This Week at UPC

Revelation 7:9-17 The Revelation to John is a challenging book to read and understand. It was written in symbolic language in a time of great danger and persecution. Its language of visions is a kind of secret code that the writer used to encourage Christians to remain faithful and to stand firm against opposition. The message of Revelation for Christians today is the same. We live in God’s world and we affirm God’s reign over the whole of creation, while waiting for the time when Jesus will come to bring God’s reign to fulfillment. This is part of what John saw, heard, and wrote down: In God’s dream of the world, no one will be sad because God’s home is with every one of us, almost like God pitches a tent next to where we live. In God’s dream of the world, no one will cry because everyone will live in peace so there will be no fighting and arguing. In God’s dream of the world, no one, woman, man, or child, will be hungry, and everyone will have a home. Can you im

Luke 18:9-14 Right when we think we understand God and what God wants of us, we are at risk of becoming more ignorant than ever. Our relationship with God is a fluid one, requiring us to be in constant conversation with God and in humble curiosity about ourselves. This scripture introduces us to the problems of greed and pride in a few different ways. The tax collector’s recognition of falling short of God’s ways and intent brings him to a place more acceptable to God because of the humility held in it. The Pharisee claims the high-road, owning his more “just” status – due to his ability to fit into the agenda of the empire within which he worked and lived. The irony of this text, and the point Jesus is making, is that judgment is God’s realm, and we – no matter our status – are called to humility and repentance. The Pharisee has much to repent of, but cannot see it. The tax collector has much to repent of, and does. God, listening in to all the prayers, sees clearly where forgivenes

Luke 17:11-19 In biblical times, people with various skin diseases, often referred to as leprosy, were considered unclean and therefore separated from community. The only way they could overcome their isolation was to be certified by temple priests as healed. Samaritans with a skin disease were double outcasts because of long standing animosity between Samaritans and Jews. In today’s text, this double outcast embodies the radical nature of gratitude by turning toward the true source of wholeness and healing for all people. The life of gratitude knows no boundaries of religion, culture, race, gender, disability or any other basis used for denying our shared life in God. Family activity (can be adapted to families of all ages) 1. Make a list of reasons to turn around and say, “Thank you,” to God.  2. Look at your list, choose a few of the reasons on your list and turn them into a prayer of thanksgiving. Share your prayer with someone .  3. Make a list of the people you s