With-God Life (Page 3)
The People of God in Travail – Part 1 Job
Sunday, March 3 Traditions online worship service.
Why? It has to be one of the oldest cries to God – Why? This week in the With-God Life we look at the story of Job. From the puzzling prologue to the cosmic finale, the book of Job is something entirely different than the narrative we have been reading to this point. Join us in worship this Sunday as we explore how the people of God respond to God from their travail and cry out with them – why?
Job 1-42
The People of God as a Nation – Part 3 Elijah
Sunday, February 25 Traditions online worship service.
When was the last time you sat in solitude and utter silence? This week in worship we will consider the prophet Elijah who learned from his time in solitude and silence, that God would meet him there, giving him refreshment and guidance for his ministry. (Consider reading 1 Kings 17-19) What things keep you from making solitude a more regular part of your life?
1 Kings 17-19
2 Kings 2
The People of God as a Nation – Part 2 David
Sunday, February 18 Traditions online worship service.
This week we continue our journey on the With-God Life as we come to the story of David contained in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. We hope you will do some reading on your own to review the many stories and relationships that make up the narrative of David, the shepherd boy turned king who was described as a man after God’s own heart. Join us in worship in person or online this Sunday as we walk through his story and find it not so different from our own.
1 Samuel 16:1-13
The People of God as a Nation – Part 1 Samuel
Sunday, February 11 Traditions online worship service.
This Sunday, February 11, as we continue in The With-God Life series, we begin our study of The People of God as a Nation with the story of Samuel. Prayer stood at the center of Samuel’s entire life. Even before he was conceived, his mother, Hannah, dedicated him to God. He spent most of his youth living with Eli in the Temple and there as a boy responded to God’s call: “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). Later in his life, the people ask Samuel to appoint a king to rule over them so they could be like other nations. This represents a seismic change in how the people of God will relate to God, now through their kings instead of with God directly.
1 Samuel 3, 8, 9
The People of God in the Promised Land Part 2
Sunday, February 4 Traditions online worship service.
Last week we crossed the Jordan River into the promised land with Joshua and the twelve tribes of Israel. As the book of Judges begins, the people of God have another chance to respond to God faithfully and obediently as they are getting settled in the promised land. The question is will they be faithful to their promises to God?
We’ll also consider the Book of Ruth this week as it is set in the backdrop of the time of Judges to give us a unique picture of what life looked like in the promised land during this period of time.
Judges 2:6-19
Ruth 1:1-18
Ruth 1:22-2:24
The People of God in the Promised Land Part 1
Sunday, January 28 Traditions online worship service.
This week in The With-God Life, we follow the narrative of the people of Israel in the wilderness after Moses has died in the book of Joshua. Joshua is not only the name of this book of the Bible, he’s the leader that follows Moses and will lead the people into the promised land.
God says, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you, Joshua . . . Be strong and courageous,” (Joshua 1:5-7)
Joshua 1:1-9
Joshua 24:1-8,13-15
The People of God in Exodus Part 3
Sunday, January 21 Traditions online worship service.
We return to our With-God Life Series this Sunday, January 21st picking up with The People of God in Exodus, part 3 (Exodus 20-40).
When Exodus Chapter 20 opens, the people of Israel have been liberated from slavery in Egypt and have set out into the wilderness. The people have struggled and questioned whether they should go back to Egypt or keep moving forward and at every turn God has provided just what they needed when they needed it. They’ve encountered thirst and hunger, and God provided water from a rock and bread from heaven. They have been attacked and have been victorious, and they’ve now finally reached Mount Sinai. God makes a covenant with Israel that they will be God’s treasured possession, a priestly kingdom, a holy nation. But, they have to keep their end of the covenant—which includes following a certain code of commandments if they are to remain God’s people.
Join us this Sunday, in person or online at youtube.com/wpumc and facebook.com/wpumc, as we re-discover the Ten Commandments and respond to God’s continual invitation for us to live in community that is rooted in the right worship of God and in peace with one another.
Exodus 20:1-21, 40:1-9, 16, 33-38
The People of God in Exodus – Part 2
Sunday, November 26. Traditions online worship service.
After Moses’ encounter with God in the burning bush and his call to go to Pharaoh, we find in Exodus Chapters 6-16 an action-packed sequence of drama. These 10 chapters cover the back-and-forth conflict with Pharaoh, the plagues, the Passover, the flight of the Israelites to the sea, their rescue and Pharaoh’s army’s defeat, the Israelites complaining in the wilderness, and God’s gracious response.
