Bible Study for Ordinary Week 18
  • 8/1 – 1 Chronicles 11:1-47 and 1 Chronicles 12:1-41 – Have I been able to recognize God’s will in the consensus of a community? Prayer starter: Lord, help us experience your presence and discern your will through the aspirations of our communities.
  • 8/2 – 1 Chronicles 13:1-14 – Do we, as a believing community, show enough enthusiasm in celebrating our God? Prayer starter: Lord, you are highly to be praised. Let our lives be a joyful tribute to the many gifts we receive from you.
  • 8/3 – 1 Chronicles 15:1-29 and 1 Chronicles 16:1-43 – Are we a people of praise? How can we improve the cheerful character of our gathering as a community? Prayer starter: Let our lives play the music you have written for us, O Lord.
  • 8/4 – 1 Chronicles 17:1-27 – What are my favorite places and moments to connect to God’s presence? Prayer starter: Help us, O Lord, to find and enjoy your presence everywhere, at all times, and in everyone we meet.
  • 8/5 – 1 Chronicles 21:1-30 – Have there been occasions in my life when it was hard to discern what was genuinely inspired by God? Prayer starter: Lord of mercy, help us to discern between good and evil and to always choose what is right in your eyes.
  • 8/6 – 1 Chronicles 22:1-19 – Do I consider the house of God to be a shrine of peace and a meeting place for peacemakers? Prayer starter: Lord, every time we come to worship you, help us remember that your ways have nothing to do with blood and violence and are ways of peace, justice and mercy.
  • 8/7 – 1 Chronicles 28:1-21 – How can we set and transmit our values and ideals to the next generation? Prayer starter: We thank you Lord for calling us to keep journeying toward the Promised Land of your Kingdom.

Bible Study for Ordinary Week 17
  • 7/25 – Romans 15:22-33 – Do I dare to dream big enough? Prayer starter: Help me, Lord Jesus, to take on the light yoke of your call to greatness and not the heavy burden of my own expectations.
  • 7/26 – Romans 16:1-16 – How do I imagine the Church of the third millennium? Prayer starter: Help me, Lord Jesus, to see the person and not the stereotype.
  • 7/27 – Romans 16:17-27 – What are the ways God’s grace has manifested itself in my life today? Prayer starter: Carry me, O God, into the deepest part of the ocean.
  • 7/28 – 1 Chronicles 1:1-54 – What would be my list of people who have been influential in my personal and spiritual growth? Prayer starter: Blessed are you, Lord of history, and Lord of all nations. Help us embrace our humanity and work for peace among nations.
  • 7/29 – 1 Chronicles 2:1-55 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-24 – If I were to sum up my spiritual journey in two or three major steps, what would these be? Prayer starter: Lord, I give you thanks for these great moments in life in which I have experienced more deeply your love and your care for me.
  • 7/30 – 1 Chronicles 6:1-32 – How do I value the “service of song” in its ministers in our communities today? Prayer starter: We bless you, O Lord, and we praise you in communion with all those who, through all generations served you in worship, song and prayer.
  • 7/31 – 1 Chronicles 10:1-14 – Is faithfulness to God and to his Word among the criteria I use to judge the achievements of our political leaders? Prayer starter: We pray to you, O Lord, that we all be dedicated together with our leaders, to the cause of freedom, justice, and peace among us and among the nations.

CONVO 2010 is here!

Monday – Friday – CONVO 2010 at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ.

Youth from all over our Church will be assembling this week to study, pray, worship, have fun, fellowship, probably eat and sleep (although past experiences put these two in question). Please keep all of our youth and the 190 others who will be uplifted, loved, and taught during this week.

Thanks also to all of you who had either donated money for snacks, made snacks, provided for snacks for all the participants. And, again, for, lo, these many months, thank you for your sacrifice in allowing our youth to attend this great event. God bless you all!

Bible Study for Ordinary Week 16
  • 7/18 – Romans 11 – Where is the opportunity to reconcile with another offered to me this day? Prayer starter: Come, Lord Jesus. Bring the Peace you offered the apostles into my life.
  • 7/19 – Romans 12 – Am I letting myself be transformed? Prayer starter: Help me today, Lord Jesus, to see every person I meet as you see him or her.
  • 7/20 – Romans 13:1-10 – Did I work to build up or tear down legitimate authority today? Prayer starter: Raise up, O Lord, authoritative leaders in our Church. Help us to recognize and support those who are such leaders.
  • 7/21 – Romans 13:11-14 – If I had only 24 hours to live, what would I do with them? Prayer starter: Kindle a fire in me, O Holy Spirit, that will set the world aflame.
  • 7/22 – Romans 14 – What can I do today to witness to the law of love within the Church? Prayer starter: Help me, Lord Jesus, to love those whose ways are in opposition to mine.
  • 7/23 – Romans 15:1-13 – How can I help my community incorporate more fully Paul’s blessings? Prayer starter: Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart with joy and hope and steadfast love.
  • 7/24 – Romans 15:14-21 – What are the accomplishments of my life that I am most proud of? Prayer starter: Help me this day, Lord Jesus, to embrace my vocation.

