St. Pete's on the Mountainside

Film & Food ~ Saturday Nights

2012-02-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

Please join Ann Robinson for Film & Food Saturday Nights at St. Peter’s

6 PM ~ Memorial Room

“A Mature (or not) Perspective on Life”

March 3
Autumn Spring
(Czech)

March 24
Autumn Sun
(Argentina)

April 14
Away from Her
(Canada)

from our Bible 101 Forum

2012-02-09T07:35:00.000-08:00

This what we covered in Bible 101:

Opening Prayer:

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (from the BCP)

Bible Challenge:

Information taken from the website of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania (Center for Biblical Studies).

This year I have decided to join others in the Bible Challenge, to read the Bible every day. It is so fruitful that I want to encourage you to do this as well! Here are some of the Bible Challenge options for 2012:

Read the entire Bible (cover to cover)
Read the New Testament or Apocrypha
Read the Psalter (150 Psalms) during Lent
Read the Gospel of Mark in a slow, meditative fashion
Use the CT Bible Society Daily Bible Reading Guide for those who want to join me in reading the bible every day.

Bible 101:

from The Thoughtful Christian

Old Testament (Hebrew), Apocrypha, New Testament (Greek)

The Bible as Anthology, not as “one” book.
OT: Law (Torah), History, Poetry & Prophecy.
NT: Gospels, History, Epistles, Apocalyptic Writing

Purpose: describe the nature of God & the will of God.

Hermeneutics – principles of interpretation (tools & approaches we use when we study the Bible.)

There are three handouts from the meeting:

Bible 101
Teaching your Child about the Bible
The Bible & the Episcopal Church

additional copies available in the Undercroft.

Quotes about the Bible

2012-01-24T17:09:00.000-08:00

“I'm looking for loopholes!”
(Said when caught reading the Bible.)
~ W. C. Fields

“I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me . . they're cramming for their final exam.” ~ George Carlin

“It is a mistake to look to the Bible to close a discussion; the Bible seeks to open one.” ~ William Sloane Coffin

“I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book that you can by reason and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man. It is the best Book which God has given to man.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

“The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.” ~ Martin Luther

“When you read God's Word, you must constantly be saying to yourself, ‘It is talking to me, and about me.’” ~ Soren Kierkegaard

“Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are those I do understand.” ~ Mark Twain

Bible Resources

2012-01-24T17:05:00.000-08:00

Some resources to help you in your choice for reading the bible.

Bible Reading Resources:

The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha
New Revised Standard Version, Fourth Edition
available at www.amazon.com; www.bn.com

Common English Bible & The Message are two other Bibles that may be helpful.
available at www.amazon.com; www.bn.com

Online/Mobile Resources:

www.youversion.com
This site offers numerous bible reading plans from read a bible in a year to plans on exploring faith, love, etc. The site includes downloads of mobile apps where you can do the same plans on your smart phone ipad, Blackberry and Android phones.

www.oneyearbibleonline.com
One Year Bible Online a reading plan divided into daily readings containing a passage from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.

www.Biblegateway.com
is a great searchable bible with multiple options for finding just what you need.

www.amazon.com books and downloads available for Kindles, smart phones, Blackberry and Android Phones, NIV Audio Bible Dramatized CD [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD] Zondervan Publishing (Author)

www.BN.com books and downloads available for Nook Readers, Smart phones, Android Phones.

www.bibleresources.bible.com & www.bible.com are two other sites with great resources.

Our parish library also has resources (books, CDs, Cassette Tapes).

Bible Challenge Invitation

2012-01-24T16:57:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends & Parishioners of St. Peter’s Church:

John Adams, our second President of the United States, used to read the entire Bible each year from cover to cover. He studied the Scriptures every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Abraham Lincoln, our sixteenth President, called the Bible “the best gift God has ever given to man…But for it we could not know right from wrong.” Woodrow Wilson, our twenty-eighth President, once noted, “The Bible is the Word of life. I beg that you will read it and find this out for yourself.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower, our thirty-fourth President, and his family used the Bible each day during family devotions with each family member taking his or her turn in reading a passage. Jimmy Carter, our thirty-ninth President, reads the Bible daily and has taught a Sunday school class for over three decades.

