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June 10th, 2018
“Choices and Consequences”
Sentence: So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor 4:18
Collect: We thank you, Creator God, for your vision for justice and wholeness for our world. May our choices promote that vision of justice, as we seek to transform our world to the wholeness you intend. Amen.
Readings: 1 Sam 8:4-11,16-20
2 Cor 4:13-5:1
Mark 3:20-35
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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK…
Today 10 June 8.00am Holy Communion
10.00am Holy Communion
Wednesday 13 June 10 00am Holy Communion
11.30am Family Fellowship
Friday 16 June 12 noon Midday Prayer & Meditation
Sunday 17 June 8.00am Holy Communion
10.00am Holy Communion
2.00pm Concert
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REGULAR EVENTS
Tuesday 9.30am Rhythm and Dance
Wednesday 6.00pm Community Meals on the first Wednesday of the month
Thursday 9.30am Selwyn Care
11.15am Choir Practice
12.30pm Community prayer
Friday 8.30am-noon Op-shop - Always needs good clothes
9.30am-noon Cuppa and chat
12 noon Midday Prayer followed by Silent Prayer
3pm-4.30pm KFCC (Kids Friday Church Club)
1st Saturday each month - Devonshire Teas, Carboot sales and Op-Shop open from 8.30am
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Tuesday 9.30am Rhythm and Dance
Wednesday 6.00pm Community Meals on the first Wednesday of the month
Thursday 9.30am Selwyn Care
11.15am Choir Practice
12.30pm Community prayer
Friday 8.30am-noon Op-shop - Always needs good clothes
9.30am-noon Cuppa and chat
12 noon Midday Prayer followed by Silent Prayer
3pm-4.30pm KFCC (Kids Friday Church Club)
1st Saturday each month - Devonshire Teas, Carboot sales and Op-Shop open from 8.30am
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Focus scripture: 1 Samuel 8:4–11, (12–15), 16–20
Samuel is now old, and his sons Joel and Abijah were, like Eli’s sons, corrupt. The people are again faced with the possibility that their leaders might “do what was right in their own eyes,” rather than promoting justice and compassion.
The Israelites were in an insecure position. The Philistines, invaders from across the sea, continued to be a threatening presence, as is seen in the ark narrative in the intervening chapters. The need for good leadership – for someone who could follow in the paths of Samuel – was pressing. Based on the model of the neighbouring kingdoms, the people demanded of Samuel that he appoint for them a king.
Samuel tries to make the people see reason, warning them about the consequences of kingship; the loss of young men and women to the service of the king; the confiscation of land, slaves, and livestock. In verse 8 God frames the rejection of the people as part of a larger pattern of divine rejection from the time they were freed from Egypt. Ironically, the description of the consequences of kingship mirrors the loss of freedom and rights that the people experienced in Egypt. The people persist, and God directs Samuel to listen to the people and to allow them their wish.
They chose the certainty of a king they could see rather than relying on the mysterious ways of a God they couldn’t see. Even in the face of so many examples of failed human leadership, holding on to what was seen and somehow known seemed the more secure option for the people. So, they chose a king.
Why do the people think a ruler like others is the answer?
When and why do we stop listening to God today?
Personal choices are directly related to our social or corporate responsibility to each other in community. In today’s focus story, the elders become complicit in this when they urge Samuel to anoint a king and ignore God’s warnings about the negative effects.
How might we participate in the oppression of others?
What actions can be taken personally and as church to bring about shalom, justice, and wholeness in your community?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Samuel is now old, and his sons Joel and Abijah were, like Eli’s sons, corrupt. The people are again faced with the possibility that their leaders might “do what was right in their own eyes,” rather than promoting justice and compassion.
The Israelites were in an insecure position. The Philistines, invaders from across the sea, continued to be a threatening presence, as is seen in the ark narrative in the intervening chapters. The need for good leadership – for someone who could follow in the paths of Samuel – was pressing. Based on the model of the neighbouring kingdoms, the people demanded of Samuel that he appoint for them a king.
Samuel tries to make the people see reason, warning them about the consequences of kingship; the loss of young men and women to the service of the king; the confiscation of land, slaves, and livestock. In verse 8 God frames the rejection of the people as part of a larger pattern of divine rejection from the time they were freed from Egypt. Ironically, the description of the consequences of kingship mirrors the loss of freedom and rights that the people experienced in Egypt. The people persist, and God directs Samuel to listen to the people and to allow them their wish.
They chose the certainty of a king they could see rather than relying on the mysterious ways of a God they couldn’t see. Even in the face of so many examples of failed human leadership, holding on to what was seen and somehow known seemed the more secure option for the people. So, they chose a king.
Why do the people think a ruler like others is the answer?
When and why do we stop listening to God today?
Personal choices are directly related to our social or corporate responsibility to each other in community. In today’s focus story, the elders become complicit in this when they urge Samuel to anoint a king and ignore God’s warnings about the negative effects.
How might we participate in the oppression of others?
What actions can be taken personally and as church to bring about shalom, justice, and wholeness in your community?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SPECIFIC PRAYERS THIS WEEK...
- Pray for the Selwyn Centre, leaders and helpers - Mary A, Lance, Carole, Barbara, Janice, Penny, Nereida, Jean and Paula and for all the participants.
- Pray for comfort and healing for all who are unwell. We think of Margaret and Tom, Win, Jennie, John, Shirley and others that we know. May God bless them and give them peace.
- Pray for those who mourn a loved one especially the Busby family.
- One of the saddest thing happening among people seeking refuge in other countries are the children who are separated from their families. Please pray for these children and their families that they would be able to be reconnected again.
- Pray for the people of Guatemala who are affected by the volcano that is still erupting. Pray for those who are injured and the people who are still missing members of their families. Pray for the helpers trying to find people and deal with hurt and grieving families.