Table of Contents...Hassidic Jewish family in Russia. That aspect of the Jewish faith believed that all things in nature are holy. The goat represents the holiness of animals and nature

TableofContents

Job:ComfortWithoutAnswers..............................................................................................................1

JacobandEsau:HopeforReconciliation................................................................................................5

RuthandNaomi:ChoosingHopeTogether............................................................................................9

Psalm23:TheComfortofGod’sPresence............................................................................................13

RebuildingtheTemple:HopefortheLongHaul..................................................................................19

JesusWalksonWater:CouragetoStepintotheUnknown..................................................................21

Paul’sPerils:FindingStrengthinChristTogether................................................................................25

StoriesofComfortandHope 1

Job:ComfortWithoutAnswers

1) IfyoumissedthemessageonSunday,youcanfinditonourwebsiteatwww.crcc.org/virtual-sundayoratwww.crcc.org/listen-to-messages.

2) Asyoulookattheartworkbelow,discusshowthestoryofJobspeakstoyou.Wheredoyoufindinitasourceofcomfortand/orhope?Ifyouwerecreatingapieceofartbasedonthestory,howwouldyoudepictJob?

“Job”byFrancisGruber,1944Text:Tate

FrancisGruberwascommittedtorealismandtoCommunism.JobwaspaintedforanexhibitionthatopenedshortlyaftertheliberationofParisin1944.GruberusestheBiblicalstoryofJob'ssufferingasanallegoryforthesurvivalofhopeundertheOccupation.Theinscription,whichcomesfromTheBookofJob,translatesas:'Now,oncemoremycryisarevolt,andyetmyhandsuppressesmysobs.'

http://www.crcc.org/virtual-sunday

http://www.crcc.org/virtual-sundayor

http://www.crcc.org/virtual-sundayor

http://www.crcc.org/listen-to-messages


“Job”TapestrybyMarcChagallText:Rev.DavidKylloTheChagallTapestry(onpage3)islocatedintheRehabilitationInstituteinChicago.Thetapestryiscalled“Job”afterthebiblicalperson,Job,whoenduredhugesufferingandloss.Hehasbeencalled,onmorethanoneoccasion,“thepatronsaintofpeoplewithdisabilities.”Thetapestryis11.5feetwideand13feethigh.TheimagerydepictsscripturefromthebookofJob(Job14:7):“Forthereishopeofatreeifitbecutdown,thatitwillsproutagain,andthatthetenderbranchthereofwillnotcease.”Inthetapestry,Jobisontherightside,withhiswifebehindhim,dressedinred.BelowareJob’sthreefriends:EliphaztheTemanite,BildadtheShuhite,andZophartheNaamathite.Job'swifehadtoldhimto"curseGodanddie."(Job2:9)ThecornersofthetapestrytellMarcChagall’sstoryofFaith.InthelowerrightisapersonreadingfromtheScriptures.InthelowerleftisarabbialsoreadingfromtheScriptures.IntheupperleftcornerisadepictionofthecrucifixionofJesus.ThisconfigurationofChristrepresents,forChagall,thesufferingofallmankind.IntheupperrightcornerisadepictionofthecityofJerusalem.MarcChagallfeltthatmostpeoplewhogothroughtheexperienceofadisabilityrelyontheirfaithtocarrythemthroughtheexperience,andJerusalemisthefocalpointofmanyfaiths.BelowGabrielisagoat.ChagallwasbornandraisedinaHassidicJewishfamilyinRussia.ThataspectoftheJewishfaithbelievedthatallthingsinnatureareholy.Thegoatrepresentstheholinessofanimalsandnature.BetweenthetwouppercornersistheangelGabriel,comingtobringgoodnewstoJob.Thistapestryisdedicatedtoalldisabledpeopleoftheworld.Intheupperleftcorner,Chagallmadeagatheringofpeopleintheshapeofanevergreentree.Inthisgrouping,onecansee,eitherinarealorillusionarysense,variousthingsusedbypeoplewithdisabilities,suchasawheelchair,canes,variousbraces(orthotics)andartificiallimbs(prosthetics),forthosewithlimbloss.SinceMarcChagalldiedbeforetheweavingofthetapestrywascompleted,theweaver,YvetteCauquil-Prince,tooksomelicenseinchangingthebrilliantcolorsofpurpleandblue,characteristicofChagall’swork,intothedarkercolorsseenatthetop.ThesignatureofMarcChagallisinthelowerleftcornerandthesignaturemarkofYvetteCauquil-Princeisinthelowerrightcorner.Oncethetapestrywascompleted,policiesoftheFrenchgovernmentcomplicatedthereleaseoftheartwork.ApprovalforitsshipmenttoChicagotookmorethanninemonths.TheFriendsoftheChagallTapestrywerefinallyabletoconvincetheFrenchgovernmentthatitbelongedinthelobbyofRICbecausethiswasanartworkdedicatedtoalldisabledpeopleintheworld.ItwasthenreleasedandputintoitspresentlocationonJune20,1986,whereitcontinuestobringitsmessageofHope.



