Scripture
– Jeremiah 31:31-34
“The
days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the
people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of
Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,”
declares the Lord.
“This
is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,”
declares the Lord.
“I
will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their
God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or
say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the
least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their
wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Bob’s
thoughts:
We were
warmly welcomed when we came in and after. There was an interesting cross made
from a small tree, which we learned later is a wandering cross transferred
weekly to other churches in the area.
We
sat in the side alcove, which brought to mind that most Methodist churches have
this architecture and the few places I’ve seen in other denominations were
former Methodist buildings. Unfortunately, all the cute babies were in the main
part of the sanctuary.
I enjoyed
the sound from the dozen or so choir members and the lovely children’s choir.
The solo and as a group were understandable, pleasant, and cute.
Sometimes
I am surprised how a sermon relates to Scripture I have read recently, and
today’s was on “cutting” a new/additional covenant: passing between the sacrificed
animal split in two with the unspoken consequence of “if you don’t uphold your
part of the covenant, may you be split like this animal.”
I was
thankful we could talk with some members after the service and blessed to have
the opportunity to pray for a woman who had also lost a son. I wish we could
have spent some time with the pastor.
Jan’s
thoughts:
We
opted for a pew in the wing area off the sanctuary even while I wondered how
well we’d be able to see. As it turned out, we could see just fine.
We
were greeted often, beginning when we exited the truck, again when we entered
the building, by the folks we sat near, and others before, during, and after
the service.
I
noticed the very large cross crafted from rough branches and thought it was
appropriate that the prelude was “The Old Rugged Cross.” It was only after the
service that we learned this cross is in a different church in the area each
week during Lent, and there is actually a second one just like it because so
many churches wanted to participate. What a magnificent display of unity among
denominations.
The
choir sounded terrific together, and the children’s choir was enthusiastic with
their singing and hand motions.
The
sermon, “A New Covenant,” spoke of eschatology – the end times – and supersessionism
– a theological view that holds that the New Covenant has replaced or
superseded the Mosaic covenant. I was unsure where the pastor stood on the issue,
but his final statement was one with which I do agree: The End Times began with
the Resurrection of Christ.
We
enjoyed our conversation with several members after worship.
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord,
we pray Your church is listening for Your call and ready to step out in faith.
Amen.
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