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Friday, December 9, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (12/11/12)

Announcements:
1.    Dress rehearsal and lunch for those taking part in the Christmas Play will follow morning worship.
2.    Community Christmas Cantata Sunday December 11th 6pm at First United Methodist Church
3.    Our Church Family Christmas Breakfast is December 18th at 9:45. Please bring a breakfast dish to share.
4.    The Christmas Play is next Sunday during morning worship.
5.    Also during our morning worship on the 18th Hilario and Courtney Cantu will reaffirm their wedding vows.

Scripture
Mark 2:1-12
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. [2] So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. [3] Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. [4] Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. [5] When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

[6] Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, [7] "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

[8] Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? [9] Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? [10] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." He said to the paralytic, [11] "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." [12] He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Questions for Reflection
1.    What dilemma did the paralytic man and his friends face? (2:2-4)
2.    What do the details of the story tell you about the paralytic man, his friends, and Jesus’ reputation? (2:3-4)
3.    What motivated Jesus to respond to the paralytic man’s plight? (2:5)
4.    What connection is there between a person’s faith and God’s working in his or her life?
5.    What does God require or not require to forgive us of our sins?
6.    How would you compare Jesus’ response in this story to the Pharisees’ attitudes?
7.    What does this story tell you is the difference between true spirituality and counterfeit spirituality?

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (12/4/11)

Announcements and Prayer Concerns
1.    Pastor Jackson Boyett and his wife were killed Tuesday in a head-on collision in Austin.  Formerly of Telegraph and Junction, he was the pastor of Dayspring Fellowship in Austin since its founding.  They had no close family surviving. Please pray for the congregation of Dayspring Fellowship.
2.    We will have men’s breakfast Saturday at 8:00am

Scripture
Mark 1:1-8 1
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'" 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Questions for Reflection
1.    How would you prepare for a home visit from your boss or another important person?
2.    Who sent the messenger? Why? (1:2-3)
3.    What were the two aspects of John’s ministry? (1:4)
4.    What reasons to be baptized did John give the people? (1:4)
5.    What was the theme of John’s message? (1:7-8)
6.    What is your reaction to the fact that Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled?
7.    How can we ensure that our lives focus attention on Christ, and not on ourselves?
8.    In what ways can you prepare others for Christ?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (11/27/11)

Announcements:
Our Advent Bible Study begins Monday @ 6:00pm in the fellowship hall.

Scripture:
Mark 14:24-37 (ESV) 
And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.  [25] Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
[26] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.  [27] And Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'  [28] But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee."  [29] Peter said to him, "Even though they all fall away, I will not."  [30] And Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."  [31] But he said emphatically, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." And they all said the same.
[32] And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."  [33] And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.  [34] And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch."  [35] And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.  [36] And he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."  [37] And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 

Questions for Reflection
1.    How have your friends helped you through difficult times in your life?
2.    What is it like to have a friend let you down when you really need support?
3.    Who has been a faithful friend to you during difficult times in your life?
4.    Why do you think Jesus chose three disciples to pray with Him?
5.    What does the fact that God did not grant Jesus’ request teach us about prayer?
6.    How does this passage encourage you to react when you feel distressed or troubled?
7.    What about Christ’s humanity can we learn from this event in His life?
8.    How can we trust God with our extremely difficult circumstances?
9.    What does it mean to “watch and pray”?
10. How can we prevent ourselves from falling into temptation?

Friday, November 18, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (11/20/11)

Announcements
1.    Practice for the Christmas Play has begun. We need the youth and children of the church who will be participating to come to church at 9:30 each Sunday for practice.
2.    We will be decorating the church Sunday at 6:00pm. Chili and cornbread will be provided please bring a desert to share. We can use lots of help, hope to see you there!

Scripture
Matthew 25:31-46 (ESV) 
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. [34] Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' [37] Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38] And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39] And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' [40] And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

[41] "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42] For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43] I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' [44] Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' [45] Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' [46] And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Questions for Reflection
1.    What are some ways we label or categorize others?
2.    What are some common examples of separating clean from dirty, fresh from spoiled, or good from bad?
3.    What will Jesus say to those on His right? (25:34-36)
4.    Why will the group on Jesus’ right be blessed? (25:35)
5.    How will the “sheep” respond to Jesus’ words on that day? (25:37-39)
6.    What criterion will Christ use to judge people? (25:40)
7.    How do people usually determine whether they will be nice to somebody?
8.    How would your behavior change if you treated each person in your life as if he or she were Jesus?
9.    In what specific ways has your faith in Christ changed you?

