The Beautiful Irony Of The Cross
When God Was Numbered With the Transgressors
When God Was Numbered With the Transgressors
Read the whole article at The Beautiful Irony of the Cross - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
In any of the crucifixion narratives in the Gospels, the character that intrigues me most is Pontius Pilate. In many ways, he’s often cast as the villain of the story. He’s the Claude Frollo in this classic tale, with the quiet, unassuming Jesus, of course, standing as our consummate hero. But when you examine Pilate’s activity within the accounts of Jesus’s execution, he’s far more of a complicated figure than we like to remember. Especially according………………………
![[Sunday] We Want a King - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1682700535005-5MM2PLA1M9G3CWUIFGZR/R%26F3a.jpg)
[Sunday] We Want a King - Rise & Fall
The cry, “We want a king” comes when all seems lost. When enemies are at the gates, when leaders seem corrupt and inept, they cried for a king like all the other nations. But even though they reject God with this cry, He still sees them and never leaves their side.
The cry, “We want a king” comes when all seems lost. When enemies are at the gates, when leaders seem corrupt and inept, they cried for a king like all the other nations. But even though they reject God with this cry, He still sees them and never leaves their side.
Questions This Week
Recommended Reading 1 Sameul Chapters 8 thru 11
Describe a time you felt “unseen.” What did you do to try and be seen?
Read 1 Samuel 8. Why does God give his people a king?
Read 1 Samuel 9-10. What do you find most surprising about the story of Saul chosen to be king?
Jesus comes and “sees” people. How does being “seen” and noticed by God who cares about you bring you peace?
Bible Study for Sundays Chapters7-12
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![A June Mets Game [Photos]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1752198727255-RW7CQYV6TH5ADZ2NT8WB/IMG_2638.jpg)
![[Sunday] July 6 - Who is the Beloved? - Christ in the Psalms](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1751648088877-RHR8B8T4M71WDD60X315/2.jpg)
![[Sunday] June 29 Christ in the Psalms The Gift That Keeps On Giving](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1751038491595-3TO5P50WP7Q9WBH6WPCH/2.png)
![[Sunday] Who is the King of Glory - Christ in the Psalms](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1750268103162-AZ75T8PGHYOBHXHGDGLG/1.jpg)
![[Sunday] Joy Comes In The Morning - Christ in the Psalms](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1749737432576-MPNDC04BW8XXTV08ROH3/1.jpg)
Crab Racing! April 23'
The Racing Crabs are Coming! May 28th 23’
The racing Craps are coming to Grace May 28th 2023
The Urgent Hope of Unreasonable Mercy (Video)
The grace of God does not wait to be invited by those it comes to save.
The grace of God does not wait to be invited by those it comes to save.
David Zahl talk from the January Mbird Orlando Conference:
![[Sunday] Pattern of Eli - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1681912627792-V7VCDGRLRH33HCDDYSGN/R%26F2a.jpg)
[Sunday] Pattern of Eli - Rise & Fall
Eli is the head priest for the nation of Israel, but his reflection in the world, his sons, show an awful pattern. This is a pattern that extends beyond his family to fundamental issues with all of humanity, which caused the downfall of so many in the Bible and even still today. When pride and using God to your own advantage cause you to lose everything, we probably won't find salvation in anything we do.
Eli is the head priest for the nation of Israel, but his reflection in the world, his sons, show an awful pattern. This is a pattern that extends beyond his family to fundamental issues with all of humanity, which caused the downfall of so many in the Bible and even still today. When pride and using God to your own advantage cause you to lose everything, we probably won't find salvation in anything we do.
Questions This Week
Recommended Reading 1 Samuel 2:11-Chapter 7
Where have you used God’s name to advance your own agenda?
Read 1 Samuel 4:1-11. What do the son’s of Eli hope to accomplish by using the ark of God? What happens? What do you learn from this?
Read 1 Samuel 5:1-12. What happens in the temple of Dagon? What does this teach us about the Israelite’s God?
Read 1 Samuel 7:5-14. What happens when the Israelites return to God? What lesson do you learn?
Bible Study for Sundays Chapters3-6
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Zeal In The Way - Missio Dei Part 4](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1752278147934-JOT5HNNFKQO2MQ2AX8V1/Missieo+4+Week+1a.jpg)
The Light has Come To Stay
The resurrection rips through all of my intellectual questions.
Read whole article at The Light Has Come to Stay - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
This reflection originally appeared in Daily Grace: The Mockingbird Devotional, Vol. 2.
“But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:17-18)
There is a local legend of a preacher in Jackson, Mississippi. He stood up to offer a word on Easter Sunday, simply leaned into the mic and said, “It’s all true,” then sat down. I have heard people tell this story two ways. Some people talk about that minister like he was a lazy so-and-so with little regard for the pageantry of Easter. Such a day demands a well thought-out sermon befitting the hats, lilies, and plastic eggs! And then there are the people…………..
