By now we recognize the pattern of angelic announcements: of Ishmael (Genesis 16:7-13), Isaac (Genesis 17:1-21, 18:1-15), and Samson (Judges 13:3-20). As many scholars have pointed out, there is a specific flow to all of this: Appearance, fear/confusion, announcement, objection, promise/blessing. So, Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she is to…...
I do not know how many titles Mary has been given over the years. Some, like Theotokos, reflect a ‘high theology;’ some are quite poetic, such as Stella Maris (Star of the Sea); and others are very familiar, with Notre Dame being arguably the most famous - Our Lady. However,…...
So sings Simon & Garfunkel, and so begins Mark’s Gospel. Mark has no nativity account, no infancy narrative, no shepherds abiding in the fields, no Wise Men, no manger. Likewise, Mark has no poetic allusion to the Creation to compare with John’s prolog....
I see this week’s Gospel text operating on two different levels. On the one hand Jesus’ teaching is about the end times, and on the other, there are lessons for us to learn about our daily lives. In the former case, Jesus outlines the cosmic signs that the end is…...
Scripture may be unchanging, but I am ever-changing. By which I mean that each time I encounter Scripture I am a different person; time has passed, I am in a different mood, new experiences have affected me, and so forth. And so, my encounter with this text from Matthew’s Gospel…...
“Keep awake!” admonishes Jesus at the conclusion of today’s parable. Yet, the wise bridesmaids fell asleep alongside the foolish ones. Sleepiness is not the main issue. Instead, the focus seems to be on preparedness. The wise ones took advantage of the delayed return of the bridegroom to ensure that they…...
One of my favorite comedians, Ron White, has a wonderful punchline to a story in which he was arrested for being drunk in public. It was all the fault of the bar’s doormen who ejected him from the bar. “I was drunk in private,” he bemoans, “they threw me into…...
What a difference a few wee words can make. The first two words are the Hebrew ben and eben. The former means ‘son’ and the latter, ‘stone.’ And so, when Jesus quotes Psalm 118: 22-23 he is pointing to himself, the Son: “The stone that the builders rejected has become…...
There is an old story about a man hanging by his fingernails to the edge of a cliff. He prays fervently to God for rescue, and is convinced, in his heart, that God will indeed do so. Just then a passerby stops to offer assistance. “No” says the man, “God…...
People very much like to think in black-and-white terms. Good and evil, night and day, justice and grace. In contrast, today’s Gospel text reveals that God’s justice and God’s grace may actually be in tension with each other, despite each being part of God’s nature....
Eighth-Day Discipleship: A New Vision for Faith, Work & Economics
Richard H. Bliese in his book, and in this class, “draws on the historic architecture of eight-sided churches to call attention to an important but often overlooked emphasis on the eighth day of creation. Early Christians were focused on God’s new creation that began in Christ’s resurrection on Sunday, the first day of the week. But these Christians understood resurrection as the continuation of God’s creative and redemptive activity. So the first day of the week became the eighth day of creation, and therefore the day of resurrection work and time to join with Christ in transforming the world. Christian disciples do this work by living out their baptismal vocations, especially in their daily work and through their ethical economic choices.”
Taught By Richard H. Bliese
“An accomplished leader, teacher, innovator, and visionary with extensive ministerial experience on three continents, forty years of church leadership, nonprofit and entrepreneurial experience in over fifteen different organizations, and deep teaching and consulting expertise nationally and internationally in theological education and congregational ministry. He is the editor, with Craig Van Gelder, of The Evangelizing Church: A Lutheran Contribution.”
When: For six weeks on Tuesdays, February 21-March 28, 2-3:30pm.
Preparation: Purchase and begin to read Richard’s book, ISBN 978-1506478838, available on Amazon.
Sign Up: Please click here to sign up as an attendee for these classes. Sign-ups are appreciated.
Contact us
Join us at the Church on the Circle St Armands Key Lutheran Church.
Sunday Morning
9am and 11am
Fellowship Hour Sunday
10am
The Parking Lot is on North Adams Drive behind the Church
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