A New message series
Dear First Pres SLO Family,
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, the one we know as the Word, whose life and ministry is revealed to us in God’s words. It is God’s self-revelation in the Bible that I want to write to you about today.
This Thursday evening we’ll begin a journey of discovery on how the Bible came to be. From the ways the Hebrew scriptures were passed down orally within families and communities, to the documents of the New Testament—their writing, sending, reading, and copying. We’ll look at what it means for God to reveal what we need to know about our creator and savior, and some of the debates about what that all means over time. In the end my hope is that your own reading and study of the Bible will be richer and more meaningful for you, and ultimately for our church community. Join us at 7pm each Thursday on Zoom, or watch anytime by finding the recording on the church website.
On Sunday I’m beginning a new message series called 20 Questions With Jesus, where each week we’ll look at a specific question that Jesus asks during his ministry. This is going to be fun and interesting. Jesus used questions to challenge, to comfort, to scold, and to teach—that’s some of what’s in store for us as we look at those questions.
What did those questions mean then? What was Jesus getting at? What can we learn when those questions are addressed to us now? See what I mean?
The new year and message series gives me a chance to start up the Bible in Community groups again. The Bible in Community groups take my preaching text for an upcoming Sunday and reflect on it with 8-10 people or so. I supply some general questions of my own, and someone from each group sends me the notes so I can use them as I prepare the messages. It’s a way of living into the way scripture was always meant to be read: in community, with brothers and sisters in Christ sharing their ideas and struggles and questions of their own.
For now, I know that the heatwave around us presents challenges of its own. Please stay safe and hydrated, and let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Looking forward to seeing you Sunday, for worship and for the BBQ after the service!
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John