Thursday, July 31, 2025

Mission Yearbook: Talking to kids about racism, injustice and the power of love

Witness, Share and Evangelize: Mission Yearbook: Talking to kids about racism, in...: On April 28, in Rochester, Minnesota, a white woman named Shiloh Hendrix accused a 5-year-old Black boy of stealing something from her diape...
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The Scripture for Sunday - Colossians 4:2-18

In the series, Rooted in Christ: A Journey through Colossians, we're journeying through Paul's letter to the Colossians, discovering how to plant our lives firmly in Christ—the one who holds all things together. In seven services, we’ll explore how we might become rooted in his grace and love as we live our lives. We’ll cover the following:

On Sunday, August 3, we’ll finish the series by looking at Colossians 4:2-18. Below is the passages in three different translations. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).  You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page.

Colossians 4:2-18 [Contemporary English Version]

Never give up praying. And when you pray, keep alert and be thankful. Be sure to pray that God will make a way for us to spread his message and explain the mystery about Christ, even though I am in jail for doing this. Please pray that I will make the message as clear as possible.

When you are with unbelievers, always make good use of the time. Be pleasant and hold their interest when you speak the message. Choose your words carefully and be ready to give answers to anyone who asks questions.

Tychicus is the dear friend, who faithfully works and serves the Lord with us, and he will give you the news about me. I am sending him to cheer you up by telling you how we are getting along. Onesimus, the dear and faithful follower from your own group, is coming with him. The two of them will tell you everything that has happened here.

Aristarchus is in jail with me. He sends greetings to you, and so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have already been told to welcome Mark, if he visits you. Jesus, who is known as Justus, sends his greetings. These three men are the only Jewish followers who have worked with me for the kingdom of God. They have given me much comfort.

Your own Epaphras, who serves Christ Jesus, sends his greetings. He always prays hard that you may fully know what the Lord wants you to do and that you may do it completely. I have seen how much trouble he has gone through for you and for the followers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Our dear doctor Luke sends you his greetings, and so does Demas.

Give my greetings to the followers at Laodicea, especially to Nympha and the church that meets in her home.

After this letter has been read to your people, be sure to have it read in the church at Laodicea. And you should read the letter that I have sent to them.

Remind Archippus to do the work that the Lord has given him to do.

I am signing this letter myself: PAUL.

Don't forget that I am in jail.

I pray that God will be kind to you.


Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray for us as well, that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.

Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts; he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him. And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, greets you. He is always striving in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.”

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Colossians 4:2-18 [Amplified Bible]

Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us, too, that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned; that I may make it clear [and speak boldly and unfold the mystery] in the way I should.

Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].

As to all my affairs, Tychicus, who is a much-loved brother and faithful assistant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will give you all the information. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him is Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will let you know everything about the situation here [in Rome].

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, wishes to be remembered to you; as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); and from Jesus, who is called Justus. These are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision (Jewish Christians), and they have proved to be an encouragement and a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you in his prayers, praying with genuine concern, [pleading] that you may [as people of character and courage] stand firm, [spiritually mature] and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has worked strenuously for you and for the believers in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. When this letter has been read among you, see that it is read in the church of the Laodiceans; and also that you in turn read my letter [that is coming to you] from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See to it that you fulfill [carefully the duties of] the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you.
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Bible Readings for July 31, 2025

Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for July 31, 2025:   Let's read the Bible together in the next year.  Today our passages are 2 Chronicles 29:1-36; Romans 14:1-23; Psalm 24:1-10; and ...
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Wednesday, July 30, 2025

On the Road to Jerusalem: A Study of Luke (Jesus in the Temple Again - Luke 20:1–21:4)

At Sligo Presbyterian Church, we're using the Gospel of Luke to discuss the journey made by Jesus Christ to the city of Jerusalem, from his birth to his ascension. During our time together, we’ll look at the following:

In our twenty-ninth session, we looked at Luke 20:1–21:4 and talked about Jesus teaching in the Temple. The discussion and passage are below.

Luke 20:1–21:4 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

One day as he was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the scribes came with the elders and said to him, “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?” He answered them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell me: Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” They discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. Then Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and leased it to tenants and went away for a long time. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants in order that they might give him his share of the produce of the vineyard, but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Next he sent another slave; that one also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. And he sent still a third; this one also they wounded and threw out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Heaven forbid!” But he looked at them and said, “What then does this text mean:

‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone’?

“Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.” When the scribes and chief priests realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people.

So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said and then to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to Caesar or not?” But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?” They said, “Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were not able in the presence of the people to trap him by what he said, and being amazed by his answer they became silent.

Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question: “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.”

Jesus said to them, “Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed, they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead but of the living, for to him all of them are alive.” Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” For they no longer dared to ask him another question.

