While the Bible is certainly full of the ideas of abundance and overflowing waters, the idea of the wilderness in the Bible also has a long tradition. God does not just speak to people through “milk and honey” or gallons of wine, but sometimes the most significant encounters happen in places of wilderness-emptiness-scarcity. And so, over the remaining 2 weeks we will explore Biblical passages about the wilderness as we also look for God’s presence in the wilderness areas of our lives.
March 6th // Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 // Prodigal Son
The wilderness can also be isolation from others and ourselves… the story of the prodigal son reminds us how God responds to that with love and grace and acceptance.
Scripture Text: Luke 15:1 The tax-collectors and sinners kept gathering around to hear Yeshua, 2 and the P’rushim and Torah-teachers kept grumbling. “This fellow,” they said, “welcomes sinners — he even eats with them!” 3 So he told them this parable:
11 Again Yeshua said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that will be mine.’ So the father divided the property between them. 13 As soon as he could convert his share into cash, the younger son left home and went off to a distant country, where he squandered his money in reckless living. 14 But after he had spent it all, a severe famine arose throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch.
15 “So he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him any.
17 “At last he came to his senses and said, ‘Any number of my father’s hired workers have food to spare; and here I am, starving to death! 18 I’m going to get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired workers.” ’ 20 So he got up and started back to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him warmly. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son — ’ 22 but his father said to his slaves, ‘Quick, bring out a robe, the best one, and put it on him; and put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet; 23 and bring the calf that has been fattened up, and kill it. Let’s eat and have a celebration! 24 For this son of mine was dead, but now he’s alive again! He was lost, but now he has been found!’ And they began celebrating.
25 “Now his older son was in the field. As he came close to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked, ‘What’s going on?’ 27 The servant told him, ‘Your brother has come back, and your father has slaughtered the calf that was fattened up, because he has gotten him back safe and sound.’ 28 But the older son became angry and refused to go inside.
“So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 ‘Look,’ the son answered, ‘I have worked for you all these years, and I have never disobeyed your orders. But you have never even given me a young goat, so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30 Yet this son of yours comes, who squandered your property with prostitutes, and for him you slaughter the fattened calf!’ 31 ‘Son, you are always with me,’ said the father, ‘and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead but has come back to life — he was lost but has been found.’”
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Verse 3
[3] And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
He spake — Three parables of the same import: for the sheep, the piece of silver, and the lost son, all declare (in direct contrariety to the Pharisees and scribes) in what manner God receiveth sinners.
Verse 12
[12] And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
Give me the part of goods that falleth to me — See the root of all sin! A desire of disposing of ourselves; of independency on God!
Verse 13
[13] And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
He took a journey into a far country — Far from God: God was not in all his thoughts: And squandered away his substance - All the grace he had received.
Verse 14
[14] And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
He began to be in want — All his worldly pleasures failing, he grew conscious of his want of real good.
Verse 15
[15] And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
And he joined himself to a citizen of that country — Either the devil or one of his children, the genuine citizens of that country which is far from God.
He sent him to feed swine — He employed him in the base drudgery of sin.
Verse 16
[16] And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
He would fain have filled his belly with the husks — He would fain have satisfied himself with worldly comforts. Vain, fruitless endeavour!
Verse 17
[17] And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
And coming to himself — For till then he was beside himself, as all men are, so long as they are without God in the world.
Verse 18
[18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
I will arise and go to my father — How accurately are the first steps of true repentance here pointed out! Against Heaven - Against God.
Verse 20
[20] And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
And he arose and came to his father — The moment he had resolved, he began to execute his resolution.
While he was yet a great way off, his father saw him — Returning, starved, naked.
Verse 22
[22] But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
But the father said — Interrupting him before he had finished what he intended to say. So does God frequently cut an earnest confession short by a display of his pardoning love.
Verse 23
[23] And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Let us be merry — Both here, and wherever else this word occurs, whether in the Old or New Testament, it implies nothing of levity, but a solid, serious, religious, heartfelt joy: indeed this was the ordinary meaning of the word two hundred years ago, when our translation was made.
Verse 25
[25] Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
The elder son seems to represent the Pharisees and scribes, mentioned Luke 15:2.
Verse 27
[27] And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
Thy father hath killed the fatted calf — Perhaps he mentions this rather than the robe or ring, as having a nearer connection with the music and dancing.
