Tag Archives: Service

#BeOfGoodUse #MLK2021

Posted on by
Reply
“We are now faced with the fact my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.” -Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

How will you be of service today? Tomorrow is today. Love your enemies. “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”-Rev. Dr. MLK, Jr.

#SermonNotes from 3/1/20 #LentenLabyrinth

Posted on by
Reply

Rev. Dr. Sherrie Connelly

“Lenten Labyrinth: Sacrifice & Service”

New Church of Montgomery, in Glendale, OH

In early Genesis, the serpent tempts Eve in the Garden of Eden to eat of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil.  Since she desired wisdom, to become like God, she ate the fruit and shared it with her husband, Adam.  Now, seeing their nakedness, they covered themselves in fig leaves.

Psalm 32 contrasts the happiness of the forgiven with the distress of the sinner.  Also how asking forgiveness, when given, the burden is lifted, how the Lord protects the faithful.  Who trust in God, almighty.

In Romans, many have died through their sins, yet through the gift of graces in Jesus Christ, many are saved and live.

In Matthew’s Gospel, we see Jesus tempted by the devil in the wilderness.

He fasted 30 days and 40 nights, resulting in great hunger.

The devil commanded proofs of his being the Son of God, but the Lord said, do not put the Lord your God to the test.

So, Satan left, and angels came to serve our Lord.

In Emanuel Swedenborg’ True Christian Religion, we are taught that the neighbor is to be loved as the highest kingdom, as the church and as the communion of saints.  Love of the kingdom is love of the neighbor. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. A And all will be given unto you.

With Ash Wednesday this past week, we have entered into the church season of Lent.

Traditionally, Lent has been a season of 30 days and 40 nights of penitence and fasting.

That means reviewing one’s sins and transgression against others and ourselves and asking of the Lord’s forgiveness.

Years ago, and sometimes even now, eating fish on Fridays has been a staple.  Giving up a favorite treat, like chocolate, has been common.

Forgoing a tendency to be critical, is a good Lenten practice, as is giving alms to the poor.

In more recent time, another Lenten practice has cropped up.

This is a practice of kindness and service.  Paying attention to the needs of others, and perhaps going beyond our customary habits, and rejoicing in being able to be generous.

This Lenten season, as the snow falls lessen, and the small tree buds of spring start to emerge, let us be more aware than ever of God’s many blessings given to us and be grateful.

The Lord i with us, bringing us from darkness into the light.  Let us raise our praise and a spirit of gladness.  Amen.

As we shared, after a time of quiet- reflection, we found our connections through stories of book lists about kindness for children, our wishes for others to have more free time, sleep and energy, and books like “Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in our Busy Lives,” that discuss the need for rest from the world through honoring  reflection and mindfulness.

abstract architecture art berlin

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

#ThursdayTheology #Love, #Wisdom and #Service

Posted on by
Reply

image_50458881“Anyone who thinks with some enlightenment can see that love has service as its goal, that love tends toward service, and that love brings about service through wisdom. In fact, love cannot accomplish anything useful by itself, only by means of wisdom. After all, what is love unless there is something that is loved? That “something” is service. Service is what is loved; and since it is brought forth by means of wisdom, it follows that service is the vessel of love and wisdom.” –Emanuel Swedenborg, Divine Love and Wisdom 297

@GlendaleNewChu Offers Service this Sunday

Posted on by
Reply
WORSHIP
Glendale will gather for an informal worship service on Sunday at 11 AM. 845 Congress Ave, Glendale, OH 45246.
In John 21 we are told that days after his death, Jesus came to the men who had failed to catch any fish. He told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, and they gathered a net full of fish! The symbolism here is that “He meant they should teach the good of charity, and by doing so would gather in people.” We will explore that concept – the good of charity – and support each other in building relationships by that means.
FELLOWSHIP
Worship will be followed by breaking bread together, sharing a delicious meal of tacos!
ncom-species

Acts of Service

Posted on by
Reply

forgiveness

297. Anyone who thinks with some enlightenment can see that love has service as its goal, that love tends toward service, and that love brings about service through wisdom. In fact, love cannot accomplish anything useful by itself, only by means of wisdom. After all, what is love unless there is something that is loved? That “something” is service. Service is what is loved; and since it is brought forth by means of wisdom, it follows that service is the vessel of love and wisdom.
~ Emanuel Swedenborg (Dole, trans.), Divine Love and Wisdom, n. 297

#TuesdayTip: Ways to be #Helpful

Posted on by
Reply

If you are looking for a way to give a gift this holiday season, many organizations look for assistance during this busy time of year.

You can join The New Church of Montgomery in these, our current efforts:

  1. Bringing breakfast to Bethany House on Saturday, December 2, 2017
  2. Operation Giveback‘s Holiday Store, December 15 & 16, 2017

Please contact newchurchofmontgomery@gmail.com to let us know in what way you’d like to be involved.

Opportunities arise throughout the year. The website volunteermatch.org is a great way to find places/availabilities in your area.

helpful