standard Version).
The lectionary we have been using is found in the back of our Book of Common Prayer 1979. It's a three-year lectionary that has been in use since the Prayer Book was revised. As of coming Advent we will be required to use the Revised Common Lectionary.
The Revised Common Lectionary is very similar to that of the BCP 1979. Most of the changes bring it more closely into line with the lectionary used by the Roman Catholic Church. The main difference is that it includes various options in selecting Old Testament lessons which, oddly enough, make it less "common." The option I'm choosing is the one that keeps us closest to what we've been doing. For those of you who would like some additional information about the Revised Common Lectionary, click here.
The other change will involve a change in translations from the RSV (Revised Standard Version) to the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version).
When I arrived, both churches were using the NRSV for most of the readings and the RSV for the gospels. The bulletin inserts were also in the NRSV. Since our Gospel books were RSV, I standardized all the readings in the RSV translation and ordered different inserts as well. That change went quite smoothly. I trust the change back will be just a smooth.
A few more notes on Bible translations:
I preach out of the ESV (English Standard Version) and you may have noticed that the link I use for our upcoming readings is to the ESV website. By the way, you may click this link for daily readings from the Prayer Book Daily Office lectionary from the ESV translation.
I think the best translation is whatever translation you will actually read.
In my sermon preparation I usually translate the passage from the Greek New Testament (with many helps) and reference the RSV, ESV, NRSV, NASB (New American Standard Bible), NAB (New American Bible), and NET Bible (New English Translation, click here for more info) as I work through the text.
For study I recommend using multiple translations: at least one word-for-word (i.e. ESV, NASB) and one thought-for-thought (i.e. NIV, NLT).
Click here to read a short, informative article about Bible translations. The article also contains a helpful graph comparing the various translations. Click here for a graph comparing Bible translations.
Here endeth this particular lesson (because this Bible nerd could go on and on!).
Readings for Sunday, August 22 are:
Isaiah 28:14-22
Psalm 46
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:22-30
Our regular weekly Sunday morning 9:45am Bible study is on break until after Labor Day.
Our regular weekly Thursday morning 10am Mass has resumed following my week of vacation.
Finally, I am speaking this Sunday evening, August 22, at St. Andrew UMC in Mt. Pleasant at 6pm as part of the Mount Pleasant Summer Worship series. Those who are available are invited and encouraged to attend.
Blessings,
Fr Greg+
I trust we will notice the upcoming temperature changes, and suspect that we will welcome the cooler weather (come on October!). I want to let you all know about another upcoming change that may or may not be noticeable to some of you. And, as to whether or not it's a welcomed change, I'd be happy to hear your responses, positive and negative.
The change will be two-fold, (1) a new lectionary (schedule of Sunday Bible readings), and (2) a different Bible translation (the New Revised Standard Version).
The lectionary we have been using is found in the back of our Book of Common Prayer 1979. It's a three-year lectionary that has been in use since the Prayer Book was revised. As of coming Advent we will be required to use the Revised Common Lectionary.
The Revised Common Lectionary is very similar to that of the BCP 1979. Most of the changes bring it more closely into line with the lectionary used by the Roman Catholic Church. The main difference is that it includes various options in selecting Old Testament lessons which, oddly enough, make it less "common." The option I'm choosing is the one that keeps us closest to what we've been doing. For those of you who would like some additional information about the Revised Common Lectionary, click here.
The other change will involve a change in translations from the RSV (Revised Standard Version) to the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version).
When I arrived, both churches were using the NRSV for most of the readings and the RSV for the gospels. The bulletin inserts were also in the NRSV. Since our Gospel books were RSV, I standardized all the readings in the RSV translation and ordered different inserts as well. That change went quite smoothly. I trust the change back will be just a smooth.
A few more notes on Bible translations:
I preach out of the ESV (English Standard Version) and you may have noticed that the link I use for our upcoming readings is to the ESV website. By the way, you may click this link for daily readings from the Prayer Book Daily Office lectionary from the ESV translation.
I think the best translation is whatever translation you will actually read.
In my sermon preparation I usually translate the passage from the Greek New Testament (with many helps) and reference the RSV, ESV, NRSV, NASB (New American Standard Bible), NAB (New American Bible), and NET Bible (New English Translation, click here for more info) as I work through the text.
For study I recommend using multiple translations: at least one word-for-word (i.e. ESV, NASB) and one thought-for-thought (i.e. NIV, NLT).
Click here to read a short, informative article about Bible translations. The article also contains a helpful graph comparing the various translations. Click here for a graph comparing Bible translations.
Here endeth this particular lesson (because this Bible nerd could go on and on!).
Readings for Sunday, August 22 are:
Isaiah 28:14-22
Psalm 46
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:22-30
Our regular weekly Sunday morning 9:45am Bible study is on break until after Labor Day.
Our regular weekly Thursday morning 10am Mass has resumed following my week of vacation.
Finally, I am speaking this Sunday evening, August 22, at St. Andrew UMC in Mt. Pleasant at 6pm as part of the Mount Pleasant Summer Worship series. Those who are available are invited and encouraged to attend.
