Greetings in Christ’s name!
The first class I had in seminary was called “Prophets and Writings.” It introduced the Hebrew prophets and also investigated the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament—generally found in Proverbs, Song of Songs, Job and some of the Psalms. My professor showed us how diverse the wisdom teachings were and urged us to read those books as a whole rather than as stand-alone works in themselves. She taught us that those books seem to be in conversation with one another. For instance, many of the Proverbs teach that you reap what you sow—if you live well, your life will go well, but if you don’t live well, you’ll end up with heartache. But Job calls that idea into question. Job shows us that sometimes terrible things happen to a righteous person, and suffering isn’t always connected to how one lives. Ecclesiastes goes a step further and asks whether the quest for meaning can be realized at all. “The Teacher,” who wrote Ecclesiastes, thinks that trying to grasp life’s meaning is like trying to grab ahold of smoke or mist. All of this literature needs to be read and understood in the context of the whole, my professor said. Sometimes right living produces good things and sometimes suffering is inexplicable and sometimes it is difficult to make sense of life at all.
This Sunday, I’m going to explore the book of Ecclesiastes and consider what it shows us about faithful people even if we might question its conclusions. I hope that even if the Teacher says life is pointless, we might discover ways to live faithfully in the midst of all of life’s questions.
This Week:
Beginning Thursday, crews will be re-roofing the Friends Center. The Friends Center side of the parking lot will be blocked off during the week, and because of the chemicals being used, the contractors have urged us to park as far away (on the Library side) from the Friends Center as possible on weekdays in October. On Sundays, both parking lots will be available.
Would you like to know more about what this church believes and how it began? Join us this Sunday for “Meet the Friends”, an informal gathering which is designed to help you meet others and understand our church. We’ll meet in the Brides Room (adjacent to the Coffee Café) immediately following the worship service. Childcare is available by advance reservation only. If you need childcare, please contact the church office with the names and ages of your children TODAY.
The wood from our historic oak tree, which had to be cut down last fall, is now dried and ready for use. If you reserved wood and asked that it remain at the church for drying, the date for pick up is Saturday morning, October 29th from 8:30-10 am at the bus barn. There are also some pieces that have not yet been spoken for which will be available for sale that morning. For more information on the sizes and types of wood available, click here. If you have questions or would like to reserve some of the wood, contact Joyce at the church office. Or, you can come to the bus barn between 10:00-11:00 am on the 29th to see what is available (first come, first served).
Please join us for a baby shower honoring Molly and Daniel De La Cerda as they enter into the season of parenthood through foster care. The shower will take place on Sunday, October 30th at 2 pm in the Coffee Café. Molly and Daniel are registered at Amazon and Target.
The inmate I speak with every week is looking for someone to help him develop an online T-shirt business. Specifically, he needs help with graphic designs. If you’re interested in helping, contact me—David Bridges.
On Tuesday nights in November, you’re invited to join a video study by Jemar Tisby, based on his latest book, “How to Fight Racism.” The group will view the videos and then discuss. Everyone should watch the introduction video before the first class by clicking here. We’ll begin November 1 at 7 pm and conclude the study on November 29th. Email David Bridges to let him know you’re planning to attend and if you need child care.
May Christ’s peace surround you this week and give you strength and hope for each day!
Peace, David Bridges