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Today's guest speaker is Sarah Angelo.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Bob Senay Introit Choir Thy Word Is a Lamp unto My Feet # 458 ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 32) L.: Let all God’s people come. P: We will lift our voices to the Lord. L: God says, “I will teach you the way you should go.” ALL: So, we will listen and follow God’s way. INVOCATION Sarah Angelo
* HYMN O Worship the King, All Glorious Above # 41
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON) Most merciful God, whose Son Jesus Christ was tempted in every way, yet without sin, we confess before You that we have sinned; we have hungered after that which does not satisfy; we have compromised with evil; we have doubted Your power to protect us. Forgive our lack of faith; have mercy on our weakness. Restore in us such love and trust that we may walk in your ways and delight in doing Your will. * Time of silent prayer *Assurance of Pardon Friends, by the grace of God, you and I have been forgiven of our sins and invited to a renewed life with our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ! Amen! *Response – Gloria Patri (Hymnal page 581) *Passing the Peace L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. P: And also, with you. CHILDREN’S CHAT Prayer for Illumination Scripture reading Don Herschell Old Testament; Genesis 2: 15-17; 3: 1-7 New Testament; Matthew 4: 1-11 L: The Word of the Lord P: Thanks be to God! Sermon “ WILDERNESS SURVIVAL “ *HYMN O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go # 833 *Apostles Creed (copy next to prayer list) Presentation of our tithes and offering Offertory Bob Senay *Doxology (Hymnal page 606) *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the People The Lord’s Prayer *HYMN In the Cross of Christ I Glory # 213 *Choir Give Thanks # 647 *Benediction Postlude Bob Senay
BIRTHDAYS: David Gill, Bryan Welling, Marlene McFeely
ANNIVERSARYS: John & Rosemary Cole SYMPATHYS: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Remember our food Collection. And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Please let Betty Fisher know of anyone within the Community that may be in need at this time. Anyone wanting to join our new choir can do so by coming to the church during Sunday School hour. The choir rehearsal starts at 10:45 downstairs. All those interested are greatly appreciated. Starting March 5, 2023, we will be starting cover dish dinners after church. They will continue thru May 7th. Make your favorite dish to bring!! If you have any joys and concerns you want in the bulletin, please call, text, or email me. My email is tootie2403@gmail.com Please let me know by Wednesday night so I can get them in Sunday’s bulletin. Thanks, Diana
LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICES
EACH SUNDAY AT 4 PM Again this Lenten season you are invited to worship and fellowship with neighbors in a series of Sunday Afternoon Services for Lent. The 2023 Theme is Turning Points. Guest preachers will draw upon the accounts of persons in the Gospel of John – people who experienced significant life-change because of Christ Jesus and the impact that He had upon them. Come for the worship and fellowship! Feb 26 Taylorstown Presbyterian Church 4:00 PM Rev. Dr. Jerome Creach, preaching Rev. Craig Kephart, liturgist Those in the Temple marketplace, John 2:2-25 Mar 5 West Alexander Presbyterian Church 4:00 PM Student Clayton LaPosta, preaching Ruling Elder Don Herschell, liturgist Nicodemus, John 3:1-13 Mar 12 North Buffalo U.P. Church 4:00 PM Ruling Elder Cody Rogers preaching ______________________, liturgist The Woman at the Well, John 4:5ff Mar 19 Grove U.P. Church, West Middletown 4:00 PM Rev. Renny Domske, preaching Ruling Elder Diana Smith, liturgist Judas Iscariot, John 13:21-30 Mar 26 U.P. Church of Claysville – Worship and Music by ONE VOICE ministry Apr 2 Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church 4:00 PM Rev. Terry Lucarelli, preaching. Ruling Elder Dale Rush, liturgist The Disciple Simon Peter, John 21:4-19 All services are at 4 p.m. The offering will be given to the McGuffey Food Pantry. As the host congregation for March 12, North Buffalo has been asked to provide greeters, an accompanist, ushers to collect the offering and at least two volunteers to count and record the offering in cash and checks, to record the total and to turn over the offering to a designated presbytery volunteer. At Easter, all of the offerings will be given to the food pantry. Those interested in serving in one of these roles should contact a member of our worship and music committee. Each church has also been asked to ensure that the speaker system is in good working order and to provide a fellowship space and light refreshments after the service. The presbytery will provide bulletins for each afternoon’s service.
