Scripture Readings July 16, 2017

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Jul 16, 2017 - Behind the greeting, there's often a certain air of uneasiness and apprehension. Is this stranger plannin
Waterford Congregational

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Scripture Readings July 16, 2017 The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost About the text

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us nervous. We put on our “company” smile and extend a welcoming hand. Behind the greeting, there’s often a certain air of uneasiness and apprehension. Is this stranger planning to stay? How does that person fit in? Does she know our customs, our schedule, or our accustomed seating? Does he belong here? The barriers that keep strangers from becoming friends, aliens from becoming citizens, are our own customs, rules, and expectations. We crave a setting where we don’t have to explain what’s done and what is not, even as we know how much orientation and correction it takes to achieve that. One stranger throws it off. So, our ears perk up when we hear that, maybe, there’s another way. trangers and aliens make

New Revised Standard

The Message

Ephesians 2:11-22 11   So then, remember that at

one time you Gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision”—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. 15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the

11   But don’t take any of this

for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God’s ways 12 had no idea of any of this, didn’t know the first thing about the way God works, hadn’t the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God’s covenants and promises in Israel, hadn’t a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. 13 Now because of Christ— dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything. 14   The Messiah has made things up between us so that we’re now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. 15 He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody. 16   Christ brought us together through his death on the Cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. 17 Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders and peace to us insiders. 18 He treated us as equals, and so made us equals. Through him we both share the

New Revised Standard

The Message

cornerstone. 21 In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

same Spirit and have equal access to the Father. 19   That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. 20 He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone 21  that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, 22  all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.

Matthew 28:15-20 16   Now the eleven disciples

went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

16   Meanwhile, the eleven

disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. 17  The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. 18   Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: 19 Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 20 Then instruct them

New Revised Standard

The Message

in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

The Narrative Lectionary presents the story of God’s work in humanity through a single Gospel each year. This is the Year 3 Summer Series.