SarcophagusofJuniusBassus(detail),359C.E.MuseumofSt.Peter'sTreasury,RomeText:BibleOdyssey

Thishigh-reliefsculptureadornsthesarcophagusofJuniusBassus(317−59),afourth-centuryRomanpoliticianandearlyChristianconvert.Bassusonceheldthetitleofpraefectusurbi(urbanprefect)forRome.Jobisseen,farleft,sittingstoicallyonapileofrefuseashiswifeoffershimbread.Sheholdshernosetocoverthestench.BetweenthemstandseitherafriendorperhapsSatandisguisedasamerchant,adetailfromtheversionoftheJobstoryfoundnotintheBiblebutinthelaterTestamentofJob.TotherightareAdam,Eve,andaserpentwrappingitselfaroundthetreebetweenthem.ThistriadseemstomirrorJob,hiswife,andthetempter.JoblikelyrepresentstheChristianbeliefthatthefaithful,bymimickingtheperseveranceofChrist,canovercometemptationandgraspeternallife.3) ThespeakeronSundaysuggestedthattheBookofJobisarecastingofatraditionaltale,inwhich

theprotagonist—insteadofacceptinghisfateatthehandsofthegods—criesouttotheoneGod,demandingjustice.Someofhiswordsarebitterandaccusing(see,forexample,Job9:13-24).HoweasydoyoufindittobetotallyhonestwithGod?WhataretheadvantagesofspeakingtoGodinthisway?Doyouseeanypotentialdangers?Asyouprayduringthisweek,challengeyourselftobeintentionallyhonestandvulnerablewithGod.

4) StoriescanbepowerfulwaysofcommunicatinghowwefeelaboutoursenseofGod’spresenceorabsence.CanyouthinkofatimeinyourlifewhenGodfeltverypresent,despitedifficultcircumstances?Sharethisstorywithothersinyourgroup,orwithafriendwhomightfindencouragementthroughit.


JacobandEsau:HopeforReconciliationIfyoumissedthemessageonSunday,youcanfinditonourwebsiteatwww.crcc.org/virtual-sundayoratwww.crcc.org/listen-to-messages.Duringourseries“StoriesofComfortandHope,”weareusingartisticexpressiontoexplorethemessagesandprovokediscussion.Creating,performingandexperiencingartcanhelpusexperiencethemysteriesofGod,life,andourownhumanityinuniqueways.Thisweekourthemeis“HopeforReconciliation”basedonthestoryofJacobandEsauinGenesis.Belowaresamplesofpoetry,musicandvisualartthateachcreateanopportunityforcontemplation.Wearealldifferent,andhavevaryingtastesforart,sopickoneormorethatyouthinkwillappealtoyou.Letthemhelpyoureflectonthemessage,andrelateittoyourownlife.Youmayhavealreadyexperiencedforgivenessandreconciliation,andtheseartisticformswillresonatewithyou.Butyoumightalsofeelcaughtinapainfulgapwhereyoulongforreconciliationbutdon’tseemtobeabletomakeithappen.Don’tworry;lettheseartisticformscomfortyouwithhopeandanencouragementthatyouarenotalone.Thenlookatthetwoquestionsattheend,andtakeamomentthisweektoshareindiscussionwithyoursmallgrouporwithafriend1.ReconciliationThroughPoetryPoetryatitsbestcanprobeourdeepestthoughtsandfeelings,andgivevoicetosentimentsthatwecouldnototherwisehaveexpressedourselves.Poetry,inallitsforms,hasthecapacitytotranscendtime—tospeaktoallmannerofexperiencesthoughtheages,andtohelpusexperienceinamomentarealitythathasbeenthereforaneternity.Belowaretwopoemswithabriefnoteabouttheauthors.Pickone(orboth)andletthemspeaktoyouaboutreconciliation.Don’tworryaboutwhattheymeantoothers:Whatdotheymeantoyou?Howdotheymakeyoufeel?Inwhatwaysdoyouresonatewiththem?Whataspectsofthejourneydoyousharewiththem?Howmighttheyhelpyouinyourcurrentsituation?Wheremighttheyleadyou?