Verse 28
[28] And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
He was angry, and would not go in — How natural to us is this kind of resentment!
Verse 29
[29] And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
Lo, so many years do I serve thee — So he was one of the instances mentioned Luke 15:7. How admirably therefore does this parable confirm that assertion! Yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends - Perhaps God does not usually give much joy to those who never felt the sorrows of repentance.
Verse 31
[31] And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine — This suggests a strong reason against murmuring at the indulgence shown to the greatest of sinners. As the father's receiving the younger son did not cause him to disinherit the elder; so God's receiving notorious sinners will be no loss to those who have always served him; neither will he raise these to a state of glory equal to that of those who have always served him, if they have, upon the whole, made a greater progress in inward as well as outward holiness.
Verse 32
[32] It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
This thy brother was dead, and is alive — A thousand of these delicate touches in the inspired writings escape an inattentive reader. In Luke 15:30, the elder son had unkindly and indecently said, This thy son. The father in his reply mildly reproves him, and tenderly says, This thy brother - Amazing intimation, that the best of men ought to account the worst sinners their brethren still; and should especially remember this relation, when they show any inclination to return. Our Lord in this whole parable shows, not only that the Jews had no cause to murmur at the reception of the Gentiles, (a point which did not at that time so directly fall under consideration,) but that if the Pharisees were indeed as good as they fancied themselves to be, still they had no reason to murmur at the kind treatment of any sincere penitent. Thus does he condemn them, even on their own principles, and so leaves them without excuse. We have in this parable a lively emblem of the condition and behaviour of sinners in their natural state. Thus, when enriched by the bounty of the great common Father, do they ungratefully run from him, Luke 15:12. Sensual pleasures are eagerly pursued, till they have squandered away all the grace of God, Luke 15:13. And while these continue, not a serious thought of God can find a place in their minds. And even when afflictions come upon them, Luke 15:14, still they will make hard shifts before they will let the grace of God, concurring with his providence, persuade them to think of a return, Luke 15:15,16. When they see themselves naked, indigent, and undone, then they recover the exercise of their reason, Luke 15:17. Then they remember the blessings they have thrown away, and attend to the misery they have incurred. And hereupon they resolve to return to their father, and put the resolution immediately in practice, Luke 15:18,19. Behold with wonder and pleasure the gracious reception they find from Divine, injured goodness! When such a prodigal comes to his father, he sees him afar off, Luke 15:20. He pities, meets, embraces him, and interrupts his acknowledgments with the tokens of his returning favour, Luke 15:21. He arrays him with the robe of a Redeemer's righteousness, with inward and outward holiness; adorns him with all his sanctifying graces, and honours him with the tokens of adopting love, Luke 15:22. And all this he does with unutterable delight, in that he who was lost is now found, Luke 15:23,24. Let no elder brother murmur at this indulgence, but rather welcome the prodigal back into the family. And let those who have been thus received, wander no more, but emulate the strictest piety of those who for many years have served their heavenly Father, and not transgressed his commandments.
March 13th // John 12:1-8 // Preparing for the Wilderness of DeathMary anoints Jesus for his death in this passage… we now prepare for Holy Week.
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While the Bible is certainly full of the ideas of abundance and overflowing waters, the idea of the wilderness in the Bible also has a long tradition. God does not just speak to people through “milk and honey” or gallons of wine, but sometimes the most significant encounters happen in places of wilderness-emptiness-scarcity. And so, over the remaining 3 weeks we will explore Biblical passages about the wilderness as we also look for God’s presence in the wilderness areas of our lives.
February 28th // Exodus 16:1-5, 13-16 // Fed in the Wilderness
This week the Israelites learn what it is to be fed in the wilderness… they don't receive an abundance but this time they receive enough. What is the spiritual value of enough or daily bread?
Scripture Text: Exodus 16:1 They traveled on from Eilim, and the whole community of the people of Isra’el arrived at the Seen Desert, between Eilim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after leaving the land of Egypt. 2 There in the desert the whole community of the people of Isra’el grumbled against Moshe and Aharon. 3 The people of Isra’el said to them, “We wish Adonai had used his own hand to kill us off in Egypt! There we used to sit around the pots with the meat boiling, and we had as much food as we wanted. But you have taken us out into this desert to let this whole assembly starve to death!”
