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Sermon reflections for 9/26/10

9/24/2010

Subject: sermon reflections for 9/26/10

Greetings to all of you …

We now have two members in hospice—Addie Mae Smith and Janis Dobernecker. Please keep them and their families in your prayers. Pray also for the Henderson, Macedonia, and Wheeler Grove churches. Their pastor has resigned as of this month. Pray also for the Oakland Christian Church folk in the aftermath of vandalism to their new church building.

The junior and senior high youth groups began meeting this Wednesday with 10 present in each group. Right now we are without senior high counselors for the three meetings in December. If you could step in to help out please contact Mark Martens.

You won’t be hearing from me next week—I’ll be on vacation in California to officiate at my niece’s wedding. Ward Young will lead worship while I’m gone and Richard Russell of Carson will be the pastor-on-call.

Have you bought your stewardship study book yet?

For this Sunday (26th)
•       Scripture: Luke 19:1-10
•       Sermon: In Response to God’s Generosity

For reflection
1.      Why did Zacchaeus have to go to extreme measures to meet Jesus? What measures could you take to meet him yourself?
2.      Why were people upset when Jesus paid attention to Zacchaeus?
3.      Has Jesus ever invited himself to your home or into your heart? Would you like him to? If it happened to Zacchaeus it can also happen to you.
4.      What change occurred in Zacchaeus’ life as a result of meeting with Jesus?
5.      Have you ever thought about how money and salvation are connected?
6.      Have you ever experienced God’s generosity? In what ways can you respond to that generosity?

LOVE & JOY
Rev. TEXtor

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Subject: sermon reflections for 9/19/10

9/24/2010

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Subject: sermon reflections for 9/19/10

Hi, it’s me again …

Please continue in prayer for Addie Mae Smith who is now in residence at Kavanagh Hospice House in Des Moines. If you’d like to send her a card or letter, contact the church office (482-5530) for her address. Also keep Bill Waggoner, Sr. in your prayers. He was a patient at Mercy Hospital this week.

Sorry if you weren’t able to make it to church this past Sunday. It was a privilege to present 3rd grader Kristian Martens with a bible and to dedicate memorial gifts purchased and put into use this past year. As for the potluck marking the kick-off of fall Sunday School—what a spread. No one went home hungry!

This next Sunday is blanket Sunday. For a donation of $5 a blanket can be purchased for use in the United States or the world where there is great need. If you can’t be in worship to contribute, send your gift to the church office.

Also, the 19th marks the beginning of our stewardship study—Giving: unlocking the heart of good stewardship; study books are $10. If you won’t be able to take part in a study discussion group, I encourage you to purchase the book for your personal devotional use or in preparation for Sunday worship.

For this Sunday (19th)
•       Scripture: Luke 16:1-13
•       Sermon: The Bottom Line

For reflection
1.      Why do you think Jesus made a crook the “hero” of his story?
2.      How does Jesus’ story show the importance of cultivating relationships?
3.      How can we use cleverness and shrewdness in preparing for God’s kingdom?
4.      Why does Jesus teach that we can’t serve both God and money? Do you think that’s true?
5.      What might you need to change in your life in order to more fully serve God rather than money? (Our stewardship study book has some thoughts on this.)

LOVE & JOY
Rev. TEXtor

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Sermon Reflections for 9/12/10

9/8/2010

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Dear friends …

Please continue in prayer for Addie Mae Smith. She is now in residence at Kavanagh Hospice House in Des Moines.

We have another full Sunday ahead of us. It’s kick-off Sunday for Sunday School! The children’s classes will be meeting at 9:00 a.m. Adult classes will meet after worship beginning the 19th. The adult study: “Giving: unlocking the heart of good stewardship”; study books are $10. Other adult stewardship study classes will meet on Tuesdays. Confirmation membership classes for 7th and 8th graders will be held on Sundays after worship October through February.

During worship third graders will receive bibles, teachers and other leaders will be recognized, and memorial gifts will be dedicated. A potluck lunch will follow worship. Hope you’ll be there to join us.

For this Sunday (12th)
•       Scripture: Luke 15:1-10
•       Sermon: Join in the Celebration

For reflection
1.      Who was Jesus talking to when he told these two parables? Why?
2.       As an observer of the occasion—what do you see and hear?
3.       What do you think the people in this story were feeling? (Pharisees? Jesus? The crowd? The shepherd? The woman?)
4.      Have you ever frantically searched for a lost pet or lost object? How did you feel when you found them?
5.      What do we learn about God from this passage?

LOVE & JOY
TEXtor

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oakland united methodist church

Sermon reflections for 9/26/10

Subject: sermon reflections for 9/19/10

Sermon Reflections for 9/12/10

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