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Thoughts: When the rich man had been condemned to hell, he begged Abraham to warn his five brothers who were leading decadent lives to forsake their sinful ways, so they would not go to hell as he had.
But Abraham said, “they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” How much do we hear and understand and remember from the books of Moses and the prophets? The first five books of the Bible are known as the books of Moses, but who are the prophets? Which Old Testament books did the prophets write? And what is this about major and minor prophets? Were they in leagues, or something? The five sinful brothers could have found the guidance they needed in Micah 6:8. “…what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Discussion: What Old Testament books deserve more attention than many churches currently give them? Activity: Much of Numbers is not riveting reading, but when you read Numbers 6:24-26, you will receive a blessing. ______________________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week Jackie Braidwood, Audrey Cowsert, Vivian and Stu Hansard, Martha Meyer, and Mildred Parker. Remember our short-term can drive for Hands4Detroit, all non-perishable food is due by September 28th. Ten days, ten cans, 100 pounds of love. This Wednesday we are helping with Big Beaver’s SOS night. Call Julie Olsavsky if you have a burning desire to help from 4:00pm to 10:00pm on September 21st. This Thursday, Connections will be in the kitchen at 6:30pm cooking up some meals for our hospital returnees. Are you a good cook? Check out Connections this Thursday. This Sunday is Bible Sunday when our 3rd graders and above will receive their Bibles. The HealthPros will also be giving FREE blood pressure checks during coffee fellowship.
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Thoughts: I remember hearing the word “mammon” during a tedious (to me) Sunday night church service where I was a small and reluctant member of the congregation. It was a new word to me. It sounded slimy and evil, and bits of scripture confirmed that was indeed bad – for example, “the unrighteous mammon” and “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
The word “mammon” has never arisen in any conversation I which I have been a part. I have heard it used only in scripture readings and sermons, and then rarely. The concordance lists it as used four times in the bible. The dictionary accords it five lines and two definitions. Should “mammon” be revived? Used? Explained? Emphasized? Discussion: What is your reaction to words like “troth,” “begat,” “firmament,” “swaddling”? Activity: Drop a Biblical word into a conversation this week and watch for the reaction. ______________________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week Audrey Cowsert, Bob and Vivian Grusnick, Vivian Hansard, Eunice Kraase, Elizabeth Stevens, daughter-in-law of Tom and Ann, and Thelma Welbaum at Mercy Bellbrook. This Sunday is our Ministry Fair. Bring your friends and explore our exciting ministries for this Fall. Choose one or many that interest you. Don’t miss this Sunday! We have been challenged by the Detroit Renaissance District (DRD) to collect 25,000 pounds of donated food (not perishable) to help stamp out hunger in the Motor City. Donated food goes to Methodist Food Pantries. All donated food needs to be at church by September 30th for sorting and packing. How many boxes can Troy FUMC fill? Bring your canned goods to church and deposit into the Gleaners Food Bank boxes found in Mercer Hall before September 30th. Thoughts: Four groups of people have gathered to listen to Jesus: publicans, sinners, Pharisees, and scribes.
The publicans were often tax collectors, who were despised – often with reason. Many of them collected more than was authorized, and they kept the extra money. Zaccheus is named as the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. The sinners include all of us. The Pharisees saw themselves as “the kingdom of priests” and claimed to be the definitive exponents of the Law (first five books of the Bible). Because they wished to destroy Jesus’ subversive new teaching, they have become the stereotype for opponents of Jesus. The scribes were highly educated, their chief activity being undistracted study of the Torah (again, the first five books of the Bible). They served as judges in the Sanhedrin, the highest court of the Jews. Like the Pharisees, most of the scribes opposed Jesus. The Pharisees and the scribes condemned Jesus because he ate with sinners. Well, most of us do – even if we eat alone. Discussion: What religious leader have you known who seemed to you to be most like Jesus? Activity: Read Luke 18:10-13. ______________________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week Audrey Cowsert, Bob & Vivian Grusnick, Vivian Hansard and Elizabeth Stevens, daughter-in-law of Tom and Ann. This Saturday from 9:00am until 1:00pm is a car wash to support our youth and their worktrip. Sunday starts our Fall schedule with the choir, Sunday School classes for all ages (check the back of the bulletin to find a class for you), and UMYF. Check your Tidings for your Spiritual Gifts Assessment. Complete before Sunday and bring to worship. Those who do not bring a completed form will be asked to fill it out during the Postlude. Those who bring the completed form will be able to leave early for coffee time. Cass Community Social Services golf outing is September 19th. They are looking for teams of golfers for this charity event. Information is in the office. Deadline is soon. Thoughts: The Lord told Jeremiah to go to the potter’s house, and Jeremiah went.
It would be understandable if Jeremiah had asked questions. Which potter? What’s his address? Shall I tell him the Lord sent me? What am I supposed to see? What do you want me to do? What’s the purpose of all this, anyway? Usually, Jeremiah had a great deal to say. His book has 52 chapters – the third longest book in the Bible – and he followed this with five chapters of aptly named Lamentations, which ends with one of the saddest verses in the Bible: “…thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.” Jeremiah went to the potter’s house – and listened to God. Discussion: When have you felt there was clay you could reshape? Activity: “Do all the good you can….” And try saying less. ___________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week Audrey Cowsert, Bob & Vivian Grusnick, Vivian Hansard, Martha Meyer and Thelma Welbaum. Prayers for the Tom and Ann Stevens and family as their daughter-in-law Elizabeth has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Our Christian sympathy to the family of Mike and Jennifer Voight on the sudden death of Mike’s brother, Larry, this past week. This Sunday is Communion. Bring a friend or neighbor for this Labor Day Sunday. |
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