“TheStare’sNestbyMyWindow"byW.B.YeatsWilliamButlerYeats[1865-1939]wasanIrishpoetwhowrotealotaboutlove,war,lossandgrief.Theoppressionhishomelandexperiencedandtheresultingsocialandpoliticalupheavalwereacrucibleinwhichsomeofhisfinestworkformed.A“stare”isanIrishexpressionforastarling.

ThebeesbuildinthecrevicesOflooseningmasonry,andthereThemotherbirdsbringgrubsandflies.Mywallisloosening;honey-bees,Comebuildintheemptyhouseofthestare.Weareclosedin,andthekeyisturnedOnouruncertainty;somewhereAmaniskilled,orahouseburned,Yetnoclearfacttobediscerned:Comebuildintheemptyhouseofthestare.Abarricadeofstoneorofwood;Somefourteendaysofcivilwar;LastnighttheytrundleddowntheroadThatdeadyoungsoldierinhisblood:Comebuildintheemptyhouseofthestare.Wehadfedtheheartonfantasies,Theheart’sgrownbrutalfromthefare;MoreSubstanceinourenmitiesThaninourlove;Ohoney-bees,Comebuildintheemptyhouseofthestare.

“Forgiveness”byJohnGreenleafWhittierWhittierwasanineteenthcenturyauthorandpoetfromMassachusetts.HewasaQuaker,anAbolitionist,andoneofthefoundersof“TheAtlanticMonthly”(now“TheAtlantic”magazine).

Myheartwasheavy,foritstrusthadbeenAbused,itskindnessansweredwithfoulwrong;So,turninggloomilyfrommyfellow-men,OnesummerSabbathdayIstrolledamongThegreenmoundsofthevillageburial-place;Where,ponderinghowallhumanloveandhateFindonesadlevel;andhow,soonorlate,Wrongedandwrongdoer,eachwithmeekenedface,Andcoldhandsfoldedoverastillheart,Passthegreenthresholdofourcommongrave,Whitherallfootstepstend,whencenonedepart,Awedformyself,andpityingmyrace,Ourcommonsorrow,likeamightywave,Sweptallmyprideaway,andtremblingIforgave!


2.ReconciliationThroughMusicLikepoetry,musiccanmoveusdeeply,touchingpartsofourbeingthatwordssimplycannot.Belowarelinkstotwoshortpiecesofmusicthatinsomewaysmightrepresentajourneyofreconciliation.Thefirstisalittlelighter,whilethesecondisalittleheavier.Pickone(orboth)andlistenwhilealoneandabletoletthemusicsoakin.Whatfeelingsdoesitarouseinyou?Howdoeseachpiecebeginemotionally,andwheredoesittakeyou?Trytoidentifyyouremotions,andasyoureflectonforgivenessandreconciliationinyourownlife,letitleadyoutodeeperawareness.Whendoyouidentifywithsadnessinthemusic?Whenwithlonging,anger,remorse,hope?Howdoesthemusicresolveintheend?Isthereasenseofreconciliationandhomecoming?Whatmightthismeanforyoupersonally?IntermezzoinAMajorOp118No2byJohannesBrahms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h4Re5WBEAcPreludeinBminor,Op.32,No.10bySergeiRachmaninoff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHGd624HzDc3.ReconciliationThroughVisualArtOnthenextpagearetwopaintings.Thefirstiscalled“JacobandEsau”byGeorgeFredericWatts.Thesecondiscalled“TheReturnoftheProdigalSon”byRembrandtHarmenszoonvanRijn.InthemessageonSunday,wesawhowthesetwobiblicalstoriesarerelated.Thewaythefatherlovinglygreetshis“prodigal”soninLuke15:20isverysimilartohowEsaugreatsJacobinGenesis33:4.Spendsometimecontemplatingeachpicture.Lookcarefullyandactively.Whatdoeseachpaintingcaptureforyou?Howdoesitmakeyoufeel?Withwhomdoyouidentify?Lookatthephysicalityofthepeople;whatdotheirpostures“say”?Howdothetwopaintingscompare?Whatarethesimilaritiesanddifferenceswiththestoriestheytellvisually?Howdothesestoriesrelatetoyourownstoryasonewhoneedstoforgiveaswellasbeforgiven?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h4Re5WBEAc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHGd624HzDc