Then he said to them, “How can they say that the Messiah is David’s son? For David himself says in the book of Psalms,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’

“David thus calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?”

In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes and who love respectful greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them, for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

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Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for July 30, 2025

Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for July 30, 2025:   Let's read the Bible together in the next year.  Today our passages are 2 Chronicles 26:1–28:27; Romans 13:1-14; Psalm 23:1-6; and...
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Minute for Mission: World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

Witness, Share and Evangelize: Minute for Mission: World Day Against Trafficking ...: Mary Jane Veloso , a human trafficking victim who was imprisoned unjustly for 14 years in Indonesia for unwittingly carrying 2.6 kilos of he...
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Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Mission Yearbook: Google VP addresses Stillman College graduates

Witness, Share and Evangelize: Mission Yearbook: Google VP addresses Stillman Col...: Stillman College, founded in 1876 by the  Presbyterian Church , celebrated its  2025 commencement  this year as 65% of graduates earned hono...
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The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, July 27, 2025

In the series, Rooted in Christ: A Journey through Colossians, we're journeying through Paul's letter to the Colossians, discovering how to plant our lives firmly in Christ—the one who holds all things together. In seven services, we’ll explore how we might become rooted in his grace and love as we live our lives. We’ll cover the following:

On Sunday, July 27, we continued the series by looking at Colossians 3:12 – 4:1 and discussed how we can be rooted in fellowship. Below is a video of the service, the video of the sermon, and the service bulletin. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).  You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page.










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Sunday's Message - Rooted in Fellowship (Colossians 3:12 – 4:1)

In the series, Rooted in Christ: A Journey through Colossians, we're journeying through Paul's letter to the Colossians, discovering how to plant our lives firmly in Christ—the one who holds all things together. In seven services, we’ll explore how we might become rooted in his grace and love as we live our lives. We’ll cover the following:

On Sunday, July 27, we continued the series by looking at Colossians 3:12 – 4:1 and discussed how we can be rooted in fellowship. Below is a video and text of the sermon. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).  You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page.


Well, here we are, the last Sunday in the month of July. And I don’t know about y’all, but about this time every year, man, I start to get really sick of summer. But, of course, that wasn’t always the case. I mean, even though I’m not a guy who loves the heat, back in March, I was looking forward to some warm weather. And back in April, I was enjoying the trees leafing out. And back in May, man, there are few things better than the smell of mowed grass. I guess you could say I was sort of looking forward to summer, at least, back then. But now, I’ve got to cut that stupid grass every week. And those green leaves are just starting to look a little tired, at least to me. And as to the heat, well, let me just tell you, Hell is hotter, but less humid. And knowing that we’re looking down the barrel of August, man, that doesn’t make me feel any better.

But since, this morning, we’re tying up July, that also means we’re about to put a bow on this sermon series we started last month entitled Rooted in Christ: A Journey through Colossians. Now, as it says in the bulletin, during this time, we’ve journeyed through Paul’s letter to the Christians in Colossae. In other words, we’ve discovered how to plant our lives firmly in Christ, and we’ve explored how we might become rooted in his grace and love as we go about our living. Now, to this point, we’ve talked about how we might become rooted in prayer and peace, service and faith, and last week, we focused on freedom. And this morning, we’re going to continue our exploration by looking at how we, as Christians, might become more rooted in the kind of fellowship Paul envisioned when he wrote this letter. 

And you know, it’s kind of interesting, fellowship has played a pretty important role in the last couple of months at least, around the Rudiger house. As a matter of fact, it’s actually the reason that Debbie isn’t here this morning. You see, she and Maggie are in Indianapolis, visiting her family, while I’m here, babysitting the dog. Of course, just last month, we were back in my hometown, Norfolk, Virginia. But I’ll tell you, comparing Debbie’s family to mine is a little like comparing a wonderful and elaborate chocolate layer cake to a twinkie. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my family. But when I’m in Norfolk, I’ll visit with my dad and my brother. And I’ll probably see my sister and one of my nieces, but that’s about it. But when Debbie goes Indy, good night nurse, along with her mother, there’ll be her sister and brothers, all kinds of nieces and nephews, and more family outings and gatherings and parties than you can shake a stick at. Man, it’s as though they all really enjoyed one another’s company. You see, while mine is, well, a family, Debbie’s is a real fellowship. 

And that’s what we’re going to be talking about this morning. You see, using what he wrote to the Colossians, we’re going to discuss how the church can be the kind of fellowship envisioned by Paul. And I’ll tell you, personally, I think it comes down to doing three very clear and specific things.

