worship FOCUS, 7 march, 2010
third sunday in lent
westminster presbyterian church, tiburon, california
Visit the church website: www.wpctiburon.org, 415-383-5272
240 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, California 94920
This weekly study guide seeks to help members, friends, and visitors prepare for the upcoming Sunday service and teaching. To be removed from or added to the e-mail list write wpcsec@yahoo.com or call the church office: 383-5272, ext. 10.
Does Religion Cause Violence?
THEME FOR THE SUNDAY TEACHING SERIES: This Sunday is the third in a Lenten Teaching series in response to Rabbi David Wolpe’s book, Why Faith Matters. Each Sunday there will be a discussion in the library with Doug Huneke or the Teacher of the day (11:15 am – 12:00). The series invites a season of thoughtful reflection on the journey of faith (faith as a journey not a destination). This Sunday the focus of Doug’s teaching is a reflection on the controversial international debates on the place of religion as a cause of violence, war, conflict, and the “isms” that divide and harm the world (see Wolpe, chapter 3. Copies of the paperback are readily available from Amazon.com).
TEACHING Why Faith Matters #3: Violence In and From Religion Doug Huneke
“How wonderful the messenger crossing the mountains
bringing the good news of peace.” Isaiah 52:7
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 2:1-5 – The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come and say: “Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that God may teach us the Divine ways and that we may walk in God’s path.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. The Lord shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Matthew 26:51-56– [Judas arrived with the religious leaders who were heavily armed to arrest Jesus] When they came on him – grabbed him and roughed him up. One of those with Jesus pulled his sword and, taking a swing at the servant of the Chief Priest, cut off his ear. Jesus said, “Put you sword back where it belongs. All who use swords are destroyed by swords. Don’t you realize that I am able right now to call on my Abba God, and twelve companies – more if I want them – of fighting angels would be here, battle ready? But if I did that, how would the Scriptures come true that say this is the way it has to be?” Then Jesus addressed the mob: “What is this – coming after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I have been sitting in the Temple teaching, and you never so much as lifted a hand against me. You’ve done it this way to confirm and fulfill the prophetic writings.”
QUOTES
“The deepest experience of God has never been in conquest but in compassion, community, holiness, and humble goodness. Inside of every human being is a battle against the pettiness and malice that thread through our character. That battle is often lost, but religion, at the very least, knows that it must be fought, and should be fought, each day of our lives.
Rabbi David Wolpe, Why Faith Matters
FOR THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH
This week, the children and youth will be hearing some of the uplifting words of hope and promise that Isaiah wrote to the exiles in Babylon. They will also be considering the many ways in which God's abundant love and grace is present in their own lives.
QUESTIONS FOR CONTINUED REFLECTION, MEDITATION, AND PRAYER
1. I what specific ways are you aware of religions playing a causative role in human violence?
2. Have your ever been (or witnessed) a victim of religious violence?
3. What biblical texts are you aware of that implicate Christianity in violence?
4. What biblical texts are you aware of that promote Christianity and its followers as peacemakers?
5. List the ways you as Christian are a peacemaker.
! MARK YOUR CALENARS!
Programs and Activities
CHILDREN’S GIVING IT UP FOR LENT! PROJECT
Support a special Lenten food drive, conceived and led by our Sunday School Children
on behalf of those who hunger
This Sunday – canned chili
3/14, canned fruit
3/21, canned beans
8:30 FAITH CAFÉ + Fireside Room
“Lenten Reflections” with Lloyd and Val Henderson
And then at 11:20:
Discussion of the teaching with Doug Huneke,
Bring your coffee and refreshments to the library, 11:15-12:00 (nursery and childcare provided)
March 7th – Audubon Center Work Day with Congregation Kol Shofar, 11:30
March 13th –Habitat for Humanity Work Day, 8:30 am in Novato
March 14, 2-3:30, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS CLASS (WPC, childcare provided)