Blessings,
Fr Greg+
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
St. Mark's News & Notes, August 7, 2010
I urge you all to read--carefully, repeatedly, thoughtfully--the Dallas Willard article, How Does the Disciple Live?
If you find his thinking and writing helpful--and I dearly hope you will--you might print the article and keep it in your Bible for easy reference. This is what I'm doing as part of my spiritual exercises, because this article can help us as we employ good Bible study method: context, observation, meaning, application. And it can help in this way.
The first step in Bible study, context, most specifically refers to what part of the Bible we're reading, (1) what kind of writing it is (law, letter, gospel, poetry, prophecy) and (2) what section of the writing it is (Exodus 12, or John 3, or Colossians 5). But there's another, and perhaps more fundamental way to think of context, namely, our personal context.
Our personal context involves especially the question of how we are coming to the text. I would suggest that there are two basic approaches, (1) at a distance and (2) as a disciple.
On the first approach, we might ask ourselves, Am I an observer from a distance? In other words, do I simply want to be aware of what the Bible contains so that I can then form my own opinions about it? This strikes me as the approach of much Bible scholarship. This approach has some value, yet it can become quite dangerous to us spiritually as it tends to put us in judgment over the text.
For the second (and recommend approach) we can ask ourselves, Am I coming to the text--a text unique in all human writing as God's inspired revelation--in order to learn from Him how things really are so that I can live with Him in His goodness? This assumes many things. For instance, it assumes that we trust a good and loving God who can and does communicate with His people in writing. It also assumes that His people can, with His help, understand and practice the things He communicates with us in His inspired and fully reliable text.
Willard's short article on discipleship (along with his many books and lectures) will help form us in this second and life-giving approach. And this approach, this context, which is the context of discipleship, can also become the context from which pray, worship, read Scripture, relate to each other, and do everything else that we do.
I'm deriving much benefit from these articles, and they are benefits that continue to accrue after over 10 years of reading and reflection. I hope I'm not over-selling one particular writer. Please know that these recommendations come from my experience and excitement that this is some of the best guidance on Christian discipleship that I've found. And much of this guidance is easily available, short, clear, and of astounding depth.
Of course, the best guidance is in the Scriptures. And here are our readings for the next two weeks.
Readings for Sunday, August 8, 2010
Genesis 15:1-6
Psalm 33
Hebrews 11:1-16
Luke 12:32-40
Readings for Sunday, August 15, 2010
Jeremiah 23:23-29
Psalm 82
Hebrews 12:1-14
Luke 12:49-56
Announcements
There is no Thursday morning Mass at St. Mark's on Thursday, August 12th.
This Sunday, August 8th, is the final scheduled Sunday of The Screwtape Letters discussion. The plan is to take a break for a few weeks. After Labor day we will begin a regular Sunday morning study of the weekly Bible lessons, or "propers," (click here for definition).
The Mt. Pleasant Summer Worship Series continues this Sunday evening at 6pm at First Christian Church on 105 Redbud Ln. Pastor Chuck Huffman will be speaking. The series will continue on Sunday evenings at 6pm as follows:
August 15, 6pm, Tennison Memorial UMC, speaker - Mr. Don Boggs
August 22, 6pm, St. Andrew UMC, speaker - Fr. Greg Crosthwait
August 29, 6pm, First Presbyterian Church, speaker - Rev. Scott Stewart
Blessings to you all,
Fr. Greg+
If you find his thinking and writing helpful--and I dearly hope you will--you might print the article and keep it in your Bible for easy reference. This is what I'm doing as part of my spiritual exercises, because this article can help us as we employ good Bible study method: context, observation, meaning, application. And it can help in this way.
The first step in Bible study, context, most specifically refers to what part of the Bible we're reading, (1) what kind of writing it is (law, letter, gospel, poetry, prophecy) and (2) what section of the writing it is (Exodus 12, or John 3, or Colossians 5). But there's another, and perhaps more fundamental way to think of context, namely, our personal context.
Our personal context involves especially the question of how we are coming to the text. I would suggest that there are two basic approaches, (1) at a distance and (2) as a disciple.
On the first approach, we might ask ourselves, Am I an observer from a distance? In other words, do I simply want to be aware of what the Bible contains so that I can then form my own opinions about it? This strikes me as the approach of much Bible scholarship. This approach has some value, yet it can become quite dangerous to us spiritually as it tends to put us in judgment over the text.
For the second (and recommend approach) we can ask ourselves, Am I coming to the text--a text unique in all human writing as God's inspired revelation--in order to learn from Him how things really are so that I can live with Him in His goodness? This assumes many things. For instance, it assumes that we trust a good and loving God who can and does communicate with His people in writing. It also assumes that His people can, with His help, understand and practice the things He communicates with us in His inspired and fully reliable text.
Willard's short article on discipleship (along with his many books and lectures) will help form us in this second and life-giving approach. And this approach, this context, which is the context of discipleship, can also become the context from which pray, worship, read Scripture, relate to each other, and do everything else that we do.