CONTINUING PRAYER LIST
Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Chuck Dicks, Tim Knabenshue, Frank Huffman, Tom Westfall, Elaine Belcascro, Sandy Stone, Matt Petrola, Nancy Hepinger, Sarah Wilson, Bill Poland, Carl Weber, Jimmy Svetz, Haley Diedier Bedillion, Fred Wilkinson, Evelyn Wood, Brandon Bell, Ricci Amos, Nancy Diaz, Gianna Perry, Tiffany Cipoletti, Diane Anderson, Jim Durila, Tim Taylor, Suzy Smith, Ed Horne, Helen Provenzano, Jean Westfall, Lori Doxtator Walker, Ruth Buterbaugh, Carol Knabenshue, Mike Diedier, Richard Wagner, Ruby Hathaway, Nellie Baker, Janet Rhoades, Ed Caffrey, Billie Wilson, Jeff Durila, Ron Westfall, Taylor Shrontz Kopacko, Heather Waltz Simpson, Betty Fisher, Jean Kuhn
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Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today! This is the first Sunday of Lent.
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns together. Think about the past week, and any prayer requests you may have. If you have any you would like to share, you can add them to this post as a comment. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Thank You, Father, for including me as one of Your chosen servants. Enable me, in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of the Lord Jesus, to be a good and faithful witness to You in my earthly walk. May You be glorified and exulted in my life, and in all I say and do, I pray that I may sing forth Your eternal praises and glory, from this day forward and for evermore. AMEN.
Today's lesson is on 1 Peter 2:1-10.
Results of the Call
When we read the New Testament today, we sometimes lose sight of the fact that becoming a Christian was a huge step in that cultural and religious context. Beginning with the apostles, Christian leaders worked tirelessly to help new believers come to see themselves in a new light. They had a new identity in Christ. The 27 books of the New Testament include 2 that are ascribed to the apostle Peter. The first of these two is particularly thick with citations from and allusions to various Old Testament passages. Only Revelation has a greater percentage. Peter's audience – the members of the congregation to which he wrote- had received the gospel of Jesus Christ willingly. They had obeyed the truth, had purified their souls and had been born again. Consequently, they must resolve to live in a way that was consistent with those facts. Verse 1 What follows is called a “vice list” of five items in three groupings. Malice constitutes the first grouping. It carries the sense of evil actions in general. Such actions can be motivated by greed, spite, jealousy or other moral failings; the resulting action intends to harm another person. The second grouping consists of attitudes or personality traits that present themselves in behavior. Deceit is an orientation of general dishonesty. Hypocrisy characterizes a person who will play whatever role is most beneficial to him or her. Envy characterizes a bitter, restless spirit that begrudges the success or possessions of others. Envy is the opposite of gratitude, of contentment with what God has given. The third grouping is the spiritual poison of slander of every kind. Such behavior is what results from the previously three: a deceitful person feigning innocence and friendship yet harboring deep resentment and envy. Such persons work behind the scenes to damage the reputation of others. All this reveals Peter's concern for congregational Solidarity. A congregation under pressure tends toward bickering and division. Verse 2 As there are different levels of spiritual maturity, there are different foods that are appropriate for those levels. There is nothing wrong with spiritual milk; it is necessary and desirable for those who are newborn babies, spiritually speaking. But its ingestion should lead to something important. There are two extremes to avoid when it comes to the milk of the world as spiritual nourishment. One extreme is to become so attached to that milk that the believer becomes satisfied and never moves on to spiritual meat; the other is to avoid the milk altogether. Either extremes yields the same eventual outcome; stunted or no spiritual growth. We need to grow in holiness. Verse 5 One stone does not a building make, no matter how immense that stone may be. God's spiritual house requires numerous other living stones. The nature of this structure is also not in doubt; it is a spiritual house not a physical one. The way Peter phrases things in the verse before us, this spiritual house consists of holy priesthood. In the Old Testament era, the priest went to the physical temple to offer physical sacrifices that included animals; in the New Testament era, the priest, (all Christians) are the temple, and they offer living spiritual sacrifices of themselves. The concept of the priesthood and temple have not been done away with; rather, they have been transformed. Christians do not need a priest as the ancient Israelites did, because we