This year I have decided to join others in the Bible Challenge, to read the Bible every day. Some are taking on the challenge of reading the Bible cover to cover, others are trying to get through the Gospels or the entire New Testament. It is so fruitful that I want to encourage you to do this as well!

Here are the Bible Challenge options for 2012:

Read the entire Bible
Read the New Testament
Read the Psalter (150 Psalms) during Lent
Read the Gospel of Mark in a slow, meditative fashion
Read the bible everyday

I suggest using the New Oxford Annotated Bible printed by Oxford University Press (NRSV). It is the translation we use on Sundays. Another possibility is the Common English Bible, which is a fine new translation. “The Common English Bible is written in contemporary idiom at the same reading level as the newspaper USA TODAY—using language that’s comfortable and accessible for today’s English readers.” (from their website) We have CEB New testaments available for you to use.

Other possibilities: Use The Message by Eugene Petersen – a wonderful rendering of the Bible in ordinary language or The Story by Zondervan – a seamless collection of Bible stories that reads like a gripping novel. We also have some books of the bible in Graphic Novel format in the parish library. Families with children are encouraged to read The DK Children’s Illustrated Bible or The Big Picture Story Bible.

If you decide to read the entire Bible, I invite you to use the “Read the Bible in a Year” reading plan found on the Center for Biblical Studies website, which lists what chapters of the Bible to read each day. I have copies of the CT Bible Society Daily Bible Reading Guide for those who want to join me in reading the bible every day! There are lots of good bible apps for iphone, ipad, and android. You can download bibles to your Kindle and Nook. We also have The Message on CDs and Cassette Tapes.

I believe that taking time to read the Bible each day will transform our lives and our families. It will help us to be better parents, spouses, brothers or sisters, neighbors, Christians, workers and citizens. It will help keep our head and our heart in the right place and prepare us for eternity with God. I hope that you will accept the Bible challenge as together we seek to lead more ethical, loving and connected lives.

Please let me know if you will join me in the Bible Challenge!

~ Rev. Kurt ~

Information taken from the website of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.

The Bible in 100+ Words

2011-12-01T16:31:00.001-08:00

The original came from Mary Matthews. I have added some in italicized print

God created.
Eve wondered.
Cain slew.
Noah arked.
Babel blundered.
Willfulness grew.

Sarah laughed.
Jacob schemed.
Joseph ruled.

Princess dreamed.
Bush talked,
Moses balked.
Pharaoh plagued.
People walked.
Sea divided.
Miriam danced.
Wisdom guided.
Promise landed.

Othniel, ideal —
Deborah outplayed.
Jephthah distrusted.
Samson betrayed.

Saul freaked,
David screwed.
Solomon lavished.
Manasseh crude.

Huldah prophesied.
Jeremiah warned.
Persians tromped,
Chosen scorned.

Esther rescued.
Judith defended.
Daniel lionized.
Freedom lamented.
Exiles returned,
Remnant resentful.
Temple rebuilt.
Prophets judgmental.

Mary believed.
God walked,
Love talked,
Compassion forgave,
Wisdom nourished.

12called

Healingsbegan

Parablestold

Prophetsproclaimed

Establishmentfeared.
Anger crucified,
Hope died.

Love rose,
Spirit flamed,

Saulraged

Jesusintervened

Ananiastouched

Paulchanged

Word spread,
God remains.

Centering Prayer

2011-12-01T12:19:00.001-08:00

A Time to Pray: A Morning Workshop on Centering Prayer
Saturday, December 10 ~ 9 AM to Noon
Memorial Room

What is centering prayer?

Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.

Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him. (from Contemplative Outreach)

Come join us and learn about this method of prayer.

Please RSVP to Rev. Kurt!

Confirmation

2011-10-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

Confirmation Classes have begun for youth (10th grade & above).

The purpose of Confirmation is to prepare candidates for Confirmation, Reception into the Episcopal Church, or Reaffirmation of their Baptismal Faith. In each, it is a journey that leads to a "renewal of faith."

Adults who are new to St. Peter's Church and wish to be prepared for Confirmation and/or Reception into the Episcopal Church are encouraged to participate. For yet others who are already confirmed or received, there may be a desire to reexamine their faith journey and "refresh" their commitment to Jesus Christ. Adults who are interested should speak to Rev. Kurt.

