Up: The Love of God and Neighbor

    Jesus was faced with the question of what was the greatest commandment and in true Jesus fashion he gave not one answer but two - love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.
    As Christians we believe that we are moved to action because of God's love for us, and it that everlasting deep love of God that allows us to love our neighbors. They cannot be separated from one another but instead go hand in hand.
    The problem is the our Christian understanding of love is constantly butting up against a cultural idea of love that is hard to define. We use the word love to describe things we like, and as a result we begin to treat love of God and neighbor like anything else in our lives - something that will come and go.
    Enter the Untied Methodist Church that teaches we love God with both our head (or intellect) and heart (or emotions). We love God with out whole being in such a way that it is deeply rooted in our being and cannot simply pass away. Now, there are certainly times we don't get love right, even in the church, as we sway too far towards emotions or intellect instead of seeking a balanced faith life. But my hope and prayer is that if we love God this deeply we cannot help but love others.
 

Up Devo

August 28th, 2016

Devotional

“The Gospel in Pixar: Up”  - John 3:16 and Romans 8: 31-39 

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “God so Loved” - John 3:16

Sometimes it is hard to grasp the love of God. Praise songs throughout the ages have tried to put it into words - its height, breadth, and depth. I don’t believe we talk about the love of God enough in our daily lives - the love that held Christ to the cross so we could be set free from the bondage of sin in our lives.

The gospel of John speaks this memorable birth about God’s love - that God loved the world so much that a way was made through Jesus Christ to life anew and life abundant. God made this way so that everyone who believes in God through Jesus Christ will not die but instead have eternal life.

It seems at times that we want to rush right past our life here and now in order to get to eternal life, but it is in this life that we can come to know of God’s deep love for us and share that love with others. Take each day you are given to share the love of God that is beyond our wildest imaginations. 

What does the word love mean to you?

How does the love of God compare to the love of others in our daily life? 

Prayer: Lord, help us to put to words the unfathomable love that you have for us. We confess that at times we let our earthly notions and misperceptions about love get in the way of embracing your love fully. Thank you, O Lord, for the gift of your love in Jesus Christ. Your love never ceases to amaze us. Amen. 

Tuesday: “God is for Us” - Romans 8: 31-36

You may recognize these words from Romans as one of the creeds we read together in worship from time to time. The apostle Paul pens these powerful words: “If God is for us, who is against us?”

The truth is life is hard a times. Very hard. We face difficulties in our relationships, our work place, our finances, and so much more. We face violence and grieve loss. Yet, even in the face of all of this heartache, God is for us. That one powerful statement brings us so much hope. If God is for us - the God who did not with hold Jesus Christ from us - then nothing can separate us from the love of God. No matter what we face, God walks with us and surrounds us in love. 

Think about the word love as it is used in culture. How is this different from the biblical love of God? What aspect of love does pop culture emphasize? What is the emphasis of biblical love?

Prayer: Lord, your love is astounding! You offer us sustaining love that meets us in our time of deepest needs and propels us forward, no matter what we may face. Your love surrounds us, even when we feel the most alone in the world. Thank you! Amen and Amen!

Wednesday: “Nothing can Separate Us” - Romans 8: 37-39

As I was researching for this particular sermon, I stumbled across a statement that struck me - to be human is to suffer loss. We cannot walk through this life without experiencing separation from loved ones - either by distance or death. A few members in this parish have even commented to me how difficult it is to look around and find that most of your friends are no longer here.

Yet, even in our humanness we have the opportunity to experience a love that can never be separated. The apostle Paul empathizes that nothing - not life, death, or even the angels can separate us from the love of Christ. We know that from time to time we stray, but the love of Christ is so powerful that it pulls us back. God never gives up on us. That is the definition of love.

Love is foundational to our faith as Christians - why?

How is family love similar and different to the love of God?

Prayer: Lord, your love draws us back time and time again. We confess that at times we are prone to wonder away from you, yet like the father waiting for the prodigal son, you actively yearn and wait for our return. Thank you for your unending love, O Lord. Amen.