now are priests ourselves as we serve under the great high priest, Jesus Christ. Verse 8 The apostle Paul is most direct in identifying the crucified Christ as this stumbling block. All devout Jews expected the Messiah to come, but no one expected him to be crucified. The concept was downright offensive. Not everyone will believe when presented with the gospel; the crucifixion of Jesus can be incomprehensible for many. Verse 9 The church as a chosen people has not been granted that status because of its accomplishments, but because God selected it to be a royal priesthood. In ancient Israel, those of royal lineage were separate and distinct from those in the priesthood. That changes in the New Testament era. Believers are royalty because of our relationship with King Jesus, but we're also priests in that we minister to one another. The contrast between spiritual darkness and light is a key New Testament theme. We are not only called into his wonderful light; we are indeed light, as the apostle Paul points out in Ephesians 5:8. The nature of our light sets us apart from unbelievers. To the degree that we fail to use the light to declare the praise of him, we lose the counter cultural power of the Christian faith. Verse 10 The description and titles Peter bestows on the baptized believers are all the more amazing when we consider the place from where the Jewish element of his audience had come. One time, they had fortified their status as God's people. Israel had been unfaithful toward God. The Gentiles, for their part, had never been God's people just by definition. But in Christ the reversal for both was complete; believers are the people of God and recipients of his mercy. In light of that, no persecution or suffering at the hands of enemies of the cross can ultimately prevail. 
Conclusion
The question of identity is at the center of today's text. In the face of persecution and suffering, the believers to whom Peter wrote seemed to have had their doubts. In our contemporary world, the issue of our identity as Christians is just as important. Our world bombards us with endless identity options. These options is in and of themselves range for the harmless to the sinful. But what all of these have in common is that they must give way before our allegiance to King Jesus. May we honor that role in the year 2023 and beyond as we work toward the unity of believers as the holy, royal nation of King Jesus. Prayer Lord God, help us to remember our identity in your Son as we live out that identity. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Questions
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the God's Word Translation. 
Next week, we start our spring quarter, which will be Jesus Calls Us. The lesson will be on Luke 15:11-24.
Our guest speaker today is Rev. Dave Mason.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Bob Senay ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: God said, “This is my Son, the Beloved.” People: Let us worship you, O beloved God. Leader: God said, “Listen!” People: We want to hear your word anew this day. Leader: God said, “Do not be afraid.” People: We lay our worries at your feet. Leader: And after all this was spoken, God was quiet. People: Still our souls, quiet our minds, and prepare us to be transformed, holy God. INVOCATION Rev. Mason
HYMN 192 Lord, The Light of Your Love is Shining
CALL TO CONFESSION Let us bow before our holy and loving God, confessing our sins with honesty and faith. PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON) Holy God, you see into our hearts. You see the true selves we try to hide from others, the sins we fear would destroy our images, the unholy habits that have been with us so long that they no longer prick our consciences. Yet you also see in us Jesus Christ, the Holy One who took on our sin and covers us in his righteousness. Forgive us for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior. AMEN *Time of silent prayer. Assurance of Pardon By God’s mercy, we are forgiven; by God's mercy, we are made whole; by God's mercy, we are equipped to serve others. Thanks be to God. Amen. *Passing the Peace L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. P: And also, with you. *Response – Gloria Patri (Hymnal 581) CHILDREN’S CHAT The Word of God Prayer for Illumination Scripture reading Matthew 17: 1-9 L: The Word of the Lord P: Thanks be to God ! Sermon “ASCENDING THE MOUNTAIN” Responding to the Word HYMN 193 Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain *Apostles Creed (look at your insert) ORDINATION, INSTALLATION SERVICE (insert) 69 Here I Am, Lord Presentation of our tithes and offering Offertory Bob Senay Doxology (Hymnal page 606) Prayer of dedication Prayers of the People Rev. Mason The Lord’s Prayer HYMN 724 O Jesus, I Have Promised Benediction Postlude Bob Senay
NOTES ABOUT THE SERVICE
