Back to the New Testament: Romans
Pastor Joanie No excuses! The truth is I didn’t finish the New Testament in six months. I got behind and almost gave up. After a conversation or two, I realized there were a few others who may have gotten behind in the readings. So, let’s pick up where we left off and continue reading through the New Testament. We can do this together…and we still have a lot to learn.
We are picking back up with Romans. As you begin to reread the letter Paul wrote to the early believers in Rome, consider what you know about the environment in Rome in the 1st century.
- What was the empirical leadership like?
- What was life have been like for a woman under the empire?
- What were hobbies and past times of Romans?
- What things were important to them?
- What did the world look like around them?
As I read the first chapter of Romans, verses 20-21 stood out to me. Sometimes, we get caught up in what Paul may or may not be saying in his letters. Often, I focus more on all the behaviors and ways of living that Paul speaks against in his letters. But verse 20 sheds more light on Paul’s main point.
In the first part of Romans, Paul wants to firmly state and make known his credibility and knowledge of the Roman believers. Then he addresses the ways of all humankind…not just the Romans. In verse 20, Paul states:
Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened.
What a great reminder…creation was made in the image of God. Would this have been a knew idea for first century Romans? Would this verse have challenged the Roman empire? By the virtue of being made in God’s image, we know God. And therefore, our lives should reflect God.
And what about us? God is seen through us–through our lives and our actions. What a challenge and reminder for us to continue to seek a life that really reflects the image of God. Paul’s challenge stretches to us, to me. Do my actions and choices reflect the image of God? Am I really showing the rest of creation that I know God?
We have a lot to learn as we get back in to reading the New Testament.
Homecoming 2018
Sunday, October 21
10:30 am – Coffee & Donuts Fellowship Time
11:00 am – Homecoming Worship
12:00 noon – Covered Dish Lunch
Make plans to attend our Homecoming Services this year, bring a neighbor or a friend, and invite any family or friends to come back and join us for the special service and reuniting with one another and Christ.
Trunk or Treat/Fall Celebration
Sunday, October 28th, 4:00 -6:00 pm
Bring your car, add some Fall decorations, and greet the children in our community for our Trunk or Treat/Fall Celebration; we are collecting bags of candy and prizes for games for this event in the hallway next to the office; we also need folks to sign up to bring their cars and open their trunks with goodies, we also serve Robie’s famous chili…it’s gonna be a fun night for all ages!
This Week at Hood
Wednesday, September 5th, 1:30 – 2:30 pm – Prayer & Inspiration
Wednesday, September 5th, 6:00 pm – Choir Practice
Thursday, September 6th, 1:00 – 3:00 pm – Drop in Coffee & Conversation with Pastor Jason at the Cellar (108 N Wilson Ave.)
Sunday, September 9th , 11:00 am – Worship – Faces of Our Faith: Philemon – Special Music by Paige Johnson (click for a preview of Paige’s gift of music)
Sunday, September 9th, 6:00 pm – Small Group Interest Meeting one the Second Floor
Monday, September 10th, 6:00 pm – Circle #2 Meeting at Maere Kay Lashmit’s home
Upcoming Events
Sunday, September 16th, 9:00 am – Board Meeting in the Fellowship Hall
Sunday, October 21st, 11:00 am – Homecoming and Fellowship Lunch