SUMMER BIBLE STUDY – Reclaiming Jesus: A Confession of Faith in a Time of Crisis.
In conjunction with the Reclaiming Jesus statement signed by numerous Christian leaders of faith, including The Most Rev’d Michael B. Curry, Primate and Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, a Summer Bible Study will be offered at 11:15 a.m. beginning Sunday, June 3, 2018.
The Reclaiming Jesus statement acknowledges:
“We are living through perilous and polarizing times as a nation, with a dangerous crisis of moral and political leadership at the highest levels of our government and in our churches. We believe the soul of the nation and the integrity of faith are now at stake.
When politics undermines our theology, we must examine that politics. The church’s role is to change the world through the life and love of Jesus Christ. The government’s role is to serve the common good by protecting justice and peace, rewarding good behavior while restraining bad behavior (Romans 13). When that role is undermined by political leadership, faith leaders must stand up and speak out. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state.”
It is often the duty of Christian leaders, especially elders, to speak the truth in love to our churches and to name and warn against temptations, racial and cultural captivities, false doctrines, and political idolatries—and even our complicity in them….
…The question we face is this: Who is Jesus Christ for us today? What does our loyalty to Christ, as disciples, require at this moment in our history? We believe it is time to renew our theology of public discipleship and witness.”
In our Bible Study, we will meet for nine one-hour sessions to explore the following:
Session One (6/3): Civil Discourse and Followers of Jesus
Session Two (6/10): Jesus is Lord: A Confession of Faith in a Time of Crisis
Session Three (6/17): Made in God’s Image and Likeness
Session Four (6/24): We are One Body
Session Five (7/1): To Protect and Seek Justice
Session Six (7/8): Truth is Morally Central to Our Personal and Public Lives
Session Seven (7/29): Christ’s Way of Leadership is Servanthood
Session Eight (8/5): Go into All Nations Making Disciples
Session Nine (8/19): Change the World Through the Life and Love of Jesus Christ
For more information, please see the Reclaiming Jesus statement bulletin insert, and/or contact Mother Barnes at mthrbarnes@gmail.com or at the parish office at (570)342-7654.
Centering Prayer Group: Each Thursday evening at 5:30PM an ongoing weekly Centering Prayer group meets at St. Luke’s. Centering Prayer is a contemplative form of prayer geared toward the cultivation of interior silence or “centering.” This form of prayer invites one to enter into a deeper relationship with God by being open and receptive to the presence and action of God in our lives and to the Spirit that dwells within us. Weekly sessions will include prayer, a contemplative walk, and study of Thomas Keating’s book, Open Mind, Open Heart, and other writings from the Christian Contemplative tradition. No prior experience is necessary. For more information, please contact Mother Barnes at mthrbarnes@gmail.com or by calling the parish office.
Safety Net Volunteers needed: Monthly volunteers are needed to work a four-hour (12-4) shift at the door. A sign-up sheet is located in Israel Lounge. If you are available and can assist in this way, or have any questions, please contact Robin O’Hearn at (570) 963-5407. Following the summer months, there is also great need to restock the food pantry shelves for our neighbors in need. Items needed are:
Canned fruit or meat—soups, tuna Boxed pasta/Spaghetti Baby wipes
Peanut Butter/Jelly Rice Shampoo and Deodorant
Juices (100% juice) orange, apple Boxed Cereal Diapers—3, 4, 5
Canned Chef Boyardee Pasta sauces Razors (Men’s & Women)
Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
Office hours – The parish office will be open Tuesday – Friday from 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. As always, in the event of a pastoral emergency, Mother Barnes may be reached on her cell phone, (646) 533-1836.