ORDINATION is the act of setting aside a person to do God’s work through the Church. The Presbyterian Church (USA) ordains people to three offices: Deacon, Elder, and the Minister of the Word and Sacrament. Ordination is the act of the whole Church. The tradition of LAYING ON OF HANDS was practiced in the early church and reference to it may be found in the New Testament (I Tim 4:14). The act of laying on of hands sets the person aside for a special use and evokes God to grant God’s grace and blessing upon the individual’s ministry. Ordination is, therefore, not understood in terms of power from one generation to the next, but rather in terms of service, after the manner of the servant ministry of Jesus Christ. INSTALLATION is an act whereby an Elder or Trustee is commissioned by the Church for a particular service at a particular time. The term of service is blessed by God and acknowledged by the congregation. This blessing is placed upon those who have responded to the call to service and their ongoing commitment.
Good morning!
We're so glad you chose to join us today!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns with each other. If you have prayer requests to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, use this prayer to get started.
Lord, we know that there have been times when we have turned away from people who were dirty or difficult, times when we wished they would have remained invisible to us. In our minds, we have assigned blame for people’s poverty or addiction, and we have even treated them as less than ourselves. On the other hand, we clamber after those who are like us. We enjoy and admire those who fit into our economic and social class, those who we believe will make good additions to our church, and so we treat them better and welcome them more warmly.
Help us, Father, to love as you love. Help us to take special care to love the poor, those who are difficult, those who are hurting and needy, those who different from us racially, politically and spiritually, because we know they are our neighbors, too, and we know that you love them just as you love us. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.
Today's lesson is on James 2:1-12.
Introduction
When I was a child, there was a popular comedy team named “The Smothers Brothers.” They were real brothers, Tom and Dick Smothers, and part of their routine involved bickering back and forth until, in frustration, Tom would yell out, “Mom always liked you best!” It wasn’t really a response to the argument at hand. It was really just a humorous expression of the tensions that were —supposedly — going on underneath it all. Jealousy based on favoritism. Somehow I always think of that routine when I read these words from the second chapter of James. The author of this book is believed to be the brother of Jesus. He was not one of the original disciples, but after Jesus’s death, James had become the leader of the Jerusalem church, which served as the mother church for congregations throughout the Roman world. In fact, it was James who led the meeting of the famous Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, where church leaders decided not to burden Gentile converts with following the Jewish law. In this section of his letter, he addresses another problem that had come up in some of the churches. The problem was favoritism. And it is something that should not happen in the church, either in early Christian times or today.
Problem identified (verses 1-4)
James opens up this section with a sort of thesis statement: Believers must not show favoritism. Why? First of all, because God is our Father, and God does not show favoritism. Therefore we should emulate God in the way we treat each other, especially since through Christ we are also brothers and sisters. We may not be “real brothers,” like Tom and Dick Smothers, but we are brothers and sisters in a spiritual sense through Christ. And with God as our Father, we are loved beyond measure. Next James illustrates how partiality might play out in the church. An obviously wealthy man comes into the church, and a dirty, poor man wearing ragged clothes also comes in. The temptation is to treat the wealthy man with more deference because that is the way he is used to being treated outside the church. At the same time, the host might treat the poor man with less hospitality, possibly thinking that there is nothing wrong with treating him the way he is treated outside the church. In Leviticus 19, God gives Moses a series of laws that define how holiness should be lived out in everyday life. One of those laws, in verses 15, states, “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” In other words, people should not favor others because they are rich or poor, but they should judge them impartially. When people of faith treat discriminate against others, James says, they become “judges with evil thoughts.” That is, they either miscarry justice simply because they value one class of people (usually the rich and powerful) over another, or they show favoritism toward the wealthy because they want to get something from them in return.
