Scripture Reading

I did not get the reading posted yesterday - but here it is for those who would still like to get a head's up on Sunday's scripture passage. It is a long one this week... Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well

John, Chapter 4, verses 5-42:
So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. 7A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8(His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” 13Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” 15The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” 17The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” 19The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” 26Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.”
27Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” 28Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, 29“Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” 30They left the city and were on their way to him. 31Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33So the disciples said to one another, “Surely no one has brought him something to eat?” 34Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. 35Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest’? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. 36The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” 39Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41And many more believed because of his word. 42They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”


I would love to hear your thoughts and comments as we move toward Sunday.

Blessings-
Rev. Beth

Lenten Reading Plan: John 6:1-21

S=Scripture
Read John 6:1-21
(I am reading in The Message interpretation)

O=Observation
Wow, Jesus "performs" two amazing miracles in this reading: he feeds five thousand people with one sack lunch, and then walks on water in the midst of stormy seas.

It says Jesus asks Philip about buying bread for the crowd "to stretch his faith."

A=Application
That makes me wonder how Jesus stretches my faith in the crowded places in my life... What was crowded today? Hmmm, my calendar is crowded. Jesus asks me how I am going to feed my soul... grow my soul... with this crowded calendar? Where will I find those lush, grassy places to stretch out my soul in the presence of Jesus.

If I am not careful, I will find myself afraid and tossed about in other peoples' storms.


P=Prayer
Jesus, walk across the storm that is my calendar and the moments and times of my days. Help me to create grassy hillsides where I can be in your presence... where you can calm the churning and remind me that you are there.

I will be afraid no more! Thanks be to God!


I SOAP-ed! Did you?

Lenten Reading Plan: John 4:43-54

S=Scripture
Read John 4:43-54
(I am reading in The Message interpretation)

O=Observation

Jesus sounds frustrated... back in his hometown, and feeling pushed again into "performing" a miracle. I thought the line: "Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe" was very telling.

Then it says the man believed "the bare words" of Jesus. He believed and headed home to his son.

A=Application

I think Jesus still gets frustrated with folks - yes, even me - pushing for what we want, when we want it... wanting signs - proof - that Jesus is still alive and active among us.

In the face of some urgent need or the illness of a loved one I do plead urgently, asking for help or healing. I hear Jesus asking me to listen for him in those situations - listen for... rest in... the "bare words" of his response. Return to a peace-filled place in the midst of worry.

P=Prayer
Thank you Jesus, that indeed you do hear our every prayer and longing. In the midst of anxious times - worries about loved ones, hurting and broken neighbors, warring countries, and so many needs in our world, help me to trust that you are still the Savior of the world - and I don't have to be. Amen.


I SOAP-ed! Did you?

Lenten Reading Plan

With my mom's hospital stay and some other urgencies cropping up I didn't SOAP every day last week. I'm feeling bad about that but I am putting it behind me and beginning anew this week. Thanks for your patience with me doing this in the blogosphere!

Lenten Reading Plan: John 2:1-25

S=Scripture
Read John 2:1-25
(I am reading in The Message interpretation)

O=Observation
I am struck by the contrast of these two scenes from Jesus' life: a wedding miracle next to the angry temple scene. We go from "the first glimpse of his glory" to the first glimpse of his righteous anger.

A=Application
I have days like that... seasons like that... times when I have to shift gears or change hats so fast my head spins. Life brings encounters of joy and celebration and miracles, and it brings times of conflict, disruption, and anger. And yes, sometimes the shift happens in what seems like a split second.

P=Prayer
Loving God, I am grateful for Jesus "who knows our grief, who died our death, who rose for our sake." Thanks you that The One who is Lord of my life has experienced the fullness of life and can be trusted with all of my life. Amen.


I SOAP-ed! Did you?

P.S. Sorry this post is so late... had to take mom to the ER today... her potassium is low and she is anemic... please keep her in your prayers. Thanks!

Scripture Reading

Soul Cafe happens every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.. It is our "church and community" supper followed by a bible discussion. And it is FREE... WHOOT!!

Our reading for tonight's edition of Soul Cafe is John, Chapter 3, verses 1-17:

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.