I'm deriving much benefit from these articles, and they are benefits that continue to accrue after over 10 years of reading and reflection. I hope I'm not over-selling one particular writer. Please know that these recommendations come from my experience and excitement that this is some of the best guidance on Christian discipleship that I've found. And much of this guidance is easily available, short, clear, and of astounding depth.
Of course, the best guidance is in the Scriptures. And here are our readings for the next two weeks.
Readings for Sunday, August 8, 2010
Genesis 15:1-6
Psalm 33
Hebrews 11:1-16
Luke 12:32-40
Readings for Sunday, August 15, 2010
Jeremiah 23:23-29
Psalm 82
Hebrews 12:1-14
Luke 12:49-56
Announcements
There is no Thursday morning Mass at St. Mark's on Thursday, August 12th.
This Sunday, August 8th, is the final scheduled Sunday of The Screwtape Letters discussion. The plan is to take a break for a few weeks. After Labor day we will begin a regular Sunday morning study of the weekly Bible lessons, or "propers," (click here for definition).
The Mt. Pleasant Summer Worship Series continues this Sunday evening at 6pm at First Christian Church on 105 Redbud Ln. Pastor Chuck Huffman will be speaking. The series will continue on Sunday evenings at 6pm as follows:
August 15, 6pm, Tennison Memorial UMC, speaker - Mr. Don Boggs
August 22, 6pm, St. Andrew UMC, speaker - Fr. Greg Crosthwait
August 29, 6pm, First Presbyterian Church, speaker - Rev. Scott Stewart
Blessings to you all,
Fr. Greg+
Monday, August 2, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
St. Mark's News and Notes, July 31, 2010
This week's email is a bit late. So if it's not useful as preparation for tomorrow's worship, I trust the following introduction and review of Bible Study method will be helpful every day as we "read, mark, learn and inwardly digest" the Holy Scriptures (BCP, p. 236)
As introduction or, for many of you, a reminder, of stable approach to reading the Bible, please watch a short, six-minute, You Tube video on inductive Bible Study.
This short video introduces the three steps of Observation, Interpretation (or Meaning), and Application. These three steps are what I use as my basic method each time I approach the Bible, whether in sermon preparation each week, or in my devotional readings each morning at prayer.
Following the Bible Overview by Matthias Media, I tend to summarize the steps as: Context, Observation, Meaning, Application.
Context: What in the Bible am I reading: a psalm, a story (narrative), a letter (epistle)?
Observation: Focus on the words on the page asking: Who, What, Where, When, How and Why?
Meaning (or interpretation): What do these words in their context communicate? What does this mean?
Application: In light of what the Bible says, what do I do?
This method can be a little cumbersome to learn. But I've found that once it becomes a habit of your basic approach to Bible study, then Bible study becomes much more enjoyable and practical.
The Sunday readings are:
Ecclesiastes 1:12-14; 2:1-7, 11, 18-23
Psalm 49:1-11
Colossians 3:5-17
Luke 12:13-21
Announcements
This Sunday evening, August 1 at 6pm, we are hosting week one of the 5-week Summer Worship Series. Please join us with others from the community as we welcome Rev. Matt Every of First Christian Church. The theme for the series is "Transformation."
The 9:45am Sunday morning Screwtape Letters study will cover letters 25-27 this week. This study will conclude in the next week or two, and take a short break. In the month of September the Sunday morning study will focus on the lectionary readings for each week. This will make the Sunday morning study a great occasion to practice and discuss the text using the Inductive (or COMA) method of Bible study.
Blessings,
Fr Greg+
As introduction or, for many of you, a reminder, of stable approach to reading the Bible, please watch a short, six-minute, You Tube video on inductive Bible Study.
This short video introduces the three steps of Observation, Interpretation (or Meaning), and Application. These three steps are what I use as my basic method each time I approach the Bible, whether in sermon preparation each week, or in my devotional readings each morning at prayer.
Following the Bible Overview by Matthias Media, I tend to summarize the steps as: Context, Observation, Meaning, Application.
Context: What in the Bible am I reading: a psalm, a story (narrative), a letter (epistle)?
Observation: Focus on the words on the page asking: Who, What, Where, When, How and Why?
Meaning (or interpretation): What do these words in their context communicate? What does this mean?
Application: In light of what the Bible says, what do I do?
This method can be a little cumbersome to learn. But I've found that once it becomes a habit of your basic approach to Bible study, then Bible study becomes much more enjoyable and practical.
The Sunday readings are:
Ecclesiastes 1:12-14; 2:1-7, 11, 18-23
Psalm 49:1-11
Colossians 3:5-17
Luke 12:13-21
Announcements
This Sunday evening, August 1 at 6pm, we are hosting week one of the 5-week Summer Worship Series. Please join us with others from the community as we welcome Rev. Matt Every of First Christian Church. The theme for the series is "Transformation."