Problem evaluated (verses 5-7)
In the next section, James goes deeper into just why favoritism is wrong for those in the church. First, James gives a positive reason. He points out how, in the kingdom of God, God reverses the world’s value structures. Oftentimes it is those who are poor in the estimation of the world whom God has endowed with more faith and more spiritual wealth. In the Sermon on the Mount and elsewhere, Jesus spoke of how the kingdom of God differs from the kingdom of this world. The scriptures often remind us of God’s preference for the poor, and they often show how God has chosen poor and weak people to do extraordinary things for God’s kingdom. So God has seen fit to elevate the poor, and the church should try to reflect those kingdom values. Not only that, but James goes on to point out that it was the rich who were dishonoring and exploiting those in the church. So, simply as a matter of common sense, why were people in the church treating them as though they deserved special honor? We can see the same thing happening today. Why do so many people eagerly follow the lives of celebrities, even when they proudly display selfish and egotistical lifestyles and even spout hate-filled and racist words? Just because a person may be able to act or sing or play music or acquire a great deal of money, that is no reason to be captivated by their personas. Christians are to follow those whose lives offer a completely different example, an example of humility and love for others. As an extension of that argument, James says that the rich and powerful were also “blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong.” The dictionary defines blasphemy as showing disrespect, by words or actions, to something that is considered holy or sacred. According to the Sunday school lesson, James may be referring to rich people who oppressed the poor but who pretend to be godly, but it also points out that not all wealthy people then or now fall into this category.
Problem’s solution (verses 8-12)
The way to avoid falling into a trap of favoritism is to follow “the royal law,” which is to love your neighbor as you love yourself. If you understand that everyone is your neighbor — as Jesus poignantly illustrated in the story of the Good Samaritan — you will treat everyone, regardless of their worldly status, equally with love and respect. This rule did not start with Jesus. Jesus took this commandment from the book of Leviticus, and the law of Moses excluded showing favoritism. Therefore, to show favoritism is to be a lawbreaker and a sinner. “Discrimination,” the lesson says, “is a failure to love, and love is at the core of the law of Christ.” At its heart, the law was not simply a set of rules to follow. It was a way to show people how to love each other in practical ways during that period of history. And that is why James concludes this section by telling his readers to speak and act as people who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom. When we think of laws, we naturally think of regulations and rules that restrict us from doing something or that require us to do something else under threat of punishment. But James says the laws of the Bible are meant to give us freedom. That is because they free us from our sinful tendency to be selfish and self-destructive, and they free us to live the best lives we can live. Therefore, obeying them brings us true freedom. So as much as we can, we should attempt to live our lives according to Christ’s law of love. 
Conclusion
Today’s text is justly famous for the specific sin that it identifies and condemns. Discrimination grows out of our fallen human nature — a nature that is drawn to wealth and status, or at least proximity to it. Everyone is subject to its allure, and we all can think of instances when the temptation has been present for us. James’s teachings are, therefore, for us as well as for his initial readers. May we take this lesson as an encouragement to examine the patterns of our lives and to root out prejudice, replacing it with love. Prayer Father, may your Holy Spirit teach us to see those who walk the earth with us as you see them. As we do, deliver us from the sins of partiality, prejudice, and preference. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Questions for discussion:
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the King James Version. 
Next week's lesson will be on 1 Peter 2:1-10.
