Joplin Community of Christ

Sharing the love of Christ

Rejoice in God’s New Creation

November 14, 2010 | Author Shane Galbraith

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Rejoice in God’s New Creation

Ordinary Time (Proper 28)

Today’s Prayer for Peace – Turkey

Announcments and News

Today

Thanksgiving Dinner – Immediately following the service.

Everyone is invited to enjoy our annual Holiday dinner together.

6:00 PM – Christmas Choir Practice

Wednesday, Nov. 17

Mid-Week Renewal of the Spirit – 6:00 PM

Sunday, Nov. 21

Theme: God’s Chosen One

Presider: Bonnie Kingore

Speaker: Testimonies

Musician: Margo Peterson

Morning Devotions: Betty and Raymond Brooks

Deacon in Charge: Sylvia Honeyball

Sunday, Nov. 21

Congregational Business Meeting – Immediately following church to sustain/elect congregational officers for 2011.

Sunday, Nov. 28

Hanging of the Greens, 6:30 PM – Refreshments following the

service.

Birthdays & Anniversaries, Nov. 14 – 20

14 Heather Galbraith 16 Alex Giett

17 Jeanne Bath 18 Julie Lay

Administration Teams, Nov. 7 – 20

Daytime: Max Honeyball and Lester Lay

Evenings: Don and Ann Thompson

Exploring the Scriptures

Isaiah 65 celebrates hope in a difficult and troubled time. Isaiah 65:17–25 is a prophetic address, an announcement of a new creation. God is up to making “new heavens and a new earth.” Its contents concern the present and the future. First, the prophet hears God announce the new era (vv. 17–19a) and then present a description of the circumstances of life in that time (vv. 19b–25). This new age is presented in a pattern that alternates negative and positive—what will not be and what will be. This creation of a New Jerusalem will not be a place where people die prematurely or aren’t able to reap what they sow. It will be a place where premature death will be ended, and work will be productive and fruitful where efforts and results coincide. The Lord will bless the people and will hear them even before they call.

This announcement of new heavens and a new earth has in view a transformation of circumstances on this earth, and within history, not beyond them. This vision of a new creation will be a place where all creation lives in peace. This foundational situation where peace prevails is a blessing of the Lord. There is no talk of the new age as a reward for righteousness or the like. Rather, it is a gift from a generous God who promises to answer prayers even before they are expressed out loud. The concluding verse promises an even more dramatic transformation of the natural order. Natural enemies will live in peace with one another where the lion will eat straw, the snake will eat dust, and the wolf and the lamb will lie down with each other.

Death is present in Isaiah 65:17–25, but it does not ruin life. People will still work, but in a situation where justice is present. It would be good news, for sure, if women everywhere could bring children into a world that did not present them with the sudden terrors of war or famine.

Central Ideas

1. We live in difficult times, and God still is ever present promising a new creation among us just as in the days of Isaiah. God has done marvelous things and will continue to do so. God’s love and peace is eternal in breadth and depth, for it encompasses all creation. We are to let go of former things and remember them no more if we are to live in and into God’s hope-filled present and future.

2. We rejoice in God’s new creation of peace. Even when death is present, it does not ruin life. There is evidence of justice around us. As we all strive toward justice, we see God among us and feel we must rejoice and praise God.

3. The joy we feel when surrounded by God’s love and peace transcends worldly happiness, which is fleeting. As God delights in us and creates us as a joy, we too find joy in God. When the joy that comes from God permeates our minds and hearts, we cannot help but express that joy through praise and singing.

Scriptures: Isaiah 65:17–25; Psalm 98; II Thessalonians 3:6–13; Luke 21:5–19/21:5–18 IV; II Nephi 1:20; Doctrine and Covenants 153:9c

© 2010, Joplin Community of Christ. All rights reserved.

Posted in Recorded Services, Recorded Services

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Karen Maki

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Cora is for the first time since 2001 ready to move into a place of her own. I'm so glad for her but scared too. So please pray that she can cope with life on her own. God Bless you all.

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