The 9:45am Sunday morning Screwtape Letters study will cover letters 25-27 this week. This study will conclude in the next week or two, and take a short break. In the month of September the Sunday morning study will focus on the lectionary readings for each week. This will make the Sunday morning study a great occasion to practice and discuss the text using the Inductive (or COMA) method of Bible study.
Blessings,
Fr Greg+
Friday, July 23, 2010
St. Mark's News & Notes, July 23, 2010
In reading Ecclesiastes this week I ran across this passage.
"Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day. For wisdom provides protection, just as money provides protection. But the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner" (Eccl. 7:11-12, NET).
The obvious, and striking, question that I immediately asked myself was: Since wisdom and money are both useful, but wisdom is more advantageous, do I give more of my attention to money or to wisdom?
Please notice that I'm not saying (and the Bible is not saying) that money is bad. It's only saying that wisdom is more useful than money for preserving the life of it's owner.
Practically speaking, I probably spend more time each month accounting for and making plans with and about money than with and about wisdom. Much of that accounting and planning is good and necessary. The challenge that I felt was this: Will I at least consider matching the time and effort I give to gaining and accounting for money with the time and effort I give to gaining and accounting for wisdom?
And an immediate follow-up to this question is, What would this look like?
In the letter of James we read, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5, ESV). So we can get something, wisdom, that is more useful than money when it comes to preserving the life of its owner, and all we have to do is ask God. All we have to do is pray in humility (i.e. recognizing that we lack wisdom, which means we can't be proud). And we must pray in faith.
Praying in faith simply means trusting that God is generous and wise; it means trusting that he will give us the wisdom we ask for and that he has the wisdom to give us. As James continues, "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" (James 1:6-7, ESV).
We Christians have something better than a money tree. We have a wisdom fountain. As we prayed last Sunday, "Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen" (Book of Common Prayer p. 231, emphasis added).
This Sunday the sermon will focus on prayer, which is our access to the wisdom fountain. My prayer, as I prepare for Sunday, is that we will assemble for worship confident in our access to something more useful than money, God's wisdom. I also pray that we will intend to practice a realistic, daily plan to collect and live on his wisdom, as surely as we collect and live on the money that he allows us to use for a season. Money is temporary. God's wisdom is eternal. And our loving heavenly Father is the giver of both. What a great God we serve.
The lessons for this week are:
Genesis 18:20-33
Psalm 138
Colossians 2:6-15
Luke 11:1-13
Announcements
The 9:45am Sunday morning Screwtape Letters study will cover letters 22-24 this week. It's not too late to join or, if you've been away, to re-enter the conversation. The study has about 2 or 3 weeks remaining. News will be shared about a Fall study as it becomes available.
Blessings to you all,
Fr Greg+
"Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day. For wisdom provides protection, just as money provides protection. But the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner" (Eccl. 7:11-12, NET).
The obvious, and striking, question that I immediately asked myself was: Since wisdom and money are both useful, but wisdom is more advantageous, do I give more of my attention to money or to wisdom?
Please notice that I'm not saying (and the Bible is not saying) that money is bad. It's only saying that wisdom is more useful than money for preserving the life of it's owner.
Practically speaking, I probably spend more time each month accounting for and making plans with and about money than with and about wisdom. Much of that accounting and planning is good and necessary. The challenge that I felt was this: Will I at least consider matching the time and effort I give to gaining and accounting for money with the time and effort I give to gaining and accounting for wisdom?
And an immediate follow-up to this question is, What would this look like?
In the letter of James we read, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5, ESV). So we can get something, wisdom, that is more useful than money when it comes to preserving the life of its owner, and all we have to do is ask God. All we have to do is pray in humility (i.e. recognizing that we lack wisdom, which means we can't be proud). And we must pray in faith.
Praying in faith simply means trusting that God is generous and wise; it means trusting that he will give us the wisdom we ask for and that he has the wisdom to give us. As James continues, "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" (James 1:6-7, ESV).
We Christians have something better than a money tree. We have a wisdom fountain. As we prayed last Sunday, "Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen" (Book of Common Prayer p. 231, emphasis added).
This Sunday the sermon will focus on prayer, which is our access to the wisdom fountain. My prayer, as I prepare for Sunday, is that we will assemble for worship confident in our access to something more useful than money, God's wisdom. I also pray that we will intend to practice a realistic, daily plan to collect and live on his wisdom, as surely as we collect and live on the money that he allows us to use for a season. Money is temporary. God's wisdom is eternal. And our loving heavenly Father is the giver of both. What a great God we serve.
The lessons for this week are:
Genesis 18:20-33
Psalm 138
Colossians 2:6-15
Luke 11:1-13
Announcements
The 9:45am Sunday morning Screwtape Letters study will cover letters 22-24 this week. It's not too late to join or, if you've been away, to re-enter the conversation. The study has about 2 or 3 weeks remaining. News will be shared about a Fall study as it becomes available.
Blessings to you all,
Fr Greg+
Friday, July 16, 2010
St. Mark's News & Notes, July 16, 2010
Blessings to you all this very summery Friday.