4 Adonai said to Moshe, “Here, I will cause bread to rain down from heaven for you. The people are to go out and gather a day’s ration every day. By this I will test whether they will observe my Torah or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they have brought in, it will turn out to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”
13 That evening, quails came up and covered the camp; while in the morning there was a layer of dew all around the camp. 14 When the dew had evaporated, there on the surface of the desert was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 When the people of Isra’el saw it, they asked each other, “Man hu? [What is it?]” because they didn’t know what it was. Moshe answered them, “It is the bread which Adonai has given you to eat. 16 Here is what Adonai has ordered: each man is to gather according to his appetite — each is to take an ‘omer [two quarts] per person for everyone in his tent.”
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 16:1-5, 13-16
Verse 1
[1] And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.
A month's provision, it seems, the host of Israel took with them out of Egypt, when they came thence on the 15th day of the first month, which, by the 15th day of the second month, was all spent.
Verse 2
[2] And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
Then the whole congregation murmured against Moses and Aaron — God's viceregents among them.
Verse 3
[3] And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
They so undervalue their deliverance, that they wish, they had died in Egypt, nay, and died by the hand of the Lord too. That is, by some of the plagues which cut off the Egyptians; as if it were not the hand of the Lord, but of Moses only, that brought them into this wilderness. 'Tis common for people to say of that pain, or sickness, which they see not second causes of, It is what pleaseth God, as if that were not so likewise which comes by the hand of man, or some visible accident. We cannot suppose they had any great plenty in Egypt, how largely soever they now talk of the flesh-pots, nor could they fear dying for want in the wilderness while they had their flocks and herds with them; but discontent magnifies what is past, and vilifies what is present, without regard to truth or reason. None talk more absurdly than murmurers.
Verse 4
[4] Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
Man being made out of the earth, his Maker has wisely ordered him food out of the earth, Psalms 104:14. But the people of Israel typifying the church of the first-born that are written in heaven, receiving their charters, laws and commissions from heaven, from heaven also they received their food. See what God designed in making this provision for them, that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law or no - Whether they will trust me, and whether they would serve him, and be ever faithful to so good a master.
Verse 5
[5] And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.
They shall prepare — Lay up, grind, bake or boil.
Verse 13
[13] And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.
The quails came up, and covered the camp — So tame that they might take up as many of them as they pleased. Next morning he rained manna upon them, which was to be continued to them for their daily bread.
Verse 15
[15] And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.
What is this? Manna descended from the clouds. It came down in dew melted, and yet was itself of such a consistency as to serve for nourishing strengthening food, without any thing else: It was pleasant food; the Jews say it was palatable to all, according as their tastes were. It was wholesome food, light of digestion. By this spare and plain diet we are all taught a lesson of temperance, and forbidden to desire dainties and varieties.
Verse 16
[16] This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.
An omer — The tenth part of an Ephah: Near six pints, wine-measure.
March 6th // Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 // Prodigal SonThe wilderness can also be isolation from others and ourselves… the story of the prodigal son reminds us how God responds to that with love and grace and acceptance.
March 13th // John 12:1-8 // Preparing for the Wilderness of Death
Mary anoints Jesus for his death in this passage… we now prepare for Holy Week.
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While the Bible is certainly full of the ideas of abundance and overflowing waters, the idea of the wilderness in the Bible also has a long tradition. God does not just speak to people through “milk and honey” or gallons of wine, but sometimes the most significant encounters happen in places of wilderness-emptiness-scarcity. And so, over the remaining 4 weeks we will explore Biblical passages about the wilderness as we also look for God’s presence in the wilderness areas of our lives.
February 21st // 1st Kings 19:3-13 // The Unchosen Wilderness
Sometimes we don't choose the wilderness... and neither does God.
Scripture Text: 1st Kings 19:3 On seeing that, he got up and fled for his life.
When he arrived in Be’er-Sheva, in Y’hudah, he left his servant there; 4 but he himself went a day farther into the desert, until he came to a broom tree. He sat down under it and prayed for his own death. “Enough!” he said. “Now, Adonai, take my life. I’m no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the broom tree and went to sleep. Suddenly, an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat!” 6 He looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on the hot stones and a jug of water. He ate and drank, then lay down again. 7 The angel came again, a second time, touched him and said, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” 8 He got up, ate and drank, and, on the strength of that meal, traveled forty days and nights until he reached Horev the mountain of God.
