Scripture Readings for the 4 pm Worship Service June 23, 2019
Community life, with the Trinity at the center, is a theme that runs from Genesis through the Gospels, to Pentecost, throughout the letters of Paul in the early church and is still central to what it means to live as a community of faith today.
Genesis 1:26
God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image,
make them reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
and, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
Jesus’ words from John 13:34-35
“Let me give you a new command: Love one another.
In the same way I loved you, you love one another.
This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—
when they see the love you have for each other.”
From Paul’s letter to the Colossians 3:12-16
So, chosen by God for this new life of love,
dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you:
compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.
Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense.
Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.
And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.
It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other,
in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing.
And cultivate thankfulness.
Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house.
Give it plenty of room in your lives.
From Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 4:3-7 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
You were all called to travel on the same road
and in the same direction,
so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly.
You have one Master, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all,
who is over all, works through all, and is present in all.
Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.
But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same.
Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift…
God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere;
but they all originate in God’s Holy Spirit.
God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere;
but they all originate in God’s Spirit.
God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere;
but God himself is behind it all.
Each person is given something to do that shows who God is:
Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits.
All kinds of things are handed out by the Holy Spirit,
and to all kinds of people!
Listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying. Thanks be to God.