This Lent I have decided to do a series on the “Final Words” that Jesus spoke from the cross. This is based on a book written by Rev. Adam Hamilton, Pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Beginning March 9th I will examine some of the final words Jesus spoke: […]
Isaiah 58:1-9a, (9b-12); Psalm 112:1-9, (10); 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, (13-16); Matthew 5:13-20 THEME IDEAS Combining the salt and light passages from Isaiah and Matthew sheds a new perspective on the meaning of discipleship. Followers of Christ fulfill the law and the prophets by answering Isaiah’s call to justice as the path to divine connection. When […]
Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7; 18-19 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12 Isaiah promises that a righteous branch shall grow out of the shoot of Jesse — a branch bringing justice and peace to all of creation. In Advent, Christians prepare to receive this branch in the birth of Jesus. Matthew warns that the peace promised by Isaiah […]
Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; Hebrews 12:18-29; Luke 13:10-17 Theme Ideas The power of speech pulls together these disparate scripture readings. Jeremiah is afraid to speak because of his youthful inexperience. The psalmist cries out for God to lean down and listen to our pleas Hebrews warns us of the impending doom for those who do […]
1 Kings 17:8-24; Psalm 146; Galatians 1:11-24; Luke 7:11-17 THEME IDEAS In all her well-known social and economic vulnerability in the ancient Middle East, few biblical characters embody the poor and oppressed more fully than the widow. In today’s stories, it is clear that the widows of the world are precisely whom God cares about. […]