Come and See!

Friday, June 22, 2012

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (6/24/12)

Announcements
We extended the order date for shirts that have “First Presbyterian Church” and “Come and See” either screen printed or embroidered. The short sleeve and long sleeve T-shirts come in youth M and L and adults S – 3X. The brochures are at the back of the sanctuary and in the office. The last day to order will be Tuesday June 26th.

Scripture
Mark 4:35-41 (ESV) 
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side."  [36] And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.  [37] And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.  [38] But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"  [39] And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  [40] He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?"  [41] And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?"

Questions for Reflection
1.    How do you tend to handle stress—thrive, panic, seek out distractions, procrastinate, etc.?
2.    What was Jesus doing during a violent storm? (4:38)
3.    How was Jesus coping with the storm that threatened Him and His men? (4:38)
4.    What is significant about the disciples’ questioning Jesus by asking, “Don’t you care if we drown?” (4:38)
5.    How would you compare Jesus’ behavior during this crisis with that of His disciples? (4:38)
6.    What did the disciples learn about Jesus from this event? (4:39-41)
7.    When have you ever felt as the disciples did—distressed at events out of control?
8.    How can you trust more completely in the power and authority of Jesus?

Monday, June 18, 2012

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (6/17/12)

Happy Fathers Day!

Prayer Concerns
1.    Pastor Jim Sproat of Trinity Episcopal Church had brain surgery last night and is doing well. He is expecting a complete recovery.
2.    Kim Hesse daughter of Tom and JoBeth Pickens began chemo therapy today. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

Announcements
1.    We will be taking orders for shirts that have “First Presbyterian Church” and “Come and See” either screen printed or embroidered. The short sleeve and long sleeve T-shirts come in youth M and L and adults S – 3X.  The brochures are at the back of the sanctuary and in the office. The last day to order will be June 19th . 
2.    For all you baseball lovers we will be taking a church trip to go see the Texas Rangers play the Chicago White Sox in Arlington on July 27th. Plans are to leave on that Friday mid-morning for a Friday night game. We will spend the night and possibly hit Six Flags or Hurricane Harbor the next morning before heading home Saturday late afternoon. All ages are invited, but youth need to have a supervising adult in tow! Ticket prices for the game will be between $10-$25 depending upon the number in our group and the seats available. The other costs for rooms and/or Six Flags will depend on how many we will have going. Please call Jim or Laurie or the church office to sign up or for more information. Deadline for signing up will be JULY 8th.

Scripture
Mark 4:26-32 (ESV) 
And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.  [27] He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.  [28] The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.  [29] But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

[30] And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?  [31] It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth,  [32] yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."

Questions for Reflection
1.    What does it take for plants to grow, and where do you get the things you need?
2.    What did Jesus want the people to understand about the kingdom of God? (4:26)
3.    What role did the man in the parable play? (4:26-27)
4.    What do the man and the seed in the parable represent? (4:26-29)
5.    What does this parable reveal about Jesus’ concerns? (4:26-29)
6.    How does this parable help you better understand what the kingdom of God is like?
7.    How does it make you feel to know that the message of Christ contains a mysterious power in itself?
8.    How does the message of this parable help believers evangelize and teach?
9.    What should our response be to the fact that one day “the harvest will come”?

Friday, June 8, 2012

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (6/10/12)

Announcements
1.    The food bank is in great need supplies are extremely low. If you would like to help please bring things like mac and cheese; canned meat, chicken, tuna fish, etc.; peanut butter; canned vegetables EXCEPT CORN AND GREEN BEANS; soups; cereal; and canned fruit.
2.    The children and youth of the church entering 5th grade and older will be going to Fiesta Texas Friday June 15. The cost is $25 for a ticket and they will also need to bring money for food. We will leave the church at 9:00am and return at 9:00pm.

Scripture
Mark 3:31-35 (ESV) 
And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. [32] And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you." [33] And he answered them, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" [34] And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! [35] Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother."

Questions for Reflection
1.    With whom do you feel a kindred spirit? Why?
2.    How did Jesus’ family summon Him? (3:31-32)
3.    Who told Jesus of His family’s request? (3:32)
4.    What rhetorical question did Jesus ask? Why? (3:33)
5.    How did Jesus respond to the request by His mother and brothers? (3:33-34)
6.    Whom did Jesus designate as His “family”? (3:34)
7.    How do you interpret Jesus’ actions toward His family?
8.    What does this account tell you about Jesus’ priorities?
9.    In what way does doing God’s will make a person Christ’s brother or sister?
10. How can a person be sure to be included in the family of God?