Worshipfully Speaking – July 2015

Worshipfully speaking – July 2015
The Letter to the Ephesians:  A Velvet Hammer

In these hot days of summer, we receive a cool, refreshing breeze as we enter the Ephesians Church:  seeking affirmation that our church’s work is not in vain, we are ‘gifted’ with a cascade of beauty and riches—abundant blessings and lavished grace—for God’s own pleasure!  The opening lection speaks of God who “blessed us”, “destined us”, “bestowed on us”, “redeemed us”, “lavished on us”, “sealed us”, and “pledged us” as royalty with “abundance”, “glory”, “good pleasure”, and “inheritance”.  Then in the next weeks we are prayed for, that Christ dwells in us, so that we will know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge.  Wonderful!  But….

Then things begin to get uncomfortably warm with talk of ‘gifts’ of the Spirit and certain assignments with their use.  It becomes obvious that the comfortable and amazing inheritance we have received also carries certain obligations (and for some, hardships) – a changed life, being careful how we live, putting away evil tendencies—and finally dressing out for war by donning the armor of God, and standing firm as the peculiar people of God with ‘weapons of the Spirit’….for days are evil.
 
    And we thought the summer of “Jaws” was harrowing!
 

JULY 5, 2015……SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Psalm 48        2 Samuel 5.1-5,9-10    2 Corinthians 12.2-10    Mark 6.1-13
Mr. Dan Bozard, Guest Preacher
‘North Augusta’ Salkehatchie Missioners Sending-Forth

JULY 12, 2015………SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
  Psalm 24  2 Samuel 6.1-5, 12-19   Ephesians 1.3-14  Mark 6.30-44
Jesus works wonders among the crowds of followers.
SERVICE OF THE EUCHARIST
‘Harvest’ Salkehatchie Missioners Welcome

JULY 19, 2015…………EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
  Psalm 89   2 Samuel 7.1-14a   Ephesians 1.3-14     Mark 6.45-56
Begin Ephesians Series
God has lavished a grace-ful inheritance upon us in and through Jesus Christ.
SERVICE OF BAPTISMAL RE-AFFIRMATION

JULY 26, 2015…..NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
  Psalm 14   2 Samuel 11.1-15   Ephesians 2.11-22   John 6.1-21

Gentiles and Jews alike are now members of God’s household,
built on the foundation of the saints, with Christ as the cornerstone.
 
                                Cordially,
 
                                 Bruce