Spiritual Homework May 6

 

Hello, church!  

I hope that you are all doing well and staying healthy, but if not please do let us know so that we can keep you in our prayers and help however we can. In this weeks spiritual nourishment I am again asking you to fill out the servant profile form, and I have given you a link to the St. John’s Bible, which is a resource that I treasure deeply. I hope you find it as inspiring as I do. Along with these, there’s some great resources for your kids and some recurring suggestions and resources.  

Peace, 

Chess 

P.S. Do you have a child who should be graduating high school or college or technical school right about now, but ceremonies have been cancelled due to COVID-19?  We’d like to honor them in an upcoming ACOC newsletter. Send their name, school, and degree earned (if applicable) – and a photo! – to  Scott Brunner at your first opportunity. 

 

Servant Profile 

If you have not yet filled out a servant profile form please do so ASAP. This form will revolutionize how we serve together as a church simply by helping us keep better track of who is willing. I promise it is a short and painless form that won’t take up a lot of your time. Thanks to those of you that already have and thanks in advance to those of you that are going to click on the link now and fill it out! 

 

This week’s Memory Verse  

I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.  – John 10:9 

I hope that you will spend time reflecting on this verse this week, letting it become a refrain to your prayers, scripture reading, and meditation. As you do continue to ask yourself where you need to be, whether in the pen or out for pasture. Spend time in prayer asking God where you should be and how to get there. 

Sunday Worship Discussion Questions 

 

Worship for May 10, 2020 

Scriptures: Ps 31:1-5, 15-16; John 14:1-14; Acts 7:55-60; 1 Pet 2:2-10 

Question for Reflection: Is the “dwelling place” (John 14:1–14) of which Jesus speaks a place for    us after we die, or does it include our life in the present? What does Jesus mean when he says that his disciples “will do greater works”? What does it mean to pray “in Jesus’ name”?  

 

St John’s Bible  

The St. John’s Bible is a modern masterpiece. It was created by monks in the same style, and with the same tools as ancient manuscripts. The end result of decades worth of work is one of the most beautiful Bibles I have ever seen. Handwritten and illuminated, this copy of the Bible is a visually stunning and inspiring way to read scripture, which is important. For many of us, reading scripture can feel like a chore, but if we can find a way to read scripture that is more inspiring and enjoyable then we find reading scripture can be easier and transforming. The St. John’s Bible is an option for reading scripture that may be just the inspiration you need. You can see it virtually here and you can order volumes or prints from their site here. I hope that you take the time to look at this Bible, perhaps even finding your favorite verses and reflecting on them. The website also offers a lot of information on the making of the text and its history that I think many of you will find interesting.  

 

Kids’ Stuff 

 

Previous Links 

Below are the links to resources I have mentioned in previous emails for your continued reference. 

 

Weekly Lectionary 

Daily Lectionary 

Bible Gateway Reading Plans 

Phyllis Tickle’s, Divine Hours 

The Way of the Heart, by Henri Nouwen 

Breath Prayers 

Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth , by Walter Brueggemann 

The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun 

The Discernment of Spirits and workbook by Timothy Gallagher  

Blog on Prayer Labyrinths