Matthew 25:31-46 (MSG) Fellowship of Faith @ St. John’s Meadows November 18, 2018 Rarely will Presbyterians grab a bunch of Bible verses and string them together, but in this case, we are able to see that throughout Scripture (Old Testament Hebrew writings and New Testament Greek writings), there is a constant thread: the Sovereignty of God. God creates all and is in charge of all, but we are called to be the agents, ambassadors, and caretakers of God’s creation. Let us remind ourselves of our place in God’s Plan for humanity.   The earth and everything in it, the world … Continue reading “Marginal Jesus”

1 Kings 17:8-22; Mark 12:41-44 (GNT) Fellowship of Faith @ St. John’s Meadows November 11, 2018 1 Kings 17:8-22  (GNT) 8 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 9 “Now go to the town of Zarephath, near Sidon, and stay there. I have commanded a widow who lives there to feed you.” 10 So Elijah went to Zarephath, and as he came to the town gate, he saw a widow gathering firewood. “Please bring me a drink of water,” he said to her. 11 And as she was going to get it, he called out, “And please bring me some bread, too.” 12 She answered, “By the living Lord your God I swear … Continue reading “Starting to Breathe Again”

Revelation 20:1-4; Mark 12:28-34 (GNT) Fellowship of Faith @ St. John’s Meadows November 4, 2018 – All Saints Communion Sunday Revelation 20:1-4 (GNT) 1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth disappeared, and the sea vanished. 2 And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared and ready, like a bride dressed to meet her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: “Now God’s home is with people! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will … Continue reading “Not Far from the KOG”

Romans 1:16-17;  John 8:31-26 (NRSV) Fellowship of Faith @ St. John’s Meadows October 27, 2018 – Reformation Sunday Romans 1:16-17 (MSG) It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives.”   John 8:31-36 (NRSV) 31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue … Continue reading “Words to Live By”

Proverbs 22:28; 23:10-11(NRSV);  Mark 10:17-31(MSG) Fellowship of Faith @ St. John’s Meadows October 14, 2018 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day Job 38 (MSG) And now, finally, God answered Job from the eye of a violent storm. He said: “Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you’re talking about? Pull yourself together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers. Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me, since you know so much! Who decided on its size? Certainly you’ll know that! Who came up with … Continue reading “Where Were You?”

Proverbs 22:28; 23:10-11(NRSV);  Mark 10:17-31(MSG) Fellowship of Faith @ St. John’s Meadows October 14, 2018 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day Proverbs 22:28; 23:10-11 (NRSV) 28 Do not remove the ancient landmark that your ancestors set up. 10 Do not remove an ancient landmark or encroach on the fields of orphans, 11 for their redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you. Mark 10:17-31 (MSG) 17 As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?” 18-19 Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? No … Continue reading “Political, but not Partisan”

Gen. 1:26-2:4;  Eph. 2:16-18(MSG) Fellowship of Faith @ St. John’s Meadows October 7, 2018 – Peacemaking / World Communion Sunday   Genesis 1:26-2:4 (MSG) God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.” God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish … Continue reading “Peace: Inside and Out”