Weekly Updates

DEVOTIONAL

Silk and story

Revelation 4:1-11: ...there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." In the marvelous novel Cutting for Stone, the narrator describes the healing power of storytelling.   Of his relationship with his brother, he says, "I have infinite faith in the craft of surgery, but no surgeon can heal the kind of wound that divides two brothers. Where silk and steel fail, story must succeed." The author articulates a tension that all of us feel, but one which often goes unacknowledged. That tension, between the types of knowledge required to navigate the human condition, often pushes people away from religion or away from intellect. And yet, human beings require both the "silk and steel" of intellectual, scientific knowledge and the "story" of spiritual knowledge. The book of Revelation underlines that distinction between concrete knowledge and spiritual knowledge. In it, a voice says, "Come here, and I will show you what must take place after this." The voice beckons us not into a roadmap of the physical end of the world, but into a place where we can be fully with God and let go of our earthly needs and agendas. Revelation doesn't tell us the facts of physical healing, accomplished by silk and steel. In Revelation, story succeeds in bringing healing to the deepest of human fears.

Psalm 45; Ezra 5:1-17; Matthew 13:1-9

Copyright 2011 by Carol Mead. This material is copyrighted, but you are welcome to share it in its entirety with others. To subscribe, visit the website at www.holyordinary.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PROGRAMS:

This week, we wrap up our "Turning To" series with a discussion on turning to prayer led by Jason Cox.  

TREASURER:

Don't forget that this Sunday ends our official class dues pledge period!  We've heard from 22 couples, but we'd love to hear from a few more before finalizing a budget for the coming year.  Look for blank pledge cards in the attendance folder on Sunday.  Thank you to everyone so far for your generous pledges for next year!

OUTREACH:

We will be asking each couple to write two letters to the orphans in Georgia (see below for instructions).  They will be your ticket to the Halloween party!  If your last name starts with A - M, please write to Shalva Amaglobeli (7 year old boy; wants to be a policeman).  If your last name starts with N-Z, please write to Mery Moichadze (6 year old girl; wants to be a doctor).  For the second letter, please write something generic - there are several orphans who do not have a sponsor and these will be distributed to them.  Please keep the letter upbeat and positive, but do not make any false promises (eg, we'd love you to visit us in America).  It is ok to say things like "we love you" and "we are praying for you.". We will be distributing stationary in class over the next few Sundays, but you are welcome to use your own.

SOCIAL:

We are very excited for everyone to join us for the Halloween Party this upcoming Sunday…it should be a boo-tiful day J.  Please don’t forget to bring a pumpkin and carving knife/kit for the adult pumpkin carving contest.  There will be a fun prize for the winner!  We will have plenty of family activities including a children’s costume parade and spooky crafts.  Costumes are encouraged and we ask that everyone bring a Halloween inspired snack.

Our social event in November will be centered around Thanksgiving therefore we will be partnering with Outreach for a volunteer project and a fellowship dinner.  More details to come.

Please save the date for the LAF Christmas Party to be held on Saturday, December 10th at the home of Kevin and Jo Hodges. 

Please let us know if you have any questions. 

Blessings, 

Malia, David, Susan and Wes