Scriptures & Questions for December 3

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it
(some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

(St. Paul's uses the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary readings which are a little different from the Prayer Book Lections. The recent General Convention authorized the RCL as our official lectionary.)

December 3, 2006
1st Sunday of Advent, Year C
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of
darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of
this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit
us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come
again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the
dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.


The Scriptures
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-9
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36

Jeremiah 33:14-16
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill
the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to
spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and
righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and
Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it
will be called: "The Lord is our righteousness."
________________

Imagine an ideal government. What qualities would constitute "justice and righteousness in the land"?
___________________________________________________

Psalm 25:1-10
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
3 Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths.
4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.
5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.
6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.
8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.
9 All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
______________

1 Advent is the beginning of the new Church Year.
Read this psalm as though you were writing a New Year's resolution letter.
What would you like to do this New Church Year?
_____________________________________________________

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy
that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray
most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore
whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct
our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound
in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for
you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you
may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our
Lord Jesus with all his saints.
_______________
1 Advent is the beginning of the new Church Year.
Read this lesson as though it were a letter from a beloved spiritual mentor on the occasion of the new year.
What would you like to do for this new Church Year?
_______________________________________________________

Luke 21:25-36
"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on
the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the
sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of
what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will
be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud'
with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take
place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is
drawing near."

Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees;
as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know
that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things
taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I
tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have
taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will
not pass away.

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with
dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that
day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all
who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times,
praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things
that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
______________

What discouraging signs do you see?
What encouraging signs do you see?
Where is the Kingdom of God present?
What does it mean to you to be alert?
___________________________________________________

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html and follow the instructions.

On most weekdays I send a Morning Reflection to this same list, offering a thought about the readings from the Daily Office.

Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

For Sunday, November 26

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it
(some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

If you would like to comment on these scriptures or have some on-line conversation about them, please go to sundayscriptures@blogspot.com and click the "comments" button at the bottom.

(St. Paul's uses the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary readings which are a little different from the Prayer Book Lections. The recent General Convention authorized the RCL as our official lectionary.)

November 26, 2006
25th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 29, Year B
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all
things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of
lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided
and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together
under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The Scriptures
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm 93
Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took
his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his
head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels
were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and flowed out from
his presence. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand
times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in
judgment, and the books were opened.

As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being
coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One
and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and
glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that
shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be
destroyed.
_______________

In a culture of Empire, this kind of imagery of God's would have communicated God's authority and power in a very compelling way.
In our age, what imagery or symbols help you understand God?
____________________________________________________

Psalm 93
1 The Lord is King;
he has put on splendid apparel; *
the Lord has put on his apparel
and girded himself with strength.

2 He has made the whole world so sure *
that it cannot be moved;

3 Ever since the world began, your throne has been established; *
you are from everlasting.

4 The waters have lifted up, O Lord,
the waters have lifted up their voice; *
the waters have lifted up their pounding waves.

5 Mightier than the sound of many waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea, *
mightier is the Lord who dwells on high.

6 Your testimonies are very sure, *
and holiness adorns your house, O Lord,
for ever and for evermore.
_______________

When has an experience of water provoked a sense of awe in you?
_____________________________________________________

Revelation 1:4b-8
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to
come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and
from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the
dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and
made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him
be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Look! He is coming
with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him;
and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be.
Amen.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who
is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
_______________

Write your own poetic greeting from Christ; describe what Jesus has done for us and what his future blessing will be.
________________________________________________________

John 18:33-37
Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and
asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do
you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?"
Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the
chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?"
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom
were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me
from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is
not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus
answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for
this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who
belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
_____________

Why don't Jesus' followers fight to protect him?
What kind of king is Jesus? What kind of kingdom does he rule?
What does it mean to belong to the truth?

___________________________________________________

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html and follow the instructions.

On most weekdays I send a Morning Reflection to this same list, offering a thought about the readings from the Daily Office.

Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

Scritpures & Reflection Question for Nov. 19

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it
(some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

If you would like to comment on these scriptures or have some on-line conversation about them, please go to sundayscriptures@blogspot.com and click the "comments" button at the bottom.

(St. Paul's uses the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary readings which are a little different from the Prayer Book Lections. The recent General Convention authorized the RCL as our official lectionary.)