Thursday: “The Greatest of These” - 1 Cor 13:13, Matt 22: 36-40

How do you rank important things like faith, hope, and love? They are all very important in our relationship with Jesus Christ and others, yet the apostle Paul writes that love is the greatest. In other parts of his letter to the church in Corinth he writes that if you don’t have love, whatever you say and do won’t be of any lasting importance. 

Jesus, when asked which was the greatest commandment answered that there are two that are important: love God with all who are and all you have and love your neighbor as yourself. If we do not share our faith in love, have we fulfilled what Jesus is calling us to? If we do not share our love for Christ with others have we honored what the apostle Paul is trying to present? Let us live into Jesus’s commands and Paul’s teaching in how we live our lives. 

What struggles do you have in living into Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 22: 36-40? What comes easily to you?

How do you interpret Jesus’s teaching to love God with all of your mind? How might this look in your life?

Prayer: O God, thank you for Jesus’s teaching which reminds us that we need to love you, first and foremost, and then have that love shown in how we treat our neighbors. Thank your for Paul reminding us that our faith is rooted in love. Use us as vessels of your message and love in this world. Amen.  

Friday: “God is Love” - 1 John 4:8

The author of 1 John is frank, if you don’t love, you don’t know God, for God is love. This can be a hard teaching for us to swallow, especially when we find it difficult to love someone, yet we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ for that person. We need to remember that love has many different forms, and we don’t need to be everyone’s best friend in order to love them, or even agree with them. Christian love is seeking to make God’s name known and meet the needs of others. Let us proclaim to the world that our God is love. 

What does it mean to you when you hear that God is love? 

Prayer: God, thank you for loving us. Thank you for being the very embodiment of love. Help us share your love with the world. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to pray over next week’s topic and text as we explore the power of the Holy Spirit - Wild Goose Chase: Goose Bumps - Nehemiah 2 and Luke 9: 59-60.

Family Activity: Cut out paper hearts and write down on them people you love. Talk about the difference between loving a person and liking a thing. How do we know that God loves us?

Courage

  Preaching about courage can scare me, because I'm afraid that people will take it as a call to have courage to do the wrong thing. The courage to speak hurtful words. The courage to share the faith in ways that alienate instead of invite. The courage to act in ways that are downright unethical.
   Yet, as I preach this week about courage, I do so in trust and confidence. First, I have trust in God that God will show people how to use the moral compass of the Holy Spirit to be emboldened to work in ways that further the Kingdom instead of tarnish the name of Christ. Second, I trust the people receiving the sermon, that they will do so prayerfully instead of acting on their own accord.
    Courage is a tricky subject because it can easily swing into a moral vice - not having a healthy fear of God, which is the very foundation of courage in Christ. So let us have courage to act as agents of God - who has modeled mercy and grace to us in Jesus Christ. Let us plant seeds for the Kingdom instead of acting in ways that damages the soil and rips up the seeds so they do not bear fruit. Let us act boldly in a way that lifts up the name and character of our lord and savior. Amen.

The Incredibles Devo

August 21st, 2016

Devotional

“The Gospel in Pixar: The Incredibles”  - Deut 31: 6-7, Psalm 31:24

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Be Strong and Courageous” - Deut 31: 6

Some versions of the bible translate the opening words from today’s scripture passage as “be strong and bold”. Courage and boldness go hand in hand. We are in need of more courage as the church today. Just as the ancient Israelites founds themselves in a situation that scared them, so do many churches find themselves in frightening times today, with missing generations, dwindling finances, and a lack of vision.

Yet, it is into moments like these, that God calls for us to be strong and courageous. God told the Israelites that they had nothing to fear for God would not fail or forsake them. As long as we are focusing on expanding the Kingdom of God and being faithful with what has been entrusted to us, God will not fail or forsake us. 

What does courage and boldness mean to you? 

How is God calling our church to be bold today?

Prayer: Lord, sometimes it is easier to not be bold in our daily lives. It is easier to pretend that we do not hear your voice prompting us then to do the hard work of making disciples for your Kingdom. Empower us, O Lord, to be bold. To be courageous. And empower us above all to glorify your name. Amen. 