Friday, November 11, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (11/13/11)

Scripture
Matthew 25:14-30 (ESV) 
"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.  [15] To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.  [16] He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.  [17] So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.  [18] But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.  [19] Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.  [20] And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.'  [21] His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'  [22] And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.'  [23] His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'  [24] He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,  [25] so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.'  [26] But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed?  [27] Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.  [28] So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.  [29] For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.  [30] And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Questions for Reflection
1.    What are some typical images people have of God?
2.    How did the master react to the report of the first servant? (25:20-21)
3.    What was the response to the report of the second servant? (25:22-23)
4.    What excuse did the third servant give for not investing his talent? (25:24-25)
5.    How did the master respond to the third servant’s explanation? (25:26-27)
6.    With what talents or resources has God entrusted you?
7.    Besides money or material possessions, what are some resources God has placed in our care?
8.    What thoughts or attitudes cause us to be lazy in carrying out our Christian responsibilities?
9.    What are the risks of investing our gifts for God’s service?
10.  What are the rewards of investing our gifts for God’s service?
11.  In what ways can you be a “good and faithful” servant?

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (11/6/11)

Announcements:
1.    We will have Men’s breakfast Saturday morning at 8:00am come and join the fun.
2.    The time changes Sunday remember to set your clocks back an hour.
3.    Please be in prayer for Molly McMillan, Sandra Wilson, Suzi Kothmann, and Jennifer Kneese. They will spend this weekend ministering to women in prison in Gatesville.
4.    Laurie and I will be at Mo-Ranch through Friday.

Scripture
Matthew 25:1-13
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.  [2] Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.  [3] For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,  [4] but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.  [5] As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.  [6] But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'  [7] Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.  [8] And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'  [9] But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.'  [10] And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.  [11] Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.'  [12] But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.'  [13] Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Questions for Reflection
1.    How do you react when you are made to wait?
2.    Why were some of the virgins described as “foolish”? (25:3)
3.    How did the wise virgins respond when asked to help the ones who weren’t prepared? (25:9)
4.    What did the foolish virgins discover and do when they returned? (25:11)
5.    How did the bridegroom respond when some virgins wanted to come to the wedding late? (25:12)
6.    With what warning did Jesus conclude this parable? Why? (25:13)
7.    What responsibility does each Christian have before God?
8.    Why is continual preparation for Christ’s return better than “last minute cramming”?
9.    Why do we tend to think (and act like) we have all the time in the world to get ready for Christ’s return?
10. What are the possible consequences of putting off thinking about Christ and spiritual growth until later?

Friday, October 21, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (10/23/11)

Announcement
Don’t forget that Sunday is Bring a Friend Sunday. We will be having lunch after church. Lasagna and cheese pizza will be provided, please bring a salad or dessert to share.

Scripture
Matthew 22:34-46 (ESV) 
[34] But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.  [35] And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.  [36] "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"  [37] And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  [38] This is the great and first commandment.  [39] And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  [40] On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." [41] Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,  [42] saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David."  [43] He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, [44] " 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet'?  [45] If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?"  [46] And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Questions for Reflection
1.    What specific question did the man ask Jesus? (22:36)
2.    What kind of love did Jesus describe? (22:37)
3.    What important footnote did Jesus add to His answer? (22:39)
4.    What kind of love for one’s neighbor did Jesus require? (22:39)
5.    How important did Jesus say these two principles were? (22:40)
6.    How do you feel when people ask you a question which you’re pretty sure they already know the answer to?
7.    How do we measure the magnitude of our love for Jesus?
8.    What does it mean to “love your neighbor as yourself”?
9.    How can we keep our focus on what really matters?
10. What does God want you to do more than anything else in your job, family, church, and neighborhood?

Friday, October 14, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (10/16/11)

Announcements
1.    Bring a Friend Sunday will be October 23rd please see the attached flyer.