November 19, 2006
24th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 28, Year B
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Scriptures
Daniel 12:1-3
Psalm 16
Hebrews 10:11-25
Mark 13:1-8

Daniel 12:1-3
"At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your
people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as
has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But
at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is
found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of
the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to
shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine
like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to
righteousness, like the stars forever and ever."
____________________

What is there about the future that motivates your actions and your faith now?
_________________________________________________

Psalm 16:1-11
1 Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; *
I have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord,
my good above all other."
2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, *
upon those who are noble among the people.
3 But those who run after other gods *
shall have their troubles multiplied.
4 Their libations of blood I will not offer, *
nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.
5 O Lord, you are my portion and my cup; *
it is you who uphold my lot.
6 My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; *
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; *
my heart teaches me, night after night.
8 I have set the Lord always before me; *
because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.
9 My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; *
my body also shall rest in hope.
10 For you will not abandon me to the grave, *
nor let your holy one see the Pit.
11 You will show me the path of life; *
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
____________________

How would you describe the values of the psalmist?
How might you write this psalm?
__________________________________________________

Hebrews 10:11-25
And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering
again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away
sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice
for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God," and since then
has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for
his feet." For by a single offering he has perfected for all time
those who are sanctified.

And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, "This
is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says
the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write
them on their minds," he also adds, "I will remember their sins
and their lawless deeds no more." Where there is forgiveness of
these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the
sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that
he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his
flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our
bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession
of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is
faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love
and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit
of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see
the Day approaching.
__________________

How do you assure yourself of the forgiveness that God gives to us?
What are you doing to transform your heart to conform to God's intention?
______________________________________________________

Mark 13:1-8
As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him,
"Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!" Then
Jesus asked him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone
will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down."

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple,
Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, "Tell us,
when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things
are about to be accomplished?" Then Jesus began to say to them,
"Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name
and say, 'I am he!' and they will lead many astray. When you hear
of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take
place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in
various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning
of the birthpangs.
____________________

What human institutions do you think of as being fundamental or foundational to our way of life? From the long view of history, how permanent are they?
What fears for the future trouble you?
___________________________________________________

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html and follow the instructions.

On most weekdays I send a Morning Reflection to this same list, offering a thought about the readings from the Daily Office.

Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

Scriptures & questions for Nov. 12

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it

(some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

If you would like to comment on these scriptures or have some on-line conversation about them, please go to sundayscriptures@blogspot.com and click the "comments" button at the bottom.

(St. Paul's uses the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary readings which are a little different from the Prayer Book Lections. The recent General Convention authorized the RCL as our official lectionary.)

November 12, 2006

23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 27, Year B

Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Scriptures

1 Kings 17:8-16

Psalm 146

Hebrews 9:24-28

Mark 12:38-44

1 Kings 17:8-16

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah, saying, "Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you." So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink." As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." But she said, "As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die." Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth." She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

_____________

Every year 10.7 million children die before their fifth birthdays. More than one billion people survive in abject poverty on less than $1.00 per day.

What does this story mean to them? What does this story mean to us?

_____________________________________________________________

Psalm 146 Lauda, anima mea

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, O my soul! *

I will praise the Lord as long as I live;

I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *

for there is no help in them.

When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *

and in that day their thoughts perish.

Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *

whose hope is in the Lord their God;

Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *

who keeps his promise for ever;

Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *

and food to those who hunger.

The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; *

the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

The Lord loves the righteous; the Lord cares for the stranger; *

he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked.

The Lord shall reign for ever, *

your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah!

_____________________

What might be the circumstances of those who would sing this song most vigorously?

_______________________________________________________

Hebrews 9:24-28

For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

____________________

What does it mean to you that through Christ, sin is dealt with decisively?

_________________________________________________________________

Mark 12:38-44

As he taught, he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

__________________

Who are you most like in this parable, the scribes who enjoy some position of security and respect? ...or the widow who gives though she is needy?

To whom do you tend to give the greater respect in our culture?

...the scribes, or the widows?

___________________________________________________

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this email list,

go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html and follow the instructions.

On most weekdays I send a Morning Reflection to this same list, offering a thought about the readings from the Daily Office.

Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Fayetteville, AR