Scriptures for Sunday, May 6

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.


May 6, 2007
5th Sunday of Easter, Year C
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Scriptures

Acts 11:1-18
Psalm 148
Revelation 21:1-6
John 13:31-35

Acts 11:1-18
Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, "Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?" Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me, `Get up, Peter; kill and eat.' But I replied, `By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' But a second time the voice answered from heaven, `What God has made clean, you must not call profane.' This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, `Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.' And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, `John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?" When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, "Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life."
_____________________

What resistance can you imagine Peter met when he told this story that gave equal religious standing to uncircumcised Gentiles as to circumcised Jews?
When have you been surprised to discover someone you thought was different or "unclean" might also have received the same gifts God has given you?
__________________________________________________________

Psalm 148; Page 805, BCP; Laudate Dominum

Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord from the heavens; *
praise him in the heights.

Praise him, all you angels of his; *
praise him, all his host.

Praise him, sun and moon; *
praise him, all you shining stars.

Praise him, heaven of heavens, *
and you waters above the heavens.

Let them praise the Name of the Lord; *
for he commanded, and they were created.

He made them stand fast for ever and ever; *
he gave them a law which shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, *
you sea-monsters and all deeps;

Fire and hail, snow and fog, *
tempestuous wind, doing his will;

Mountains and all hills, *
fruit trees and all cedars;

Wild beasts and all cattle, *
creeping things and winged birds;

Kings of the earth and all peoples, *
princes and all rulers of the world;

Young men and maidens, *
old and young together.

Let them praise the Name of the Lord, *
for his Name only is exalted,
his splendor is over earth and heaven.

He has raised up strength for his people
and praise for all his loyal servants,
*the children of Israel, a people who are near him.
Hallelujah!
_____________________

Read this hymn like you were listening to a symphony.
How does it sound as the music of praise from each portion of the universe joins the chorus of the cosmos?
___________________________________________________

Revelation 21:1-6
I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
"See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them as their God;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away."

And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life."
_____________________

Imagine the new earth, where God dwells among mortals.
What must we do to prepare our earth to receive this presence?
_______________________________________________________________


John 13:31-35
At the last supper, when Judas had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
_____________________

The betrayal of Jesus' friend and disciple sets in motion the events that will lead to Jesus' arrest, trial, physical beatings, and slow death by crucifixion -- the execution of a criminal. John's gospel speaks of this as Jesus' glorification. How do you explain this glorification?
If you were going to teach a six-year old what Jesus means when he says "love one another" -- what would you say? What would you say to someone else who was your age?
___________________________________________________________

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

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Check our website: www.stpaulsfay.org

Scriptures for April 29

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.


April 29, 2007
4th Sunday of Easter, Year C
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people:
Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who
calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with
you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.

The Scriptures

Acts 9:36-43
Psalm 23
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30

Acts 9:36-43
Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which
in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of
charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had
washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was
near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent
two men to him with the request, "Please come to us without
delay." So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived,
they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside
him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas
had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside,
and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and
said, "Tabitha, get up." Then she opened her eyes, and seeing
Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then
calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This
became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon,
a tanner.
______________________

Have you ever known someone who recovered from death or near death?
Have you or someone you know ever recovered from something that felt threatening to their way of being?
____________________________________________________

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.

3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.

4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those
who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.

6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
______________________

Why do you think this has become the most beloved of psalms?
What does this psalm mean to you?
___________________________________________________

Revelation 7:9-17
After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one
could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and
languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed
in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a
loud voice, saying,
"Salvation belongs to our God
who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb!"
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders
and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the
throne and worshiped God, singing,
"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might
be to our God forever and ever! Amen."
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these,
robed in white, and where have they come from?" I said to
him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me,
"These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have
washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
For this reason they are before the throne of God,
and worship him day and night within his temple,
and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;
the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat;
for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
______________________

How would you imagine life in the presence of God?
What is your deepest hope?
____________________________________________________

John 10:22-30
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in
Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in
the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said
to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the
Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and
you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name
testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong
to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow
me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one
will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is
greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the
Father's hand. The Father and I are one."
______________________

What does the voice of Jesus sound like to you?
What does it mean to you that no one can snatch out of the Father's hand whatever the Father has given Jesus?
What does it mean when Jesus says "the Father and I are one."
___________________________________________________________

To subscribe or unsubscribe to receive these scriptures via 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

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Check our website: www.stpaulsfay.org

corrected Scriptures for April 22

Earlier I posted the readings for 3 Epiphany rather than 3 Easter.

