This Week at UPC

Our theme this Sunday is “Living Faith (Generations)”, and you are invited to bring pictures of your spiritual ancestors in the faith. Perhaps you had a special teacher or mentor, a grandparent or a sibling, who was important in your journey of faith.  Our worship table will honor those generations this week, as we reflect on the living faith that has come to us through the generations, and consider how we might continue to pass it on. 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Today’s scriptures remind us that faith grows in community. One generation passes the knowledge of God’s grace on to the next, and a faithful community both remembers its heritage and considers its future legacy. Paul is writing from a Roman prison, from which he does not expect to be released. He joins himself with Timothy in spirit: he does not deny those things that Timothy and the community lament in the present; rather, he asks Timothy to join him in his suffering for the gospel by relying on the power of God. He reminds

1 Timothy 2: 1-7 With the community addressed in 1 Timothy, we are reminded that God’s people pray in all circumstances. We are urged to pray for everyone, including political leaders, so that all people may live in God’s reign of peace and wholeness – shalom. God’s wise ways lead and encourage us as we seek to live prayerfully as members of the Body of Christ and also citizens of our own countries. Prayer is part of living faithfully as citizens of God’s realm. God’s people are called to pray for peace and justice for all people. What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name for leaders? How might prayerful living strengthen us to work for justice, even as we pray for God’s shalom? Family activity (can be adapted to families of all ages) What is your favorite way to pray? Take a few minutes to reflect on this and think about one of your favorite prayers. You might think about when and where you like to pray, too. Draw a picture of prayer – either a picture of them praying or a

1 Timothy 1:12-17 The letter of Timothy retells the story of Paul and his encounter with the risen Christ. Written from Paul’s perspective, the letter talks about the ways in which this experience changed the apostle’s life. The writer knows that Paul was not deserving of God’s understanding, yet God is loving. This is grace and it is the catalyst for transformation and growth. Once full of cruelty and hatred, Paul is transformed from one who tried to squash the good news of Jesus to one who proclaims it. How wonderful to know that God never gives up on us. Like Paul we are free to grow in God’s love. Family activity (can be adapted to families of all ages) Get out family photograph albums and note the many different ways family members have grown and changed over the years. Talk about some of the invisible, internal changes as well.  Take a quiet moment to reflect on examples of personal transformation, and where these experiences have led.  What respons