Tuesday: “You are the One” - Deut 31:7

Sometimes being a leader is hard. Joshua is being called to lead the children of Israel on the final part of their journey into the promise land. They have been wondering in the desert for nearly 40 years. Joshua has seen how the people have treated Moses - sometimes going as far as to rebel against his leading. He has heard them complain to God. He has even had them reject his report of the promise land. Yet, he is called to lead.

Moses spoke this concentration of Joshua from God in the presence of the people so that they would trust his leadership. We need to have more leaders that we trust today. Sometimes what God is calling us to do as the body of Christ, in such a time as this, is difficult. May we trust the Spirit’s leading, through faithful leaders, to take us to the promise land. 

What is the foundation of our courage?

What makes it easy or difficult to follow spiritual leaders? 

Prayer: Lord, today we pray for those who lead us. May we trust them, O God, as long as they are faithful to you. May we recognize your Spirit’s anointing in their lives so that your Kingdom may be blessed. Use us, and them, to make disciples in your name. Amen.

Wednesday: “Wait for the Lord” - Psalm 31:24

Often when we hear the command to be strong and courageous we think of action. Of doing something. But the Psalmist today instructs us to be strong and take courage as we wait upon the Lord.

I have met very few people in my life who enjoy waiting. In fact the world that we live in rebels against waiting. People become impatient when they have to wait in a line one or two people deep at the grocery store. Yet, we are called to be a people who wait.

We are actively waiting, however. While we are waiting we are praying. We are asking God to make us aware when it is time to move. We cannot use waiting as an excuse to never act, because there will be a day and time when God propels us forward. 

Do you find waiting easy or difficult? Why?

What does being courageous while waiting look like in your life?

Prayer: Lord, we are in need of your forgiveness this day. Forgive us, O Lord, for the times we were impatient and acted too quickly, running ahead of your leading. Forgive us, O Lord, for the times we used waiting as an excuse to not act for your Kingdom. Help us to find what it truly means to wait in strength and courage upon you, Gracious God. Amen. 

Thursday: “Do Not Turn” - Joshua 1: 6-7

The words found in today’s scripture lesson are very similar to those found earlier this week in the book of Deuteronomy, but with some marked differences. In this passage, God is instructing Joshua to not only be strong and courageous, but also to act in accordance with the law and commands of God. To not turn from it wherever he may go.

Part of waiting while we are strong and courageous (see yesterday’s devotional) is to be in the word of God. I have found many people who think they know what the word of God says, only to find out that the scriptures doesn’t say that at all. We need to be people of the word by being people who are in the word, so we can obey God’s commands for us found in it. This means studying pieces of scripture and learning its context, as well as finding verses that speak to us at particular times. 

Think of a godly person you admire. Are they a person of the Word? How can you tell? What about this person do you seek to emulate? 

Prayer: O God, keep us true to your word. Strengthen us O God, as we wrestle with what you have for us in your Holy Scriptures and may it light our path both as we wait on you and as we follow your leading. Amen. 

Friday: “I Command You” - Joshua 1: 9

Time and time again in the book of the law of Deuteronomy and in the narrative of Joshua do we find God repeating the words to be strong and courageous. In today’s verse God commands Joshua and the people to be strong and courageous.

There are times in each of our lives when God commands us to do something and we have a choice to make - will we be faithful or not. Will we obey or not. God is asking the people, through the wording of this scripture, to choose to not fear, to choose to trust God wherever God may lead.

Trusting God is not any easier today, for some, then it was so long ago for the Israelites. Yet, as we trust God, our strength and courage, rooted in Christ grow. 

How can we grow in trust and strength in Christ? What one practice can you incorporate into your life in the coming days and weeks to trust Christ’s leading in your life more?

Prayer: God, you sent Jesus Christ to us to save us. Through the gift of salvation you offer us strength and courage. Yet, we confess, O God, that at times, we are weak in our faith and are lacking courage. Help us renew our trust in you, we pray. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

Pray over next week’s text and sermon: “The Gospel in Pixar: Up” - John 3:16 and Romans 8: 37-29

Family Activity: Talk about superheroes (maybe even dress up as your favorite superhero). Who is your favorite superhero and why? How do they bring good into the world? How does this superhero compare to Jesus Christ? What does Jesus Christ bring into the world? How can work together with Jesus to love God and love people? 