JacobandEsaubyGeorgeFredericWatts TheReturnoftheProdigalSonbyRembrandt

HarmenszoonvanRijn4.InthemessageonSunday,thespeakersuggestedthatthestoryofJacobandEsauspeakstousaboutreconciliationinmultipleways.Reconciliationisaboutcomingtotermswithandforgivingourselvesaswellasothers.It’saboutthehealingofsocietycollectively,whereweseethefaceofGodinallpeopleandactempatheticallytoovercomeinequityandinjustice.ReconciliationisalsoaboutcomingtotermswithGod—courageouslyfacingourdoubtandquestions,especiallyintimesofhardshipandconfusion.ItmeanswrestlingwithGod,andbeingpreparedtoembracenewunderstandingsandawareness.Whichofthesechallengesdoyoufeelmostespeciallyappliestoyourightnow,andwhy?Shareinyourgrouporwithafriendwhatyouaregoingthroughrightnowandhowthisstorycouldhelp.5.Shareyourstory:Weallgaveexperiencesofreconciliation.Formostofus,wealsohaveincompletestoriesthathavenotresolvedyet—storieswherewefindourselvesinthemiddle,longingforreconciliation,longingtobeforgiven,andyetnotreceivingit.Shareyourstorywithothersinyourgroup,orwithafriend,asasourceofencouragementandsupporttooneanother.


RuthandNaomi:ChoosingHopeTogetherIfyoumissedthemessageonSunday,youcanfinditonourwebsiteatwww.crcc.org/virtual-sundayoratwww.crcc.org/listen-to-messages.Duringourseries“StoriesofComfortandHope,”weareusingartisticexpressiontoexplorethemessagesandprovokediscussion.Creating,performingandexperiencingartcanhelpusexplorethemysteriesofGod,life,andourownhumanityinuniqueways.Thisweekourthemeis“ChoosingHopeTogether”basedonthestoryofRuthandNaomi.1.FindingGodintheStoryIntheBookofRuth,Godisonlydescribedasdirectlyinterveningtwice,andyetthespeakeronSundayclaimedGodisactingthroughoutthestory.ArtistshavestruggledwithrecognizingGod’spresenceinthisstory.Readthepoemandcontemplatethesculpturebelow.Thinkaboutyourownlife:WheredoyouseeGodacting—directlyorthroughothers?WheredoesGodseemabsent?Shareyourthoughtsinyourgroup,orwithafriend.

Thestory'sstrange.Foronce,Godwasn'ttalking,BusywithsomesacrificeorslaughterSomewhereelse.Noplague,cloud,gushingwater,Dream,omen,whirlwind.Justtwowomen,walkingThedustyroadfromMoabtoJudea,One,theyounger,havingtoldtheother(Notherown,butherdeadhusband'smother)Thatshewouldneverleaveher.ButtheyfleeaFamineforwhat,atfirst,seemssomethingworse:Tocomeaswidowstoacrowdedcity,Tomen’sappraisingstares,andwomen’spity.Ruth,thepagan,heardNaomicurse,Cringedandscannedthesky.NofireorstoneCamecrashingdownward.Theywereontheirown.

CatherineTufariello




“RuthandNaomi”byLeonardBaskin.1979.BronzeBorninNewJerseyin1922,thesonofanOrthodoxJewishrabbi,LeonardBaskinwasraisedwitharespectforlearningandaconcernforJewishheritage.Baskinbelieveditwashismoraldutytoexpressthehumanconditioninhiswork.


2.PrayingforHesedHesedisabeautifulHebrewwordmeaningsteadfastlove,loyalty,andcovenantalfaithfulness.Itisfreelygiven,self-sacrificial,lovingkindness.Inthewatercolorbelow,theartistpraysforGod’shesed(orchesed)tofillhercommunity.TakesometimetothinkofpeopleandsituationsclosetoyouinneedofGod’shesed,andprayforthem.Youcandothisindividually,withafriend,orinyourgroup.Ifyourheartfeelsoverwhelmed,considersketchingyourownpictureasaformofprayer.Itdoesnotneedtobeskillful—simplyusetheprocessasawayofaskingforGod’slovingkindnesstobemoreevidentlypresent.

