Weekly Bible Readings
Why Should You Read the Bible?
Reading the Bible shows us God’s character. The Bible is our definitive source for the answers to our questions about God.
Each month we will be posting an inspirational message for each Sunday of that month, along with four links to Bible passages related to that message. Please take the opportunity to grow stronger and deeper in the Word of God!
“Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:1-3
Sunday, September 3 - 14 Pentecost - Can You Imagine
In our reading, one minute, Jesus is saying to Peter, you’re “the rock on which I will build my church” and the next he’s calling him “a stumbling block.” Can you imagine that in your relationship with Jesus? We sometimes are like Peter in that Jesus isn’t the Messiah we were expecting or perhaps even want. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus introduces a different expectation – one that runs by forgiveness, mercy, and love rather than retribution, violence, and hate. With such a radical approach, it’s no surprise that Jesus was killed. What’s surprising is that God raised Jesus from the dead. Resurrection reinforces and indeed, establishes the kingdom of God in the world – that Jesus’ life, love, and sacrifice are ultimately what will one day prevail.
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
Sunday, September 10 - 15 Pentecost - Authentic Christian Community
So what do you think? Rules or relationships? This may be the central question to answer in our reading of this particular passage in Matthew. Is he giving us rules to live by or privileging relationships over, well, just about everything else in our life as Christians. What if Matthew isn’t simply setting up the rules of engagement but rather is trying to build authentic Christian community? And what if Matthew’s major concern isn’t actually settling disputes but creating an environment where Christ’s presence continues to bring forgiveness, healing, and joy? Always remember that we have Jesus’ promise to be with us – instructing us in the way of love, urging us on, forgiving us, and sending us out to be agents of reconciliation and peace, accompanying us wherever we may go.
Readings:
Ezekiel 33:7-11
Psalm 119: 33-40
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20
Sunday, September 17 -16 Pentecost - How Many Times?
In today’s reading, Peter’s question of how many times we should forgive someone is really misdirected. The issue is not how much or how often we are asked to forgive or should forgive. And the answer is not 490. The act of forgiveness is already a limitless, measureless act. Forgiveness is never not present in our lives and in our relationships. There is no magic formula to determine what forgiveness should look like or feel like. The issue is how hard forgiveness really is.
Readings:
Genesis 50:15-21
Psalm 103:1-13
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 18:21-35
Sunday, September 24 - 17 Pentecost - That's Not Fair!
Given the choice, which would you choose, love or justice? This is a hard choice. both are really important and we want both. In this parable It’s all too easy for us to dismiss these laborers as ungrateful or selfish. Their reaction is almost exactly what most of us would have felt had we been in their shoes. Because what happens to them simply does not add up and doesn’t seem fair. Love is not the opposite of justice – far from it! Nor does love countenance or encourage injustice. Rather, love passes beyond the realm of justice and law into the realm of relationship – a relationship with all people. The God who looks at us in love and therefore overlooks all those places we fall short chooses to treat us and all people with unmerited grace, mercy, and generosity.
Readings:
Jonah 3:10-4:11
Psalm 145: 1-8
Philippians 1:21-30
Matthew 20:1-16
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7:45 AM - Traditional Service - Abbreviated
9:00 AM - The Journey - Contemporary
11:00 AM - Traditional Service
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