Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/26/14)

Sunday January 26th following our annual congregational meeting we will have a covered dish luncheon to honor and say thank you to Nancy Nunns and Edith Allen for their many years of service to this congregation.

Scripture
Matthew 4:12-23

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles- 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned." 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

Questions for Reflection

1. If you could pass on some skill or knowledge to an apprentice, what would you want to pass on?
2. What kind of leader do you prefer to follow?
3. What were Simon and Andrew doing when Jesus approached them? (4:18)
4. What exactly did Jesus say to Simon and Andrew? (4:19)
5. How long did Simon and Andrew deliberate over Jesus’ offer? (4:20)
6. What does it mean to be a “fisher of men”?
7. How risky was it for Peter, Andrew, James, and John to drop everything (jobs and families) to go with Jesus?
8. What thoughts do you think were racing through their minds as they headed off down the beach with Jesus?
9. How do you think you might have responded had you been fishing with these men and heard Jesus direct this challenge to you?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/19/14)

On Sunday, January 26th, following our annual congregational meeting, we will have a covered dish luncheon to honor and say thank you to Nancy Nunns and Edith Allen for their many years of service to this congregation.

Please be in prayer for Jay Johnson, Jodi Murphy and their families on the loss of their father Steve Johnson. Also, Jean Garrison, Becky Stapper's mother, has been put on hospice.

Scripture
Psalm 139:1-24 (ESV)  
    To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
    O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
    [2] You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
        you discern my thoughts from afar.
    [3] You search out my path and my lying down
        and are acquainted with all my ways.
    [4] Even before a word is on my tongue,
        behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
    [5] You hem me in, behind and before,
        and lay your hand upon me.
    [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
        it is high; I cannot attain it.
    [7] Where shall I go from your Spirit?
        Or where shall I flee from your presence?
    [8] If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
         If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
    [9] If I take the wings of the morning
        and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
    [10] even there your hand shall lead me,
        and your right hand shall hold me.
    [11] If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me,
        and the light about me be night,"
    [12] even the darkness is not dark to you;
        the night is bright as the day,
        for darkness is as light with you.
    [13] For you formed my inward parts;
        you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
    [14] I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
     Wonderful are your works;
        my soul knows it very well.
    [15] My frame was not hidden from you,
    when I was being made in secret,
        intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
    [16] Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
    in your book were written, every one of them,
        the days that were formed for me,
        when as yet there were none of them.
    [17] How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
        How vast is the sum of them!
    [18] If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
        I awake, and I am still with you.
    [19] Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
        O men of blood, depart from me!
    [20] They speak against you with malicious intent;
        your enemies take your name in vain!
    [21] Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
        And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
    [22] I hate them with complete hatred;
        I count them my enemies.
    [23] Search me, O God, and know my heart!
         Try me and know my thoughts!
    [24] And see if there be any grievous way in me,
        and lead me in the way everlasting!

Questions for Reflection
1. What is something about you or your personality that is totally unique?
2. How did David describe God’s knowledge of him? (139:1-6)
3. What main prayer request is presented to the Lord in this psalm? (139:1-24)
4. What attitude did David have toward himself and the Lord? Why? (139:1-24)
5. Why did God know David so well? (139:13-15)
6. Why did David want the Lord to examine his heart? (139:23-24)
7. In light of this passage, what attitude should we have toward ourselves? toward the Lord?
8. In what area of your life do you desire God’s leading?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/12/14)

Scripture
Matthew 3:13-17 (ESV)  

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. [14] John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" [15] But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. [16] And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; [17] and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Questions for Reflection

1. How would you feel if the world’s leading, most renowned expert in your field publicly solicited your help?
2. How did John react to Jesus’ request? (3:14)
3. How did Jesus respond to John’s reluctance? (3:15)
4. How did the Spirit of God play a role in the baptism of Jesus? (3:16)
5. Why do you think John felt awkward about baptizing Jesus?
6. What do we tell the world by being baptized?
7. What could you do today for Christ out of obedience and respect for Him?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/5/14)

Don't forget that we are having men's breakfast tomorrow morning. Come and join us.

