Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ-
How do we view the commandments? We honor them; we treasure them; we wish there was more obedience to them in the world out there. But do we see them as descriptive of our lives? Rather than seeing them as normative to everyone, what if we decided to see them as something we chose to be the guide for our lives? And what if we wanted to move from beyond the letter of this law into the spirit, what might that look like? Maybe we could prepare cards with the commandments on them to hand out in worship. But instead of “thou shall” and “thou shalt not,” you translate the words as “You are…” Then the law becomes a reminder of who we are. You are the people who have one God. You are the people who respect boundaries. You are the people who value worship and giving honor to God. These become, not commandments from the outside, but descriptions of our inner intentions and experience. “You are …” Christ as the cornerstone is another way of describing this inner-shaping process. Christ is what gives the church its shape, its definition and mission. Christ is what gives each of us our mission in life and reason for living. How do we present Christ as the cornerstone of our worship? We can sing of Christ as our foundation and give praise to the one who shapes our living. Our prayer time can invite the Spirit to guide us into the right paths, even as we lift up others in our care, so that they too might know the light that directs our path. Is there a hard edge to this process of shaping and being shaped? Certainly. But our call is not one of judgment on how others might be measuring up. Our call is to be the sign of those who are producing the fruit of the kingdom. As we worship, we invite the Spirit to work in us and through us to become workers in the vineyard, producing the fruit of the kingdom in ways that invite and encourage the body of Christ around us and the wider community of which we are a part. ~Rev. Dr. Derek Weber, Adapted by P Jim In preparation for Sunday's Message, digest Matthew 21:33-46. Jesus told a parable of a landowner who planted a vineyard. While there are echoes of Isaiah’s Song of the Vineyard, in this parable it is the behavior of the people that is of concern: how the tenant farmers treat the servants sent by the landowner—beating some, killing others. The landowner then sent his son, believing they would respect him. They wouldn’t dare harm the son of the landowner. But they took him, threw him out, and killed him. This was not the intention of the landowner, that his son would die—the landowner’s intention was that the tenant farmers would listen and do what they were supposed to do in caring for the vineyard. However, when Jesus asked those listening what they think the landowner would do, they answered that they thought the landowner would put those tenants to death and lease the vineyard to someone else. Jesus then quoted Psalm 118, that the stone rejected has become the cornerstone, and told those gathered in the temple that the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to a people that produced the fruit of the kingdom. The religious leaders knew Jesus was speaking about them. While Jesus’s words are harsh to those gathered, Jesus also makes it clear that God’s intention is not for harm. God’s intention was not to send the son to die. God’s intention is that all people would turn back to God’s ways, to live into God’s reign here and now. We know the end of this story. We know what happens when Jesus upsets the powers that be. What would you have done to realign the church to God's intentions? What questions will you bring to worship? And please invite a friend or family member to join us. Draw near to God and God draws near to you. ~James 4:8 In His Service, P Jim ♥️⚓️ ♡Special thanks to Rev. Mindi, workingpreacher, Hope for the Broken Hearted, Kelly's Treehouse 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 otherwise indicated, 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. <x>< Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android 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
Prayer Chain
For those wishing to activate our Church Prayer Chain, contact Barbara Hurley 518-307-8238 If you want the concern to remain confidential among prayer chain members only please feel free to make that request when calling. Archives
September 2023
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