This is an historic week in the life of Community of Christ. Wednesday, November 10, the National Council of Churches USA approved membership for the Community of Christ. Apostle Dale Luffman who has been at their conference this week, will be here this Saturday for the seminar on scripture. This seminar will focus on a 19th century reading of the Book of Mormon. I hope you take the opportunity to attend this important event.
It’s been an historic week for our daughter Whitney, too. She has been hired by Message Envy in Kansas City while she continues to work at a sports bar and grill. It’s sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy. At some point a few years ago when I asked her (as I frequently did during her growing-up years) “what do wanted to be when you grow up” she told me she wanted to be a message therapist and own a sports bar and grill. I am grateful she’s found employment.
This weekend Nancy and I will be at the Book of Mormon seminar on Saturday and travel to Tucson to be with Saguaro Heights and Tucson Central for their business meetings. We might even venture up to Rock Springs Café Friday to try those pies. Blessing to you this week.
WELCOME
Rejoice in God’s New Creation
from Worship Resources Year C Beginning Advent 2009 up to Advent 2010 "Live Generously, Love Courageously"
Isaiah 65:17-25
Isaiah 65 celebrates hope in a difficult and troubled time. Isaiah 65:17–25 is a prophetic address, an announcement of a new creation. God is up to making “new heavens and a new earth.” Its contents concern the present and the future. First, the prophet hears God announce the new era (vv. 17–19a) and then present a description of the circumstances of life in that time (vv. 19b–25). This new age is presented in a pattern that alternates negative and positive—what will not be and what will be.
This creation of a New Jerusalem will not be a place where people die prematurely or aren’t able to reap what they sow. It will be a place where premature death will be ended, and work will be productive and fruitful where efforts and results coincide. The Lord will bless the people and will hear them even before they call.
This announcement of new heavens and a new earth has in view a transformation of circumstances on this earth, and within history, not beyond them. This vision of a new creation will be a place where all creation lives in peace. This foundational situation where peace prevails is a blessing of the Lord. There is no talk of the new age as a reward for righteousness or the like. Rather, it is a gift from a generous God who promises to answer prayers even before they are expressed out loud. The concluding verse promises an even more dramatic transformation of the natural order. Natural enemies will live in peace with one another where the lion will eat straw, the snake will eat dust, and the wolf and the lamb will lie down with each other.
Death is present in Isaiah 65:17–25, but it does not ruin life. People will still work, but in a situation where justice is present. It would be good news, for sure, if women everywhere could bring children into a world that did not present them with the sudden terrors of war or famine.
Isaiah 65:17-25
Isaiah 65 celebrates hope in a difficult and troubled time. Isaiah 65:17–25 is a prophetic address, an announcement of a new creation. God is up to making “new heavens and a new earth.” Its contents concern the present and the future. First, the prophet hears God announce the new era (vv. 17–19a) and then present a description of the circumstances of life in that time (vv. 19b–25). This new age is presented in a pattern that alternates negative and positive—what will not be and what will be.
This creation of a New Jerusalem will not be a place where people die prematurely or aren’t able to reap what they sow. It will be a place where premature death will be ended, and work will be productive and fruitful where efforts and results coincide. The Lord will bless the people and will hear them even before they call.
This announcement of new heavens and a new earth has in view a transformation of circumstances on this earth, and within history, not beyond them. This vision of a new creation will be a place where all creation lives in peace. This foundational situation where peace prevails is a blessing of the Lord. There is no talk of the new age as a reward for righteousness or the like. Rather, it is a gift from a generous God who promises to answer prayers even before they are expressed out loud. The concluding verse promises an even more dramatic transformation of the natural order. Natural enemies will live in peace with one another where the lion will eat straw, the snake will eat dust, and the wolf and the lamb will lie down with each other.
Death is present in Isaiah 65:17–25, but it does not ruin life. People will still work, but in a situation where justice is present. It would be good news, for sure, if women everywhere could bring children into a world that did not present them with the sudden terrors of war or famine.
Mission Center Conference “Celebrates Messiah!” December 4 at Mesa
Plan now to join the Arizona Mission Center for our annual conference, beginning 9:30 a.m., Saturday, December 4, at the Mesa congregation, 150 North Sulleys Drive, Mesa. Apostle Scott Murphy and Bishop David Nii, Field Apostolic Assistant will both bring ministry during the day-long event. Sharon Davids is coordinating worship and music, in celebration of Advent, using the theme “Celebrate Messiah!” Business at the conference will include the election of two members to the 2012 National Conference Advisory Team, recognition of service and ministry, reports from various teams including one on the Sustainable Youth Ministry initiative approved at last year’s conference, the 2011 mission center budget, sustaining and election of officers, and consideration of the call of Diana Hansen to the office of Bishop. Lunch will be included—a fundraising event for the youth attending Spectacular in 2011. Aaronic Ministers will have a session immediately after lunch. In the afternoon, there will be a question and answer session with Brothers Murphy and Nii.
Yuletide Youth Retreat Plans Underway
Junior high and senior high youth are invited to a yuletide retreat, December 31 – January 2 at Whispering Pines Campground to usher in the New Year! Watch for additional information by e-mail and on Facebook. Barnaby and Andrea Fletcher are coordinating the retreat.
Open Table Seeks Help
From the Community of Christ Open Table in Phoenix
Our Open Table family will soon be moving into a new house and is in need of various items. The Armendariz family has been living at a homeless shelter for the past two years with the two adults and six children. They move out of the homeless shelter this January and are in the process of finding housing. If you have usable furniture or household items that you would like to donate, please contactShelby Williams (shelby_williams@yahoo.com). Shelby Shelby
Our Open Table family will soon be moving into a new house and is in need of various items. The Armendariz family has been living at a homeless shelter for the past two years with the two adults and six children. They move out of the homeless shelter this January and are in the process of finding housing. If you have usable furniture or household items that you would like to donate, please contact
Baptism, Confirmation and Church Membership Policy Resources Now Available
The First Presidency has released the new policy on baptism, confirmation, and church membership, including a letter from President Steve Veazey, Guidance and Reflections related to the policy, an interim policy effective January 1 to August 31, 2011 and the official policy which will be effective September 1, 2011 and into the future. Also included is the related document, “Shared Understanding of Previous Baptism.” These documents are available on line at http://www.cofchrist.org/policy/default.asp. Pastors in the Arizona Mission Center will review this information with Mike Hoffman on November 20. If you have questions regarding the policy, please contact Mike Hoffman, 480-280-8555, or mhoffman@CofChrist.org.
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