Since it's too hot to go outside, why not stay inside a read? May I recommend this short article by Dallas Willard called, Why Bother with Discipleship?
I'll also take the time here to remind us all of the the basic ideas and questions behind the Sunday sermons right now. These will continue to frame my teaching and preaching for the next several weeks in a focused way. I appreciate your patience and interest as we continue this series. And I hope you will find this teaching as helpful as I have in my life.
As we come to the subject of sermons (why have them?), and the Bible (why read it?) and Church (what is it? and why go?), we might ask this fundamental question.
Who is your teacher? And what does your teacher teach? All of us have a teacher, maybe several of them. And we'd better make sure our teachers our good ones.
Well, quite obviously, I'll say that Jesus is the best one there is. There is another short, helpful article by Dallas Willard titled, Who is Your Teacher? that may help you see my point (well, Dr. Willard's point). I've found this article very helpful in presenting a sound view of Jesus, and revealing how much I value (or undervalue) Jesus' authority as a teacher of real life in the real world.
The next four questions are also from Dr. Willard. I've found them in teaching and his books, particularly Knowing Christ Today, from which they are taken.
These are all questions that we answer each day, usually subconsciously. Bringing to our conscious mind these questions and our answers to them helps us reflect on them and, if necessary, make needed corrections.
Question 1: What is real? What is reality? The answer is of Jesus is: Reality is God and his kingdom. And the kingdom is, in the simplest terms, where God is active, where what God wants done is done.
Question 2: Who is well-off, or blessed? The answer of Jesus is: Anyone who is alive in the Kingdom of God, that is, anyone who is interactively engaged with God and with the various dynamic dimensions of his reigning. Such engagement with God is an eternal living, an eternal life (cf. John 17:3).
Question 3: Who is truly a good person? A really good person, as Jesus teaches, is anyone who is pervaded with love: love for God who first loved us and who in his Son taught us what love is (1 John 4:9-11).
Question 4: How do you become a really good person? You place your confidence in Jesus Christ and become his student in kingdom living. In other words, you learn from him how to live in the kingdom of God as he himself did.
I'll keep unpacking these questions and showing how our lessons in Luke specifically address them (1) because Jesus is a good teacher and (2) so is St. Luke who wrote an authoritative record of of Jesus' life and teachings so that we can "have certainty regarding the things [we] have been taught" (Luke 1:4).
The readings for this coming Sunday are:
Genesis 18:1-14
Psalm 15
Colossians 1:21-29
Luke 10:38-42
Announcements
Since it's too hot to go outside, why not stay inside a read? May I recommend this short article by Dallas Willard called, Why Bother with Discipleship?
I'll also take the time here to remind us all of the the basic ideas and questions behind the Sunday sermons right now. These will continue to frame my teaching and preaching for the next several weeks in a focused way. I appreciate your patience and interest as we continue this series. And I hope you will find this teaching as helpful as I have in my life.
As we come to the subject of sermons (why have them?), and the Bible (why read it?) and Church (what is it? and why go?), we might ask this fundamental question.
Who is your teacher? And what does your teacher teach? All of us have a teacher, maybe several of them. And we'd better make sure our teachers our good ones.
Well, quite obviously, I'll say that Jesus is the best one there is. There is another short, helpful article by Dallas Willard titled, Who is Your Teacher? that may help you see my point (well, Dr. Willard's point). I've found this article very helpful in presenting a sound view of Jesus, and revealing how much I value (or undervalue) Jesus' authority as a teacher of real life in the real world.
The next four questions are also from Dr. Willard. I've found them in teaching and his books, particularly Knowing Christ Today, from which they are taken.
These are all questions that we answer each day, usually subconsciously. Bringing to our conscious mind these questions and our answers to them helps us reflect on them and, if necessary, make needed corrections.
Question 1: What is real? What is reality? The answer is of Jesus is: Reality is God and his kingdom. And the kingdom is, in the simplest terms, where God is active, where what God wants done is done.
Question 2: Who is well-off, or blessed? The answer of Jesus is: Anyone who is alive in the Kingdom of God, that is, anyone who is interactively engaged with God and with the various dynamic dimensions of his reigning. Such engagement with God is an eternal living, an eternal life (cf. John 17:3).
Question 3: Who is truly a good person? A really good person, as Jesus teaches, is anyone who is pervaded with love: love for God who first loved us and who in his Son taught us what love is (1 John 4:9-11).
Question 4: How do you become a really good person? You place your confidence in Jesus Christ and become his student in kingdom living. In other words, you learn from him how to live in the kingdom of God as he himself did.
I'll keep unpacking these questions and showing how our lessons in Luke specifically address them (1) because Jesus is a good teacher and (2) so is St. Luke who wrote an authoritative record of of Jesus' life and teachings so that we can "have certainty regarding the things [we] have been taught" (Luke 1:4).
The readings for this coming Sunday are:
Genesis 18:1-14
Psalm 15
Colossians 1:21-29
Luke 10:38-42
Announcements
The 9:45am Sunday morning Screwtape Letters study--after a lively and enjoyable talk on letter 16 last week--will cover letters 19-21 this week. It's not too late to join or, if you've been away, to re-enter the conversation.
