Sermon Preview: Sunday, December 21

Scripture Readings: 

Luke 2:1-6

John 1:1-2, 14

Sermon Title: 

Touched!

Worship Preview: Sunday, December 14

Join us for a special worship service beginning at our regular time (10:45 a.m.).  Dr. Gaddy's sermon will be given in various parts, dispersed between the music of Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata, performed by Northminster Choir and the ULM Brass Ensemble.

Sermon Preview: Sunday, December 7

Sermon Title: Where is the Manger?

Sermon focus: The focus of the sermon is on contemporary implications of Mark's non-treatment of the nativity story.  In other words, the Incarnation occurs in the middle of everything.  There are no soft touches.  There is no poetic language.

Scriptures: 

Isaiah 40:1-11

1 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.  3 A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." 6 A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.9 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings;  lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,  lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" 10 See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

Mark 1:1-8

1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,' " 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Sermon Preview: Sunday, November 30

We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.

This Sunday, Dr. Gaddy will deliver a sermon titled, "The Worst Christmas Ever! Really?"  

The scripture reading will be Isaiah 64:1-9b.

Sermon Preview: Sunday, November 23

We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.

This Sunday, Dr. Gaddy will deliver a sermon titled, "A Thanks-giving."  

This reflection will complement a choral presentation at the end of the service titled, "A Song of Thanksgiving."

Sermon Preview: November 16, 2008

We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.

This Sunday, Dr. Gaddy will deliver a sermon titled, "Predictable Unpredictability."  

The scripture readings will include the following:

Judges 4:1-7

1 The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, after Ehud died.2 So the Lord sold them into the hand of King Jabin of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-ha-goiim.3 Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help; for he had nine hundred chariots of iron, and had oppressed the Israelites cruelly twenty years. 4 At that time Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel.5 She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. 6 She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, "The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you, "Go, take position at Mount Tabor, bringing ten thousand from the tribe of Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun. 7 I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the Wadi Kishon with his chariots and his troops; and I will give him into your hand.' 

Matthew 25:31-46

31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' 40 And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,  you did it to me.' 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, "You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44 Then they also will answer, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' 45 Then he will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Sermon Preview: Sunday, November 2

The title of the sermon will be "Come Wednesday," and it will reflection theologically on Election Day.

The Scripture Lesson (Psalm 97)

1 The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around God; righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne. 3 Fire goes before God, and consumes God’s adversaries on every side. 4 God’s lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. 5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim God’s righteousness; and all the peoples behold God’s glory. 7 All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before God. 8 Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God. 9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. 10 The Lord loves those who hate evil; God guards the lives of God’s faithful; God rescues them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to God’s holy name!

Sermon Preview for Sunday, October 26

We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.

This Sunday, Dr. Gaddy will deliver a sermon titled, "Re-forming the Church."  

The scripture readings will include the following:

Romans 3:19-24

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 21 But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

 

Matthew 16:13-19

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah,  the Son of the living God."17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock  I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 

Sermon Preview for Sunday, October 19

We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.

This Sunday, October 19, Dr. Gaddy will deliver a sermon titled, "The Backside of God."

Key concepts in this sermon will include the following: when dealing with God, the importance of mystery, the fallacy of certainty, and the need for humility.  It's interesting that the Gospel lesson is on religion and government.  Nowhere has our arrogance regarding our knowledge of God caused more problems than in relation to our certainty about civil government and partisan poliltics.

The Hebrew Scripture Lesson (Exodus 33:12-23)

12 Moses said to the Lord, "See, you have said to me, "Bring up this people'; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, "I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.' 13 Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." 14 He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 15 And he said to him, "If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth." 17 The Lord said to Moses, "I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." 18 Moses said, "Show me your glory, I pray." 19 And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, "The Lord'; F95 and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live." 21 And the Lord continued, "See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; 23 then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen."

The Gospel Lesson (Matthew 22:15-22)

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" 21 They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." 22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away."

Sermon Preview for Sunday, October 12

We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.

This Sunday, October 12, Rev. Carl Gregg will deliver a sermon titled, "Stability in Unstable Times."  The focus of the sermon will be on what resources the Christian tradition offers us for stability in these unstable times.  

To prepare for worship, you are invited to consider the following questions: 

What people and activities bring you the greatest consolation.  What are you most grateful for in your life?  When do you feel most loved, most energized, or most connected to God and those around you?  

And, conversely, what people or activities bring you the greatest desolation.  When do you feel alienated, drained of energy, or disconnected from God and those around you?  

In short, what people or places or activities might God be calling you to let go – because they make your life less stable, less centered, less joyful.  

And what people or places or activities might God be calling you to seek more of – because they bring you joy and stability in an unstable world?  

The Christian Scripture Reading (Luke 6:47-49)

47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. 48 That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house."

Sermon Preview for Sunday, September 28

We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.

This Sunday, September 28, Dr. Gaddy will deliver a sermon titled, "Faith — Salve or Thorn?"

The sermon will examine the tension between faith as activism and faith as comfort, exploring how one knows when to act and when to remain silent (or passive).

The Christian Scripture Reading (Philippians 2:1-11)

1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Sermon Preview for Sunday, September 21

We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.

