Scriptures and Reflection Questions for Oct. 16

Scriptures and Reflection Questions
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 24, Year A, Track 1
October 16, 2011

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How to use this page:

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.

For a method to read and pray with the scriptures you might try to use the ancient
practice of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading).  We've written some instructions on
how to use Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures at the following link:
www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html

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Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations:
Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere
with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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The Lessons

Exodus 33:12-23
Psalm 99
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22

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Exodus 33:12-23

Moses said to the LORD, "See, you have said to me, `Bring up this people'; but you
have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, `I know you
by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.' Now if I have found favor in
your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight.
Consider too that this nation is your people." He said, "My presence will go with
you, and I will give you rest." And he said to him, "If your presence will not go,
do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor
in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be
distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth."

The LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have
found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." Moses said, "Show me your glory,
I pray." And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim
before you the name, `The LORD'; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious,
and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But," he said, "you cannot see my
 face; for no one shall see me and live." And the LORD continued, "See, there is
 a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I
 will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I
have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my
 face shall not be seen."

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Moses is in intimate communion with God.  God speaks the Divine Name to Moses, and
allows Moses to see a portion of God's glory.

What does it mean to you to be in communion with God?  ...to see God's glory?

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Psalm 99

God reigns; let the people tremble; *
     God is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake.

God is great in Zion *
     and is high above all peoples.

Let them confess God's Name, which is great and awesome; *
     God is the Holy One.

"O mighty Ruler, lover of justice, you have established equity; *
     you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob."

We proclaim your greatness, O God, and fall down before your footstool; *
     you are the Holy One.

Moses and Aaron among your priests,
and Samuel among those who call upon your Name, *
     they called upon you, and you answered them.

You spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *
     they kept your testimonies and the decree that you gave them.

"O Holy God, you answered them indeed; *
     you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds."

Proclaim the greatness of our God and worship on God's holy hill, *
     for our God is the Holy One.

                                       Saint Helena Psalter

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How do you express your praise of God?

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1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly
remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness
of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God,
that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word
only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as
 you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you
became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received
 the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to
 all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded
forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in
God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people
of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how
you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his
Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-- Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath
that is coming.


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The opening of Paul's first letter to the church in Thessoliniki.
What does this passage say about Paul's relationship with this congregation?
How might Paul begin a letter to our congregation?

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Matthew 22:15-22

The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their
disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are
sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to
no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think.
Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice,
said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used
 for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head
is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them,
 "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the
things that are God's." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him
and went away.

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What does Jesus' response say to you?
How do you regard paying taxes?
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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
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