We’ll begin a new worship series this week called Flour. Salt. Yeast. Water: Beautiful, simple, & inspiring ingredients for making Deep Commitments at The Table. This four-week worship series will invite us to reflect on the simple ingredients that shape our community of faith. We’ll conclude this worship series on October 23 with a celebration of Baptism and the sharing of our Deep Commitments. Here is a link to the online Deep Commitment Card. Encourage your Kitchen Table to begin reflecting on their Deep Commitments for the coming year and invite them to complete the online form when they are ready.
OUTLINE: flour. salt. yeast. water.
Beautiful, simple, & inspiring ingredients for making Deep Commitments at The Table.
October 2: Ingredients & Recipes
Method in Methodism. Rooted in Grace. Growing in Faith. Reaching in love. Giving Generously.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 1.1-14
October 9: Kneading & Letting Rise
Kitchen Tables and Watching Over One Another in Love.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 2.8-15
October 16: Tossing & Stretching.
How are we called to stretch ourselves? How will we stretch to reach in love?
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3.10-4.5
October 23: Welcome (Again) to God’s Abundant Feast
Baptism & Deep Commitments
Scripture: 2 Timothy 1.1-2
What is a simple recipe that brings you great joy? What ingredients makeup the dish? What makes the dish simple? Share a memory about this recipe with a friend this week.
Read 2 Timothy 1.1-14 aloud. Paul writes to Timothy, “Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to God’s own purpose and grace. ” (2 Timothy 1.6-8).
This week reflect on your hope for rekindling the gift of God that is within you. Respond to these questions in relationship to the coming year for yourself:
•What are your longings for rooting your life in Grace?
•What are your hopes for growing in faith?
•In what ways do you intend to reach in love?
•What will it mean for you to be generous with your finances?