Finding Nemo: Family

    Finding Nemo is one of my top three all time favorite Disney movies. I love it because it speaks of a father who would go to any lengths to rescue his son, even when his son defies him. You can tell what is the center of Marlin's heart - unconditional love. I'm not sure we have enough unconditional love in this world today. We so quickly abandon one another when times get hard. We will stick with one another as long as we are getting something out of it. But that isn't unconditional love.
   For Christians unconditional love has Christ as its center. The same needs to be true in our homes, communities, and churches. We need Christ to be at the center, otherwise we get too quickly divided and distracted and treat each other in ways that do not affirm Christ's love for this world.
    How can we move towards treating each other with more unconditional love?

Finding Nemo Devo

August 14th, 2016  

Devotional

“The Gospel in Pixar: Finding Nemo” - Mark 3: 21-35, Romans 9:4

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “They Went to Restrain Him” - Mark 3: 21

In ancient societies, family were responsible for one another. Not just responsible in terms of protection and provision, but also keeping safe the family honor. Just as our families today are not perfect, so were ancient families far from perfect. But family members were to protect the family unit as a whole more than individuals.

This is the particular context in which we find today’s scripture verse: Jesus’s family thinks that he is acting and speaking in such a way that it will bring dishonor to their family unit, so they were going to try to stop him, for others were saying that he was losing his mind. 

Sometimes when we live out our faith, others will accuse us of losing our minds, sometimes even our own family members. We need to weigh their words very cautiously against the enormity of what Christ is calling us to be a part of in his family. 

Who is part of the family of God? How is this different than a traditional understanding of family?

Tell of a time your family thought you were “crazy” for pursing God’s will. What did you do?

Prayer: Jesus, we desire to be part of your family, but we know that there are sometimes things and people that are trying to restrain us. Free us to follow you boldly, no matter what other’s may think. Amen. 

Tuesday: “A House Divided” - Mark 3: 22-27

The scribes have just made a pretty harsh judgment against Jesus, calling him Beelzebub (or the Devil). But Jesus speaks right to the heart of their argument by telling them that the ruler of demons would not cast out demons, which he has already done to give glory to God. If Satan cast out his own army, he would lose his power and his house would fall.

This argument can apply to the church today as well. How often do we argue about things that do not matter eternally or even let important arguments get in the way of our mission and call? Our house of worship can become divided to the point where it no longer truly stands to glorify God. Let us not be tied up, by our own doing, so that we are rendered ineffective for the Kingdom. 

How can we respond when the church becomes divided in order to bring unity?

How can we discern what is truly worth pursing and what is simply a distracting argument amongst us?

Prayer: Lord, we confess that sometimes we let ourselves become distracted to the point where we are no longer able to work effectively for you. Forgive us, Lord. Bring us back to one accord, under your lordship, so we can go about the task of spreading the Good News. Amen. 

Wednesday: “ An Unclean Spirit” - Mark 3: 28-30

For centuries Christians have debated about what the unforgivable sin is. Does it exist? If so, what sin could be so heinous that Christ’s blood does not cover it on the cross?

In today’s scripture Jesus seems to be pointing out that whatever we do or say can be forgiven, except for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. But what exactly is this sin? And how do we avoid it? I once had a professor say that if we are afraid of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit then we will never do it, because what makes it unforgivable is the arrogance that prevents us from asking for forgiveness. I must confess, even that explanation is unclear to me. 

What is clear is that Jesus is trying to point out to the scribes and pharisees that there is a sin in distracting people from the work of the Holy Spirit to bring them to him, and going as far as to accuse him of being the Devil. Whatever this sin may exactly be, let us ask God to expose any and all sin in our lives so we can earnestly repent. 

What do you believe blasphemy against the Holy Spirit means? How do you avoid this sin and others in your life? 

Prayer: Lord, we are afraid of committing the unforgivable sin. We confess that we dislike that any of our sin deeply hurts you, O Lord. Expose in us, even now, any unconfessed sin, so that we can be restored to right relationship with you. Amen. 

