Yr. D, Wk. 17: Samuel, Paul, Gregory, and Exiles

Abraham et. al. leave Haran

All were present. We brown-bagged the meal. Worship was the order for personal devotions in the evening. We came on board with stories of the recent holiday.

When we shared our assignments, Scott noted topics on the board. By the end, we'd seen a lot of overlap in the readings, concerning themes including the conflicts between religious authority and state authority.

The TR took off from the days' assigned Scripture, Hebrews 11.13-22, concerning the faith that led the Hebrew patriarchs away from their own land to sojourn as "exiles" in the land promised them.   (BTW:  On my personal blog, I use this in reflection on our discussions of November 15.  See The Power of Liturgy: I've Heard it all Before.)

Next Week: Susan brings food; Bill leads worship; Lynn will bring something to spark theological reflection.

Collect for Exiles (responding to Hebrews 11.13-22)
O God, You challenged Abraham and Sarah to leave their comfortable home to live as exiles in a strange land, while Your promise was yet to be fulfilled; be with us as we walk a road that, like theirs, requires us to strive, fall, and rise again, that we may ultimately see the heavenly country, and dwell in the city You have prepared for us. Amen.