tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:12:06 +0000Reflections on the Revised Common Lectionary from Kairos-Milwaukie United Church of Christ, hosted by Rev. Rick Skidmore and Rev. Jim Ogden.http://blog.kairosucc.org/noreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)Blogger233125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-6001020557577044568Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:51:00 +00002012-02-22T10:56:43.476-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10, I Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 (I apologize for the lack of formatting. I've been having trouble with changes in Blogger. I write the draft with proper formatting, but when I post it, the formatting disappears. Will try to figure it out by next week. Jim Ogden) We’ve just come through the season of light (Epiphany) and are entering the http://blog.kairosucc.org/2012/02/dont-get-stuck-in-darknessthoughts-on_22.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-1886382092680220359Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:08:00 +00002012-02-16T12:08:16.596-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: II Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6, II Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 Sorry the most recent blog entry showed the wrong day. It had the correct scriptures and content for Feb. 12, but was mislabeled (Feb. 5). This week we come to the end of Epiphany, the season of light. It ends with all kinds of pyrotechnics: a whirlwind, a chariot and horses of fire, a miraculous parting ofhttp://blog.kairosucc.org/2012/02/mountaintops-and-mantlesthoughts-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-4127269704145188183Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:13:00 +00002012-02-08T15:13:33.690-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: II Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30:1-12, I Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 Although I got in on the digital age early (qualifying with the programming language, Fortran IV, as one of the required languages for my 1973 PhD), I know that there is a huge gap between the experiences that shaped much of my life and those that shaped many of the texters and twitterers of today. One http://blog.kairosucc.org/2012/02/what-ifthoughts-on-lectionary-passages.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-2081617535549810869Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:14:00 +00002012-02-01T14:14:23.323-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c, I Corinthians 9:16-23. Mark 1:29-39 One never knows where our Tuesday morning lectionary discussions over breakfast may go. I usually offer some thoughts on possible themes, some scriptural background if I feel so moved. I may share a personal experience or memory or an excerpt from a book in my library. Then it’s off to the races, http://blog.kairosucc.org/2012/02/wind-blows-where-it-willthoughts-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-613452094321573698Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:23:00 +00002012-01-25T12:23:04.962-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 11:1-10, I Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 Years ago, I participated in some “sensitivity” training, designed to make us more sensitive to those who might be experiencing life differently than we were. To gain some understanding of the experience of blindness, we had a meal together in a public restaurant blindfolded. My enduring memory of http://blog.kairosucc.org/2012/01/who-do-we-listen-tothoughts-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-4501238170606992757Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:05:00 +00002012-01-18T11:05:41.574-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12, I Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 I’m a tourist—and photographer. There are many other dimensions to my personality, but I enjoy observing the wonders of God’s creation and the variety of expressions and circumstances found in the interactions of the human species (and other species as well). Highways through scenic areas often offer http://blog.kairosucc.org/2012/01/finding-viewpointthoughts-on-lectionary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-4381814376948092621Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:43:00 +00002012-01-09T15:43:17.692-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: I Samuel 3:1-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, I Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 One of the anthems written and composed by our own Kathy Walden and Dave Parker urges us to “Listen!” If God is the one we are to be listening to, many of us may wonder how we hear. While scripture regularly presents stories where God seems to speak with a clear voice in human language, that doesnhttp://blog.kairosucc.org/2012/01/listenthoughts-on-lectionary-passages.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-2238875229820088528Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:27:00 +00002012-01-03T15:27:07.508-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: Epiphany (Jan.6): Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 First Sunday After Epiphany - Baptism of the Lord (Jan. 8): Genesis 1:1-5, Psalm 29:1-11, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 Friday begins the season of Epiphany in the life of the church. I’m pretty sure it’s one of Pastor Rick’s favorite seasons, so much so that he launched it last Sunday using the http://blog.kairosucc.org/2012/01/ahathoughts-on-lectionary-passages-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-9153454745700725898Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:08:00 +00002011-12-28T13:08:44.972-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: First Sunday After Christmas: Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm 148:1-14, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 Holy Name of Jesus & other festivals: Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 8:1-9, Galatians 4:4-7, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 2:15-21 New Year’s Day: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Psalm 8:1-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 This week we again are offered three sets of readings. We are still in thehttp://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/12/living-questionsthoughts-on-lectionary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-1419024085366654118Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:14:00 +00002011-12-21T10:14:38.181-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: Proper I: Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96:1-13, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14, (15-20) Proper II: Isaiah 62:6-12, Psalm 97:1-12, Titus:3:4-7, Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20 Proper II: Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98:1-9, Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12), John 1:1-14 We are given three different sets of reading for Christmas Eve/Christmas. Some churches celebrate, in most years, a Christmas Eve liturgy, a http://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/12/wonder-of-birththoughts-on-lectionary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-3810548693574718486Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:38:00 +00002011-12-14T10:38:53.452-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: II Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Luke 1:46b-55 OR Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 For some, the wonder of Christmas is in guessing what’s in those colorfully wrapped packages that are under the tree. We may even pick them up and shake them. What’s in them is a mystery and part of the wonder is gone when we have the unwrapped gift in our hands. Some people have ahttp://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/12/whats-in-boxthoughts-on-lectionary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-2150176935910456139Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:19:00 +00002011-12-06T13:19:13.535-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126:1-6 OR Luke 1:46b-55, I Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 Children often seem to have an innate sense of fairness. Who has not heard a child—or an adult—cry out, “It’s not fair!” The Smothers Brothers made an art out of the routine that had Mom always liking you best. Now I didn’t say that children always act fairly. They can be http://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/12/its-not-fairthoughts-on-lectionary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-7133383602574136861Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:01:00 +00002011-11-30T12:01:14.974-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13, II Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 One of the rituals of this season usually involves someone reading a poem by Clement Clarke Moore about the night before Christmas. It includes this line: “The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.” Many of us, perhaps most of us are dreamers. I’mhttp://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/11/are-we-dreamingthoughts-on-lectionary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-4907043604077371023Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:33:00 +00002011-11-21T13:33:14.055-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, I Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 We sometimes complain about how early the commercial interests of the world try to overwhelm us with the sights and sounds and products of Christmas. As I write, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet and I’ve been hearing Christmas music for at least two weeks, most recently in my favorite Chinese restaurant http://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/11/wide-eyedthoughts-on-lectionary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-8753544579609085454Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:37:00 +00002011-11-15T15:37:50.187-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 AND Psalm 100 or Psalm 95:1-7a, Ephesians 1;15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 November 20th is the last Sunday of the Church Year. The following Sunday begins the next Church year with the beginning of Advent, the season leading up to Christmas. The last Sunday of the Church Year traditionally celebrates the culmination of history when God’s Love through http://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/11/where-are-we-goingthoughts-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-9025874872166196813Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:23:00 +00002011-11-11T12:23:31.371-08:00Lectionary Scriptures: Judges 4:1-7 AND Psalm 123:1-4 OR Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 AND Psalm 90:1-12, I Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 Most of this week’s readings are rooted in humanity’s outrage when seeming injustice and/or violence overtakes them. Evil happens and the struggle to explain it is endless and futile. We see it in the attack on the towers in New York City, in shooting http://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/11/accountabilitythoughts-on-lectionary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-2351980856706436825Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:16:00 +00002011-11-03T12:16:19.290-07:00Lectionary Scriptures for All Saints Sunday: Revelation 7:9-17, Psalm 34:1-10, 22, I John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12 Lectionary Scriptures for Nov. 6 (if not being celebrated as All Saints Sunday): Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, Psalm 78:1-7, Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-20, Amos 