Today's guest speaker is Rev. Dave Mason.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Bob Senay ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP L: Whoever is in Christ is a new creation. P: The old has gone; the new has come! L: All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ. P: We receive God’s ministry of reconciliation and commit to spreading the message. L: As God counts not our sins against us, neither do we count others’ sins against them. All: We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors as God Makes his appeal through us. INVOCATION Rev. Mason
* HYMN “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah # 65
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON) Holy and loving God, anger is often our weak spot. It fuels our resentments. It prevents us from letting go. It feeds our self-righteousness. We cling to anger as if it could save us, hoping it will protect us from pain and loss. But, it is all folly. Salvation is in trusting You to make all things right. Hope is found in keeping our eyes on You and on what You have done for us, rather than on others and how they have let us down. Forgive our short-sighted and self-inflicted foolishness, Lord, Restore us in love and grace to trust you in all things. * Time of silent prayer *Assurance of Pardon *Response – Gloria Patri (Hymnal page 581) *Passing the Peace L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. P: And also, with you. CHILDREN’S CHAT The Word of God Prayer for Illumination Scripture reading Matthew 5: 21 - 37 L: The Word of the Lord P: Thanks be to God! Sermon “ RECONCILIATION” Responding to the Word *HYMN “Come With Joy” # 515 *Apostles Creed (copy next to prayer list) Presentation of our tithes and offering Offertory Bob Senay *Doxology (Hymnal page 606) *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the People Rev. Mason The Lord’s Prayer *HYMN “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind” # 169 *Benediction Postlude Bob Senay
BIRTHDAYS:
February 18 Butch Ward ANNIVERSARYS February 13 Frank & Nellie Baker 14 Dana & Billie Wilson ANNOUNCEMENTS: Remember our food Collection. And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Please let Betty Fisher know of anyone within the Community that may be in need at this time. Betty would also like to request any gently used toddler clothes and baby clothes for the needy and homeless. Diapers would also be appreciated. Thank You in advance for any help. Please remember, if there is anything you want on the Joys and Concerns page let me know by Wednesday night. You can email me at tootie2403@gmail.com. Monday February 13 is Session Meeting at 7 PM Today is Souper Bowl Sunday. Any donations may be given as you leave the church by the front doors. The Young people’s class to join church will begin February 26th during Sunday School. Please feel free to come if you are interested in joining the church as a member. Anyone wanting to join our new choir can do so by coming to the church during Sunday School hour, which is at 10 o’clock. All interested are greatly appreciated.
CONTINUING PRAYER LIST
Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Chuck Dicks, Tim Knabenshue, Frank Huffman, Tom Westfall, Elaine Belcascro, Sandy Stone, Matt Petrola, Nancy Hepinger, Sarah Wilson, Bill Poland, Carl Weber, Jimmy Svetz, Betty Fisher, Haley Diedier Bedillion, Fred Wilkinson, Evelyn Wood, Brandon Bell, Ricci Amos, Nancy Diaz, Gianna Perry, Marlene McFeely, Tiffany Cipoletti, Robert Paxton, Cheryl Bell, Diane Anderson, Jim Durila, Jeff Durila, Larry Litman, Sue Gregg, Susan Strope, Tim Taylor, Suzy Smith, Helen Provenzano, Jean & Ron Westfall, Lori Doxtator Walker, Frank Baker, Ruth Buterbaugh, Ed Horne, Donna West,Carol Knabenshue, Mike Diedier, Richard Wagner, Ruby Hathaway, Linda Miller, Nellie Baker
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we take time to share our joys and concerns. If you have any prayer requests you would like to share, you can add them as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Dear Father, seer of my inmost thoughts,
Give me a clear conscience in my service to you. Then fill my mouth with prayers to you as I intercede for those I love. Let my contacts with them be sources of great joy for all of us. Let the sincere faith of our mothers and fathers and other relatives take root in us and grow. Whatever gift you have given me, help me rekindle it every day and fan it into a flame of service and love for you. Help me live boldly for you, for you did not give me a spirit of timidity but a spirit of love and power and inward strength. Don't let me ever be ashamed of bearing witness about our Lord. Let me take my share of suffering for the gospel and rely on your power. In the name and power of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Today's lesson is on 2 Timothy 1:3-14. The "I" in the text is Paul speaking.