Blessings to you all,
Fr Greg+
Blessings to you all,
Fr Greg+
Saturday, July 10, 2010
St. Mark's News and Notes, July 10, 2010
Blessings to you this fine week of . . . well . . . "the season after Pentecost" as the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (BCP) says, or "the 6th week after Trinity" as the 1928 Prayer Book says, or "14th week of Ordinary Time" as the Roman Catholic liturgy says.
I always get a kick out of the phrase "Ordinary Time." It sounds so plain. But then, if you put in a blender and mix it up with our traditional Anglican language, "After Trinity," and our revised 1979 BCP language, "after Pentecost," then the word "Ordinary" doesn't seem quite so . . . ordinary.
Our participation in the love of the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit is what is revealed by the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The revelation of God as Trinity is what we celebrate the following week on Trinity Sunday. This means that at Pentecost, we're caught up in that fellowship of love who we call the Trinity, who is the One God from whom all creation flows. So if life in that love is "ordinary" (which it is for all baptized) then our Christian definition of "ordinary" is quite extraordinary.
In other words, we are loved beyond our understanding of the concept of love. And that speaks not of the smallness of our minds, but of the greatness of our God.
I want to tell you all that this Sunday we will pray together a portion of what may be my favorite Psalm, and is certainly the most influential Psalm for me, Psalm 25. I began to engage Christianity in my early 20's, not because my parents told me so (which they did and that was a good thing), but because I believed it just might be true (which is a better thing). I found Psalm 25:3-4 and wrote the verses on a note card, taped them to the dashboard of my car, and memorized them. "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; Teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation. For you I wait all the day."
I have to say now that I had no idea what I was getting into. But God's ways and His paths are the best thing that I have ever committed to, or ever will, or ever could.
So I hope you don't mind if I repeat myself.
I am loved. And, my friends, you are loved. More than our capacity to know what we're getting into. So, by all means, let's get into it. Get into the love of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To help us grow in the grace, knowledge, and love of God, the readings for this week are:
Deuteronomy 30:9-14
Psalm 25
Colossians 1:1-14
Luke 10:25-37
Announcements
St. Mark's - The 9:45am Sunday morning Screwtape Letters study--after a lively and enjoyable talk on letter 16 last week--will cover letters 17-18 this week. It's not too late to join or, if you've been away, to re-enter the conversation.
Blessings to you all,
Fr Greg+
Thursday, July 1, 2010
St. Mark's News & Notes, July 1, 2010
Our series in Luke continues this week with the calling of the seventy-two (ESV) or seventy (RSV) disciples.
Which was it and why do different versions have different numbers?
For much more information here is a teaching video on the subject of the transmission of the Bible.
Here's is a short summary of the issue from the ESV Study Bible with my additions in brackets (and emphasis added):
"Should the presence of textual variants [i.e. seventy, or seventy-two disciples in Luke 10:1], then, undermine the confidence of ordinary laypersons [and their ordinary priests] as they read the Bible in their own language? No—actually, the opposite is the case. The abundance of variants is the result of the very large number of remaining New Testament manuscripts, which itself gives a stronger, not weaker, foundation for knowing what the original manuscripts said.
Which was it and why do different versions have different numbers?
For much more information here is a teaching video on the subject of the transmission of the Bible.
Here's is a short summary of the issue from the ESV Study Bible with my additions in brackets (and emphasis added):
"Should the presence of textual variants [i.e. seventy, or seventy-two disciples in Luke 10:1], then, undermine the confidence of ordinary laypersons [and their ordinary priests] as they read the Bible in their own language? No—actually, the opposite is the case. The abundance of variants is the result of the very large number of remaining New Testament manuscripts, which itself gives a stronger, not weaker, foundation for knowing what the original manuscripts said.
"In addition, modern Bible translation teams have not kept the location of major variants a secret but have indicated the ones they think to be most important in the footnotes of all “essentially literal” modern English translations [such as the RSV, NASB, & ESV], so that laypersons who read these footnotes can see where these variants are and what they say. The absence of any such footnote (which is the case with far more than 99 percent of the words in the English New Testament) indicates that these translation teams have a high degree of confidence that the words in their English translation accurately represent the words of the New Testament as they were originally written.
What Is at Stake?
"The most significant textual variants certainly alter the meaning of various verses. And where the meaning of verses is changed, paragraphs and even larger units of thought are also affected to some degree. At times, a particular doctrine may not, after all, be affirmed in a given passage, depending on the textual variant. But this is not the same thing as saying that such a doctrine is denied. Just because a particular verse may not affirm a cherished doctrine does not mean that that doctrine cannot be found in the New Testament. In the final analysis, no cardinal doctrine, no essential truth, is affected by any viable variant in the surviving New Testament manuscripts. For example, the deity of Christ, his resurrection, his virginal conception, justification by faith, and the Trinity are not put in jeopardy because of any textual variation. Confidence can therefore be placed in the providence of God in preserving the Scriptures.