This Sunday, September 14, Dr. Gaddy will deliver a sermon titled, "So What?" The emphasis in the sermon will fall on the essential connection between what one believes and how one behaves. The real test for the power of faith in a person's life is not a declaration of what a person believes but a demonstration of the manner in which those beliefs shape personal and social actions. The structure of Paul's letter to Rome is a model for the movement that is essential in a person's life.

The Christian Scripture Reading (Romans 12:1-8)
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Sermon Preview for Sunday, September 14

We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.

This Sunday, September 14, Dr. Gaddy will deliver a sermon titled, "Choosing Whom We Serve: My Endorsement in the 2008 Election." The sermon will serve a guide for pastors and churches looking to resist the call for pastors to endorse candidates for political office from the pulpit.

The Hebrew Scripture Lesson (Joshua 24:14-15)
14 "Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve God in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Post-Hurricane Report from Cuba

We received the following e-mail from our sister church in Cuba following Hurricane Gustav:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I received a lot of e-mails from you about Hurricane Gustav and damages in Cuba.

Last Saturday, after 2 p.m., the hurricane entered Cuba by Isla de la Juventud (South of Habana Province) and left about 9 p.m. north of the Pinar del Rio Province. The destruction of houses, schools and others is very big in both mentioned places. I saw on TV that about 136 electricity towers (high tension) are down. For these reasons, it is possible that some towns will not have electricity for many days. There is, however, no reported loss of human life.

We (Fraternity of Cuban Baptist Churches) have one church with missions (House Churches) on the capital of the province of Pinar del Rio. Some people of the church have some damage in properties (houses): roofs, walls, windows, clothes, etc. The principal building of the Church (House Church) lost its roof completely.

We need yours prayers for persons in Cuba, who lost houses and properties.

In the Love of Jesus,

Manuel Delgado

Editor’s Note: Since Gustav went south of Cuba until it turned over the western end, Ciego de Avila (the city where our sister church is located) received only some rain.

Sermon Preview for Sunday, September 7

We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.

This Sunday, September 7, Rev. Carl Gregg will deliver a sermon titled, "Out of the Whirlwind." The sermon will reflect on the destruction caused by Hurricane Gustav through the lens of the following two scripture readings.

The Hebrew Scripture Lesson (Job 38)
1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 2 "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. 4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy? 8 "Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb?— 9 when I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, 10 and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors, 11 and said, "Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stopped'? 12 "Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, 13 so that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? 14 It is changed like clay under the seal, and it is dyed like a garment. 15 Light is withheld from the wicked, and their uplifted arm is broken. 16 "Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? 18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this. 19 "Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, 20 that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home? 21 Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! 22 "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, 23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? 24 What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth? 25 "Who has cut a channel for the torrents of rain, and a way for the thunderbolt, 26 to bring rain on a land where no one lives, on the desert, which is empty of human life, 27 to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground put forth grass? 28 "Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew? 29 From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the hoarfrost of heaven? 30 The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. 31 "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion? 32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? 33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth? 34 "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, so that a flood of waters may cover you? 35 Can you send forth lightnings, so that they may go and say to you, "Here we are'? 36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts, or given understanding to the mind? 37 Who has the wisdom to number the clouds? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, 38 when the dust runs into a mass and the clods cling together? 39 "Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, 40 when they crouch in their dens, or lie in wait in their covert? 41 Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God, and wander about for lack of food?

The Christian Scripture Reading (Luke 13:1-5)
1 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did."

Sermon Preview for Sunday, August 31

We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.

This Sunday, August 31, Dr. Gaddy will deliver a sermon titled, "So What?" The emphasis in the sermon will fall on the essential connection between what one believes and how one behaves. The real test for the power of faith in a person's life is not a declaration of what a person believes but a demonstration of the manner in which those beliefs shape personal and social actions. The structure of Paul's letter to Rome is a model for the movement that is essential in a person's life.

The Christian Scripture Reading (Romans 12:1-8)
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Sermon Preview for August 24

We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.

This Sunday, August 24, Dr. Gaddy will deliver a sermon titled, "The Integrity of God and the Audacity of Religion." The two scripture texts (see below) involve the old discussion about what will happen to the Jews, but various points of the discussion lead far beyond that subject and relate to what will happen to all of us. The apostle Paul exhibits his heart-wrenching struggle with this matter and ultimately offers one of the most beautiful doxologies in scripture -- which is the reading from the Christian Scriptures for this week.

The Hebrew Scripture Lesson (Isaiah 51:1-6)
1 Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. 2 Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, but I blessed him and made him many. 3 For the Lord will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. 4 Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation; for a teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples. 5 I will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and those who live on it will die like gnats; but my salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never be ended.

The Christian Scripture Lesson (Romans 11:33-36)
33 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" 35 "Or who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in return?" 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.

Sermon Preview

We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.

This Sunday, August 17, Dr. Gaddy will deliver a sermon titled, "A Beautiful Coat; An Astonishing Life."

The Hebrew Scripture reading will be Genesis 45:1-15,
1 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, "Send everyone away from me." So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me." And they came closer. He said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, "Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. 10 You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11 I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.' 12 And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. 13 You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here." 14 Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him."

The Gospel Reading will be Matthew 15:21-28,
21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." 26 He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." 27 She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.

Welcome

Welcome to "The Northminster Window," the new blog of Northminster Church. We will use this space to keep you connected to current events in our church community. We hope you will visit this site often.