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It's all about passion this week! The Lectionary explores what it means to obey God's law and to live a righteous life, and concludes that, if our faith is simply legalistic, outward observance, it is not authentic. Rather, it is about ensuring that our hearts are devoted to God, that we remain passionate in our commitment to Christ and to God's Reign.

READINGS

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9: Moses exhorts the people of Israel to listen to the laws of God, and to follow them, not adding anything to them or subtracting anything from them. These laws give them wisdom and insight, and show Israel to be God's special people, so the people should make sure they don't forget them and that they teach them to their children.

Psalm 15: The ones who are able to dwell in God's presence are those who live blameless lives, speaking truth, refusing to harm or insult others, keeping promises, lending without interest and refusing bribes. Such people do not stumble.

James 1:17-27: God has given us every good and perfect gift. Therefore, we need to live God's law, remembering it and putting it into practice. We are called to be good listeners who are slow to anger, who have a humble attitude and who care for the marginalised and vulnerable in our world.

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23: Jesus is questioned by the religious leaders because his disciples don't wash their hands before they eat. In response Jesus warns against worship that is only lip service, and explains that it is not what comes from outside that defiles us, but what comes from the heart.

It is a pity that for too many people religion - especially Christianity - is seen as cold, institutionalised and heartless. It seems we have become more like the religious leaders who were concerned with keeping the outside clean than we would like. We have, too often, made following Jesus about excluding "sinners", and keeping ourselves pure (read: obedient to the legalistic outward observance of our denomination or group). As such, our faith has driven wedges into families, set communities at odds with one another, and ignored real issues of justice in favour of asserting our own particular "rights" or needs. The passion that has characterised so many revival movements and justice movements in history has often been lost, and replaced with shallow emotionalism and glitzy, escapist worship gatherings. These are hard words for us to face, but until we do, we cannot restore our faith to the passionate, Christ-following, neighbour-loving, heart-capturing movement that it really is. As individuals and churches, we will never be effective in reaching our communities, our friends and our families with the message of the Gospel, until that message is the inspiration of our own lives. But, when our hearts are captured by the Gospel again, and when we become passionate lovers of God, of people and of the world, we won't have to "preach" in order to be heard. The Gospel will be seen in our lives, and others will know the life-giving touch of God through us. As individuals and communities of faith, let us not underestimate the value of passionate hearts, both for our own spiritual health, and in bringing healing and restoration to those around us.

 

The thumbnails and reflections come from sacredise.com,

The Furniture Ministry

 

Steve Barg presented a Mission Moment during worship on August 19 updating the congregation on the work of the Furniture Ministry in assisting those area families who have no beds, kitchen tables, or sofas. The Grace Church Outreach Ministries provided a donation of $1,000 to support these efforts. 

 

Sunday, October 7:  World Communion Sunday at the Galena Arts Center; shared ecumenical worship with Presbyterian, United Methodist, and Lutheran churches.

Thursday, October 11: Bp. Joseph from the Diocese of Renk, Sudan, will be with us. Details to follow.