Scripture for Sunday

John 1:1 (ESV) 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

John 1:10-18 (ESV) 

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. [11] He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. [12] But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. [14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. [15] ( John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.' ") [16] And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. [17] For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [18] No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

Questions for Reflection

1.  Why didn’t the world recognize the light? (1:10)
2. What is the benefit of receiving or believing in the Word? (1:12)
3. How and why did the Word make His dwelling among us? (1:14)
4. Whose glory did the Word reveal? (1:14)
5. What insights can you gain from seeing Jesus as God’s Word?
6. How did Jesus reveal God’s glory to us?
7. What will you do this week to better enjoy your status as a child of God?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (12/22/13)

• Please be in prayer for the family of LeeAnn Crumbley
• Our Christmas Eve candlelight communion service will be Tuesday at 6:00pm

Scripture Reading

Luke 2:8-20

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. [10] And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, [14] "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

[15] When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." [16] And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. [19] But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Questions for Reflection

1. What do you imagine angels look like?
2. What message did the angel tell the shepherds? (2:10, 12)
3. Who did the angel say the newborn child really was? (2:11)
4. By what symbol or sign were the shepherds supposed to identify the Christ child? (2:12)
5. How many angels did the shepherds hear praising God? (2:13)
6. What was the immediate reaction of the shepherds after the angels left? (2:15)
7. What should be our response when we discover what God wants us to do?
8. What does it mean that Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart”?
9. Of what significance is it that the shepherds went back to their flocks?
10. What is the responsibility of those who “discover” the good news about Jesus?

December 2013 Newsletter

December 2013 Newsletter

Announcements, Scripture & Questions for Sunday (12/8/13)

Announcements

1. No Men's Breakfast Saturday. This is from Ted Sandlin: The outlook for the weather this weekend is poor, according to the NWS conference call this afternoon. Plunging temperatures Thursday night along with freezing rain are projected for our area, with accumulation of 1/4". Temperatures should be in the 20's, so not only will overpasses freeze, but most exposed roadway surfaces will accumulate ice, along with trees and power lines.  Conditions will persist through late Friday/early Saturday, with a break in the weather and slightly warmer temperatures late Saturday. A new round of cold temperatures will occur Sunday and last into early next week. The weather guys said this air mass is the coldest they have seen in several years; much worse conditions than our last round of winter weather.
2. Check Out FPC Shirts, T-shirts and Other Fun Items for Sale!!  We have had catalogs printed that have all sorts of items for sale to raise money for the mission trip this summer. In them your will find, T-shirts, button down shirts – both short and long sleeve, sweat shirts and pants, a fleece jacket, a stadium blanket, iphone cover and a hat. T-shirts and sweatshirts come in youth sizes as well. All items have either FPC Junction and/or the Presbyterian cross on them. If you are interested, there are copies of the catalog in the sanctuary, hallway and in the office. Also, most of the youth will have one as well. Take a look and see if anything interests you. For every individual item we sell, we get to keep $4-$9 depending on how many total items…the more we sell, the more we get to keep. We did this several years ago and the items we received them were of very good quality.  All orders must be received by December 17th (a week later than what is printed on the catalog)! Payment is due at the time you place your order. Unfortunately, they will not be processed in time to arrive before Christmas. Call or come by the office during the week or check out the catalog the next two Sundays. This will be a fun and stylist way to support our Mission Team and spread the news of our congregation to other folks. We thank you for considering to support our work.
3. Advent Bible Study Wednesdays at noon starting today. Laurie will be leading today's lesson. I will be going to make a hospital visit in San Antonio.

Scripture for Sunday

John 1:1-8 (ESV) 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. [4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. [8] He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 

 

John 1:19-28 (ESV)  

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" [20] He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." [21] And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." [22] So they said to him, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" [23] He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said." [24] (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) [25] They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" [26] John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, [27] even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." [28] These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 

 

Questions for Reflection

1. Why do people enjoy boasting about themselves and their accomplishments?
2. Why is it hard to be humble?
3. What are the characteristics of a humble person?
4. What did John say about who he was? (1:20-22)
5. What does the phrase “make straight the way for the Lord” mean? (1:23)
6. How did John “make straight the way for the Lord”? (1:23)
7. Why did the Pharisees care that John was baptizing people? (1:24)
8. Who did John say was coming after him? (12:27)
9. How can we point others to Christ?
10.  If you had been John how would you have felt about your role?
11.  In what way can you be a voice for Jesus?