We are in week 4 of our series on stewardship. This week we will be continuing with part 2 of our discussion on work and rest:
1) What are we called to do?
2) How are we called to do it?
3) What do we need in order to do it?

Our text is Genesis 1-2.
I'm at home with the flu this afternoon, but maybe will post some more thoughts from the sermon tomorrow if I get in to the office. Do you have thoughts from last week? We covered a lot of ground and felt like there were some good conversations around the tables.

Stewardship in Work

Enuma Ellish - ancient Babylonian creation story
Pandora's Box - one Greek story of creation

Marxism - wikipedia
Communism - wikipedia
Capitalism - wikipedia

affluenza.org - interesting website
Affluenza - PBS Series

Conversation Starters:

1) If you could choose any job, what job would you choose? (quickly go around table)

2) Which story best describes your feelings about work? How so?

• Pandora’s Box – work is a punishment or curse
• Genesis 1 & 2 – work is good

3) How could a Genesis view of work change a person?

4) What are some ways that a person could “look in” and determine their gifts or talents. Do you have any idea what some of yours may be?

(welcome)
Little Girl Blue (Postal Service Remix), Nina Simone
Somwhere I Belong, Linkin Park
When the Red Robin Comes Bobbin' Along, (Mover Mix) Jo Stafford
American Life (Felix da Housecat Radio Edit), Madonna
Chariots Of Fire, Vangelis
Naima (Alternate Take), John Coltrane
Saathi, Midival Punditz & Ustad Sultan

(self-directed prayer)
Podcast 6 (edited), LotusCast

(exit)
Blue Monday, Fats Domino
Star Guitar, The Chemical Brothers
From Creation, Thievery Corporation
Hollywood, Madonna

Question: What are we talking about this week?
Answer: Work
Question: Sounds fun, right? :)

We are in week 3 of our series on stewardship and I think this is a critical topic for us to discuss in order to understand what we have been created for and the rythms of work and rest. This will be of value for those currently working (including stay at home moms/dads) and those in school.
Our text is Genesis 1-2.

Three questions about work that we will be answering...
1) What are we called to do?
2) How are we called to do it?
3) What do we need in order to do it?

Question: What are we talking about this week?
Answer: Work
Question: Sounds fun, right? :)

We are in week 3 of our series on stewardship and I think this is a critical topic for us to discuss in order to understand what we have been created for and the rythms of work and rest. This will be of value for those currently working (including stay at home moms/dads) and those in school.
Our text is Genesis 1-2.

Three questions about work that we will be answering...
1) What are we called to do?
2) How are we called to do it?
3) What do we need in order to do it?

Stewards of Power

Mark 10: 35-45 - Scripture passage for today

Matthew 20:20-28 - Parallel story of today's text in Mark 10

Rock The Vote - Register to Vote!

The Triumph of Evil - PBS Frontline Series on Rwanda

Hotel Rwanda - Official Movie Site

Senior US Congresswoman Calls for End to Darfur Genocide - March 17 News Story

Website about the current Dafur Genocide

Lecture from Martin Luther King Jr after winning the Nobel Peace Prize

(welcome)
Voice of Truth, Casting Crowns
Better Days, Robbie Seay Band
Beautiful Love, Afters
As a Dream, Mutant Beam

(self-directed prayer)
First Light, Brian Eno

(communion)
All Love Can Be, Charlotte Church & James Horner Lyrics

(exit)
Better Days, Robbie Seay Band
Voice of Truth, Casting Crowns
Change We Must, Jon Anderson
Follow Me, Lange

Thank you for reading our text this week (Mark 10:35-45) and adding your observations and questions. Last week we defined a steward and talked about stewardship of truth - what we are doing with the knowledge that God has entrusted to us in the Gospel. This week we will focus on stewardship of power, as Americans. What does Jesus have to say to those who have been born into the most powerful and prosperous nation in the world about our involvement, through voting, in this democracy? How could this be a part of the "giving" and "serving" character of Jesus?

Stewards of the Kingdom

Sermon Text: Luke 12: 42-48

When I read that, from my perspective, I think about Jesus coming back. I think about all the good work that that I, that we, are blessed to be a part of in building God’s Kingdom as a church. I picture Jesus watching and cheering from heaven when we do well. I picture him upset with us when do nothing constructive.

But as we tell a story of a steward today, know that when Jesus told this parable to his disciples, they didn’t think about the 2^nd coming of Christ. In their perspective, Jesus was still with them. So it could be that Jesus here is speaking not about the second coming, but about another event, years later, the destruction of the temple and the establishment of the church.

I don’t think we can simply say, therefore, that the stewardship referred to in these stories in Luke 12 of watchfulness is the same as the ‘stewardship’ over creation entrusted to Adam. It has to do rather with the responsibility of the disciples for the ‘household’, ie. for Israel or the people of God. That said, I also think that we need to learn how to worship a God who took delight in the creation of the cosmos. As ‘priests’ of a creator God we are bound to embody his interests in the world. We also need to anticipate in our lives and in our witness, practically and prophetically, a final redemption that will embrace all things.

Deuteronomy 8:18

Job 41:11

Matthew 25:14-30

Genesis 1: 26-28

Questions for Conversation:

1) Who do you know that is a good example of a steward for you? In what area? How?

2) Come up with a list of areas of our lives where stewardship may be overlooked.

3) What is probably the most difficult thing for you to see as belonging to God?

(welcome - 10:45 am)
When The Saints Go Marching In, Louis Armstrong
Galaxy Bounce, The Chemical Brothers
Beautiful Love, Afters
You And Me, Kidz Bop (Lifehouse)
Speed of Sound, Kids Bop (Coldplay)
As a Dream, Mutant Beam
His Majesty King Raam, Lemon Jelly

(communion)
Can't Take It In, Imogen Heap Lyrics

(exit - 12:15 pm - shorter "family day" schedule)
Here Is Our King, David Crowder Band
Follow Me, Lange
Gone, U2

This Sunday is our first family day at Emergent. We will have a shorter 60 minute gathering where children stay with us and things are hopefully a bit more "family friendly." We would appreciate your help in spreading the word about this to parents that may find it valuable to have the chance to model their faith for their children in a church setting.

We value your input about the weekly Scipture on this blog! This Sunday we will be starting a new series on being a blessing to others by wisely using the resources we have been given. Our Scripture this week is Luke 12:42-48, from which we will tell the story of the steward. To those whom much has been given, much is expected.

As you read and think about these words of Jesus I would appreciate not only your questions and comments, but also any short stories that come to mind which may be appropriate for children. If you are familiar with the Lord of the Rings movies, I am considering talking about the Steward of Gondor.

Sermon Links for "Insert Your Name Here"

Background on Colossians - Holman Bible Dictionary

Rethinking Evangelism - Article by Dallas Willard

What is the Gospel? - Blog Post

What is the Gospel: Participation Not Consumption - Article

Lay's 2005 Superbowl Commercial (video will start automatically)

Philemon - Read the letter this week

Search Link - Luke & Demas

(welcome - 10:45 am)
Strong Tower, Kutless
Come with Us, The Chemical Brothers
Exaltation, Matisyahu
Brothers and Sisters, Coldplay
The Wise Buddah Edit, Delerium
Silence, Delerium

(self-directed prayer)
Track 9, Vangelis & Llewllyn

(communion)
You Are Mine, Third Day

(exit - 12:30 pm)
Talk, Coldplay
Silence, Delerium
Beats and Pieces, Coldcut
A Satisfied Mind, Johnny Cash