Thursday: “Who are my Mother and My Brothers?” - Mark 3: 31-35

There are certain pieces of scripture that we struggle with. Some may be similar for us an some may be different, but this piece of scripture is one that I have struggled with since my early Sunday School years when I first heard it. I’ve heard several pastors preach on it, but it doesn’t necessarily become any less troublesome for me. 

I have grown up with a wonderful family. We aren’t perfect, but we love one another. It was hard for me to imagine Jesus no longer identifying with his biological family, but instead looking to those around him - strangers and disciples alike - and saying that his family was now those goes about the will of God.

What I now realize is that this is Jesus giving us permission to call each other family in the church. We are family, not by blood and bone, but by a common mission in Christ. Is you church truly your church family?

What elements of family do you relate to best? How are these characteristics part of your church family? 

Prayer: Lord, sometimes scripture troubles us because we cannot fully understand it. Illuminate this scripture Lord. Let us see how it expands our view of family and how it relates to our church home. Amen. 

Friday: “Adopted by God” - Romans 9:4, 1 John 3: 1-2

We are part of the family of God because we have been adopted by God. Stop and consider that for a moment. God chose you well before you accepted God. God calls you a beloved child. 

Even when we did not know God, God knew us. God welcomes us into the family of God! We may not know everyone in this family, but we can find Christians no matter where we go, and we can be untied by our faith. We may not look alike or speak the same language, but those things are not as important as following one Lord and Savior. 

What makes us a Christian family? How should we approach challenges and trials was the family of God? 

What’s your impression of the term child in your relationship with God? 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for calling us your children. Help us look to you as our Heavenly Parent. Let us follow you and claim our adoption as your sons and daughters. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “The Gospel in Pixar: The Incredibles ” - Deut 31: 6, Psalm 31:24

Family Activity: Pull out the family photo albums. Look for pictures of your family. Who do you consider family? Does it include friends and people from church? Thank God for all that you consider family. 

A Bug's Life: Justice

    For too many people the word justice is tied up in courtroom dramas - where the "bad guys" are locked away and the "good guys" win. But sadly, that isn't a reality in the world that we live in today. Most people who have a relationship to the courtroom, from those who serve, to those who have loved one they have walked with, to those who lobby for changes, will tell you that the system is flawed.
    But God's sense of justice isn't flawed and it is tied tightly together with God's sense of grace and mercy. Justice, grace, and mercy cannot be separated when we are talking about the character of God. Proverbs 28:5 speaks of justice and says that those who seek the Lord should understand justice - but not our human sense of justice, but God's sense of justice. As we walk with God deeply into relationship, we are changed so that what God's wants for the world is what we want for the world - even if it isn't popular or quick to achieve.
    May we seek after God's sense of renewing justice that changes lives, not necessarily our sense of human justice. And may we let ourselves be changed by God's renewing justice as well.

A Bug's Life Devo

   August 7th, 2016  

Devotional

“The Gospel in Pixar: A Bug’s Life - Justice” -Micah 6: 1-8, Proverbs 28:5

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Seek Justice” - Isaiah 1: 16-17

Justice is defined as a way that fairness is administered. But the funny thing about fairness is that we seem to care a lot more about it when it relates to us and don’t think about it as much when it relates to other people. Yet, God’s sense of justice, that the prophets speak about, demands that we think about others - in the case of the prophet Isaiah, “to defend the orphan, and plead for the widow.”

In order to seek justice on behalf of others two things are required: first, we need to be in relationship with those in need in some way. We need to sit down with them and hear their stories so that we don’t further harm them by seeking justice in inappropriate ways that diminish their humanity. Two, it requires us having a vision of what justice could and should look like in this case, which comes from God. 

What does the word justice mean to you? What images or scriptures come to mind?

Where do you see justice and injustice taking place in your everyday life and community? What is God calling you to do about it. 

Prayer: Jesus, sometimes we forget that the scriptures are not just meant to instruct us but are also meant to prick our hearts and lead us to pray. So today, O Lord, we pray for justice. Not our human sense of justice, but your sense of justice that leads us to deeply care about other people. Let us stand with those in need in our community as we seek your vision of doing things differently together. Amen. 