The story of the Exodus is THE central story of the Old Testament. From here on out, God is identified as the “one who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” This story also changes how the Israelites define themselves in their relationship with God as those whom God delivered from slavery in Egypt. Join us in worship this Sunday in person or online as we journey through Exodus!
Exodus 6-16
The People of God in Exodus – Part 1
Sunday, November 12. Traditions online worship service.
In the second book of the Bible, we find the descendants of Abraham and Sarah in Egypt. At least 300 years have passed since Joseph died. The Israelite people have flourished, but now a new Pharaoh has risen to power who doesn’t remember Joseph and his influence. This new Pharaoh is threatened by the Israelite people and puts a plan into place so they wouldn’t keep increasing in number and strength. It’s into this context that Moses is born.
Exodus 1:1-2:10
Exodus 2:23-3:15
The Story of Joseph
As we finish the book of Genesis this week, we turn to the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50.) Joseph was a great-grandson of Abraham and Sarah and one of the 12 sons of Jacob/Israel. He was favored by his father, Jacob, but his other brothers were jealous of him, conspired to kill him, and ended up selling him into slavery. Still, throughout difficult and complicated circumstances, a common thread weaving Joseph’s story together is that “The Lord was with Joseph.” (39:2). Sometimes it is in the most complex situations that we experience more intimacy with God. As we prepare for worship this week consider: What circumstances hinder your sense that God is with you? What helps you be more aware of and realize God’s presence?
Jacob – The One Who Strives
Sunday, October 22. Traditions online worship service.
This Sunday, as we continue on in our reading of the book of Genesis, we recall that Isaac was the long-awaited promised son given to Abraham and Sarah late in life. Last week, we studied the promise God made to Abraham that through his descendants, all the world would be blessed. Isaac and Rebekah’s twin sons Esau and Jacob are part of that promise as Abraham’s grandchildren. Join us as we follow these brothers and Jacob in particular as he struggles to discover God’s grace and promise and find ourselves in Jacob’s story, too!
Genesis 25:19-34, 27:41-45, 28:10-22, 32:22-33:4
The Journey of Abraham
Sunday, October 15. Traditions online worship service.
This week, our journey through the book of Genesis reaches a key turning point. In the stories of Creation, the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel and Noah and the flood, God has been relating to humans through individual communion. Now, beginning in Genesis 12 and following, we learn how the people of God become a family through Abram/Abraham and Sarai/Sarah and through their descendants. Join us in person or online as we learn from Abraham’s family journey.
Genesis 12:1-9
Noah Walked With God
Sunday, October 8. Traditions online worship service.
Scripture tells us that as people began to multiply on the earth, humankind was filled with wickedness (Genesis 6:5). Only Noah was found to be righteous and blameless (6:9) Imagine that you are Noah and God tells you that you and your family will be saved but that you will need to build a ship that will take all your time (120 years!) and it will make you appear delusional to everyone around you. And yet, Noah was obedient, tending to an unthinkable task without objection or doubt because he “walked with God.” (6:9)
Genesis 6-9
The First Children
Sunday, October 1. Traditions online worship service.
We don’t have to go very far into Scripture before we encounter all sorts of troubling passages. The story of Cain and Abel is so familiar to us and so embedded in our culture that we might be missing key questions that help us engage with the story from a perspective of Spiritual formation. The fourth chapter of Genesis contains plenty of truth for us to consider as we gather together in person or online for Holy Communion. Come and find yourself in this challenging but true chapter in the great story of God’s love for the world this Sunday.
Genesis 4:1-10a
Creation
Sunday, September 24. Traditions online worship service.
As we consider the With-God life, we begin with the book of beginnings, Genesis. You are encouraged to read Genesis chapters 1-3 this week in preparation for worship. In the beginning, God creates the world and places the first humans into the Garden of Eden to work and care for it. Adam and Eve experience partnership and encounter God face-to-face. Adam and Eve were given the freedom to make their own choices and soon separated themselves from God and must face the consequence of their choices.
Genesis 1-3
The Immanuel Principle
Sunday, September 17. Traditions online worship service.
The Bible is all about human life “with God.” It’s about how God has made this “with-God” life possible and will bring it to pass. The name Immanuel in Hebrew means “God is with us” (Isaiah 7:14) and is the name given to our Redeemer Jesus (Matthew 1:22-23). Join us as we begin this journey of the With-God Life together.
Ephesians 2:19-22
Revelation 21:3