To be elect in Christ Jesus, and there is no other election, means to be incorporated into his mission to the world, to be the bearer of God’s saving purpose for his whole world, to be the sign and the agent and the firstfruit of his blessed kingdom which is for all.
Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society
Note: Sunday worship at 1015 AM
In-person worship and live stream
Congregational meeting immediately following
In-person and Zoom
Dear Grace Family,
Biblical genealogies make my eyes glaze over. They are mostly made up of people I’ve never heard of who have names I can’t pronounce. The temptation is to skip over them.
Genesis 36 is one sprawling, weird genealogy that traces the line of Esau. I mean, honestly, who cares about Esau? He had a bit role to play in the story, but all the attention in the last ten chapters is focused on Jacob. Surely, we can skip this chapter and move on to the next main character—Joseph.
Right?
Well, we certainly could, but I think it would be our loss. If God has taken the time to include such a meticulous accounting of Esau and his descendants, he must have a good reason.
Remember the dynamic between Jacob and Esau—Jacob is the chosen one and Esau is not. That relationship—the one between God’s chosen people and those who are not chosen—is a critical one. And navigating through that relationship—with our neighbors, our co-workers, and even family members—is profoundly difficult to navigate.
I believe this bizarre and potentially mind-numbing text can help shed light on how we relate with others who do not share our faith.
I hope to worship with you on Sunday.
This Sunday: Genesis 36
"Jacob I Loved, But Esau I Hated”
Here is the Order of Worship.
Warmly in Christ,
John
P.S. All members 18 years and older are encouraged to attend the congregational meeting immediately following worship. The meeting will be in the sanctuary. For those unable to attend in person, please attend via Zoom.
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