![[Sunday] Hannah's Pattern - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1681478390671-978SXY58VLMTNRU7ERUD/R%26F1a.jpg)
[Sunday] Hannah's Pattern - Rise & Fall
Hannah is a mess. She is made fun of constantly, and to top it off, she cannot have children. She is even disrespected by the priest while trying to pray. But suddenly we see a pattern emerge that sings of the God who remembers the humble.
Hannah is a mess. She is made fun of constantly, and to top it off, she cannot have children. She is even disrespected by the priest while trying to pray. But suddenly we see a pattern emerge that sings of the God who remembers the humble.
Questions This Week
When is a time when you’ve experienced great anxiety, vexation, or trouble because someone was making fun of a weakness of yours?
Read 1 Samuel 2:1-10. What does Hannah experience in the midst of her weakness and lowliness?
What other stories in the Bible does Hannah’s story remind you of? How do you see the pattern of God’s kingdom working in these stories?
Jesus was lowly on the cross. How does this change how you relate to others?
Bible Study for Sundays Chapters
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Rise & Fall - Saul and David in Samuel (Teaching Series)
In a world where chaos has reigned, the people cry for the rule of a king, a king who will raise them into a bigger and brighter existence. However, as pride and the desire for power rise, so, too, come the falls.
In a world where chaos has reigned, the people cry for the rule of a king, a king who will raise them into a bigger and brighter existence. However, as pride and the desire for power rise, so, too, come the falls.
Reading Plan
The readings for Sunday
4/16/23
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Romans 9:1-5
Mark 13:1-8
4/23/23
1 Samuel 5:1-12
Romans 9:6-15
Luke 18:35-43
4/30/23
1 Samuel 8:19-22, 9:15-21
Romans 9:16-24
Matthew 21:6-11
5/7/23
1 Samuel 13:8-15
Romans 9:24-29
Matthew 23:13-17
5/14/23
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Romans 9:30 - 10:4
Matthew 18:1-5
5/21/23
1 Samuel 24:1-12
Romans 10:5-13
Luke 6:32-36
5/28/23
2 Samuel 1:1-6
Romans 10:14-21
Matthew 14:13-21
6/4/23
2 Samuel 7:8-16
Romans 11:1-10
Matthew 22:41-46
6/11/23
2 Samuel 12;1-13
Romans 11:17-24
Matthew 20:29-34
6/18/23
2 Samuel 18:31-19:2
Romans 11:25-36
Matthew 24:1-8
6/25/23
2 Samuel 24:10-17
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 24:36-42
![[Sunday] David A Christmas Story - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1687535722967-8EUQBADIS4B4SJ20FKTP/R%26F11a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Grief - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1686834314419-MWSO75K85R6ZTSH6GEP6/R%26F10a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Bathsheba- Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1686320525961-SEJ40E4CQS8HCO3U523K/R%26F9a.jpg)
![[Sunday] House - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1685664450071-S7IZYOOLH9QR917HR6K1/R%26F8a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Future - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1685052434626-73KV9KG1818C0GGGHUCV/R%26F7a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Projection - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1684454086617-K5FFBWTSMHE2SCYW7AKP/R%26F6a.jpg)
![[Sunday] David & Goliath - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1683820778726-WFX3YS6PSAAD9G3Y5GZP/R%26F5a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Fickle King - Rise & Fall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1683248946896-A2ANLKFVMK3GZUFR2ZH1/R%26F4a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Easter - The Way](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1680725834707-BIIP0Y3OAE93OLBUY6HR/The+Way+8a.jpg)
[Sunday] Easter - The Way
It’s still dark, but she goes to check on the tomb. Fear strikes her heart as she sees the stone is rolled away! Has this weekend possibly just gotten worse? As she lies weeping at a situation that is beyond repair, the gardener of the sun, moon, and stars, who cultivated everything in 7 days, whispers joy of new creation in the form of her name, "Mary."
It’s still dark, but she goes to check on the tomb. Fear strikes her heart as she sees the stone is rolled away! Has this weekend possibly just gotten worse? As she lies weeping at a situation that is beyond repair, the gardener of the sun, moon, and stars, who cultivated everything in 7 days, whispers joy of new creation in the form of her name, "Mary."
Questions This Week
Describe a time in the midst of sadness and confusion, when you knew everything was going to be ok?
Read John 20:1-18. What confusion is described? When does Mary know all things are being made right?
How does the resurrection of Jesus give you peace to know all things will be made right today?
April 1 - Clean Up: 9:00 AM for cleaning inside the buildings and outdoor chapel area.
April 2 - Palm Sunday: 8:30 AM & 10:15 AM (10:15 AM will be livestreamed)
April 6 - Maundy Thursday: Communion Service at 12:00 - Noonish…..
