Two Questions

And so the October challenge begins!  The challenge to read through the book of Matthew (adults) or Mark (children /youth) by Christmas has been made.   I have had a number of requests for the two questions that you might ask as you are reading scripture.  They are:
     1.  What does this passage teach you about God?
     2.  What does this passage teach you about God's will for your life?  Or, what is God saying to you as you read the text?
When you approach the Bible with these questions in mind, you will find an openness to the Spirit.  When I read, I have a pen in hand.  Sometimes I write in the margins of the Bible, while other times I need a journal or pad of paper.  A journal allows me to explore a bit more when the text has stirred up something within me.

If you have children in your household, you might need to assist or even read to some of the younger ones as they begin to explore Mark.  If your child has a received a Bible from the church, please consider reading out of it.  Not only do the Sunday School teachers use this particular version in their classes, but you will help your child make his/her personal Bible something that is beloved and used.  Encourage your kids to take part in the challenge .  Celebrate with them as they read chapter by chapter.  Encouraging faith development in a child now, makes all the difference in the world.

For those of you not present this last Sunday, there are incentives!  When kids finish the book of Mark, they need to let me know.  They will receive:

• a bookmark
• a certificate
• a chance to sign the Challenge Canvas
• and two cookies from Heavenly Sweets, made especially for this challenge.

I quickly learned that adults like incentives as well!  Primarily... you want the special cookies.  We are all kids at heart.  We will have adults sign the Challenge Canvas too.

I look forward to reading the book of Matthew with you.  I can't wait to hear what the Lord is teaching you.

On the journey,
Alecia



 

Discipleship Pathway

   I'm grateful to be part of a congregation that wishes to go deeper in spiritual discipleship and renewal.  Lynn Jansen and I unveiled the Discipleship Pathway or Camino Discipulado at the end of September.  If you weren't in church on September 18, I invite you to pick up a copy of the services for that morning.  Former Bishop Reuben Job writes, Christians see grace most clearly in God's act of self-giving through the person of Jesus Christ.  As we progress in our Christian life, we deeply desire to go deeper.  There are tools and practices that can help us become more Christ-like.  The Discipleship Pathway or Camino Discipulado is a tool modeled after people of great faith.  In order to be like Jesus, we gotta go deep. 

   In this church, the mission is to follow and invite others to follow Jesus Christ.  We live that out through the tenets of our vision:  Celebrate, Support and Serve.  This gives us the pathway to to follow.
Celebrate:  If you want to experience God, corporate worship is a means of grace that can lead us toward wholeness and a deeper connection.  Worship can be a profound experience when we actively engage it.  In worship, we gather with others and experience grace.  Daily prayer is essential for us to be open to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.  When we come to be entertained or pray only in crisis, we miss the richness of Celebration.
Support:  Discipleship requires we learn.  We are disciples -- followers-- of Jesus.  In order to follow, we need to learn.  I am attempting to learn Spanish.  Now I can wish that I was fluent all that I want; however, it is in the study and conversational lessons that is causing me to finally learn.  So too with our faith life.  We recognize the following classes and small groups are important to be a disciple:

• Spiritual Gifts
• Prayer and the Holy Spirit
• Stewardship Small group
• United Methodist Theology
• Making Sense of the Bible or Yearly Church Wide Small Group (4-6 weeks)

   If you follow Jesus, then these are classes or groups that are critical.  You will want to take them over the next couple of years.  All will be offered on a regular basis.  For those that want to go deeper, then one of the two longer small groups is important:   Companions in Christ or Disciple Bible Study.  While a 9 month commitment seems daunting,  my greatest growth still is  found in the long term groups.  One other aspect of Support is giving.  Giving financially is tied to our discipleship.  We give out of a profound sense of gratitude to God for our very life. Giving financially is part of our worship--Our part towards God's ministries and mission.


Serve  Jesus was clear that he came not to be served, but to serve.  We can't be disciples of Jesus without serving in ministry.  The disciples were sent out to serve.  Serve where you are called-- where you are passionate.  If you are able, take part in a mission serve trip. There are multiple possibilities to be in service and on mission at this place and beyond our walls.  This is part of who we are.
I am sure we will talk again about this pathway.
On the journey,
Alecia
*** Pick up a copy of the Discipleship Pathway or Camino Discipulado in the entryway!