Lesson Context
The book of 2 Timothy was written by Paul while he was in prison to Timothy. Our book says it was written about 67 AD, and was Paul's final writing before his execution in Rome. We are first introduced to Timothy in Acts 16:1-3, during Paul's second missionary journey. Timothy's mother followed Judaism, but his father was Greek. He lived in Lystra, which is in modern-day Turkey. Timothy left his home, and travelled with Paul. Timothy was relatively young (1 Timothy 4:12). Paul trusted Timothy, and Timothy is named as a co-sender of some of Paul's letters (2 Corinthians 1:1). At some point, Timothy was imprisoned because of his dedication to the gospel (Hebrews 13:23). After traveling with Paul, Timothy seems to have settled into a ministry in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3), which is also in modern Turkey.
Reminder of Heritage (verses 3-7)
Paul opens his letter with a greeting, which is pretty standard. Then, Paul talks about praying constantly for Timothy. His prayers are relentless, constant, day and night. Our book says that this prayer is a primary practice for Paul. Prayer is incredibly important. Paul and Timothy have a close bond. It sounds as if Timothy was upset by Paul's leaving the last time they saw each other. However, Paul hopes that they will see each other again. As mentioned in the introduction, Timothy was not an absolute newcomer to godliness when Paul met him. Timothy was raised with sincere faith, characterized by a complete lack of hypocrisy. Lois and Eunice (Timothy's grandmother and mother) both have Greek names, which our book says suggests that the women were ethnically Greek. However, Acts 16:1 says that Timothy's mother was Jewish and a believer, and other sources say that Timothy would have been of mixed race. In any case, Timothy had a background in what we consider the Old Testament before accepting Jesus. We finally come to the reason for Paul's letter: Timothy needed to exert leadership in the face of the challenges before him. The challenges are discussed later in the letter. Our book focuses on the gifts. Paul, by the laying on of his hands, conferred on Timothy either salvation or a spiritual gift. Our book speculates that the laying of hands would have happened at a commissioning ceremony. An inward spiritual gift would have been received during the outward ceremony. This gift, whatever it exactly is, does not make us timid. It is divine in nature, and should cause focus on God's strength and character.
Reason for Faithfulness (verses 8-12)
Suffering for the gospel includes Paul's imprisonment. Timothy was following the message of a leader awaiting execution. Could that message have any credibility? Paul follows up by telling Timothy that he would also have to suffer. He would have to accept that Paul was imprisoned for preaching the gospel, but that did not invalidate the truth of the message. The power and wisdom of God, revealed in Jesus Christ, will always look shameful and weak to the world (1 Corinthians 1:25-31). Paul next talks about two doctrines of the church: justification and sanctification. Justification is what happens for a person's salvation to occur. Sanctification is what should happen after salvation occurs. We are saved by God's grace. The death and resurrection of the flesh and blood Christ Jesus has shown us this. Continuing, Paul says he was appointed a herald, apostle and teacher of the gospel. A herald is a loud, public proclamation. Our book says that the original Greek noun is rare to find in the Bible, but the verb version ("to herald") is fairly common. This may indicate that the act of preaching is more important that the position of a preacher. There is an overlap in the roles of herald, apostle and teacher. An apostle was called to preach and teach. Paul is suffering because he is following the call to preach and teach the gospel. Culturally, he should have felt shame for being imprisoned. But preaching and teaching was what he was supposed to do, so there was no reason for shame.
Requirement of Soundness (verses 13-14)
Paul returns to directly addressing Timothy. Verse 13 effectively says that Timothy should consider Paul's teaching an example of correct doctrine. Timothy should maintain his faith and love in the gospel of Christ Jesus. Timothy has also been entrusted with the call to proclaim the gospel. He should rely on the strength available from the help of the Holy Spirit. 
Conclusion
In our media-saturated environment, it can be hard to find the space for sound, healthy teaching. It is easy to get carried away with worries over the state of the world, the state of society, or any number of other things. May today's text remind us to center our focus on the life-altering power of the gospel. Let us resolve to make Paul's charge to Timothy his charge to us as well.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, guard our hearts and our minds from despair and shame. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, show us how to live courageously and proclaim the gospel fearlessly. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the Modern English Version. 