In other words, I believe we can become rooted in the kind of fellowship envisioned by Paul, first, by claiming God’s love. You see, when we accept what God’s done, this acceptance can change our attitudes. And you know, I think that’s what Paul was getting at when he wrote this to the Colossians:

God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. [Colossians 3:12-14, CEV]

Now that’s what Paul wrote. 

And I’ll tell you something, I think that’s exactly what we can accept. In other words, we can recognize that God loved us before he laid the foundation of the universe and will love us long after time has lost its meaning. As a matter of fact, it’s really about accepting that, when Paul wrote to the Romans that “nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” [Romans 8:39b, CEV], man, that’s exactly what he meant. But you know, as he wrote to the Colossians, this love business also meant accepting that we were chosen to be God’s own special people, that we were chosen to be a new creation, my gosh, that we were chosen to be the children of God. Now I think that’s what it means to accept God’s love. 

And when we do, when we accept that we were, that we are and that we will always be loved by the creator of the universe, man, that’s got to change our attitude, and I’m talking about the attitude that the people around us can actually see. I mean, as Paul wrote to the Colossians, accepting God’s love has got to move us to be more patient, you know, to be more gentle and kind and to be more humble and meek. But it’ll also move us to be more forgiving, what did Paul say, to be more willing to put up with one another and actually to forgive anyone who does us wrong, all because Christ has forgiven us. As a matter of fact, when we decide to set our minds on God’s mercy and grace and compassion, I believe that’s going to move us to become more and more and more united. And I’ll tell you, that just makes sense. I mean, when my attitude towards others begins to soften and when I’m willing to stop finding fault and blaming others even when they are to blame and they are at fault, and when I’m able to pull an Elsa and just “let it go,” man, that’s got to draw us together, because doing that will knock down some of those barriers that keep us apart. You see, when we accept what God’s done, this acceptance can change our attitudes. And for me, that’s what it means to claim God’s love, the first thing we can do to become rooted in the kind of fellowship envisioned by Paul. But, of course, that’s not all.

You see, after we’ve claimed God’s love, second, we can develop some shared activities, and I’m talking about the kind of activities that are only possible when we accept our unity and because of that, will change our actions toward God and with one another. And I’ll tell you, I think that’s what Paul had in mind when he wrote this:

Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him. [Colossians 3:15-17, CEV] 

Again, that’s what he wrote. And just think about what it means.

My goodness, right here and right now, we can accept that we’ve been called together to this place, at this time. And through that calling, we’ve been joined together as the Body of Christ, in other words, as his tangible presence in a world where people seem to be more and more impatient and more and more intolerant and more and more divided. And as Christ’s body, it’s absolutely crucial for us to live together in peace. You see, that’s what we’ve been called to be. 

And I’ll tell you, if we accept this call, if we set aside the anger and the distrust and the hatred that seems to have permeated our society and we make the intentional choice to live in peace, man, that’s got to shape our actions, and I’m talking about the actions we take as a body. For example, according to Paul, it’s got to motivate us to organize activities that will give us opportunities to grow, you know, to come to a deeper understanding of what God’s word actually says and how we might actually respond. And it’s got to motivate us to organize activities that will give us opportunities to praise, you know, to express our gratitude to the one who’s already given us so much and who will, in the end, give us everything else. And I’ll tell you, it’s got to motivate us to organize activities that will give us opportunities to serve, in other words, that will give us the chance to take what we’ve learned in here and live it in the world out there and to do it all “...in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, as [we] give thanks to God the Father because of him.” [Colossians 3:17b, CEV] You see, when we accept that God has called us together for a reason, this acceptance can change our actions. And for me, that’s the reason we’re going to develop some shared activities, the second thing we can do to become Paul’s kind of community.

And third, I believe we can become rooted in Paul’s vision for a Christian fellowship by showing mutual respect, you know, by recognizing that even though we’re all different, facing different expectations and challenges, we can still respect one another and be sensitive to them even if they’re different from us. And you know, I think that’s why Paul offered the Colossians these three examples which, I believe, reflected the expectations found in their world but probably not ours:

A wife must put her husband first. This is her duty as a follower of the Lord.

A husband must love his wife and not abuse her.

Children must always obey their parents. This pleases the Lord.

Parents, don’t be hard on your children. If you are, they might give up.

Slaves, you must always obey your earthly masters. Try to please them at all times, and not just when you think they are watching. Honor the Lord and serve your masters with your whole heart. Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master. In fact, the Lord Christ is the one you are really serving, and you know he will reward you. But Christ has no favorites! He will punish evil people, just as they deserve.

