Life@First Congregational 1/28/09
Published: Wed, 01/28/09
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Volume 8, Number 2 January 28, 2009 |
Loving God, Loving Others, Serving the World|
Big House is This Week!  This Friday is Big House! What is Big House? Check out
this video. It is an opportunity for all the neighborhood kids and
their families to get together for fun and worship. Join us at 6:00
for dinner and 7:00 for Big House!
Going Green Series
Next Sunday, February 1st at 12 noon, Compassion in Action, an 11 minute film on a Buddhist community with a mission to save trees, will be shown in the parlor. You can watch a preview here. There will be a discussion afterwards with those who can stay. |
This Week's Message This week was the first sermon in a series on "Encountering Christ." This week we looked at Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus and the invitation offered to this devout religious man to see God in a whole new way. You can listen here Next Week's Message
This coming Sunday, we will talk about Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well and hear his invitation to drink of the living water. We will also accept Jesus' invitation to come to the table as we share in communion together. | |
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Rev. Kent Siladi Preaching February 8th 
Rev. Kent Siladi, conference minister for the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ will be sharing a message with us during worship on Sunday, February 8th. Rev. Siladi is a dynamic speaker with a heart for ministry and leadership, and a desire to see our churches live and proclaim the Gospel in Florida. We encourage you to be here for this very special event! On Being "Born Again"  "Jesus answered him, "~Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.'" John 3:3 (NRSV)
It's a phrase that can also be translated "born anew" or "born again." It's a powerful statement isn't it? It evokes something from us, as it obviously did from Nicodemus.
Perhaps it pushes our button because we have had someone point a finger at us, literally or figuratively, and told us that we "must be born again." It is important to remember that long before the phrase was co-opted by the religious right, it was an invitation of Jesus. Yes, Jesus said we must be born again, but only if we want to see the Realm of God, see things the way God sees them. If I am happy to see things the way I already do, I need not be born again.
For Nicodemus and, I have to admit, for me, it is a bit off-putting that Jesus would say that I need to be born again, that there are things in me that need to die so that I can experience new life. I mean, I am pretty religiously and somewhat spiritually adept. I am a religious insider. God is my co-pilot and all that stuff. And yet, Jesus says to me "Jason, if you want to see the Kingdom of God, you must be born again."
It's not a guilt trip. It is an opportunity. May God give me the grace to respond.
Peace,
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 For archive of previous editions, click here. |
This Week's Opportunities
Thursday 1/29 6:00 PM Big House Rehearsal
Sanctuary
6:30 PM Bingo! Studebaker Hall
Friday 1/30
6:00 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Big House!
(No Meditation and More this week)
Sunday 2/1
10:30 AM Sunday Worship,
"Encounters with Christ:
the Woman at the Well"
12:00 PM Going Green Series
Monday 2/2
7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal,
Sanctuary
Meditation,
Church Parlor
Tuesday 2/3
10:00 AM Meditation,
Church Parlor
Wednesday 2/4
5:30 PM Outflow
Church Parlor
Thursday 2/5
10:00 AM Bible Study
Gospel of John
Church Parlor
6:30 PM Bingo, Fellowship Hall
Big House Rehearsal,
Sanctuary
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