Bible Study for Ordinary Week 15
  • 7/11 – Romans 7:14-25 – Where have I experienced the wholeness Christ brings today? Prayer starter: Deliver me today, Lord Jesus, from all that binds me. Help me to loose that which binds those whom I will meet today.
  • 7/12 – Romans 8:1-17 – Am I trying to see the best in myself and in those whom I meet today? Prayer starter: Abba, Father, I place my life in your care.
  • 7/13 – Romans 8:18-30 – Where have I seen the beauty of God’s creation breaking forth today? Prayer starter: Show me this day, Lord Jesus, how I might be a source of hope to another.
  • 7/14 – Romans 8:31-39 – Have I been caught up in Christ lately? Prayer starter: Embrace me today, my Lord and God, with your love and mercy.
  • 7/15 – Romans 9:1-18 – Am I using Jesus to justify my prejudices toward another? Prayer starter: God of Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, remind me today that we are all children of Abraham lovingly created by you.
  • 7/16 – Romans 9:19-29 – How “supple” have I been lately in response to God’s call? Prayer starter: I submit today, O loving potter, to your gentle touch.
  • 7/17 – Romans 9:30-31 and Romans 10:1-21 – What expectations to the Law have you made lately? Why? Prayer starter: Open my ears, my eyes, and my heart, Holy Spirit, to the demands of Love in my life.

Bible Study for Ordinary Week 14
  • 7/4 – Romans 4:1-12 – When did I attempt to include people today in my Words and deeds? When did I seek to exclude? Prayer starter: Lord, we are all children of Abraham and Sarah. Help us to trust in you now as they did then.
  • 7/5 – Romans 4:12-25 – What is the most visible sign of my faith in Christ in my life? Prayer starter: May the power of your wind and fire, O Holy Spirit, transform the landscape of my heart today.
  • 7/6 – Romans 5:1-11 – Have I let myself be loved by God today? Prayer starter: Holy Spirit, help me to truly experience the love of the Father today.
  • 7/7 – Romans 5:12-20 – Which choices in my life at this time would lead me to a fuller realization of my God-given humanity? Which choices will limit it? Prayer starter: I say with the prophet Isaiah, “Here I am, Lord. I come to do your will.”
  • 7/8 – Romans 6:1-14 – How am I responding to the demands of Love? Prayer starter: Help me, Lord Jesus, to give myself to you as you have given yourself to me.
  • 7/9 – Romans 6:15-23 – How did I practice what I preach today? Prayer starter: Come, Holy Spirit, and overwhelm my ambivalence with a renewed commitment to discipleship.
  • 7/10 – Romans 7:1-13 – How have I rejoiced in my freedom today? Prayer starter: I rejoice with the psalmist who says, “Truly I am wonderfully made!”

Bible Study for Ordinary Week 13
  • 6/27 – 7/1 – Romans 1:1-7 – Do I have a zest for life? Where is it grounded? Prayer starter: Help me this day, O Lord, to receive the grace and peace you wish to bestow on me.
  • 6/28 – Romans 1:8-17 – Which experience is the foundational one of your life – faith or fear? Prayer starter: Lord let my heart become fertile ground for that seed of faith today.
  • 6/29 – Romans 1:18-32 – Where is my temptation to despair rooted? My cause for hope? Prayer starter: Help me, Lord to see the possibilities and not the limitations of this day.
  • 6/30 – Romans 2:1-16 – Do I tend to group people into “in” groups and “out” groups? Prayer starter: Come, Holy Spirit, and let the power of your divine wind turn my log into sawdust.
  • 7/1 – Romans 2:17-29 – How Christlike am I when nobody’s looking? Prayer starter: Help me, Holy Spirit, to truly answer the call of discipleship in my life.
  • 7/2 – Romans 3:1-20 – What amazing this happened to me today? Prayer starter: Help me, Jesus, to see the world as you see it – like a bridegroom seeing his bride.
  • 7/3 – Romans 3:21-31 – Who has emptied herself or himself for me? For whom have I emptied myself? Prayer starter: Lord Jesus, you have given yourself to me. I dedicate myself anew this day to you.