The Book of Common Prayer describes the Sacrament of Confirmation as: "...the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop."

Come join us!

Recommended online resources for studying the Bible

2011-10-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

There is a nice article on on-line resources for studying the Bible over at the Episcopal Cafe.

Follow this link.

or go directly to the source
here.

(Also look in the comments section for additional resources.)

Centering Prayer

2011-10-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

Come join us for a morning of exploration into a type of contemplative prayer that will ground your soul with God.

Coming in December. Stay tuned!

In Centering Prayer … little by little, we enter into prayer without intentionality except to consent
… and consent becomes surrender … and surrender becomes total receptivity
… and, as the process continues, total receptivity becomes effortless, peaceful.
… It is free and has nothing to attain, to get, or desire …
So, no thinking, no reflection, no desire, no words, no thing … just receptivity and consent.

Thomas Keating, ‘Centering Prayer’ segment, Heartfulness: Transformation in Christ

The goal of contemplative life is unitive seeing: not so much "union with God" understood as wanting God to the exclusion of all else, but rather, gradually coming to realize that really, there is nothing that is not (in) God. God is the dots and the spaces between the dots; nothing can fall out of God, and all is tenderly and joyously held.

Cynthia Bourgeault, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, p 158

Fall Study: American Religions

2011-10-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

Come join us!

Wednesdays this Fall – 10:30 AM & 7:30 PM

October 5: Christian Science
October 12: Mormons
October 19: Jehovah’s Witnesses
October 26: Adventists
November 2: Shakers
November 9: Scientology & Pentecostals

Primary Texts:

“America: Religion & Religions” by Catherine L. Albanese (1992)
“American Scriptures: An Anthology of Sacred Writings” ed. By Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp (2010)
Websites from the religions themselves

Secondary Texts:

“Dictionary of the Christian Church” (3rd Ed.) ed. By FL Cross & EA Livingstone (1997)
Chronological & Background Charts of Church History” by Robert C. Walton (1986)
Wikipedia

Fall Study: American Religions

2011-08-06T18:16:00.001-07:00

As we did with our interfaith study; we will look at American religions and examine their similarities and differences to us.

Study will begin near the end of September. Stay tuned!

We will cover:

Mormons
Shakers
Adventists
Christian Scientists
Jehovah's Witnesses

One text we will be using: "American Scriptures: An Anthology of Sacred Writings"

Come join us!

Weekly Reflections for Practicing Gratitude

2010-10-28T10:50:00.001-07:00

Giving thanks comes easily when life is going well, but when things are not what we want them to be, it's really hard to be grateful. Yet, as the late priest and author John Claypool writes: "Only when life is seen as a gift and received with the open hands of gratitude is it the joy God meant for it to be." Recognizing that one of the best ways to embrace gratefulness at the core of our being is to reinforce it over and over again, starting November 1 explorefaith will unveil a dynamic new section on our site designed to provide you with reflections and suggestions for PRACTICING GRATITUDE for the next year.

Read about it here and sign-up for their free weekly emails and practice gratitude in your life!

Online Bible Study

2010-10-25T17:15:00.000-07:00

Found this great resource...

This free online weekly reading program allows you to explore God's Word, beginning in Genesis, with the guidance of an outstanding biblical scholar who has a deeply personal Christian faith.
Not only will you learn from your guide, but beginning in November you'll have the option of "going deeper" in your study of each week's Scripture passage through links to other commentaries and resources. And each Lectio comes with related artistic renderings of the passage.

Over the course of four years, you'll encounter a majority of the Bible – and do so in tandem with the Seattle Pacific University community as students, faculty, and staff focus on the same weekly Scripture in Chapel, community Bible studies, and other weekly worship events.

To sign-up or learn more, go here.

Fall Study: Embracing an Adult Faith

2010-09-06T14:31:00.000-07:00

Beginning in October:

Author and Bible scholar Marcus Borg invites us to join him in revisiting Christianity’s most fundamental questions:

Who is God?
What does salvation mean?
What place does Jesus hold in contemporary Christian faith?

Each session includes a 10-minute presentation by Marcus Borg followed by interaction with the group. The program print resources are designed to help our small group “join the dialogue” in our setting. The five sessions will include:

God
Jesus
Salvation
Community
Practice

Join us!