"In sum, although scholars may not be certain of the New Testament wording in a number of verses, for the vast majority of the words in the New Testament the modern English translations accurately represent what the original authors wrote, and therefore these translations can be trusted as reproducing the very words of God."
The Scriptures that we will hear together on Sunday are:
Isaiah 66:10-16
Psalm 66
Galatians 6:1-18
Luke 10:1-20
Announcements
Isaiah 66:10-16
Psalm 66
Galatians 6:1-18
Luke 10:1-20
Announcements
St. Mark's - The 9:45am Sunday morning Screwtape Letters study will cover letters 16-18.
A few final reminders: Please keep each other in your prayers as we travel and enjoy our summers. Please be faithful in your regular Sunday worship when you are in town (and even on the road, if possible). And please make the effort to stay faithful in your giving, especially over the summer months.
Blessings to you all,
Fr Greg+
A few final reminders: Please keep each other in your prayers as we travel and enjoy our summers. Please be faithful in your regular Sunday worship when you are in town (and even on the road, if possible). And please make the effort to stay faithful in your giving, especially over the summer months.
Blessings to you all,
Fr Greg+
Friday, June 25, 2010
St. Mark's News & Notes, June 25, 2010
Just in case you missed it, yesterday was the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist. In celebrating St. John's birthday, I was reminded that just as God sent John to go before Jesus to prepare the way, God always prepares His people with grace to receive the full measure of His grace.
And as I've been turning my attention back to the Gospel of Luke in preparation for our summer and fall preaching series, I've been reminded that God's grace not only precedes but follows the saving work of Jesus.
Luke begins his Gospel this way: "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught" (Lk 1:1-4, ESV).
A few quick observations: (1) There was (and is) the actual event of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection itself in human history, these are "the the things that have been accomplished among us;" (2) there was the preaching and proclamation of those events by eyewitnesses, "those who from the beginning (i.e. when it happened) were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word" (please notice that they were ministers, they served the message, they didn't make it up); (3) there was and is the Scriptures, which are the trustworthy and authoritative writings that we have, "it seemed good to me . . . to write."
And why? "That you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught."
We don't follow a made up gospel in the midst of a cloud of uncertainty. God the Father sent His Son Jesus to save us, and he did just that. The people who saw it and were saved by Jesus were sent by Jesus to spread the news about what He and His Father had done, are doing, and will do. And people like Luke wrote it down so that people like us can have certainty (real knowledge) about the message we hear from faithful priests and bishops who continue to share the truth about what Jesus actually did, is doing, and will do.
What wonderful reminders. God sends John the Baptist before Jesus. God sends Jesus. And God sends the Apostles to spread the word and evangelists to write down and confirm the word.
What goodness and grace! As St. John the Apostle writes, "And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace" (Jn 1:16).
I'm excited about this series in Luke, and I anticipate many gifts of God's grace as we grow in certainty, assurance, and real knowledge of the things God has accomplished in Jesus.
Readings for Sunday, June 27, 2010:
1 Kings 19:15-21
Psalm 16
Galatians 5:1-25
Luke 9:51-62
Announcements
St. Mark's - The 9:45am Sunday morning Screwtape Letters study will cover letters 13-15 (unless I'm off in my counting and need correction).
A few final reminders: Please keep each other in your prayers as we travel and enjoy our summers. Please be faithful in your regular Sunday worship when you are in town (and even on the road, if possible). And please make the effort to stay faithful in your giving, especially over the summer months.
Blessings to you all,
Fr Greg+
And as I've been turning my attention back to the Gospel of Luke in preparation for our summer and fall preaching series, I've been reminded that God's grace not only precedes but follows the saving work of Jesus.
Luke begins his Gospel this way: "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught" (Lk 1:1-4, ESV).
A few quick observations: (1) There was (and is) the actual event of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection itself in human history, these are "the the things that have been accomplished among us;" (2) there was the preaching and proclamation of those events by eyewitnesses, "those who from the beginning (i.e. when it happened) were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word" (please notice that they were ministers, they served the message, they didn't make it up); (3) there was and is the Scriptures, which are the trustworthy and authoritative writings that we have, "it seemed good to me . . . to write."
And why? "That you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught."
We don't follow a made up gospel in the midst of a cloud of uncertainty. God the Father sent His Son Jesus to save us, and he did just that. The people who saw it and were saved by Jesus were sent by Jesus to spread the news about what He and His Father had done, are doing, and will do. And people like Luke wrote it down so that people like us can have certainty (real knowledge) about the message we hear from faithful priests and bishops who continue to share the truth about what Jesus actually did, is doing, and will do.
What wonderful reminders. God sends John the Baptist before Jesus. God sends Jesus. And God sends the Apostles to spread the word and evangelists to write down and confirm the word.
What goodness and grace! As St. John the Apostle writes, "And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace" (Jn 1:16).