“Hesed”byRisaAqua(www.risaaqua.com)

http://www.risaaqua.com


3.PracticingHesedCheckoutthisbriefvideothatasksthequestion:“Whatifkindnesswereaformofmusic?”www.youtube.com/watch/?v=u4JOOD72xgANowlistentothistrack,entitled“Kindness”:www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y83VyPjG9MInwhatwaysdoesthismusicmakeyouthinkofkindness?Itwhatwaysdoesitnot?Thinkbacktoatimewhensomeoneshowedyou(oryoushowedsomeone)asignificantactofkindness.Whattypeofmusicwouldyouassociatewiththatact?Wasthatkindnessreciprocatedor“paidforward”inanywaythatyouareawareof?Thinkofsomeoneyoucanshowgreatkindnesstothisweek.Don’tsettleforsomethingquickandeasy!Practicehesedbygoingaboveandbeyondwhatisrequiredofyou.Shareyourideawithafriendorinyourgroup.Youaremuchmorelikelytocarryoutyourgoodintentionsifsomeoneelseisawareofthem.4.FullorEmptyWhenNaomireturnedtoBethlehemshesaid,“Iwentawayfull,buttheLordhasbroughtmebackempty.”Inwhatwayswasthistrue?Inwhatwayswasitnottrue?HowdoyouthinkRuthfeltwhensheheardNaomisaythat?Inwhatwaysisyourownlifefull?Inwhatwaysisitempty?Howcanyouencourageothersbyfocusingonthepartsthatarefull?

http://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=u4JOOD72xgA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y83VyPjG9M


Psalm23:TheComfortofGod’sPresenceIfyoumissedthemessageonSunday,youcanfinditonourwebsiteatwww.crcc.org/virtual-sundayoratwww.crcc.org/listen-to-messages.ThisweekwehavebeenlookingatPsalm23—possiblyoneofthemosthopefulandcomfortingpassagesinthewholeBible.Welookedatitasameditationthatcanhelpusheartheloving,compassionate,empoweringvoiceofJesus,ratherthanthemanyothernegativevoiceswehearinternallyandexternally.Discussthefollowingquestionswithyourgrouporwithatrustedfriendandtakeamomenteachdaytodothepersonalmediation.DiscussionQuestions1. WhatstruckyoumostaboutthemessageonSunday,andwhy?2. Whichpartofthispsalmspeaksmostespeciallytoyou?Withthatinmind,howwouldyoudescribe

thecurrentrelatednarratives(“othervoices”)thatyouneedtoleavebehind?Whatdoyouthinkthe“voiceofJesus”issaying,andhowcanyourespondtothat?

3. ShareatimewhenyouhaveexperiencedthecomfortingpresenceofGod.Whatwereyougoing

through?Howdidyoufeelcomforted?Howcouldyoufostermoreofthatpresenceinyourlifenow?

PersonalMeditationTake3minuteseachdaythisweektomeditateoneachpartofthepsalm.Readthewholepsalmallthewaythrough(oneminute)andthentaketwominutestoreflectonthehighlightedsection(usethesuggestionsformeditation,ifhelpful).Trytobemindfulofyourreflectionsthroughouttheday,andlistenfortheinnervoiceoflove—thevoiceofJesus.1.MeditationforSundayReadthewholepsalmandmeditatefor2minutesonthehighlightedpart.

• Throughoutthedayconsciouslygivethanksforwhatyouhaveandreceive.




• Eachtimeyoubecomeanxiousabouttomorrow(orthenextday,orthenextminute!)letgoofthatfearandfocusongratefulness.

Psalm23TheLordismyshepherd;Ishallnotwant.Hemakesmetoliedowningreenpastures;Heleadsmebesidethestillwaters.Herestoresmysoul;HeleadsmeinthepathsofrighteousnessForHisname’ssake.Yea,thoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Iwillfearnoevil;ForYouarewithme;YourrodandYourstaff,theycomfortme.Youprepareatablebeforemeinthepresenceofmyenemies;Youanointmyheadwithoil;Mycuprunsover.SurelygoodnessandmercyshallfollowmeAllthedaysofmylife;AndIwilldwellinthehouseoftheLordForever.

2.MeditationforMondayReadthewholepsalmandmeditatefor2minutesonthehighlightedpart.

• Doyoufeeltired?Whenisthelasttimeyouhadarefreshingrest?Whatkeepsyoufromresting?

• Takesomeshortmomentsoutofyouworkandactivitytoquietlyrest.Letgoofanyguiltyfeelings.

Psalm23TheLordismyshepherd;Ishallnotwant.Hemakesmetoliedowningreenpastures;Heleadsmebesidethestillwaters.Herestoresmysoul;


HeleadsmeinthepathsofrighteousnessForHisname’ssake.Yea,thoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Iwillfearnoevil;ForYouarewithme;YourrodandYourstaff,theycomfortme.Youprepareatablebeforemeinthepresenceofmyenemies;Youanointmyheadwithoil;Mycuprunsover.SurelygoodnessandmercyshallfollowmeAllthedaysofmylife;AndIwilldwellinthehouseoftheLordForever.

