We are blessed to have such a wonderful, capable ministry staff and I’m so grateful to each one who helped out while I was on my “staycation” last week. I want to say thank you to Erich for preaching on Sunday, bringing us words of wisdom and encouragement regarding baptism. I was especially glad for the reminder that our baptisms are about more than a single day. They are an entry point into a lifetime of relationship with God and all God’s people.
Our scripture reading for this coming Sunday comes from the Gospel of John and draws us into the early days of Jesus’ ministry as he gathered disciples to join him on the journey ahead. Again we are reminded that our “God experience” isn’t a one day or a single event. It is a journey that unfolds over the course of our lifetimes. In our passage this week, we see the circle of discipleship growing wider and wider as one person invites another to join the journey, extending the invitation, “Come and see.” We’ll spend some time on Sunday thinking about that simple invitation…what it doesn’t ask of us and what it does.
I hope you’ll join us for online worship at 9:00. Please know that all are welcome to join the Wednesday Bible Study that reviews the scripture and sermon topic from the previous Sunday and reflects on the questions that are listed below. If you’re interested in joining us from 11:30 to 12:30 on Wednesdays, please notify the church office or Pastor Lori and we’ll send you the Zoom link. Drop-ins are welcome! Looking forward to being together on Sunday!
Blessings,
Pastor Lori
John 1:43-51 (NRSV)
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Questions to consider:
- Have you had transformational encounters with the holy that have shaped your faith? What were those experiences? How have they changed you?
- Who are the people who invited you to “come and see?” Do you find that you’re more like Philip or Nathanael?
- How do you feel about inviting others to “come and see?” What is easy about that? What is challenging?
