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What Do…
- Date: Fri, Oct 9, 2009
- Author: Linda Roddis
What do pink flamingos, Geraldine Brooks’ latest book, a Theremin and a llama have in common?
They are all church events. We are as a community open to new and creative ideas. At the congregational meeting, we learned the high school youth are inviting us to participate in an innovative fund raiser using flamingos. On the 18th, we are inviting pet vendors and pet lovers to come to our Blessing of the Animals at 3 PM. And then in December, we are planning a “Live Nativity” with a llama (because the camels were sent to a warmer climate.)
The very fabric of our congregational life allows us the freedom to plan such events. We are a congregation that invites, welcomes and is interested in ideas which are new and innovative. Our church members don’t have to fit a particular mold; rather, we are open to the uniqueness in each individual. Our leadership often forges new pathways of “being a church.”
Our choir sings music from a wide variety of cultures and traditions, and our book discussions and movie groups focus on everything from the book, A Reason to Hope, Dr. Jane Goodall’s spiritual exploration to a lively discussion of Geraldine Brooks description of the Hebrew Haggadah preserved by Muslims’. We have GLBT gatherings, wine tasting events and a Search Committee that dresses in western attire.
In worship, we sing the grand old hymns, such as ‘I Love to Tell the Story’ and hear Erik Strommen play a unique instrument called the “Theremin.” Our faith is rich with tradition, and we at Bellevue First Congregational Church have found new and creative ways to express it.
As the authors of the Inclusive Bible wrote, “It is time to weave the rising new consciousness of our day, into the fabric of church life.” Jesus said, “Behold I am making all things new.” Come and be renewed.
These are the scripture readings in the Revised Common Lectionary for the forthcoming Sunday:
Job 23:1-9
Job Replies: Where Is God?
23:1 Then Job answered and said:
2 “Today also my complaint is bitter;
my hand is heavy on account of my groaning.
3 Oh, that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his seat!
4 I would lay my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know what he would answer me
and understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; he would pay attention to me.
7 There an upright man could argue with him,
and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
8 “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive him;
9 on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;
he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
Job 23:16-17
16 God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me;
17 yet I am not silenced because of the darkness,
nor because thick darkness covers my face.
Psalm 22:1-15
Why Have You Forsaken Me?
To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.
22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.
3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
6 But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”
9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.
10 On you was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother's womb you have been my God.
11 Be not far from me,
for trouble is near,
and there is none to help.
12 Many bulls encompass me;
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13 they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
Hebrews 4:12-16
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Mark 10:17-31
The Rich Young Man
17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