3.MeditationforTuesdayReadthewholepsalmandmeditatefor2minutesonthehighlightedpart.

• Whataresomewaysinwhichyouwalkincirclestryingtoavoidconflict,pleasepeople,ortryingtomanipulateoutcomes?

• Walkinstraight,honest,justandkindlinestoday.

Psalm23TheLordismyshepherd;Ishallnotwant.Hemakesmetoliedowningreenpastures;Heleadsmebesidethestillwaters.Herestoresmysoul;HeleadsmeinthepathsofrighteousnessForHisname’ssake.Yea,thoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Iwillfearnoevil;ForYouarewithme;YourrodandYourstaff,theycomfortme.Youprepareatablebeforemeinthepresenceofmyenemies;Youanointmyheadwithoil;Mycuprunsover.


SurelygoodnessandmercyshallfollowmeAllthedaysofmylife;AndIwilldwellinthehouseoftheLordForever.

4.MeditationforWednesdayReadthewholepsalmandmeditatefor2minutesonthehighlightedpart.

• Inwhatwaysdoyoufeeloverwhelmedoroppressed?• Throughouttheday,whenyoufeelafraid,takeamomenttobreatheinGod’sloveand

acceptance.EachtimechoosetoaccepttherealityofGod’spresenceratherthanabandonment.


5.MeditationforThursdayReadthewholepsalmandmeditatefor2minutesonthehighlightedpart.

• Whatactionsandbehaviorsinyourlifearecausingyouorotherspainorfrustration?• Throughoutthedaylistentoyourpainandfrustration,anddon’trunfromit.Whatisittelling

you?



6.MeditationforFridayReadthewholepsalmandmeditatefor2minutesonthehighlightedpart.

• Howhavedifficultpeopleordifficultsituationsandstrugglesinyourlifehelpedyoubecomeabetterperson?

• Throughoutthedaygivethanksforthem.

Psalm23TheLordismyshepherd;Ishallnotwant.Hemakesmetoliedowningreenpastures;Heleadsmebesidethestillwaters.Herestoresmysoul;HeleadsmeinthepathsofrighteousnessForHisname’ssake.Yea,thoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Iwillfearnoevil;


ForYouarewithme;YourrodandYourstaff,theycomfortme.Youprepareatablebeforemeinthepresenceofmyenemies;Youanointmyheadwithoil;Mycuprunsover.SurelygoodnessandmercyshallfollowmeAllthedaysofmylife;AndIwilldwellinthehouseoftheLordForever.

7.MeditationforSaturdayReadthewholepsalmandmeditatefor2minutesonthehighlightedpart.

• Sitquietlyandopenyouhearttofeelanysenseoffear,forebodingorparanoia.Whatdoyouthinkisthecauseofthat?

• Eachtimeyoubecomeanxioustoday,remindyourselfthatgoodnessandmercyisfollowingyouandtheyaremorepowerfulthananyofthedarknessyoumightsenseoveryourshoulder.



RebuildingtheTemple:HopefortheLongHaulIfyoumissedthemessageonSunday,youcanfinditonourwebsiteatwww.crcc.org/virtual-sundayoratwww.crcc.org/listen-to-messages.ThisweekwearelookingatthestoryofZerubbabel,JoshuaandthefamilieswhoreturnedtoJerusalemfromexileinBabylonwithamissiontorebuildGod’stemple.Discussthefollowingquestionswithyourgrouporwithatrustedfriend,andtakeamomenteachdaytodooneofthespiritualpracticeslistedbelow.DiscussionQuestions1. WhatresonatedwithyoumostaboutthemessageonSunday,andwhy?2. Lookatthepicturesofhousesofworshipbelow.Howdotheymakeyoufeel?Arethereanyaspects

ofthearchitectureordecorationthatspeaktoyouofGod?Ifyouwerebuildingachurch,whatfeatureswouldyouincorporate,andwhy?

Figure1:GoldenTemple,Amritsar,India Figure2:AngkorWat,Cambodia




Figure3:CathedralOfBrasilia,Brazil Figure4:SaltCathedralofZipaquira,Colombia

Figure5:FairfieldFriendsMeetingHouse,England Figure6:NewSynagogue,Berlin,Germany

3. ScriptureteachesthatweareindividuallyandcollectivelyGod’stemple.Godisinus,andwebring

God’spresencetoothers.SharethestoryofatimeyoubroughtGod’spresencetosomeoneelse,orsomeonebroughtGod’spresencetoyou.