What is an Episcopalian?

2010-06-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

Some reflections from the youth confirmands:

"An Episcopalian is free to be who they are without being questioned about their faith and looked down upon by other members. We are allowed to have our own thoughts and opinions about God and the Church without being judged."
"I go home wondering about something said during the sermons. I really like that our church is very accepting of everyone and it doesn't matter who they are and if they are a different religion, we welcome all kinds of people! We will never judge anyone on there looks or there skin color we are just very kind and welcoming people, I think our congregation is just filled with nice and caring people who are like family to me, They will welcome anyone who walks through our doors and that is a big thing to me, I really dislike who people judge people by there looks and we don't do that. I have had friends come with me to church and be surprised at how fast our services are and how nice everyone is."
"One of the most important characteristics of being an Episcopalian is being open-minded. By this I mean to not judge others on what they look like or anything they have done in the past. As Episcopalians we welcome everybody to come and rejoice with us no matter what race or past religion."
"We focus on Grace rather than sin. We believe that God will forgive us for anything we have done or might do. Being an Episcopalian lets you live your life in happiness rather than in fear of doing something wrong. When someone happens to make a bad choice in life all they have to do is ask for forgiveness from God and they receive it. There are no special tasks you must do in order to receive forgiveness from God."
"As Episcopalians we believe in helping others whenever we get the chance. By helping and doing charity work we know we are doing what God wants us to do by bringing peace to all and making the world a better place. We are to spread the word of our lord and bring peace and happiness wherever we go."
"My favorite event of the parish is the Apple Festival because I think this shows the true feelings of faith and belonging of our Church family. Our whole parish comes together either baking, setting up, cleaning up, keeping the kitchen stocked, cooking, and doing whatever is needed at the time to make the fair go smoothly. We want to raise money for St. Peters, but also show the community that St. Peters is a family of people that work hard together but with much fun and happiness to support our church."
"To me an Episcopalian is someone who welcomes all to their church with open arms and really makes everyone feel accepted. AT work, at home, at the store and anywhere we go, an Episcopalian is one who likes to make people feel better when their down and to forgive people who do wrong."
"An Episcopalian is someone who enjoys and embraces the gift of life given to us by God. It also means that we have to teach others the benefits of helping others and our church without getting a physical benefit."
"An Episcopalian is a role model and guides young church goers in the right direction on their journey of faith."
"My family had been Episcopalian's for many generations. I know when I am older and on my own I will still be an Episcopalian because I always feel welcomed when I walk into the church and I can talk to everyone because everyone is so nice and friendly. I just fell like I really belong at this church and with this religion. Now this is what being an Episcopalian means to me."

A prayer for our Lenten Journey

2010-03-17T18:04:00.000-07:00

A Prayer for Availability to God's Will
(adapted from Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow, 1867)

O God, I do not know what to ask of you.
You alone know my true needs and love me more than I know how to love.
I ask neither for cross nor consolation, but only that I may discern and do your will.
Teach me to wait in patience with an open heart, knowing that your ways are not our ways, and your thoughts are not our thoughts.
Help me to see where I have erected idols of certitude to defend myself from the demands of your ever unfolding truth: truth you have made known to us in the one who is the truth, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Advent Bible Study: Week Four

2009-12-17T10:37:00.000-08:00

Session Four: The Politics of Advent

Read Luke 1: 39 -56

Advice - Do not expect that when this fourth and final session is concluded that every question which has been raised will have been answered or that every issue which has emerged in these discussions will have been resolved. The aim here, in other words, has been to articulate significant queries exposed by the passages from Luke concerning the topic of Advent and, thus, to offer an alternative to the superficial and commercialized versions of the Advent season which prevail in the culture and to the often trivialized and unbiblical treatment of Advent prevalent in many churches. So, if you finish this session with a mind bustling with issues, rather than a tidy list of answers, do not be discouraged, be heartened: the effort has been worthwhile. Persevere, in the last session, in practicing listening by hearing the entire text read aloud and then reviewing it sentence by sentence.