2.    October 30th will be Youth Sunday and the young people of our congregation will be leading worship.

Scripture
Matthew 22:15-22 (ESV) 
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his talk.  [16] And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.  [17] Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"  [18] But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?  [19] Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius.  [20] And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?"  [21] They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."  [22] When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

Questions for Reflection
1.    What qualities mark a person of integrity?
2.    What group sought to trap Jesus? How? (22:15)
3.    What two groups were sent to Jesus? Why? (22:16)
4.    How did the Pharisees address Jesus? (22:16)
5.    How did the Pharisees describe Jesus’ character? (22:16)
6.    How did the Pharisees describe Jesus’ manner of teaching? (22:16)
7.    After all the flattery, what question did the Pharisees’ disciples and the Herodians finally ask Jesus? (22:17)
8.    Why do we resort to flattery?
9.    How does it make you feel to realize that Jesus can see right into your heart and tell when your motives are insincere?
10. What do you think Jesus called us to do when He said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s”?

Friday, September 30, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (10/2/11)

Announcements:
1.    The men of the church will have breakfast Saturday morning at 8:00am.
2.    Don’t forget that we have Sunday School for all ages every Sunday morning at 9:45.

Scripture
Exodus 20:1-20 (ESV)
And God spoke all these words, saying,
[2] "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.  [3] "You shall have no other gods before me.  [4] "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.  [5] You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,  [6] but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. [7] "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.  [8] "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  [9] Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,  [10] but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.  [11] For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.  [12] "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.  [13] "You shall not murder.  [14] "You shall not commit adultery.  [15] "You shall not steal.  [16] "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.  [17] "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's." [18] Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off  [19] and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die."  [20] Moses said to the people, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin." 

Questions for Reflection
1.    How do you feel when you tell someone something and he or she completely ignores what you say?
2.    Why do governments establish laws and policies?
3.    To whom does God express His love? (20:6)
4.    Why was God so specific in giving the Law?
5.    How do you think God feels when we worship things other than Him?
6.    Why does God not want us to commit sins against Him and others?
7.    What people, things, and other loyalties sometimes captivate your attention more than God?
8.    How do we put space between us and God?
9.    Why is it important to honor and respect God when we come to Him in worship?

Friday, September 23, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (9/25/11)

Scripture:
Acts 11:1-18 (ESV) 
Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. [2] So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, [3] "You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them." [4] But Peter began and explained it to them in order: [5] "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. [6] Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. [7] And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' [8] But I said, 'By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' [9] But the voice answered a second time from heaven, 'What God has made clean, do not call common.' [10] This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. [11] And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. [12] And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. [13] And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; [14] he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.' [15] As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. [16] And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' [17] If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" [18] When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life."

Questions for Reflection
1.    What did the apostles and Christians in Judea hear? (11:1)
2.    When Peter went to Jerusalem, who criticized him? (11:2)
3.    Who were the “circumcised believers”? (11:2)
4.    Why did the circumcised believers imply that it was wrong for Peter to eat with Gentiles? (11:3)
5.    How did Peter explain his actions? (11:4-17)
6.    How did Peter’s argument prove convincing? (11:18)
7.    How did Peter’s step of including non-Jews affect the church? (11:18)
8.    How was the criticism against Peter helpful to the church?
9.    Whom do you find “unacceptable”?
10.  What principle of accepting others do you want to copy from Peter’s example?

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Dude Jarvis

Surrounded by family, friends and God’s love, Kennon “Dude” Beasley Jarvis passed away Tuesday evening, Sept. 6, 2011, in Austin, Texas.
A memorial service celebrating Dude’s life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Junction on Saturday September 10, 2011 at 11:30am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the First Presbyterian Church in Junction, Nurses of Kimble County, or a charity of your choice.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (9/4/11)

Announcements:
1.    Men’s Breakfast Tomorrow morning (Saturday, September 3rd) 8:00am.
Menu: Scrambled eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Biscuits and Grits
2.    Tony Morales funeral will be Saturday at 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church Junction.  Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 PM at Kimble Funeral Home.

Scripture
Matthew 18:15-20
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.  [16] But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  [17] If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.  [18] Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  [19] Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  [20] For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."

Questions for Reflection
1.    What societal forces work to divide families, friendships, and churches?
2.    What did Jesus set forth as the first step in resolving conflict? (18:15)
3.    What positive consequences can result from resolving conflict? (18:15)
4.    Why is it best to resolve conflicts in private?
5.    What attitudes can eliminate or help reduce friction in disagreements?
6.    How can a third party help resolve a conflict?
7.    If Christ is with us always (Matthew 28:20), in what unique way is He with us when we gather in His name?
8.    Why is praying in a group a good idea?