A Timeless Story… With Timeless Questions…

Delivered: Moving Beyond Fear

Scripture Focus: Exodus 1:8-22; 2:11-15

Food for Thought: Fear is a powerful and recurring theme in the story of the Israelites throughout the book of Exodus. Sometimes, they needed to claim the courage of deciding that something was more important than that of which they were afraid. As we look at the tale of the midwives at the outset of Exodus, we are compelled to consider where in life we are responding to fear and where such courage might be needed.

Series Break

Worship Note: Guest preacher – Lizz Loder

Delivered: A Battle of Wills

Scripture Focus: Exodus 8:20-32; 11:1-10

Food for Thought: It’s a battle we all fight again and again – the one in which we are resolved to do things our way and refuse to heed the voice of God that might be guiding us in a different direction. It’s easy to villainize Pharoah, but we would do well to ask ourselves how often we succumb to the same temptations.

Delivered: A ??? of Prause

Scripture Focus: Exodus 13:3-10; 15:1-18

Food for Thought: In the midst of lives filled with busyness and distraction, the detail-ridden rituals of the worship of the Israelites is a reminder that we need to consider when, where, and how we are being intentional about finding ways to offer our praise to God.

Series Break

Worship Note: Guest preacher – Rebekah Barsch

Delivered: The Other Sabbath

Scripture Focus: Exodus 23:1-13; Mark 2:23-28

Food for Thought: The Sabbath means many things to many people. Some see it as a time for God. Others see it as taking time for ourselves. Exodus 23 seems to offer a different perspective and suggests another inquiry: Where, when, and how are we making time/space for the needs of others in the midst of life?

Series Break

Worship Note: Remembrance Sunday

Delivered: Misplaced Trust

Scripture Focus: Exodus 32:1-24

Food for Thought: For the Israelite of antiquity, the temptation to leap from one God to the next was commonplace in the polytheistic culture that surrounded them. The betrayal that angered both God and Moses was not just the formation of the idol, but the refusal to wait on God and the decision to put their trust elsewhere. We may not be revelers dancing around a jeweled bovine, but how often do we make that same choice?

Delivered: A Place to Find God

Scripture Focus: Exodus 33:7-11; 34:29-34

Food for Thought: The Israelites had the tabernacle as a place to find God and, when it was far from them, they could see God in the shining face of Moses. It’s worth considering: Where do we turn when we need to find God? How often are others able to turn to find God in us?

Delivered: A Relentless God

Scripture Focus: Exodus 13:17-22; 40:34-38

Food for Thought: The story of Exodus ends very much where it began – with God at the forefront of God’s people. The pillars of cloud and fire that had guided the Israelites out of Egypt remained their guide as Exodus concludes and they leave Sinai towards the Promised Land. On this Thanksgiving Sunday, we give thanks not only for where we’ve been, where we are, or even where we are going. We give thanks for God’s relentless presence and love abiding through it all!