Comment - The story of Mary's visit to the mother of John the Baptist, and the attribution of the Magnificat to her, is another traditional Advent text which may be so familiar that it is easily overlooked how explicitly it emphasizes the politics of both Advents. Keep rereading it and notice its political statements. "He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away." (Luke 1 52-53; see l Sam. 2:1-10). Moreover, in the final verses of the Magnificat it seems clear that the destiny of the nation is the particular political matter involved.

Since the ministries of John the Baptist and of Jesus are, as became evident in earlier texts studied, so intertwined, this may be an appropriate place to read the remainder of this first chapter of Luke, concerning the birth of John the Baptist. (See Luke 1:57 80). How is the auspicious birth of John related to the coming of Jesus?

Consider, also, the obvious political character of other events associated with or proximate to the birth of Jesus. This is often overlooked because the manger scene is recalled and represented in the culture as if it were some quaint pastoral scape, what with hay and sheep and so on. Yet stop to think that the census to which Mary and Joseph submitted was a surveillance, the homage of the Magi acknowledged the status of Jesus as Lord and King, while Herod, frantic about the birth, sought to assassinate the child. This is no quiet, simple, politically innocuous event; it is a cosmic happening. In the first Advent, Christ the Lord comes into the world, in the next Advent, Christ the Lord comes as judge of the world, and all the world's thrones and pretenders, regimes and presidencies, principalities and authorities, in vindication of the reign of the Word of God in history. That is the truth, which the world hates, which biblical people bear and by which they live as the Church in the world in the time between the two Advents.

Advent Bible Study: Week Three

2009-12-17T10:35:00.000-08:00

Session Three: The Fruits of Repentance

Read Luke 3:10-20

Advice - Perhaps it would assist in comprehending what repentance means, if you tried to locate in the daily newspapers, or in books or on television programs or the like, reports of happenings which need to be repented, or examples of repentance, or evidence of the fruits of repentance. Be especially alert for items or episodes involving the life of society and the nation.

Comment -Those who heard John the Baptist preach "a baptism of repentance" evidently had some problems understanding his message. (Luke 3:3, 3:10). Yet the political authorities, represented as Herod the tetrarch, understood enough about the political scope of the Baptist's proclamation of the Judgment to imprison John, and, subsequently, subject him to terrible interrogation, torture, and, finally, decapitation. (Luke 3:16-20; Matthew 14:3-12; Mark 6:16-29) The fact that in such circumstances Jesus makes John's preaching his own, and instructs his disciples accordingly, foreshadows his own arrest, trial, humiliation and crucifixion at the behest of similar authorities, and, for that matter, portends the chronicle of the Acts of the Apostles. The passages which are being studied here manifest that it is not possible to apprehend either Advent except through the dialectic of both Advents. However much that may have been ignored or suppressed in the contemporary churches, the pioneer Christians, beleaguered as they were because of their insight, knew that the message of both Advents is political. That message is that in the coming of Jesus Christ, the nations, principalities, powers and rulers of the world are judged in the Word of God and are rendered accountable, under the Lordship of Christ, to human life and to all created life by virtue of the sovereignty of the Word of God in history.

Hence the response of John the Baptist, when he is pressed to show the consequence of the repentance he preaches, is "Bear fruits that befit repentance." (Luke 3:8). To state the same issue another way, the call for repentance, addressed to a nation, or similar principality, concerns forswearing blasphemy. Blasphemy occurs in the existence and conduct of a nation wherever there is such profound confusion as to the nation's character, place, capabilities and destiny that the vocation of the Word of God in history is preempted or usurped. Thus, the very presumption of righteousness of the cause of a nation is blasphemy. (See Revelation 13:1-10). How, then, can a nation repent of blasphemy? And what are the fruits of such repentance?

Advent Bible Study: Week Two (online)

2009-12-09T04:16:00.000-08:00

Session Two: Repentance as Good News: A Study of Luke 3:1-9

Read Luke 3: 1-9

To learn more about John the Baptist, also read the related passages: Matthew 3:1-10; Mark 1:1-5; John 1:6, 23; cf., Isaiah 40:3-5.