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.)

April 22, 2007
3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Scriptures
Acts 9:1-6
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19

Acts 9:1-6
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the
disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for
letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any
who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound
to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus,
suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the
ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you
persecute me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I
am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the
city, and you will be told what you are to do."
_____________

Have you ever experienced something that completely changed you?
...your opinion? ...your worldview? ...your orientation toward something significant?
________________________________________________________

Psalm 30
1 I will exalt you, O Lord,
because you have lifted me up *
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.

2 O Lord my God, I cried out to you, *
and you restored me to health.

3 You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.

4 Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; *
give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
his favor for a lifetime.

6 Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.

7 While I felt secure, I said,
"I shall never be disturbed. *
You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong as
the mountains."

8 Then you hid your face, *
and I was filled with fear.

9 I cried to you, O Lord; *
I pleaded with the Lord, saying,

10 "What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?

11 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; *
O Lord, be my helper."

12 You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.

13 Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.
______________

When have you felt threatened and then relieved?
How might you connect that experience to God as the psalmist did?
_____________________________________________________

Revelation 5:11-14
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding
the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered
myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full
voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power
and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and
blessing!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and
under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,
"To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and
honor and glory and might forever and ever!" And the four living
creatures said, "Amen!" And the elders fell down and worshiped.
_____________________

How might your picture this scene in your mind?
How would it sound?
What feelings does it evoke in you?
____________________________________________________


John 21:1-19
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by
the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered
there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin,
Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others
of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."
They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got
into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did
not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, you have
no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." He said to them,
"Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find
some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in
because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved
said to Peter, "It is the Lord!"

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes,
for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples
came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far
from the land, only about a hundred yards off. When they had gone
ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus
said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught."
So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of
large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were
so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have
breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are
you?" because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the
bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This
was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after
he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to
him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him,
"Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon son of
John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that
I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him
the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt
hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?"
And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that
I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell
you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt
and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will
stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around
you and take you where you do not wish to go." (He said this to
indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After
this he said to him, "Follow me."
_________________

If you were the preacher this week, what would you focus on from this story?
___________________________________________________________

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

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Check our website: www.stpaulsfay.org

Scriptures for April 22

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.)

April 22, 2007
3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Scriptures
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21

Nehemiah 8:1-3
All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
____________________________

Ezra reads the rediscovered book (probably Deuteronomy) that had been lost from the tradition of Israel. They are grieving because they have not been faithful to this tradition; they are joyful because they have rediscovered some of their roots.
Imagine we had lost the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
What would it feel like to read those word and reclaim them anew?
________________________________________________________________________

Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2 One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3 Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,
4 Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.
5 In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6 It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect
and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the Lord is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8 The statutes of the Lord are just
and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the Lord is clear
and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean
and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey,
than honey in the comb.
11 By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.
13 Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
____________________________

How have you experienced a sense of awe when looking at the stars, moon and sun?
How do you relate your decisions to what you know of God's direction in scripture?
________________________________________________________________

1 Corinthians 12:12-31
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts.
____________________________

What does the image of the Body mean when you think about the divisions present in the Church today?
What is your part in the Body of Christ?
___________________________________________________________________

Luke 4:14-21
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
____________________________

If you were listening to this for the first time, what would you say the focus of Jesus' ministry would be?
What should the church do to respond to this mission?
___________________________________________________________

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

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Check our website: www.stpaulsfay.org

Scriptures for April 15

Acts 5:27-32
Psalm 150
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31

Acts 5:27-32
When they had brought them, they had them stand before the
council. The high priest questioned them, saying, "We gave you
strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled
Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this
man's blood on us." But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must
obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our
ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on
a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior
that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit
whom God has given to those who obey him."
_____________

When have you felt pressure to deny your own experience, your own convictions?
What happened?
___________________________________________________

Psalm 150
1 Hallelujah!
Praise God in his holy temple; *
praise him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise him for his mighty acts; *
praise him for his excellent greatness.