9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. Then the word of Adonai came to him; he said to him, “What are you doing here, Eliyahu?” 10 He answered, “I have been very zealous for Adonai the God of armies, because the people of Isra’el have abandoned your covenant, broken down your altars and killed your prophets with the sword. Now I’m the only one left, and they’re coming after me to kill me too.” 11 He said, “Go outside, and stand on the mountain before Adonai”; and right then and there, Adonai went past. A mighty blast of wind tore the mountains apart and broke the rocks in pieces before Adonai, but Adonai was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake, but Adonai was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake, fire broke out; but Adonai was not in the fire. And after the fire came a quiet, subdued voice. 13 When Eliyahu heard it, he covered his face with his cloak, stepped out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Then a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Eliyahu?”
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for 1st Kings 19:3-13
Verse 3
[3] And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
Left his servant — Because he would not expose him to those perils and hardships which he expected: and because he desired solitude, that he might more freely converse with God.
Verse 4
[4] But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
Into the wilderness — The vast wilderness of Arabia. He durst not stay in Judah, tho' good Jehosaphat reigned there, because he was allied to Ahab, and was a man of an easy temper, whom Ahab might circumvent, and either by force or art seize upon Elijah.
It is enough — I have lived long enough for thy service, and am not like to do thee any more service; neither my words nor works are like to do any good upon these unstable and incorrigible people.
I am not better — That I should continue in life, when other prophets who have gone before me, have lost their lives.
Verse 7
[7] And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
Angel of the Lord, … — He needed not to complain of the unkindness of men, when it was thus made up by the ministration of angels. Wherever God's children are, they are still under their father's eye.
Verse 8
[8] And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
And went — He wandered hither and thither for forty days, 'till at last he came to Horeb, which in the direct road was not above three or four days journey. Thither the spirit of the Lord led him, probably beyond his own intention, that he might have communion with God, in the same place that Moses had.
Verse 9
[9] And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
Unto a cave — Perhaps the same wherein Moses was hid when the Lord passed before him, and proclaimed his name.
Verse 10
[10] And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
I have been, … — I have executed my office with zeal for God's honour, and with the hazard of my own life, and am fled hither, not being able to endure to see the dishonour done to thy name by their obstinate idolatry and wickedness.
I only — Of all thy prophets, who boldly and publickly plead thy cause: for the rest of thy prophets who are not slain, hide themselves, and dare not appear to do thee any service.
They seek my life — I despair of doing them any good: for instead of receiving my testimony, they hunt for my life. It does by no means appear, that he was at all to blame, for fleeing from Jezebel. If they persecute you in one city flee into another. Besides, the angels feeding and preparing him for his journey, and the peculiar blessing of God upon that food, indicated the divine approbation.
Verse 11
[11] And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
And behold — This is a general description of the thing, after which the manner of it is particularly explained.
Strong wind — Whereby he both prepares Elijah to receive this discovery of God with greatest humility, reverence, and godly fear; and signifies his irresistible power, to break the hardest hearts of the Israelites, and to bear down all opposition that was or should be made against him in the discharge of his office.
The Lord was not — The Lord did not vouchsafe his special and gracious presence to Elijah in that wind, which possibly was to teach him not to wonder if God did not accompany his terrible administration at mount Carmel with the presence of his grace, to turn the hearts of the Israelites to himself.
Verse 12
[12] And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
A still voice — To intimate, that God would do his work in and for Israel in his own time, not by might or power, but by his own spirit, Zechariah 4:6, which moves with a powerful, but yet with a sweet and gentle gale.
Verse 13
[13] And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
He wrapped, … — Through dread of God's presence, being sensibly that he was neither worthy nor able to endure the sight of God with open face.
And stood, … — Which God commanded him to do; and as he was going towards the mouth of the cave, he was affrighted and stopped in his course, by the dreadful wind, and earthquake, and fire; when these were past, he prosecutes his journey, and goeth on to the mouth of the cave.
February 28th // Exodus 16:1-5, 13-16 // Fed in the WildernessThis week the Israelites learn what it is to be fed in the wilderness… they don't receive an abundance but this time they receive enough. What is the spiritual value of enough or daily bread?
March 6th // Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 // Prodigal Son
The wilderness can also be isolation from others and ourselves… the story of the prodigal son reminds us how God responds to that with love and grace and acceptance.