I hope you will come tonight and share in our discussion. If you can't make it then we would love your comments here.

Blessings-
Rev. Beth

Lenten Reading Plan: John 1:29-51

S=Scripture
Read John 1:29-51
(I am reading in The Message interpretation)

O=Observation
We begin and end with witnesses...

First, John testifies (witnesses) to his disciples that Jesus is "The One" - and that he (John) knows Jesus is The One because he saw "the Spirit like a dove flying down... making himself at home in him."

Several verses later, Jesus promises his disciples that before this is over they are going to see the angels with the Son of Man... the disciples will become "eye witnesses" to Jesus being The One.

A=Application
I would call myself an eyewitness. I believe that I have seen Jesus... I have witnessed the Holy Spirit re-presenting the Risen Christ to me... I have seen Jesus at work through the Body of Christ... I too am an eye-witness!

P=Prayer

Gracious Spirit, I am so thankful for the many eye-witnesses across the centuries who have continued to testify and bear witness to "The One" - and I am so grateful for the Spirit bearing witness to my spirit that Jesus loves me and calls me to follow. I pray the Spirit continues to find a home in me, and that I can share The One with others. Amen.


I SOAP-ed! Did you?

Lenten Reading Plan: John 1:1-28

S=Scripture
Read John 1:1-28
(I am reading in The Message interpretation)

O=Observation
A description of the Cosmic Jesus (The Word) who then “moves into the neighborhood.” Wow!
I have a love/hate relationship with The Message interpretation of scripture. Today, I love it. Cosmic Jesus is Word, Life-Light, One-of-a-kind God-expression. This captures and expands my image of Jesus so much. These days I need a BIG Jesus!

A=Application
I am reminded of the Leslie D. Weatherhead book Your God is Too Small. I don’t know why I need a Big Jesus today…

Word: I love words… a collection of letters that come together and have such power and beauty and delight! But Word, THE Word, is indescribable when it comes to words. But then again John does a beautiful job here at the opening of the gospel.

Life-Light: I love that word string… reminds me of the creed, Nicene… “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God…”

One-of-a-kind God-expression: Aren’t we all??

(I am not so good at this application piece….)

P=Prayer

God, thank you for The Word and for words. Be with all of us who are beginning this Lenten journey in the gospel of John. May we be renewed in our love and passion for Jesus. Amen.

I SOAP-ed! Did you?

Scripture Reading

Our reading for tonight's edition of Soul Cafe is Matthew, Chapter 4, verses 1-11:

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” 7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

I hope you will come tonight and share in our discussion. If you can't make it then we would love your comments here.

Blessings-
Rev. Beth

Ash Wednesday Service

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Ash Wednesday developed as a day of penitence to mark the beginning of Lent—the forty days of preparation and fasting leading up to the commemoration of Jesus’ death and the celebration of his resurrection on Easter. The word itself comes from the Old English word, lengten, which had to do with the lengthening of the days - it was the Old English word for Spring. During this time, as the plants are beginning to emerge from winter dormancy, Christians see an opportunity for growth in our walk with Christ and renewed spiritual commitment.

The forty days of this season is a parallel of Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness during which time he fasted. Fasting during this time may be giving up something as an act of devotion, a way of identifying with Jesus and creating a kind of longing for Easter. Some take on new spiritual disciplines rather than, or in addition to, fasting.

Ash Wednesday is a particular time of new beginnings in the faith, a time for returning to the Lord. On this day we recall our mortality and wait upon the Lord for a renewing Spirit. This is a time of putting aside the sins and failures of the past in the light of who we are yet to become by the grace of God.

Our service will be somber, quiet and contemplative. Join us for this very meaningful time: Wednesday, March 9, at 7:00 p.m.

You are also invited to Soul Café, our free church and community supper and discussion that starts at 5:30 p.m.

Scripture Reading

Our reading for tonight's edition of Soul Cafe is the Transfiguration of Jesus as told in the Gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 17, verses 1-9:

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

I hope you will come tonight and share in our discussion. If you can't make it then we would love your comments here.

Blessings-
Rev. Beth