Next week's lesson is on James 2:1-12.
Today's guest speaker is Rev. Renny Domske.
Prelude Music Director Bob Senay
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Call to Worship: Psalm 24 The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. For God has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who dies not worship idols or swear by what is false. Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty - -He is the King of glory.
* Hymn “Shall We Gather At the River” #375
Prayer of Confession (unison) We come to You again, O God, wanting to be near You but realizing that our sin separates us. O Great God, Your word is perfect and You guard those who keep it. We confess that we have been inattentive to Your word. We have disregarded it, and failed to partake of the life, the wisdom, and the joy of its enduring light. Forgive us, O God, and clear us from every hidden fault. May we feel blameless and forgiven by You. * Time of silent prayer *Assurance Of Pardon: L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. P: And also, with you! Response – Gloria Patri (page 581) Passing the Peace Children’s Chat Prayer for illumination Scripture reading: Romans 8: 28 – 39 John 14: 1 - 6 Sermon: “Do You Know The Way to San Jose?” *Hymn “Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me” # 703 *Apostles Creed (copy next to prayer list) Presentation of our tithes and offering Offertory *Doxology (page 606) *Prayer of Dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the People The Lord’s Prayer *Hymn “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” #353 *Benediction * Postlude * Please Stand if Able*
BIRTHDAYS: Cheryl Bell, Allana McCoy, Debbie Mary, Karen Hanes
ANNIVERSARIES: John & Lois Miller; Frank & Nellie Baker ANNOUNCEMENTS: Remember our food Collection. And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Please let Betty Fisher know of anyone within the Community that may be in need at this time. Betty would also like to request any gently used toddler clothes and baby clothes for the needy and homeless. Diapers would also be appreciated. Thank You in advance for any help. Please remember, if there is anything you want on the Joys and Concerns page let me know by Wednesday night. You can email me at tootie2403@gmail.com.
CONTINUING PRAYER LIST
Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Chuck Dicks, Tim Knabenshue, Frank Huffman, Tom Westfall, Elaine Belcascro, Sandy Stone, Matt Petrola, Nancy Hepinger, Sarah Wilson, Bill Poland, Carl Weber, Jimmy Svetz, Betty Fisher, Haley Diedier Bedillion, Fred Wilkinson, Evelyn Wood, Brandon Bell, Ricci Amos, Milton Rice, Nancy Diaz, Gianna Perry, Marlene McFeely, Tiffany Cipoletti, Robert Paxton, Bill Berdine, Cheryl Bell, Diane Anderson, Jim Durila, Jeff Durila, Larry Litman, Sue Gregg, Susan Strope, Tim Taylor, Suzy Smith, Helen Provenzano, Jean & Ron Westfall, Lori Doxtator Walker, Frank Baker, Ruth Buterbaugh, Ed Horne, Donna West, Carol Knabenshue, Mike Diedier, Richard Wagner, Ruby Hathaway, Linda Miller, Nellie Baker
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet together, we take time to share our joys and concerns together. Consider your past week. If you have any prayer requests, you can add them to this post as a comment. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Almighty and everlasting God,
You are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and to give more than we desire or deserve. Pour down upon us the abundance of Your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is convicted, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.
Today's lesson is on 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.
Our Sunday School lesson is titled Résumé of Those Called. Paul is addressing a division in the church between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom.
Conclusion
Martin Luther believed that Godly wisdom was ordained by God and worldly wisdom is a human doctrine of glory which leads to the blinding of hearts. To the world the brutal execution of Jesus does not seem like a victory. God’s power and salvation is revealed in the resurrection. Prayer Father, we bow our hearts before you. Your ways are far beyond the ways of human wisdom. May we rely on your strength and wisdom as we put our trust in your Son. It is in his name we pray. Amen. Thought to Remember God's ways seem foolish to a world impressed by cleverness and success.
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the New International Version. 
Next week's lesson is on 2 Timothy 1:3-14.
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