Bible Study for Ordinary Week 12
  • 6/20 – Matthew 18:23-35 – Is there someone I need to forgive but have been unable to do so? Prayer starter: God of mercy, help me to see that in forgiving another I must not focus on what is owed to me, but on how many times you have forgiven me.
  • 6/21 – Luke 13:24-30 – Which important opportunities should I act on today? Prayer starter: My God, your mercy is without end. Do not allow me to presume upon your love but instead act upon the opportunities you offer me.
  • 6/22 – Luke 11:21-22 – Do any evils in our world make me doubt the proclamation of Christ’s victory? Prayer starter: Lord Jesus, I believe in your victory over evil. Give me strength to work against what is wrong and free your love in our world.
  • 6/23 – Mark 12:1-11 – Do the injustices of our world paralyze me or motivate me to do something? Prayer starter: Lord Jesus, there is much in the world around me contrary to your will. Show me how I can make a difference and build your kingdom of peace.
  • 6/24 – Luke 15:11-32 – What is a greater obstacle to my acceptance of God’s love: my failures or my efforts to do good? Prayer starter: Father, your love is all that counts. Do not allow my faults or my faithlessness to prevent me from being your daughter or son.
  • 6/25 – Matthew 25:31-46 – Do I see my Christian responsibility as extending beyond my private life? Prayer starter: Jesus, my King, I believe that your will is not simply to change me but our world. Help me to better the society in which I live.
  • 6/26 – Matthew 11:16-19 – What parable has touched my heart this month? Will I respond? Prayer starter: Jesus, you used parables to touch human hearts. Touch mine and empower me for your service.

Bible Study for Ordinary Week 11
  • 6/13 – Luke 16:19-31 – Have I ever taken positive action to inform myself on the issues of poverty? Prayer starter: Gracious God, I know that I am blessed. Rather than simply being thankful, allow me to use what you have given me for the good of others.
  • 6/14 – Luke 19:11-27 – When has my life been diminished because I acted out of fear? Prayer starter: God of freedom, help me to see that fear is not my master. Help me to see that the risks you ask me to take are the way to life.
  • 6/15 – Luke 16:1-8 – Have I ever experienced how a quick and shrewd decision can resolve a crisis? Prayer starter: Spirit of God, you guide me through your holy gifts. Allow me to follow your promptings not only by opening my heart but also by using my mind.
  • 6/16 – Matthew 21:28-31 – What flaws in myself have held me back from doing God’s work? Prayer starter: Dear God, I want to serve you perfectly and I will continue to try. Prevent me from using my sins as an excuse to do nothing.
  • 6/17 – Matthew 22:11-14 – Are there areas of my life where I feel I have been negligent? Prayer starter: Lord, I thank you for my faith. Allow me not only to hold on to your gift but to also use it in your service.
  • 6/18 – Matthew 12:43-45 – Do I realize that rejecting evil is not enough, because I must fill my life with acts of love? Prayer starter: Lord Jesus, avoiding evil is not the same thing as being an agent of your kingdom. Fill me with your presence and lead me to serve you.
  • 6/19 – Matthew 25:1-13 – Do I recognize that covering for the negligence of another is not real love? Prayer starter: Lord, help me to distinguish loving from enabling. Allow me to see that true love challenges another to grow.

Bible Study for Corpus Christi Week
  • 6/6 – Luke 7:41-43 – When have I experienced the joy of God’s forgiveness? Prayer starter: Lord, save me from discouragement. No matter how seriously I have failed, your forgiveness is possible; your love is my hope.
  • 6/7 – Matthew 13:24-30 – Have I ever been successful in responding to evil with good? Prayer starter: God of mercy, when I am hurt I want to hurt in return. Allow me to believe that resisting revenge will allow you to bless both my enemy and me.
  • 6/8 – Luke 18:1-8 – Have I ever experienced an instance of corruption giving way to the demands of the powerless? Prayer starter: God of hope, it is easy to find examples of evil’s power in our world. Help me to treasure those times when what is just and good triumphs.
  • 6/9 – Luke 10:29-37 – When have I been surprised and even challenged by the way God has answered my prayers? Prayer starter: God, you are my Savior. Even when your ways surprise and test me, allow me to surrender to your love.
  • 6/10 – Matthew 13:44-46 – Do I find myself searching for God or waiting for God to find me? Prayer starter: Loving God, I thank you for the gift of faith. Whether I was looking for that gift or not, allow me to embrace it with all my strength.
  • 6/11 – Luke 12:16-21 – How much does my own lifestyle exceed my need? Prayer starter: Gracious Lord, I thank you for all the gifts you have given me. Do not let me horde my blessings but share them with those who have less.
  • 6/12 – Luke 18:9-14 – Who are the people in my life who shape my relationship with God? Prayer starter: Father, through your Son you saved not only me but also the entire world. As I come to you let me recognize that I cannot leave others behind.