Read the lessons at the Vanderbilt Library website: http://divinity.lib.vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/AChristmas/aChristmas3.htm
Read
the lessons at the Vanderbilt Library website:
http://divinity.lib.vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/AChristmas/aChristmas3.htm
Emmanuel Community Church
Inter-generational Lectionary Study;
Sundays from 10:0 to 10:45 in the Board Room
Opening
Opening prayer by leader, or invite another participant to pray, or use:
Almighty God, who sent your Servant John the Baptist to prepare your way before you, grant that everyone who serves you as teacher or minister may also prepare your way, so that we may be found an acceptable people in your sight. Amen.
Review of Last Week
Last week's lessons focussed on the coming of the Kingdom of God, starting with Isaiah's description of the Peaceable Kingdom;
What was the sermon on? - Emmanuel: God with us. Names that create the reality, that honour God's relationships with us.
What was the Gospel lesson? - Joseph's dream: an angel tells Joseph about Mary's child, and to name Him Jesus.
Did anyone have any insights about...
1.What sort of weakness does Herod exhibit that the “lowly” do not?
2.When have you found yourself unable to put down roots, but instead having to move on, to a better, though unknown, place?
3.What is the “Nazareth” of your life – the unexpected home?
4.Who are the “holy innocents” in our world today?
5. How is God calling your congregation to travel to a new place, however uncomfortable, in a new day?
The memory work for this season is Matthew 1 18-23 – last chance to get the whole passage today!
18 Now
the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary
was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with
child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then
Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a
public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But
while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD
appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear
not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in
her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she
shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he
shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now
all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the
Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold,
a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they
shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with
us.
Bible Passage
Pew-work Hand-outs
“Pew-work” is like Home-work, except that it is done in the pews, instead of being done at home. Because it is focussed on the readings (as the sermon, presumably, also is) it can be done during the sermon to help the listener concentrate. Or, it can be done while waiting for everyone else to finish their communion. It isn't done during prayers, or hymns, or the readings, because
During Prayers, we pray
During Hymns, we sing
During the Readings, we listen
Middle-school Students' Pew-work
Elementary-School Students' Pew-work