Keep sending those invites, offer a ride, repeat. Mrs. Edwards will eventually say yes to Church.
National Back to Church Sunday is Sunday, September 15th. We invite you to come find out more right here in Schenectady. Not been in a while – here’s an opportunity to come back. Never been – you’re invited. Looking to help – here’s a chance to join in doing good for each other and our community.
When you hear “Church” what do you think? Watch this video that’s changing the way people think about Church.
National Back to Church Sunday is Sunday, September 15th. We invite you to come find out more right here in Schenectady. Not been in a while – here’s an opportunity to come back. Never been – you’re invited. Looking to help – here’s a chance to join in doing good for each other and our community.
I can’t help myself.
Isn’t it ok?
“Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.â€
The theme of our readings and gospel all center on doing things for the right reason, having the right priorities. They obviously focus on avoiding greed as the antithesis of proper living, “…the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?â€
As Christians we are to guard against placing our priorities wrongly. As we reflect on Carson’s baptism, we should recall our baptism. We descended into the waters of baptism, dying to the world and buried. Emerging we came into new life in the resurrected Christ. As people living in the resurrected Christ we have new priorities.
St. Paul says this plainly: For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. He reminds us that our focus must be changed – and we need to be reminded because we forget: If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
The problem we face in setting priorities as Christians is how far and how fast we need to go in re-ordering our reasons, focus and priorities.
Can we find a word that simply expresses the overwhelming love and dedication we are supposed to have for Jesus Christ? It has to be a word that describes a love and dedication that is more than something that just bubbles under the surface, but rather radiates out of us, making our lives evidently different to all those we meet. Perhaps the right word is “crazy?†Crazy can mean mentally deranged; demented; insane; senseless; impractical; totally unsound. It can also mean intensely enthusiastic; passionately excited.
So how do we get to the kind of crazy that shows an enthusiastic and passionate life with Christ? It starts with commitment and practice. Baptism is the first step in commitment and dedication. From there, with the help of our parents, we practice – in Church, by reading scripture, and in regular prayer – learning Jesus’ way, focusing on educating ourselves about Jesus’ direction for our life, and working in community to do His will. With that education and practice we learn to live the right way and with the right priorities.
When we get to the kind of crazy that radiates passions in line with Jesus’ priorities we become restorers of hope in the midst of our families, workplaces, neighborhoods, and in the wider world. We find that we cannot help ourselves in a way that is absolutely ok – more that ok – it is wonderful. It is crazy right.
I am listening.
What should I say?
“The LORD has heard my supplication; the LORD accepts my prayer.”
Did you ever wonder what the Word of God is all about? Scripture, the Bible, whatever term we use, what is its purpose, why should we read it, study it, reflect on it, or even act on it?
For many people, the bible might be something handed down from parents and grandparents, a cherished memento. For some it may have been a gift they received for their first communion, baptism, on their wedding day. Certainly, most people have access to a bible in their home, and even if they do not, it is easily accessed via the Internet, on your iPod or iPad.
It comes in handy. We tend to reach for that bible when an issue or problem confronts us, when we are not well or when someone we love is sick. We look for those words of comfort and guidance.
Some people really focus on scripture and use the bible as their guide for life. It becomes a procedure manual and a guide for everyday living. I need to go to the store – what does the bible have to say? I dropped my groceries, my car is making an odd noise, and my husband or wife isn’t talking to me — what does God have to say on the issue?
That is all well and good and has merit. Anytime someone picks up that bible God’s word goes to work in his or her life, but the Word is not really about us.
If God’s word, His revelation is not a revelation about our lives, what does it reveal?
Scripture is this – it is God’s revelation about Himself, His self-revelation. Everything in scripture points out something about God’s personality, His thoughts, His power, His mercy, His Fatherhood, and His love.
The single most important thread in God’s self-revelation is that He wants to live with us, in relationship with us. This is so important that He sent His only Son Jesus to break down the barrier of sin that separated us from God. He broke down that wall; He wiped away sin and the consequence of sin – death. He offered His life to accomplish this mission.
God wants to be in a relationship with us that much. We are that important to Him. Because of that He is with us every minute, listening to us. So when problems or issues confront us, and we reach for that bible, God opens Himself to us. He says, here I am, for you, for whatever you need, even if it is only comfort. This is who I AM. I am listening to you. Say or ask for anything because you are that important to me.
Invite someone today to explore a relationship with the God who has paid our way to LIFE.
Find life here in a relationship with Him.
Back to Church Sunday at Holy Name – September 16th, 9:30am.
Breakfast served after services.
Invite someone today to explore a relationship with Jesus.
They can find it all here – God, the gospel, and goulash.
Back to Church Sunday at Holy Name – September 16th, 9:30am.
Breakfast served after services.
Join and rap with us as we explore our relationship with Jesus.
Yes, Jesus who loves us.
Jesus, who is our friend.
Jesus, who doesn’t care how we dress or look, who doesn’t care whether we are rich or poor, who only longs to welcome us.
Back to Church Sunday at Holy Name – September 16th, 9:30am.
Breakfast served after services.
Our September 2012 newsletter and calendar is now available. You may view and download a copy right from this website.
Our August 2012 newsletter and calendar is now available – a bit late, but hey it’s still August. You may view and download a copy right from this website.
In 1904, at the First Synod of our Church, we declared: “Referring to other Christian communities, we state that we do not condemn any one of them. We sympathize with every Church whose object is to ennoble and sanctify man and bring the Gospel of Jesus and peace to humanity.†In a nutshell, that statement captures the aim and vision of a member of our Church, the desire for unity with and for God, God who lives and works among us in raising up humanity to its ultimate destiny. We won’t say we are better than any other Church because the key purpose of Church is to connect to Jesus in a community of faith.