Comments - Church tradition renders John the Baptist an Advent figure, though he is not evident on the scene of the birth of Jesus, but, later on, he quit the wilderness to herald the coming of Christ when Jesus is mature and is about to begin his ministry. (Luke 3:23). Clues to the meaning of the first Advent and, in fact, both Advents, may be found in the Baptist's preaching. The gospel accounts appear consistent as to the content of John's preaching: repentance. Both Luke and Mark report that John preached "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin(s)" (Luke 3:3; Mark 1:4); Matthew reports John's message in this manner: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3;2). Thus the call of John the Baptist for repentance would seem to be the definitive topic of Advent. Furthermore, it should not be overlooked that after John the Baptist has been imprisoned, Matthew states, "From the time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"(Matthew 4:17). Later on, when Jesus charges his disciples, he tells them, "And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" (Matthew 10:7). If repentance is the theme and sentiment appropriate at Advent, it is so identified not merely in the preaching of John the Baptist, but in the ratification of that preaching by Jesus himself. Yet, if that be so, how can repentance be construed as good news or as pretext for rejoicing? (See Luke 3:18). The invocation by John the Baptist of the words of Isaiah the prophet furnish further weight to the Baptist's message and clarify that the repentance called for is no private, pietistic or simply individualistic effort but is related to the Judgment of the nation and, indeed, to the destiny of the whole of Creation, (Luke 3:4-6), and even as the Matthew text, cited above, links repentance to the imminence of the kingdom of heaven. The eschatological emphasis becomes very concrete as John addresses the "brood of vipers" concerning "the wrath to come." (Luke 3:7b).

He is admonishing the nation-the "children of Abraham"-about the Judgment of this world impending in the coming of Christ. Does this recall the passage studied in Session One? (Luke 21:25-36).

Are there significant similarities between that text and the present one? Consider, for instance, Luke 3:9 compared to Luke 21:29-33. Are there more similarities? Or differences?

Consider, as well, other passages in the New Testament which may have bearing upon the study text; for example, compare Luke 3:8 with Luke l; 38-40. What do these citations affirm about the character and authority of the Lord who is coming?

Confirmation Class - Assignment #3

2009-12-08T09:04:00.000-08:00

Reflection Paper on the Holy Eucharist

After one of St. Peter's services (prior to our next meeting), please write a reflection paper on your experience of the Holy Eucharist service.

This should be no longer than a page (no shorter than a paragraph).

Some things you might ask yourself:

What struck you (or what worked)? What didn't?
Were you able to worship? Why or why not?
You might consider texts, music, movement, and the use of space, as appropriate.
What part of the Eucharist is most meaningful for you?

Please tell me which service (day & time) you are writing about.

Due in January.

Advent Bible Study: Week One (online)

2009-12-01T20:29:00.000-08:00

Session One: Signs of the Advent of the Lord:
A Study of Luke 21:25-36
by William Stringfellow

Read Luke 21: 25-36

Notice: It is placed among assorted discourses attributed directly to Jesus while he was teaching in the temple in Jerusalem, after having entered the city in the midst of the fanfare and tumult which has come to be known as Palm Sunday. (Luke 21:37; see Luke 19:28-47). Immediately following this passage is the Luke account of the events of Maundy Thursday-the Last Supper, Jesus' agony as he prayed at the Mount of Olives, the betrayal of Judas, the arrest and arraignment of Jesus, Peter's denial (Luke 22) . Thus, the very location of this passage gives it much prominence, while, at the same time, the direct attribution of the words in the passage to Jesus by the writer of the account clothes it with great authority.

Read the passage again.

Comments - The passage bespeaks signs of the coming of the Lord, but it seems clear that it is the Second Coming of the Lord that is the reference, rather than the birth of Jesus.

Why has the Church traditionally called attention to signs of the second Advent in observing the first Advent?

Does the Luke text concerning signs of the Second Coming recall other Biblical passages? (see, e.g.,. Matthew 24:3 35; Mark 13:4-37; John 12:27-33, 16:33; I Thes. 5:1-11; II Tim. 3:1-5; II Peter 3;3-10; Rev. 6:12-17; cf., Is. 13:10; Dan. 7:13-14).

Is the message for the world of the first Advent and that of the second Advent the same? Is there some basic connection between the two Advents so far as the life of this world is concerned? Can either Advent be understood without reference to the other?

The birth of Christ is commonly regarded as an occasion for rejoicing. What is there to rejoice about in this text about the coming of Christ "with power and great glory" amidst perplexity, foreboding, and final distress?