March 13th // John 12:1-8 // Preparing for the Wilderness of Death
Mary anoints Jesus for his death in this passage… we now prepare for Holy Week.
---------------------
While the Bible is certainly full of the ideas of abundance and overflowing waters, the idea of the wilderness in the Bible also has a long tradition. God does not just speak to people through “milk and honey” or gallons of wine, but sometimes the most significant encounters happen in places of wilderness-emptiness-scarcity. And so, over the next 5 weeks we will explore Biblical passages about the wilderness as we also look for God’s presence in the wilderness areas of our lives.
February 14th // Luke 4:1-2 // The Sacred Wilderness
The beginning of Lent traditionally starts with this passage… a story of how God led Jesus into the wilderness. We perhaps understand the Spirit blessing Jesus at his baptism, at a place of abundant water, but why does it lead him into the wilderness? What can we learn from the deserted and empty places like wilderness?
Scripture Text: Luke 4:1 Then Yeshua, filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, returned from the Yarden and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days of testing by the Adversary. During that time he ate nothing, and afterwards he was hungry.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Luke 4:1-2
February 21st // 2nd Corinthians 25-30 // Wilderness reveals where I need God
Paul says of his time in the wilderness, that it was good. But it was good solely because it revealed his weakness.
February 28th // Exodus 16:1-5, 13-16 // Fed in the Wilderness
This week the Israelites learn what it is to be fed in the wilderness… they don't receive an abundance but this time they receive enough. What is the spiritual value of enough or daily bread?
March 6th // Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 // Prodigal Son
The wilderness can also be isolation from others and ourselves… the story of the prodigal son reminds us how God responds to that with love and grace and acceptance.
March 13th // John 12:1-8 // Preparing for the Wilderness of Death
Mary anoints Jesus for his death in this passage… we now prepare for Holy Week.

If you contributed to the church in 2015 (thank you!), your giving reports are now available. In order to save on postage, we will have these available in sealed envelopes at the entry table to the sanctuary this Sunday, and will mail out the remainders the following week. If you would like yours mailed in advance, please feel free to email the church office atoffice@nhunited.org and thank you so much for your generosity this past year!









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Experience our Ash Wednesday Service Tonight! with Reverend Brent Ross, Senior Pastor of Normal Heights United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States for Wednesday, 10 February 2016


Our Ash Wednesday Experiential Service is Tonight!
From 6:30pm – 8:00pm, we will hold our Ash Wednesday service here at the church. This service will begin with a time of corporate singing and music before we are asked to take time to reflect at prayer stations around the sanctuary. This is a quiet, confessional service lit by candles with plenty of time for quiet meditation. If you’ve never been to one of our evening services, this would be a great one to experience!
Childcare will be available during this service.---------------------
Paul says of his time in the wilderness, that it was good. But it was good solely because it revealed his weakness.
February 28th // Exodus 16:1-5, 13-16 // Fed in the Wilderness
This week the Israelites learn what it is to be fed in the wilderness… they don't receive an abundance but this time they receive enough. What is the spiritual value of enough or daily bread?
March 6th // Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 // Prodigal Son
The wilderness can also be isolation from others and ourselves… the story of the prodigal son reminds us how God responds to that with love and grace and acceptance.
March 13th // John 12:1-8 // Preparing for the Wilderness of Death
Mary anoints Jesus for his death in this passage… we now prepare for Holy Week.
If you contributed to the church in 2015 (thank you!), your giving reports are now available. In order to save on postage, we will have these available in sealed envelopes at the entry table to the sanctuary this Sunday, and will mail out the remainders the following week. If you would like yours mailed in advance, please feel free to email the church office atoffice@nhunited.org and thank you so much for your generosity this past year!
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Our Ash Wednesday Experiential Service is Tonight!
From 6:30pm – 8:00pm, we will hold our Ash Wednesday service here at the church. This service will begin with a time of corporate singing and music before we are asked to take time to reflect at prayer stations around the sanctuary. This is a quiet, confessional service lit by candles with plenty of time for quiet meditation. If you’ve never been to one of our evening services, this would be a great one to experience!
Childcare will be available during this service.---------------------
Our mailing address is:
4650 Mansfield Street
San Diego, California 92116, United States
Normal Heights United Methodist Church
4650 Mansfield Street
San Diego, California 92116, United States
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