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The unfolding of your words gives light... Psalm
119:13
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God's people from of old have always been people of the Book. In the times of Moses, God's people were taught to read the Scriptures daily. They would carry portions of the Scriptures in small containers, called frontlets, upon their hands and foreheads and would write the Scriptures upon the doorposts of their houses (Deuteronomy 6:1-9). In the times of Joshua, God's people were promised that if they kept the Scriptures in their constant thoughts, their ways would be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8). In the times of Israel's kings, those who would hear God's word regularly and follow in his ways would find prosperity (2 Samuel 7; 2 Kings 22-23 ).
We, too, in this New Year are seeking to read and understand the Bible more as a congregation. During our sermon time we are making our way through Genesis 1-11 and highlighting the key themes that are found in these chapters. The ideas of creation, sin, fall, redemption, promise, judgment, and common grace can be found in these chapters. These themes are a good introduction other miracle stories. We hope that many of you will join us for these Lenten lunches and also grow in Biblical understanding as a result.
There are other ways that we as a congregation are seeking to understand the Bible better. There are a number of Bible Studies that are meeting. The youth continue to meet Monday nights over at our house in North Wales and are studying 1 and 2 Samuel. Ben Coy and I lead this study. For the ladies there are two Bible Studies meeting. LAMPS continues to meet faithfully on Wednesday mornings and is led by Rev. Karen Gallagher. There is also a new Bible Study meeting on Saturday mornings. The Bethel Bible Study meets on Thursday night with Dr. Jack Rothenberger leading, attracting men and women of all ages. Of course, our Sunday School program continues to provide fresh ways to experience the text of Scripture. It is a joy as a pastor to hear that these Bible studies and classes are so well attended.
I hope that this year you, too, will enjoy increasing your Biblical to Genesis and are also a good introduction to the rest of literacy and rejoicing in their perfection, wisdom, the Bible.
During Lent we as pastors will be leading a Bible Study on Wednesdays during lunchtime in Fellowship Hall. We will be considering the different miracles of Jesus such as the feeding of the five thousand (Mark 6:30-44), the man with a shriveled hand (Matthew 12:9-13), the woman with bleeding (Luke 8:43-48), the man possessed with a demon (Mark 5:1-20), and a few and sweetness (Psalm 24: 7-10).
Happy Reading,
Rev. Dr. Drake Williams