What does it mean for a Christian to be vigilant and to "watch at all times" for signs of the Judgment of the Word of God?

You are welcome to answer these questions in the comments section and we will discuss the passage...

Advent Bible Study: Introduction

2009-12-01T20:23:00.000-08:00

The single most significant credential needed for comprehending the Bible is an intention to listen to the Word.

For that, a person must not merely desire to hear the Word of God, but must also be free to hear the Word of God. This means becoming vulnerable to the Word, and to the utterance of the Word, in much the same way as one has to become vulnerable to another human being if one truly cares to know that other person and to hear his or her word. In contemporary American culture, whatever the situation in other cultures, though there is much sound, a clamor of noises, and a vast and complex profusion of words, there seems to be relatively little listening amongst human beings.

There is – literally – babel instead of communication; there is frustration instead of relationship; there is violence instead of love. The extraordinary distortions of language which, nowadays, victimize us all, inhibiting our listening to one another as human beings, render it the more difficult to approach the Bible in an attitude of listening, inhibit or otherwise hinder us from becoming open and vulnerable to the Word.

To transcend the babel, to have, as Jesus so often mentioned, the ears to hear the Word, it is essential, for the time being at least, to put aside everything else: distractions whether trivial or important, self serving ideas, arguments, all opinions, preconceptions of every sort, defenses, temptations, mundane occupations. A person must come to the Bible quietly, eagerly expectantly-ready to listen.

One must (as nearly as one can) confront the Bible naively, that is, as if one had not encountered the Bible previously. And, at the same time one must approach the Bible realistically-rather than superstitiously-recognizing that access to the same Word of God which the Bible bespeaks is given to us in the versatility of the presence of the Word of God active in common history: in the event of Jesus Christ, in the incessant agitations of the Holy Spirit, in the constitution of Creation itself. (See John' 1:1-14.) Insofar as we do this, listening happens. Then the Word of God in the Bible can be heard in the Word's own integrity and power and grace.

In what follows, certain accounts from the Gospel According to Luke are commended to your listening in groups, as well as in solitude. These are passages which have been traditionally recited during Advent since the era of the ancient Church. Do not allow their familiarity to interfere with your attention to what these texts actually say. When you initially read them, it is suggested that you do so out loud, whether in company of a group or not, to facilitate hearing the Word.

William Stringfellow (1928 - 1985) was an Episcopal lay theologian, attorney and author.

What the Pilgrims Really Sought...

2009-11-24T09:31:00.000-08:00

Their trip to the New World wasn’t about tolerance or diversity. It was about purity. Yet the Revolutionary struggle united these diverse believers and set us on a path to the unprecedented religious harmony that this nation now celebrates.

What the Pilgrims really sought
By Michael Medved - USA Today 11/23/09

As American families sit down to their traditional Thanksgiving feasts, they will naturally recall the familiar story of the Pilgrims and, in the process, distort the true character of the nation's religious heritage.

Read the whole article here, which very nicely ties in what we learned in our fall study.

And a thought from a founding father...

2009-11-24T06:45:00.000-08:00

“Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.”

John Adams (1735-1826)
2nd U.S. President

One more thought from a Founding Mother...

2009-11-23T06:22:00.000-08:00

“I've learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances.”

— Martha Washington (1731-1802)
First Lady of the United States

Confirmation Class - Assignment #2

2009-11-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

Due on: December 6

Assignment II: The Birth of Jesus

Read the birth narratives of Jesus:

Matthew 1:1-2:23
Luke 1:1-2:40

Answer these questions:

1. Which birth narrative did you like? Why?
2. What are 3 similarities between the two birth narratives?
3. What are 3 differences between the two birth narratives?
4. The Angel visits Joseph in which Gospel? visits Mary?
5. Who gave Jesus his name?
6. Where was Jesus born?
7. Is John the Baptist related to Jesus?

Founding Faith: The Last Week

2009-11-12T07:30:00.000-08:00

To prepare for the last class you might want to look at...