5:18-24, Psalm 70:1-5, I Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 NOTE: Although it was written on schedule, last week's blog did not get http://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/11/encouragement-in-midst-of-ordeals-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-1504355440121089235Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:36:00 +00002011-11-02T11:36:17.420-07:00NOTE: FOR SOME REASON THE BLOG ENTRY FOR SUNDAY, OCT. 30TH, DID NOT GET POSTED AT THE TIME IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN, EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN WRITTEN. MY BAD: JIM OGDEN. HERE IT IS. A NEW ENTRY FOR NOV. 6TH WILL APPEAR SHORTLY, BUT THIS WILL REMAIN IN THE ARCHIVES. Lectionary Scriptures: Joshua 3:7-17 AND Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 OR Micah 3:5-12 AND Psalm 43:1-5, I Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-http://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/11/whos-going-to-get-us-out-of-this.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-4963093917749349129Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:04:00 +00002011-10-19T12:04:27.168-07:00Lectionary Scriptures: Deuteronomy 34:1-2 AND Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 OR Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 AND Psalm 1:1-6, I Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 Today’s political sniping at Mormonism has brought attention to the question of whether we human beings are meant to achieve Godhood or not. Whatever the answer to that question, our eulogies sometimes make something akin to gods of those who havehttp://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/10/lives-worthy-of-praisethoughts-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-1370109540068218014Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:57:00 +00002011-10-11T15:57:06.300-07:00Lectionary Scriptures: Exodus 33:12-23 AND Psalm 99:1-9 OR Isaiah 45:1-7 AND Psalm 96:1-13, I Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 One dictionary definition of “gasp” is to “catch one’s breath with an open mouth, from pain, breathlessness, or astonishment.” Today I’m most interesting in the “astonishment” part. What makes us gasp with astonishment? Gasping in astonishment can be one aspect http://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/10/gaspthoughts-on-lectionary-passages-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-6301285391627170195Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:47:00 +00002011-10-04T17:47:05.111-07:00Lectionary Scriptures: Exodus 32:1-14 AND Psalm 106:1-6 OR Isaiah 25:1-9 AND Psalm 23:1-6, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 The Bible frequently pictures God as a blustering human writ large. God expresses all the emotions of a sometimes petulant human being. It’s the anger that especially troubles our sensibilities. One of our recent readings from Philippians encourages us to have the mindhttp://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/10/picturing-mind-of-godthoughts-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-8696708858842725574Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:46:00 +00002011-09-26T15:46:47.469-07:00Lectionary Scriptures: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 AND Psalm 19:1-14 OR Isaiah 5:1-7 AND Psalm 80:7-15, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 Progressive people of faith have a difficult time thinking of God as the ultimate lawgiver who stands on the mountains shouting orders, or of God as one who peers over our shoulders waiting to catch us in a misstep. It doesn’t sit well with us when Moses http://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/09/way-things-workthoughts-on-lectionary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-653715268849638089Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:37:00 +00002011-09-20T14:37:19.710-07:00Lectionary Scriptures: Exodus 17:1-7 AND Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 OR Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 AND Psalm 25:1-9, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 Many of us have experienced the apprehension of coming upon a temporary highway sign that says, “Men at Work.” I’m not sure what form makes the sign non-gender specific, because the workers out there now may be women as well as men. Perhaps that’s coveredhttp://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/09/god-at-workthoughts-on-lectionary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-6355047976416284906Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:42:00 +00002011-09-13T15:42:09.145-07:00Lectionary Scriptures: Exodus 16:2-15 AND Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 OR Jonah 3:10-4:11 AND Psalm 145:1-8, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-15 We human beings are sometimes quick to complain: “I didn’t deserve this.” “I deserve better.” “This is unfair.” When something good happens to someone else, we may also see that as something undeserved. They got better than they should have. Either way, http://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/09/getting-what-we-deservethoughts-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924575.post-2678539115928815763Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:01:00 +00002011-09-07T12:01:31.083-07:00Lectionary Scriptures: Exodus 14:19-31 OR Exodus 15:1b-11 AND Psalm 114:1-8 OR Genesis 50:15-22 AND Psalm 103:1-13, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 Sunday will see the dedication of the new 9/11 memorial at the site where the twin towers of the World Trade Center stood. The dedication of the Martin Luther King memorial was delayed because of Hurricane Irene, but it is now open to the public. http://blog.kairosucc.org/2011/09/memorialsthoughts-on-lectionary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Skidmore)0