Scripture & Questions for Sunday (10/30/16)

Announcements

We will have a congregational meeting Sunday November 6th to elect a nominating committee who will nominate elders for the class of 2019.

Scripture
1 Kings 17:8-24 (ESV)  

Then the word of the Lord came to him,  [9] "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you."  [10] So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink."  [11] And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand."  [12] And she said, "As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die."  [13] And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.  [14] For thus says the Lord the God of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.' "  [15] And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days.  [16] The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah. 

[17] After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill. And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him.  [18] And she said to Elijah, "What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!"  [19] And he said to her, "Give me your son." And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed.  [20] And he cried to the Lord, "O Lord my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?"  [21] Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, "O Lord my God, let this child's life come into him again."  [22] And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived.  [23] And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, "See, your son lives."  [24] And the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth." 

Questions for Reflection
1. What two requests did Elijah make of the widow at Zarephath? (17:10-11)
2. What did the widow consider inevitable for herself and her son during the drought in Israel? (17:12)
3. What step did Elijah ask the widow to take in faith? (17:13)
4. What was unusual about the ways God chose to provide for Elijah during the drought?
5. What kind of faith is required for living with just enough for each day and no more?
6. How would the miracle of the flour and oil have appeared to the widow in retrospect if her son had died?
7. In what way do you find it easy or difficult to obey God when you don’t know what the outcome will be?
8. In what peculiar but sufficient ways is God meeting your needs today?

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

Scripture for Sunday
2 Samuel 7:1-17 (ESV)  

Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, [2] the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent." [3] And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you." [4] But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, [5] "Go and tell my servant David, 'Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? [6] I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. [7] In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" ' [8] Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. [9] And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. [10] And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, [11] from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. [12] When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. [13] He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. [14] I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, [15] but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. [16] And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.' " [17] In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David. 

Questions for Reflection
1. In what way do you think church buildings should reflect our humility? our esteem for God?
2. What contrast bothered David after he was well established in Jerusalem? (7:1-2)
3. What was Nathan’s initial reaction to David’s instinct to build a house for the ark of God? (7:3)
4. According to the word Nathan received from the Lord, how did God feel about the fact that no permanent house of worship had been built? (7:5-7)
5. Initially, did David’s concern for the house of God sound pious or presumptuous?
6. Why is it significant that Nathan heard from God immediately after he had spoken with David?
7. What is the most reassuring aspect of God’s covenant with the house of David?
8. What is the most important “temple” you can offer to God, and what is one thing you can do to offer it?

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

Scripture for Sunday
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (ESV)  

Now the young man Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. [2] At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place.  [3] The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.  [4] Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, "Here I am!"  [5] and ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call; lie down again." So he went and lay down. [6] And the Lord called again, "Samuel!" and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son; lie down again."  [7] Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. [8] And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the young man.  [9] Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place. [10] And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant hears."  

Questions for Reflection
1. How have the relations of children to adults changed since you were a child?
2. What are some examples of a child’s refreshing naiveté about God?
3. How would you characterize Samuel’s relationship to Eli? (3:4-5)
4. What did Samuel assume about the voice he heard in the night? (3:5)
5. How did Eli instruct Samuel to react to the voice he heard? (3:9)
6. What was Israel’s relationship to God at the time of this story?
7. How would you characterize our day and age with regard to people hearing from God?
8. What characteristics of the boy Samuel made him a suitable person to hear from God?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (10/9/16)

Scripture
Exodus 32:1-14 (ESV) 

When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, "Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." [2] So Aaron said to them, "Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me." [3] So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. [4] And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" [5] When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made proclamation and said, "Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord." [6] And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.

[7] And the Lord said to Moses, "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. [8] They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!' " [9] And the Lord said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. [10] Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you."

[11] But Moses implored the Lord his God and said, "O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? [12] Why should the Egyptians say, 'With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. [13] Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.' " [14] And the Lord relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.

Questions for Reflection

1. What are some modern-day idols you see people worshiping?
2. What did Aaron do with all the people’s gold? (32:2-4)
3. What happened after Aaron built an altar for the golden calf? (32:5-6)
4. When the Lord saw what had happened, what did He say to Moses? (32:7-10)
5. How did Moses respond to the Lord’s anger? (32:11-13)
6. How did the Lord relent His anger? (32:14)
7. What type of emotions do you think Moses felt when he saw the calf?
8. Why is it easy to forget what the Lord has done for us?
9. How was God justified for being angry at the Israelites?
10.  What are ways that people worship people or things they’ve made instead of Jesus Christ?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (10/2/16)

Scripture for Sunday
Exodus 12:1-13 (ESV)  

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, [2] "This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. [3] Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers' houses, a lamb for a household. [4] And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. [5] Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, [6] and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. 

[7] "Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. [8] They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. [9] Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. [10] And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. [11] In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's Passover. [12] For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. [13] The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. 

Exodus 13:1-8 (ESV)  

The Lord said to Moses, [2] "Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine." [3] Then Moses said to the people, "Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. [4] Today, in the month of Abib, you are going out. [5] And when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you shall keep this service in this month.  [6] Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord. [7] Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days; no leavened bread shall be seen with you, and no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory.  [8] You shall tell your son on that day, 'It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.'  

Questions for Reflection
1.    What is it like trying to assemble something without an instruction manual?
2.    What happens when people fail to follow instructions?
3.    What was a family to do if their lamb was too big for them to eat? (12:4)
4.    How did God describe what the condition of the lambs must be? (12:5)
5.    What were the Israelites supposed to do with the lambs they got? (12:6-7)
6.    What were God’s instructions about how the Passover meal was to be eaten? (12:8-11)
7.    What did God say He was going to do on the Passover night? (12:12)
8.    Why did Moses tell the people to commemorate the day they left Egypt? (13:3-5)
9.    What were the Israelites to pass along to their children? (13:8)
10. Why did God give the Israelites detailed instructions about celebrating Passover?
11. What has God done to ensure that we know what His instructions are?
12. Why did God want the Israelites to remember how He delivered them?

October 2016 Newsletter

Click on the link to view the latest newsletter.

October 2016 Newsletter

Have a great day!
Carmen

Compassion Sunday, October 2nd

You're Invited

 First Presbyterian Church at 201 S 11th Street is hosting a Compassion Sunday on October 2nd at 12:30. This is a national event that helps people grow in their understanding of God’s very special love for the poor. It’s also an opportunity for each of us to intervene in the life of at least one child in poverty.  You are invited to come to our church at 12:30 for a free picnic lunch on the grounds and then learn about the ministry of Compassion International. 

Who is Compassion International?

For more than 60 years God has been working through sponsors and local churches around the world to change the lives of impoverished children throughout the world.  Through Compassion’s child sponsorship program, children are reached on spiritual, physical, economic and social levels—meeting the needs of the whole child. And preparing them to become responsible Christian adults. Our mission is to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name!