The Framers and the Faithful: How modern evangelicals are ignoring their own history. By Steven Waldman

Fallacy #1: The Founders Weren't Deists

Fallacy #2 The Founders Weren't Conservative Christians

Interview of Steven Waldman author of Founding Faith (transcript)

Courting Religion: Steven Waldman on Founding principles - Interview, Transcript

Founding Myths

Week VI: Madison & Monroe

2009-11-12T06:53:00.000-08:00

James Monroe

The readings for Week VI:

Letter from James Madison to James Monroe

James Monroe on Wikipedia (optional)

James Madison

The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 [on Power of States]

Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments

Virginia Ratifying Convention

Veto Message on Act Incorporating the Alexandria Protestant Episcopal Church

Proclamation [for public humiliation, fasting and prayer]

The Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom

James Madison on Wikipedia (optional)

Updated Confirmation Class Dates: Fall

2009-10-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

Confirmation Class Dates: Fall

Assignment: Write your own Creed due on Nov. 15

Class II - Sunday, November 15 (9:15 AM) ~ Bible 101
Assignment: Birth Narrative Reflection

Class III - Sunday, December 6 (9:15 AM) ~ Book of Common Prayer 101
Assignment: Reflection on the Eucharist

Interfaith Movie with Food

2009-10-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

A famous picture of the monk Thomas Merton with the Dali Lama.

We continue our exploration and understanding of other faiths on Saturday, November 7 at 6 PM.

We will watch Kundun, eat Tibetan food and discuss Buddhism.

More on the movie here and here.

More on Buddhism here and here.

More on Tibetan Buddhism and the Dali Lama here and here.

Fall Study: Week V

2009-10-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

Thomas Jefferson

The readings for Week V:

Syllabus of an Estimate of the Merit of the Doctrines of Jesus

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to John Adams

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson Smith

The Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom

The Jefferson Bible (The Life & Morals of Jesus of Nazareth) - optional

Thomas Jefferson on Wikipedia (optional)

Fall Study: Week IV

2009-10-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

George Washington

The readings for week IV:

George Washington, Proclamation: A National Thanksgiving

Letter To The Hebrew Congregations [of Philadelphia, Newport, Charleston, and Richmond]

Letter from George Washington to the United Baptist Churches in Virginia

Letter from George Washington to the Roman Catholics in the United States

Letter from George Washington to Benedict Arnold

Letter from George Washington to the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches

Wikipedia page on George Washington (optional)

Fall Study: Week III

2009-10-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

Abigail & John Adams

Readings:

Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams

Letter from John Adams to Benjamin Rush

Letter from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson

Bio on Abigail Adams from Wkipedia (optional)

Bio on John Adams from Wikipedia (optional)

Massachusetts Historical Website - Digital Archive of 1,100 letters between John & Abigail Adams

Fall Study: Week II

2009-10-07T10:18:00.000-07:00

Here are links to the handouts for Class I:

Benjamin Franklin Lord's Prayer (1768)

Benjamin Franklin’s Creed (1790)

A prayer of Benjamin Franklin (1728)

More letters from Franklin

His Epitaph (1728)

also...

Remonstrance of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Flushing to Governor Stuyvesant, December 27, 1657

Confirmation Class Dates: Fall

2009-10-06T07:37:00.000-07:00

Class I - Sunday, October 4 (9:15 AM) ~ This I Believe
Assignment: Write your own Creed

Class II - Sunday, November 8 (9:15 AM) ~ Bible 101
Assignment: Birth Narrative Reflection

Class III - Sunday, December 6 (9:15 AM) ~ Book of Common Prayer 101
Assignment: Reflection on the Eucharist

Fall Study: Week I

2009-10-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

Our Fall Study on the Faith of the Founding Fathers & Mothers of our country.

Day I: Myth Busting & Setting the Scene

Remonstrance of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Flushing to Governor Stuyvesant, December 27, 1657

Next week: Benjamin Franklin

Confirmation: Assignment #1

2009-10-05T17:29:00.000-07:00

Write your own creed - Due November 8

Your creed is your statement of faith - what you believe in.

It can look like a traditional creed:

Look here for the Nicene Creed.

Look here for the Apostles Creed.

Look here for a contemporary Celtic Creed.

or you can write in the style of "This I Believe:"

Albert Einstein

Sara Miles

Tarak McLain

The importance of this reflection is for you to begin to think about your faith and what you believe in.

It should fit on one side of a piece of paper.