Maundy Thursday: Seder meal at various locations. Please sign up today!
April 7 - Good Friday: 12:00 (Noon) and 7:00 PM
(Live Stream at 7pm )
April 9 -Easter Sunday: 6:45 AM (outside), 8:30 AM & 10:15 AM
(10:15 AM will be livestreamed)
Easter Breakfast & Fellowship: starts after Sunrise Service (7:45ish) serving will end at 10:15 AM Egg Hunt at 9:55 AM
Wednesday Series
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Good Friday - The Cup - The Way
Good Friday service. The Cup
This Top Video is the Original on Vimeo.com.
It will be the best.
Here is the YouTube Link.
Also Good But Different
Good Friday Services at Noon and 7PM
April 2 - Palm Sunday: 8:30 AM & 10:15 AM (10:15 AM will be livestreamed)
April 6 - Maundy Thursday: Communion Service at 12:00 - Noonish…..
Maundy Thursday: Seder meal at various locations. Please sign up today!
April 7 - Good Friday: 12:00 (Noon) and 7:00 PM
(Live Stream at 7pm )
April 9 -Easter Sunday: 6:45 AM (outside), 8:30 AM & 10:15 AM
(10:15 AM will be livestreamed)
Easter Breakfast & Fellowship: starts after Sunrise Service (7:45ish) serving will end at 10:15 AM Egg Hunt at 9:55 AM
Wednesday Series
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Seder Meal Photos 23'
We had a great time remembering the Last Supper. The Passover meal of Freedom.
Thanks to all that hosted and came to the Seder meal.
The Transfiguration in the Garden of Gethsemane
In the garden, Jesus is confronted by two opposing wills that act in a hideous union.
Read the whole article at The Transfiguration in the Garden of Gethsemane - Mockingbird (mbird.com)
Every year during Passover week, Jerusalem would be filled with approximately 200,000 Jewish pilgrims. Nearly all of them, like Jesus and his friends and family, would’ve been poor. Throughout that holy week, these hundreds of thousands of pilgrims would gather at table and temple and they would remember. They would remember how they’d once suffered bondage under another empire, and how God had heard their outrage and sent someone to save them.
They would remember how God had promised them, “I will be your God and you will be my People.” Always.
They would remember how with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm God had delivered them from a Caesar called Pharaoh. Passover was a political powder keg, so every year Pontius Pilate would do his damnedest to keep Passover in the past tense. At the beginning of Passover week, Pilate would journey from his seaport home in the west to Jerusalem, escorted by a military triumph, a shock-and-awe storm-trooping parade of horses and chariots and troops armed to the teeth and prisoners bound hand and foot. All of it led by imperial banners that dared as much as declared “Caesar is Lord.”
So when Jesus, at the………………………..
Spring Clean up Day at Grace
Thanks for the Deep Clean!
Big Thanks to all that came and cleaned.
Big Thanks to our friends at the Korean Church!
![[Sunday] Power - The Way](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1680273080629-XCV03Y9J57O6AZ9Q0D3X/The+Way+7a.jpg)
[Sunday] Power - The Way
God created the world and gave us dominion over it. However, we do not always use that dominion in a beneficial way, using too much sometimes, while other times not enough. Even Peter struggles to get this right, but Jesus still loves him to the end.
God created the world and gave us dominion over it. However, we do not always use that dominion in a beneficial way, using too much sometimes, while other times not enough. Even Peter struggles to get this right, but Jesus still loves him to the end.
Questions This Week
Where have you seen power misused in our world?
Read John 18:1-11. Who are the major people in this reading that misuse the power, and how do they misuse power?
In the midst of the misuse of power, how does Jesus respond? How does Jesus’ sacrificial love show us a different use of power? Read John 13:34.
Jesus loves you to the end. How has he freed you to live?
April 1 - Clean Up: 9:00 AM for cleaning inside the buildings and outdoor chapel area.
April 2 - Palm Sunday: 8:30 AM & 10:15 AM (10:15 AM will be livestreamed)
April 6 - Maundy Thursday: Communion Service at 12:00 - Noonish…..
Maundy Thursday: Seder meal at various locations. Please sign up today!
April 7 - Good Friday: 12:00 (Noon) and 7:00 PM
(Live Stream at 7pm )
April 9 -Easter Sunday: 6:45 AM (outside), 8:30 AM & 10:15 AM
(10:15 AM will be livestreamed)
Easter Breakfast & Fellowship: starts after Sunrise Service (7:45ish) serving will end at 10:15 AM Egg Hunt at 9:55 AM
Wednesday Series
What Had happened at Grace this week.
While our fervent passions can inadvertently get in the way, God's relentless love empowers us to join His expansive mission, extending grace to all.