Good Morning People of Bethlehem!
Thank you to everyone who brought food items so that we not only met but exceeded our goal of 102 items. Redding Social Services will greatly appreciate the restocking of their shelves. And thank you to everyone who helped out with Rally Day yesterday, especially Jenna and Cheryl, and we continue to pray and give thanks for the love, nurturing, a gift of teaching that they give to the Sunday School.
This coming Saturday at 6pm is the Pasta Dinner. Tickets are $10 for adults $5 for children and will available at the door. However if you haven't bought your tickets and are planning on attending, could you please send me an email just so we can better estimate how much food we need. If you would like to help out, we will be setting up on Friday night at 7, there is also need for people to serve and clean up afterwards. See you Saturday!
And a quick reminder about some opportunities to GROW
- Wednesday night women's bible study is at 7:30 at the parsonage. Come enjoy wine, chocolate, conversation and scripture.
- Sunday morning bible study at 9am will start us on a conversation about the book of Romans, all are invited to join us.
- The first official day of Sunday School class is this coming Sunday at 9am.
- Worship Together, an interactive worship for young children and families have started! Thursdays and Saturdays at 10am
- Theology Pub on Sunday nights at 7pm at the Lumberyard. Come discuss some questions about faith over a beer and football!
Also our Book of Faith puzzler last week was: We heard two lost parables (lost sheep & lost coin), what is the third lost parable? The answer is the parable of the lost son, better known as the prodigal son. All three parables are in Luke chapter 15. This week's puzzler is: Leviticus 23:26-32 describes the Day of Atonement, what is that day call in modern Judaism? Shoot me an email with your answer to be entered into this week's drawing.
Now onto the texts for this coming Sunday.
The first lesson is Amos 6:1a, 4-7. Amos is telling the people that their wealth is not a reason to celebrate but to mourn because they have forgotten their calling as the people of Israel to share with those in need and as a result the wealthy will now be the first to go into exile. When has having wealth kept you from helping those in need? And when has having wealth made you turn away from God?
The second lesson is 1 Timothy 6:6-19. The author reminds Timothy to be content with what he has "for the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." And Timothy is encouraged to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness." When have you loved money? When has the love of money gotten in the way of you doing what is right, godly, faithful, loving, enduring, and gentle? Can a rich person still do those things? Can a poor person still be obsessed with money?
The gospel is Luke 16:19-31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Even in death the rich man treats Lazarus like a servant, wanting Father Abraham to send Lazarus to quench the rich man's thirst. How is it hard to see some people as humans and not as the position that they serve? (Remember the first time you saw your teacher at the grocery store?) Father Abraham warns that if people do not listen to Moses and the prophets about repenting their sins, "neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." For Christians we are convinced because Jesus rose from the dead, but how is that different?
Hope these questions pique your interest. Please email me with any of your thoughts on these texts as your thoughts are very important in helping me know what is on your hearts and minds as I prepare to preach on Sunday.
Many blessings on your week
Pastor Becca
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