Dear Friends in Christ-
We have come to an end of the season after Pentecost, and both streams of the Hebrew scripture reading in the Revised Common Lectionary for Reign of Christ Sunday begin with Jeremiah 23:1-6. God has had enough of the shepherds who have not cared for the sheep. The shepherds who were supposed to learn from their ancestor David, a shepherd himself before he became king, have driven the people of Israel from God’s ways, and have allowed them to worship other gods. But God themself will gather the remnant of the flock in exile and bring them back. God will raise up shepherds who will actually care for them, and God will raise up a “righteous branch” of David—not those in name only, but someone who leads as David led—who will execute justice and reign wisely and in righteousness over the people of Israel and Judah. The first selection pairs Luke 1:68-79, the song of Zechariah, who was finally able to speak once his son John was born. The angel Gabriel wouldn’t allow him to speak because he questioned the angel’s message. Once John’s name was known, Zechariah could speak, and he sang a song praising God for raising up a servant in the line of David, the promise of the ancestors fulfilled. Zechariah also sings a blessing for his own son John, who would be called the prophet of the Most High God, for his son would be the one to prepare the way and bring knowledge of the repentance of sins. Like the dawn breaking open, new understanding, new light would guide the people out of the shadow of death and into God’s ways of peace. Jeremiah 23:1-6, New International Version The Righteous Branch 23 “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. 3 “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord. 5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior. If there is one expectation I bring to this coming season, it's a better/deeper sense of peace. I sincerely desire God's peace to drip from my preparations. At the same time I'm fully aware that to experience God's shalom, I must actively seek it out. The season we call Christmas is full of busyness and noise and chaos. It's near impossible to slow it down. It moves along like rough water rapids and I feel like I'm in my kayak, just trying to stay upright and afloat. I find my mind responding with thunderous BAM ("I don't have time for that!"), missing some of the best aspects of the Season, let alone the Reason for this Season. Okay, what can I do? The obvious question arrises once again: how do I re-prioritize? For me, my preparations will include both an expectation of peace and a plan to seek out special moments and events that focus on the Reason for the Season. Sounds simple!? It won’t be. What about you? How might you seek the Reason for the Season, "Our Righteous Savior"? In His Service, P Jim ♥️⚓️ ♡ Special thanks to Rev. Mindi, workingpreacher.com, Hope for the Broken Hearted and/or Star Bright Angels for their contribution to this effort of Daily Prayer and Study. All scripture is taken from the Revised Common Lectionary and, unless othwise indicated, are from the New International Version of the Bible. The intent of this effort is to inform our faith and grow closer to God, while preparing for next Sunday's Worship. ~James 4:8 <x>< Comments are closed.
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ZOOM WORSHIP SERVICE
SUNDAY @ 11 AM To join by phone, dial (929) 205-6099 and enter the meeting ID and password below: Meeting ID: 876 1875 9099 Password 333 PrayerGracious Loving Lord, please keep all of your children safe in these trying times. Guide us. Open our ears to hear, our eyes to see, our minds to understand and our hearts to know and be your love to others. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Want to support RLUMC and our missions? Donate Today
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September 2023
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