WORD for the Week for July 8, 2018
Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
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WORD for Sabbath Beginnings | 8am Border Chapel
Worship Leader:
Rev. Dwight Haberman
Holy Communion: Authority, Discernment, Call
Are we living the Gospel story or the world's story?
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WORD for Sacred Journey | 8:30am Art Gallery
Reflection: The Sacred Journey community continues its pilgrimage through the book, God Unbound, this week, focusing on chapter 3, "Authority, Discernment, Call." Reflect on the question: when you face a significant decision, how do you discern which direction you are called to choose? Rev. Frenchye Magee will share the story of her call and faith journey.
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WORD for Traditional Worship | 10am Sanctuary
Preaching: Rev. Frenchye Magee
Sermon:
The Road is Long - God Unbound, Chapter 3: "Authority, Discernment, Call"
Reflection:
Too often, many in the church assume that only those who are (or will be) ordained must grapple with the complexities of God's call on their lives. The truth is much more universal: every person who desires to love God fully is invited to engage with the question of how we move from the fringes of faith to a sustained, transformative commitment that changes us and the world.
In her third chapter of
God Unbound, Elaine Heath moves us into the heart of Paul's spiritual journey and ours by asking us to consider the process by which we perceive, obey, and follow the call of the Holy. She reminds us that the faithful need sustained prayer, the collective wisdom of trusted spiritual partners, and an open space for the unexpected blessing. Are these three elements present in your spiritual journey?
Do you have a prayer habit that grounds you, informs your practices, and helps you navigate the anxieties of traveling the unexpected road? Is there room in your life to have (and become) a spiritual partner, one who can add insight to personal experience and offer the gift of clarity? Taking time to answer these and the other questions found in the chapter can make the difference in being excited by the transforming power of the Spirit and being apprehensive about perceived loss.
As we contemplate the way forward on our spiritual path, let us remember that sometimes the most significant gifts are those found in unexpected places.
Have you left space for God to reveal a different way...another road?
For the Children and Their Parents/Guardians: Everyone will experience this at least once in their life: you get a chore done over here, then you have to get a chore done over there, but then you have to get a chore done over in this other place, and then you have yet another chore over this other way and on and on. Do you know what it's called when you have to go this way and that way again and again? Some people call that "a wild goose chase." (If you've ever chased a goose, you will not go in a straight line!) Usually, a wild goose chase is no fun. One of the reasons loving Jesus can be so good for us is we can focus on one thing: love. We don't have to go this way to figure it out or that way to find the answer but can focus on the love of Jesus. Have you ever been on a wild goose chase? What helped you relax and get focused? Have you ever been stressed out or frustrated and relied on God to help you calm down? What did it look like? Prayer? A hug? Taking a deep breath? Maybe your family could come up with a plan together.
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Podcast Ministry
Subscribe (
iTunes), stream, or download Sacred Journey & Traditional Worship sermons.
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The Bible is in your hands...
You're invited to "dig deeper." Here are a handful of resources:
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church resources:
Worship Bulletins | online archive of HAUMC worship bulletins
Sermon Recordings | HAUMC Sacred Journey and Traditional Worship sermon recordings
Devotional Ministry | HAUMC seasonal daily devotional ministry
The Life Mosaic | Rev. Nate Melcher's blog about faithful, creative, intentional living
Pause | Rev. Sally Johnson's blog about the contemplative spiritual journey
Scripture exegesis and commentary resources:
Bible Gateway | the Bible in hundreds of translations (NRSV, CEB,
The Message, etc.)
BibleHub | parse out the original Hebrew (OT) and Greek (NT)
Enter the Bible | historical/cultural context for each book of the Bible from Luther Seminary
Oxford Biblical Studies | historical/cultural context for each book of the Bible from Oxford
Working Preacher | read and listen to lectionary commentary from Luther Seminary faculty
Art and Music resources:
Hymnary | a resource for both modern and traditional worship music and hymns
Sing for Joy | a worship music and hymn resource from St. Olaf College |
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WORD for the Week offers people an opportunity to prepare their hearts and minds
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WORD for the Week is a ministry of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church.
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Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
511 Groveland | Minneapolis, MN 55403
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