Slave owners, be fair and honest with your slaves. Don’t forget that you have a Master in heaven. [Colossians 3:18 – 4:1, CEV]

Now those were the examples he offered. And you know, as we read them, I think it makes sense to view them in this way, as examples that were meaningful for the Colossians in the first century, but not necessarily for us today. In other words, if Paul were writing to the church in Sligo in 2025, I’m sure he’d use other examples. But be-that-a-it may,  I believe all three point to the same thing, namely that we’re different, carrying different expectations and facing different challenges and having different needs. In other words, there’s a diversity among those who are loved by God and who have been called into the Body of Christ itself. And for that reason, it’s important for us, as best we can, to put ourselves in their shoes, and to appreciate the world that they face and to understand those expectations and challenges and needs that may be radically different from our own. You see, given its context in the first century, what’s truly radical about these examples isn’t what Paul said to wives and to children and to slaves. It was what he told husbands and parents and slave owners. You see, I think it’s all about accepting and being sensitive to our differences. 

And I’ll tell you, when we accept this, when we accept that God loves the young and the old, the professional and the laborer, the conservative and the progressive and all the others, and when we accept that God has called us all into one community, into one fellowship, into one Body, the Body of Christ, I’m telling you, when we realize that we’re all different, then our relationships within this fellowship will change. In other words, our sensitivity to the expectations and challenges and needs, that sensitivity is going to grow. And our desire to work together so that whatever personal sacrifices that must be made for the sake of unity,  that they’ll be mutual and not one-sided, that desire is going to deepen. And our willingness to make some of those sacrifices for the sake of something far greater than any one of us here this morning, understanding that Paul knew what he was talking about when he wrote to the Galatians, “Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman”, [Galatians 3:28, CEV] that willingness will expand. I’m telling you, when we accept that we’re all different, this acceptance can change our relationships. And for me, that’s the kind of mutual respect we’re going to find in this fellowship Paul envisions.

Now, yesterday, as I was working on this message, I got a text from Debbie telling me that she and Maggie were going to pick her sister up at the airport. And I’ll tell you, because of that, I have absolutely no question that sometime today, there’s going to be a big Shadiow get-together, and everyone who’s able will be there, and I’m talking about brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, parents and children. And even though I don’t think that will ever happen with the Rudigers, I believe it’s wonderful that this is something Debbie and Maggie know and enjoy. 

And I’ll tell you, in some ways, this is the kind of thing Paul envisions for us, his people, his children. You see, according to what he wrote to the Colossians, we can be a people who claim God’s love by deciding to be more patient and more forgiving and more united. And because of that, we can be a people who develop shared activities, activities that will offer us opportunities to grow and to praise and to serve. And within this body, we can be a people who show mutual respect by recognizing that we’re all different and by intentionally identifying with the expectations and challenges and needs of those unlike us. In other words, claiming Paul’s vision, we can be rooted in fellowship. 
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Scared Altars and Holy Offerings - Jesus Predicts the Temple’s Destruction (Matthew 24:1-14)

During the summer months, we're exploring worship, sacrifice, and offerings. On Sundays, at 9:00 a.m. we’ll be looking at the following themes:

The Genesis of Altars and Sacrifices
Jesus and the Temple
Christians and Sacrifices
  • Christians as God’s Temple (1 Corinthians 3:10-23) - August 3
  • Our Bodies Belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:12-20) - August 10
  • The Two Made One (Ephesians 2:11-22) - August 17
  • Sacrifices of Praise (Hebrews 13:9-21) - August 24
  • Living Stones in a Spiritual Temple (1 Peter 2:1-12) - August 31
On Sunday, July 27, we looked at Jesus s the Temple’s destruction (Matthew 24:1-14). The discussion and passage is below.


Matthew 24:1-14 [New International Version]

Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
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Bible Readings for July 29, 2025

Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for July 29, 2025:   Let's read the Bible together in the next year.  Today our passages are 2 Chronicles 24:1–25:28; Romans 12:1-21; Psalm 22:19-31; an...
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Monday, July 28, 2025

Mission Yearbook: Faith and mental health ‘are not enemies’

Witness, Share and Evangelize: Mission Yearbook: Faith and mental health ‘are not...: During a recent webinar called “Empowered Minds: Mental Health in a Chaotic World,” the Rev. La Tonja Ellis offered up strategies for coping...
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Bible Readings for July 28, 2025

Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for July 28, 2025:   Let's read the Bible together in the next year.  Today our passages are 2 Chronicles 21:1–23:21; Romans 11:13-36; Psalm 22:1-18; an...
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Saturday, July 26, 2025

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

Pray, Praise and Worship: Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World: We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday,  July 28  and Sunday, August 3, we'll lay befor...
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Mission Yearbook: Erath County Community Garden in Texas helps relieve hunger

Witness, Share and Evangelize: Mission Yearbook: Erath County Community Garden in... : Image A small sample of produce was harvested in Sept...