I'm excited about this series in Luke, and I anticipate many gifts of God's grace as we grow in certainty, assurance, and real knowledge of the things God has accomplished in Jesus.
Readings for Sunday, June 27, 2010:
1 Kings 19:15-21
Psalm 16
Galatians 5:1-25
Luke 9:51-62
Announcements
St. Mark's - The 9:45am Sunday morning Screwtape Letters study will cover letters 13-15 (unless I'm off in my counting and need correction).
A few final reminders: Please keep each other in your prayers as we travel and enjoy our summers. Please be faithful in your regular Sunday worship when you are in town (and even on the road, if possible). And please make the effort to stay faithful in your giving, especially over the summer months.
Blessings to you all,
Fr Greg+
Friday, June 11, 2010
St. Mark's News & Notes, June 11, 2010
Blessed Feast of St. Barnabas to you all.
Barnabas was an early Christian convert and leader in the Church in Jerusalem. When people in Antioch fist believed the Gospel, Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to see what was happening. Luke writes in Acts, "The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" (Acts 11:22-24).
What an honor to be described in Holy Scripture as "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith." And this passage also tells us why Barnabas is described as good. For when he saw the grace of God (i.e. people trusting Jesus and His Gospel) "he was glad, and exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose." Now, think about an enthusiastic coach more than an angry preacher and I think we'll have a sense of Barnabas' goodness. Barnabas recognizes God's goodness in Jesus as good, and encourages the faithful to remain faithful to God's goodness which is Jesus.
The passage continues, "And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians" (Acts 11:24-26).
Barnabas brought Paul, the former persecutor of the faithful, to Antioch to teach the faithful. And together with Paul, Barnabas was in the place where the word "Christian" was coined. Wow! What goodness, indeed.
And His goodness can become our goodness, because it's God's goodness shared freely through faith in Jesus who is "our great God and savior . . . who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works" ( Titus 2:13b-14). This self-giving love of God in and through Jesus is what is celebrated today by Christians who observe this day (the Friday after Corpus Christi) as the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The main idea of this celebration is to adore the love of Jesus, and ask for grace to return His love by asking for God's help to live the Great Commandment. As it says in the prayer book, "Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment, and the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." And as it says in Scripture, "We love because he first loved us" ( 1 John 4:19).
Enjoy this day giving thanks for the examples of a good man named Barnabas, whose character was transformed to share the loving heart of his savior, Jesus.
The lessons for this coming Sunday are:
2 Samuel 11:26--12:10, 13-15
Psalm 32:1-8
Galatians 2:11-21
Luke 7:36-50
Announcements
This coming Sunday at St. Mark's we will recognize our graduate, Rachel Roach.
There are no mid-week Masses this week.
The Sunday morning study continues at St. Mark's, Mt. Pleasant, at 9:45am and will cover letters 7-9 of The Screwtape Letters this week. Newcomers are invited and encouraged to join the discussion at any time.
Blessings,
Fr Greg+
Barnabas was an early Christian convert and leader in the Church in Jerusalem. When people in Antioch fist believed the Gospel, Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to see what was happening. Luke writes in Acts, "The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" (Acts 11:22-24).
What an honor to be described in Holy Scripture as "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith." And this passage also tells us why Barnabas is described as good. For when he saw the grace of God (i.e. people trusting Jesus and His Gospel) "he was glad, and exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose." Now, think about an enthusiastic coach more than an angry preacher and I think we'll have a sense of Barnabas' goodness. Barnabas recognizes God's goodness in Jesus as good, and encourages the faithful to remain faithful to God's goodness which is Jesus.
The passage continues, "And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians" (Acts 11:24-26).
Barnabas brought Paul, the former persecutor of the faithful, to Antioch to teach the faithful. And together with Paul, Barnabas was in the place where the word "Christian" was coined. Wow! What goodness, indeed.
And His goodness can become our goodness, because it's God's goodness shared freely through faith in Jesus who is "our great God and savior . . . who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works" ( Titus 2:13b-14). This self-giving love of God in and through Jesus is what is celebrated today by Christians who observe this day (the Friday after Corpus Christi) as the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The main idea of this celebration is to adore the love of Jesus, and ask for grace to return His love by asking for God's help to live the Great Commandment. As it says in the prayer book, "Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment, and the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." And as it says in Scripture, "We love because he first loved us" ( 1 John 4:19).
Enjoy this day giving thanks for the examples of a good man named Barnabas, whose character was transformed to share the loving heart of his savior, Jesus.
The lessons for this coming Sunday are:
2 Samuel 11:26--12:10, 13-15
Psalm 32:1-8
Galatians 2:11-21
Luke 7:36-50
Announcements
This coming Sunday at St. Mark's we will recognize our graduate, Rachel Roach.
There are no mid-week Masses this week.
The Sunday morning study continues at St. Mark's, Mt. Pleasant, at 9:45am and will cover letters 7-9 of The Screwtape Letters this week. Newcomers are invited and encouraged to join the discussion at any time.
Blessings,
Fr Greg+
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