PersonalSpiritualPracticesTheIsraeliteswhoreturnedtoJerusalemdidn’twaituntilthetemplewasbuiltbeforetheystartedtheirregularpracticesofworshippingGod.Theyimprovised—andwemightneedtodothat,too!Yourschedulemayhavechanged:youmayhavelessstructureddays,orfindyourselfbusyjugglingrolesandresponsibilities.Ratherthanwaitingfor“normality”toresume,selectasimplepracticeyoucanincorporateintoyourdaytoworshipandgrowinyourrelationshipwithGod.

• Useaphoneapp—downloadanduseanappsuchas“TheBibleApp”or“PrayAsYouGo”• GoonawalkwithGod—goforawalkinsilence,andlistenforthevoiceofGod• SingtoGod—singorlistentoasongthatmovesyouandhelpsyoufeelconnectedtoGod• Dailyprayer—setasideafewminutesataspecifictimeeachdaytopray• Readapsalm—readapsalmeachdayandreflectonit• Objectreminder—keepanobjectsuchasasmallrock(perhapswitha

wordwrittenonit)inyourpocketoronyourdesktoremindyouthatGodiswithyou

Hope


JesusWalksonWater:CouragetoStepintotheUnknownIfyoumissedthemessageonSunday,youcanfinditonourwebsiteatwww.crcc.org/virtual-sundayoratwww.crcc.org/listen-to-messages.Duringourseries“StoriesofComfortandHope,”weareusingartisticexpressiontoexplorethemessagesandprovokediscussion.Creating,performingandexperiencingartcanhelpusexperiencethemysteriesofGod,life,andourownhumanityinuniqueways.ThisweekwelookedatthestoriesofJesuscalmingastormandwalkingonwater,andhowwecanexperiencecourage,peaceandevenempowermentinourownlife-storms.Belowaresamplesofvisualart,musicandpoetry(actuallyapsalm)thateachcreateanopportunityforcontemplation.Letthemhelpyoureflectonthemessage,andrelateittoyourownlife.Thenlookatthetwoquestionsattheend,andtakeamomentthisweektoshareindiscussionwithyoursmallgrouporwithafriend.CouragethroughVisualArtBelowarethreestormpaintingsbyJosephMallordWilliamTurner(1775-1851).Spendsometimelookingateachone.Trytosinkintothesceneandfindyourselfinit.

• Whatfeelingsandemotionsdoesitevokeinyou?• Howaretheskyandwaterdistinctandindistinctfromoneanother?• Howdoesthisrelatetoyourownlife?Whereistheredarkness;wheredoyouseelight?Where

istherebeautyandfear?• Howdoesthepaintingembodychaos,andhowdoesitembodypeace?

Takesometimetoletthesepaintingsopenyourheartandmindtothepossibilityofcourageandhope.




SeascapewithStormComingOn

SnowStorm-Steam-BoatoffaHarbour’sMouth


TheMorningaftertheStorm

CouragethroughMusicBelowarelinkstotwopiecesofmusic.Thefirstisquitefamousandprevalentinourculture,andmightsoundfamiliar.Thesecondonemightbelessfamiliar.Clickonthelinksandlisten.Thevisualimagesarenotallthathelpful,soitmightbebesttocloseyoureyeswhileyoulisten.Eitherway,setasidetimesoyoucanlistenwithoutinterruption(perhapsafewtimesthrough).Letyourselfsinkintothemusic,letitwashover,aroundandintoyou.Letitcarryyou.

• Howdoesitmakeyoufeel?• Whendoesitseempeaceful;whendoesitfeelchaoticandstormy?• Whattensionandangerdoesitarouseinyouandwhy?• Letyourownlifemergewiththemusicandletthemusicevokeyouremotions.Whereisyour

lifeatthemoment?Doyousenseastormcoming?Areyouinonerightnow?Ordoyoufeelthestormissubsiding?

• Whendoesthemusicseemtotransitionandresolve?Howdoesthatmakeyoufeel?• Ifthereisanymusicalbeauty,comfortorreliefinthetransition,whatdoesthissayaboutthe

stormitself?

Takesometimetoletthemusicopenyourheartandmindtothepossibilityofcourageandhope.Movements4and5fromSymphonyNo.6inFMajor,Op.68(alsoknownasthe“PastoralSymphony”)byLudvigvanBeethoven

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn9_C6X4UXMEtude-tableauOp.39No.2inAMinorbySergeiRachmaninoff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXZoZ5jRWQw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn9_C6X4UXM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXZoZ5jRWQw


CouragethroughPoetryReadPsalm13below.

