Scripture Passages of the Week
Exodus 12:1-3, 6-8, 11-14
The First Passover Instituted
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household.
You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgements: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.
Matthew 18:15-20
Reproving Another Who Sins
‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’
Reflection of the Week
This week, our series “Keys to Survival” series will focus on Honesty. Though we will touch on the Exodus story of Passover, our primary focus will be on Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18 on the importance of speaking the truth in love to one another, even when this is most challenging to do.
Jesus invites us to consider how do we resolve our interpersonal conflicts? Do we get things out in the open? Do we avoid conflict at all costs? Especially during stressful times, it’s vital to learn Jesus’ way of addressing our differences while remaining committed to one another in God’s love!
Service Highlights for this Sunday
This Sunday, we partake in Holy Communion during our video worship. Prepare your bread and cup at home!
Cheri Smith and I welcome you to celebrate Drive-thru Communion in the Wagner parking lot from 11 am until 12 pm. We are excited to be offering Sarah Brazer’s homemade bread once again!
Gather worship service is back! Come check out our virtual Gather(ing) via Zoom on Wednesdays at 7 pm. We would LOVE to see you there. Come ready to discuss our scripture passage and raise our voices in song! If you would like the Zoom link, please sign up here.
Sign up to for the Gather Zoom meeting information here.
Peace and Health,
Pastor James