Tuesday: “What Matters Most” - Matthew 23:23

The scripture has a lot of commands - things to do or not do. While all are important, it can be hard at times to know exactly where to start. In today’s scripture, Jesus accuses the religious leaders of not putting the most important teachings and laws first. They are tithing everything they have, down to their spices, but they aren’t seeking justice, and mercy, and faith. 

We spoke yesterday about justice. Mercy is a bit different, though in the character of God justice and mercy and tightly woven together. Mercy is compassion, pardon, and kindness. Mercy is not giving people the punishment they are due for the sins they have committed against God. Mercy is also connected to God’s loving-kindness. Because mercy and justice are central to the character of God, they should be vital markers of us as the children of God as well. 

What does mercy look like in your life?

How can you embody God’s sense of justice and mercy as a child of God?

Prayer: Lord, we confess that at times we are quick to accuse and slow to forgive. We do not treat people with the same loving-kindness that you treat us with. We do not seek justice or act with mercy towards others. Forgive us, O Lord. Mold us each day to be more of the people you desire us to be as your children. Help us put first things first. Amen.

Wednesday: “ Do Unto Others” - Matthew 7:12

We teach our children the golden rule - “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” - but we forget its biblical. And when we forget the Biblical roots of this rule, we come up with all sorts of exceptions as to why we don’t need to follow it as an adult. We make excuses - “that person doesn’t deserve it” or “they should treat me better first” - instead of honoring Jesus’s teaching and command. 

We especially seem to forget the golden rule when it comes to justice and mercy. We want things to be fair for us and we want to be shown mercy by others, but we are slow to extend these gifts to others. What would need to change in our lives to more fully embrace the golden rule?

What are some present example you can think of where people are being bullied or are not being treated as God would want them treated? What can you do?

Prayer: Lord, you want so much more for this world and for humanity then we are often willing to give. You command us to treat others as we would want to be treated, and then we do not follow through. Leads us, O God, on the path that leads to life, even when we drag our feet. Lead us to treat others as your beloved children. 

Thursday: “To Understand Completely” - Proverbs 28:5

The book of Proverbs is filled with time-less wisdom. Today the author writes that the evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. Its the word completely that gets me at times. I think as we dig into scripture and get to know on a deeper level we begin to get a sense that our human sense of justice is flawed and is worlds apart from God’s sense of justice. However, do we understand it completely? Do we understand it at all?

We may recognize some of the differences between human and divine justice, but I’m not sure we understand it. I’m not sure we accept it. But perhaps that is where faith comes in - when we step forward and are willing to seek God’s sense of justice in a situation and not our own. Perhaps the more times we risk seeking God’s justice, the more we do come to understand it - completely.

Why are justice and mercy virtues? Why is injustice wrong?

Prayer: Lord, help us to move towards seeking your justice, not our own. Move us, O Lord, beyond our understanding to your complete understanding and wisdom. Stir our hearts and move us to action. Amen. 

Friday: “What Does the Lord Require?” - Micah 6:8

Micah 6:8 is a verse with deep meaning in my life because it was the theme verse of the seminary I attended. One of the reasons I chose to attend the seminary that I did was because of their strong sense that Christians could and should transform the world, as we seek to live into the Kingdom of God.

As Christians our ethics, or moral guiding principles, should be noticeably different from the world. Here, the prophet instructs the people they are to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with their God. Do we do these things in our daily lives? Do we do justice? Do we live into it? Do we love kindness? Especially when it means being kind to those who have mistreated us? And do we seek to grow in our relationship with God so that we too are changed?

What are some things you can do in your daily life to do justice? Love mercy? Walk humbly with God?

Prayer: Lord, free us to live as you would have us live. We know at times it is difficult in this world, Lord, but guide our hands and feet. Change our hearts and minds. And always and forever, let us grow more deeply in love with you. Amen.

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “The Gospel in Pixar: Finding Nemo” - Mark 3: 23-25, Romans 9:4 

Family Activity: Talk about the golden rule. What is the golden rule? When is it easy to follow? When is it hard? What is one situation or one person this week you can live into the golden rule with?