• HowdoyourelatetothisPsalm?Inwhatwaysdoesitconnecttoanyofyourownfeelingsofchaos,anger,abandonmentordespair?

• Inourcurrentsituation,howmightstorms,chaosandconfusionfeellikemetaphorical“enemies”?

• Whereisthestorminthispsalm?Howdoesitresolve?Howdoyourelatetothisresolutionyourself?

• Inwhatwaysdoyoufindcomfort,hopeandcouragehere?

Psalm13-NewInternationalVersion(Forthedirectorofmusic.ApsalmofDavid.)

Howlong,Lord?Willyouforgetmeforever?Howlongwillyouhideyourfacefromme?HowlongmustIwrestlewithmythoughtsanddayafterdayhavesorrowinmyheart?Howlongwillmyenemytriumphoverme?

Lookonmeandanswer,LordmyGod.Givelighttomyeyes,orIwillsleepindeath,andmyenemywillsay,“Ihaveovercomehim,”andmyfoeswillrejoicewhenIfall.

ButItrustinyourunfailinglove;myheartrejoicesinyoursalvation.IwillsingtheLord’spraise,forhehasbeengoodtome.

IntheMessageonSunday

1. Whatstruckyourmostaboutthemessage?2. ThespeakersuggestedthatthesestoriesaboutJesuscalmingthestormandwalkingonwater

reflectaninvitationtoustoshareinthedivinelifethatJesusexperienced.Whatdoyouthinkaboutthis?Whataretheimplicationsforus?DoyouagreethatJesus’viewabout“salvation”hasmoretodowithempowermentthanrescue?

ShareyourStoryShareaboutatimewhenyoufeltempoweredduringdifficultcircumstances(inyourownlife-storm).

• Whatwasthesituationandhowdiditevolve?• Didyoualwaysfeelpositiveduringit?• Howdiditresolveandwhy?Whatmadeyoufeelempowered?

Shareyourstorywithothersinyourgroup,orwithafriend,asasourceofencouragement,andsupporttooneanother.


Paul’sPerils:FindingStrengthinChristTogetherIfyoumissedthemessageonSunday,youcanfinditonourwebsiteatwww.crcc.org/virtual-sundayoratwww.crcc.org/listen-to-messages.ThisweekwearelookingatthestoryofPaul,particularlysomeoftheperilouschallengeshefacedashetookthemessageofGod’skingdomaroundtheRomanEmpire.Discussthefollowingquestionswithyourgrouporwithatrustedfriend,andconsidertakingafewmomentstodothespiritualpracticebelow.

DiscussionQuestions

1.WhatresonatedwithyoumostaboutthemessageonSunday,andwhy?

2.LookatthefollowingpiecesofartworkoftheApostlePaul.BothofthesewerebyRembrandt,painted30yearsapart.WhatdoyounoticeabouthisportrayalofPaul?Whatemotionsdoeshecapture?

TheApostlePaul,Rembrandt,1657St.PaulinPrison,Rembrandt,1627




3.AnonlinereviewofartworkofPaulrevealsveryfewpaintingsthatportrayPaulasjoyfulorhappy.Whydoyouthinkthatis?HowdoesthiscompareorcontrasttowhatPaulhadtosayin2CorinthiansorotherpassagesofScripture?4.DescribeatimethatyoufeltcomfortedbyGod.Howdidyoufeelbeforeandafterwards?Howdidthissenseofcomfortcometoyou?5.Paul’sexampleencouragesustobehonestaboutourstruggles.Hassharingyourstruggleswithothersbeeneasyordifficultforyou?Canyoudescribeatimewhenyouletsomeoneknowaboutyourchallenges,andthenthatpersonencouragedorcomfortedyou?

SpiritualPractice

In2Corinthians4:8-9,Paulsaid:“Wearesorepressedateverypoint,butnothemmedin.Weareatourwit’send,butneveratourhope’send.Wearepersecutedbymen,butneverabandonedbyGod.Weareknockeddown,butnotknockedout.”Takesometimetoreflectonyourcurrentstateofheartandmind.CreateastatementlikePaul’sthatputsintowordshowyouarefeeling.Sharethisasaprayerto“theGodofallcomfort.”AskforGod’shelpand/orlistenforGod’svoice.

Documents

Table of Contents...Hassidic Jewish family in Russia. That aspect of the Jewish faith believed that all things in nature are holy. The goat represents the holiness of animals and nature