Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Exodus 27, 28, 29, 30

Comments:

These chapters in Exodus can be tedious reading since they give us details of a way of life that are far removed from our life in our Ponca City.

But we do know that our worship space is also sacred and holds meaning. The Communion Table, the Pulpit, the Baptistery and the Baptismal Font, the Communion Rail, the Stained Glass – each holds special meaning and we treat these objects with dignity and respect.

One item that stands out to me is that the priest wore clothing that had the twelve stones on the breastplate which bore the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The priest was always carrying the names of the people before God in prayer. The names of the people were never far from the priest’s heart. So too a pastor holds his or her people in the church before God in prayer. A pastor has the people of the church always on their minds and near their heart.

As church members we not hold every single church member in prayer. But we do belong to smaller groups in the church. Many of us belong to a Sunday School. Prayer requests are shared there that are not shared in worship or with the whole church. We know all the names of those in our Sunday School class. We can pray for them on a regular basis. When someone in our small group is in need, the whole group is there for them. When one rejoices, the whole group rejoices. The small group is a place for deep learning – we cannot learn all we need to learn about the Christian life by listening to the pastor’s sermon each week – we need more. And many of us fail to learn solely by ourselves. We need each other. That is why it is important to be a part of a small group.

Who is on your heart and mind today? Who are you holding in prayer?