There are a few links at the top of the page, which will guide you in learning more “About” Newtown United Methodist Church (NUMC); how to “Contact” us, “Directions” on how to get to our Caring Community, the “Worship” Service schedule and “Events” shows a calendar of meetings, happenings and important events!.

Have a particular interest? Click a link in the Categories list in the left sidebar; like Missions or Membership, or any of the other categories listed.

Rethink Church: Economy (UMC)

Live the Word to Sunday, a Lectionary Discussion

Preparing the way for the Lord to let God’s Word work in your life during the week to make your worship experience more meaningful. Sermons during Worship services are often based upon the Revised Common Lectionary. You are invited to log onto this site and Leave Comment on the readings presented with your questions and/or thoughts.  If you have not already done so,you may register here.

September 12, 2010 [Green] Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 At that time it will be said to this people…

• God’s word from the prophet Jeremiah. Written or spoken as God brought the Hebrew people to exile. First the north kingdom (Israel) then the southern (Judah) fell. Notice the choice and judgment between winnowing and cleansing. Not many us e the word winnow, which means to separate the grain from the chaff, the act of threshing.

Psalm 14 – Fools say in their hearts, there is no God…

• The psalmist gives us words that sound much like what God must have been thinking about the time that Jeremiah speaks God’s words in prophesy.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 I am grateful to Christ Jesus, our Lord…

• In his letter to Timothy, a faithful servant of God who worked with Paul, who writes from experience. God struck Paul down, justifiably, as he was chasing down early followers of the Risen Christ. But instead of giving Paul what he deserves, God builds him up in Christ, to serve Christ, to God’s greater glory.

Luke 15:1-10 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near, to listen to him…

• Notice who gets Jesus’ attention right away…those sinners and (even worse) tax collectors. These tax collectors are native, Hebrew people employed by Rome to take taxes from the Hebrew people to Rome, turning against their own in exchange for the right to take a little for themselves, hated by most Hebrew people. Is it only because they sought him, without the intent to do him any harm, as did the Pharisees? Are you seeking Jesus for a sign or out of faith and in need?

Consider further, these words inspired by God::

Deuteronomy 32:7-14 The LORD said top Maoses, “Go down at one! Your people …have acted perversely”…

Psalm 51:1-10 Have mercy on me, O God…

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In the coming weeks committees will be hearing more about Stephen Ministry and how it is being implemented at the Newtown United Methodist Church (NUMC).

The PBS “Religion and Ethics” news show recently aired an eight-minute feature that vividly describes how Stephen Ministry is changing lives in thousands of congregations.

You can watch the video online on the PBS Web site:

Direct Link

Or go to: www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics and then click on the “Stephen Ministry” feature.

At last, an antidote to the old saw: “I can’t go to Bible study because I don’t know anything about the Bible!” This eight-week in-depth study is modeled after the basic design of DISCIPLE Bible Study, which has enriched more than 1 million lives. Short-Term DISCIPLE Bible Studies make these life-changing courses easier to be a part of for those busy people who are unable to commit to longer studies.

Weekly group meetings are on Friday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a two-part video segment to guide each session with interpretive presentations from biblical scholars; contextual presentations and roundtable discussions; and opportunities for reflection, contemplation, or inspiration.

Weekly Group Session and Format

Gathering Around God’s Word

*Video Presentation and Discussion

Encountering God’s Word in the Text

*Discuss Daily Reading Assignments

*Interpretive exercise concentrating on one focal passage.

Examining God’s Word in Context

*Video Presentation and Discussion

Going Forth with God’s Word

*Discuss of Marks of Discipleship

*Closing Prayers

Invitation to the Old Testament approaches the study of Hebrew Scriptures by inviting you to hear the story of God and God’s calling of the people of Israel through the many “voices” of the biblical text. Narrative, poem, history, and prophetic utterance all have their own distinctive characteristics and purpose, arising out of a particular historical, social, and cultural setting. To understand fully the story of God’s covenantal relationship with Israel calls for listening to these various ways the story is told throughout the Old Testament.

What does it mean to be God’s chosen people? And how does the story of Israel’s covenant with God inform our own identity as heirs of that covenant? Through this study, you will be invited to listen afresh to the witness of the Old Testament to hear God’s call and purpose for your own life and respond to that call.

Study Contents

Jan. 23: 1.  The Making of the Hebrew Bible

Jan. 30: 2.  The Creation Story of Israel

Feb. 6: 3.  Out of Bondage

Feb. 13: No class, school vacation.

Feb. 20: 4.  Promise and Problem in the Land

Feb. 27: 5.  Israel Has a King

Mar. 6: 6.  Division and the Rise of Prophecy

Mar. 13: 7.  Exile and Response

Mar. 20: 8.  Restoration and Renewal

Authors James D. Tabor – Professor of Christian Origins and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Celia Brewer Sinclair - Lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

In additions to the authors, video segments feature these scholars:

Peter E. Enns – Associate Professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, PA.

Julia M. O’Brien – Paul and Grace L. Stern Professor of Old Testament at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, PA.

Please register by January 4 by calling Barb at the office at 426-9998 or e-mail Pastor Mel so that we might order materials.  There is a $9.00 cost for the participant book to be collected at the first class. Scholarships are available by contacting Pastor Mel.