Worshipfully Speaking – August 2015

AUGUST, WORSHIPFULLY SPEAKING
The Letter to the Ephesians: A Velvet Hammer
 
‘The Dog Star is in the heavens, and all hell’s broken loose on earth.’
 
As we continue our preaching series in the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, the tenor of his message to the Ephesian congregations (and to us) changes dramatically. What started out as a rich and royal address (Paul’s inclination for baptismal talk) to God’s people—
 
“”Blessed be God who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…he destined us for adoption as his children…according to the good pleasure of His will…according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us…we have also obtained an inheritance so that we might be the first to set our hope on Christ and live for the praise of His glory” –
 
now changes pitch, and the tenor becomes very sharp and pointed. Paul goes from blessing to meddling, and yes, finally, to preaching –
 
“Entirely out of place is obscene, silly and vulgar talk…let no one deceive with empty words, for the wrath of God comes upon the disobedient…be careful how you live, redeeming the time, because days are evil…put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day…keep alert…”
 
No wonder they call these summer days The Dog Days, even in the churches.
 

AUGUST 2, 2015 … TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Psalm 51 2 Samuel 11.26-12.13a Ephesians 3.14-21 John 6.24-35
The apostle’s prayer that Christ dwells in us richly through the Spirit –
thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge. (Ephesians 3)
FIRST-SUNDAY SERVICE OF THE EUCHARIST

AUGUST 9, 2015……..ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Psalm 130 2 Samuel 18.5-9, 15, 31-33 Ephesians 4.1-16 John 6.35, 41-51
The gifts of the Holy Spirit given to the church,
that it may be joined and knit together in love and unity. (Ephesians 4)
ALDERSGATE SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY SUNDAY

AUGUST 16, 2015…….TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Psalm 111 1 Kings 2.10-12; 3.3-14 Ephesians 4.25-5.2; 5.15-20 John 6.51-58
The apostle’s appeal for a changed life—putting away all evil tendencies;
be careful, then, how you live: redeem the time. (Ephesians 5)
CALL TO MINISTRY SUNDAY

AUGUST 23, 2015……………………………………….THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Psalm 84 1 Kings 8.22-30, 41-43 Ephesians 6.10-20 John 6.56-69
Be strong in the Lord’s power, putting on the armor of God
against the struggles of spiritual forces of evil. (Ephesians 6)

AUGUST 30, 2015……FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Psalm 45 Song of Solomon 2.8-13 James 1.17-27 Mark 7.1-23
The Ins and Outs and Ons and Offs of Christian Living
GIDEONS SUNDAY