3 Praise him with the blast of the ram's-horn; *
praise him with lyre and harp.

4 Praise him with timbrel and dance; *
praise him with strings and pipe.

5 Praise him with resounding cymbals; *
praise him with loud-clanging cymbals.

6 Let everything that has breath *
praise the Lord.
Hallelujah!
______________

When have you felt moved by music?
How do you find it most comfortable to express your praise of God?
____________________________________________________

Revelation 1:4-8
John to the seven churches that are in Asia:
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.
______________

How do you relate to the earthly Jesus of the gospel stories and the exalted Jesus as pictured by John's vision?
_________________________________________________

John 20:19-31
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and
the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked
for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said,
"Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands
and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has
sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on
them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive
the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins
of any, they are retained."
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told
him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see
the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark
of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas
was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and
stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said
to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out
your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe."
Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him,
"Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those
who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples,
which are not written in this book. But these are written so that
you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,
and that through believing you may have life in his name.
_____________

When have you ever felt different because your experience or belief was different?
Was your group able to include you as the disciples included Thomas?
What does this story say about grief and healing? ...about doubt and belief?
__________________________________________________________

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 for Easter Sunday

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.)

April 8, 2007

Easter Sunday, Year C

Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus

Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of

everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the

day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death

of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our

Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one

God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Scriptures

Isaiah 65:17-25

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

1 Corinthians 15:19-26

Luke 24:1-12

Isaiah 65:17-25

For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former

things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and

rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create

Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. I will rejoice

in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound

of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. No more shall

there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old

person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a

hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short

of a hundred will be considered accursed. They shall build houses

and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant

and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my

people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their

hands. They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for

calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord -- and

their descendants as well. Before they call I will answer, while

they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall

feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the

serpent--its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy

on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.

_______________________________

What elements of this dream of good life particular catch your imagination?

Notice that this vision is entirely concerned with the quality of life here on earth.

What would your dream of good life be?

__________________________________________________________

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *

his mercy endures for ever.

2 Let Israel now proclaim, *

"His mercy endures for ever."

14 The Lord is my strength and my song, *

and he has become my salvation.

15 There is a sound of exultation and victory *

in the tents of the righteous:

16 "The right hand of the Lord has triumphed! *

the right hand of the Lord is exalted!

the right hand of the Lord has triumphed!"

17 I shall not die, but live, *

and declare the works of the Lord.

18 The Lord has punished me sorely, *

but he did not hand me over to death.

19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; *

I will enter them;

I will offer thanks to the Lord.

20 "This is the gate of the Lord; *

he who is righteous may enter."

21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *

and have become my salvation.

22 The same stone which the builders rejected *

has become the chief cornerstone.

23 This is the Lord's doing, *

and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 On this day the Lord has acted; *

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

________________________

What words and images would you use to describe what God's victory through the resurrection of Jesus? How would you praise God for the gift of resurrection?

_____________________________________________________________

1 Corinthians 15:19-26

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all

people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from

the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since

death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead

has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so

all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order:

Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to

Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God

the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every

authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his

enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

_________________________

If Adam's sin condemns all to death, says Paul, even more will Christ's victory make all alive. What does the complete victory of Jesus mean to you?

_____________________________________________________________

Luke 24:1-12

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the

tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the

stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did

not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly

two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were

terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said

to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is

not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was

still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to

sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." Then

they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told

all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary

Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women

with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed

to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter

got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the

linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had

happened.

____________________

When have you had an experience of resurrection?

Some people believed and some people didn't believe the reports of Jesus' resurrection.

What do you find you can believe? What do you find you cannot believe?

What does resurrection mean to 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

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church

is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Check our website: www.stpaulsfay.org