Skip to main content

This Sunday's Gospel in a Time of Fear

By
Dear Friends,

As we get deeper into this journey together, as a community of faith, we offer this caution - resist panic.  This is not to say that there are not many reasons to be concerned because there certainly are.  We should not ignore the sound advice of medical professionals and health experts.  But panic and fear are not helpful.  Yet we will see panic and fear used to politicize when we need to be united or to stoke television ratings when we really just need the media to help us us calmly coordinate resources to manage this health crisis.  It is possible to respond to a crisis seriously and deliberately while maintaining an inner sense of calm and hope.  We don't have to understand absolutely everything about our circumstances and we don't have to always feel like we are in control.  This is part of growing in trust, our trust in God and in one another.  

This Sunday's assigned Gospel (for the 4th Sunday in Lent)  is an example of what happens when people's viewpoints are driven by fear, lack of understanding, lack of trust, and a need to be in control.  I will be sharing a message on this text this weekend along with prayer and blessing.  However, the questions below can help you familiarize yourself with the text and maybe even lead to some self reflection of your own:

Bible Study – 4th Sunday of Lent  -  A
John 9:1-41 (Find a Bible, download a Bible app, or Google it!)
1.   Who is someone you admire who has overcome a disability?
2.   How did the disciples view the blind man?  Why?
3.   What did Jesus' reply show about how he viewed the man's affliction?
4.   Why do you think that Jesus healed the blind man in this way?
5.   Why do you think that some of the Pharisees look at the blind man so harshly?  How about the way they view Jesus?
6.   Why does Jesus suggest that the Pharisees are blind?
7.   What do you find amazing about this story?
8.   In what ways do many churches today struggle with their vision?
9.   What is clouding our vision right now?  As individuals? Families? A nation?  A world?

As our Gospels, say over and over again, "Do not be afraid."  Trust God.  Take care of yourself.  Love your neighbor.  
Grace and peace,
Pastor Mueller

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Opportunities for Growth

By
Dear Friends,
    There are several learning opportunities coming up in week ahead that I wanted keep on your radar. - "Aslan on the Move" :  This Sunday (downstairs in Jerusalem Room)  at 9:30 AM we gather together for a presentation / discussion based on Christian themes found in the C.S. Lewis classic, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."   This gathering will continue through November 24.  Anyone from high school students to senior citizens are welcome to attend.  Join us and be enriched in faith.  - "Lunch Bunch Bible Study" - We gather each Thursday at noontime in St. Andrew's Hall to look a little deeper at the assigned bible texts that will be proclaimed the upcoming Sunday.  We provide coffee and printed out texts.  You are free to bring Bibles and a bagged lunch if you wish.  People who rarely take part in Bible Study have become a part of this group and have found it very helpful in their walk of faith.
- On Line Resources - Again for…
443 comments
Read more

An Easter Prayer

By
Holy and Living God, You continue to confound  our expectations and surprise us with your redeeming power in our lives.  Come among us, risen Lord.  Reveal yourself to us that we may know with confidence that nothing in all creation, not even death, can separate us from your love.  In Jesus' name.  Amen. A word of thanks to all of you who offered your hearts and hands and voices to a deeply moving Holy Week and a joy filled celebration of the Resurrection.  It was exciting to see an increase in attendance at special services throughout Lent and Holy Week this year, especially among those who are newer to our faith community. Many hearts were touched and lives were lifted up through the celebrations of this past week. We are truly blessed. Continue to pray for those who were unable to be with us on Sunday, the sick, the struggling, the hospitalized, the homebound, and the dying.  Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, especially those who …
283 comments
Read more

Lord's Prayer

By
Dear Friends,

This Sunday in worship our Gospel lesson is Luke 11:1-13.  In my message, I will be focusing chiefly on this rather strange parable of Jesus.  However, this is also the text where on e of Jesus' disciples says, "Lord, teach us to pray" and Jesus introduces what would become known as the Lord's Prayer.  While this will not be a primary focus on Sunday, I thought I would share with you below a reflection by Christian writer Brian McClaren bringing fresh meaning to a prayer that has become so familiar that, unfortunately, it can become rote and uttered with little meaning or reflection.  I hope that you will find this helpful for your own time in prayer.  And who knows?  It may even show up sometime in a worship service.
A Spoken Version of the Lord’s Prayer
This rendering of the Lord’s prayer uses unfamiliar words and phrasing to help us actually hear its message rather than lapsing into an auto-pilot recitation. You can use it in public worship by having …
25 comments
Read more