Grace Notes 2025-08-20
Among the many reasons for our becoming more familiar with Scripture I will mention two. First, it is largely and most reliably through Holy Writ that we become familiar with Christ our Lord. And secondly, the Bible, which is the holy, inspired, Word of God, equips believers to live joyfully in God’s redeeming love and to share with others God’s plan of salvation.
Think of the Bible as a Prayer Book. As breathing is to physical life, prayer is to spiritual life. God speaks to us through the Bible. And the responses of the inspired writers to God is also inspired. So, their confessions, laments, petitions, praises, and thanksgivings help us with our own.
At Gift of Grace, we provide you with a daily reading plan for covering most of the Bible in two years. Those suggested readings are sent out each month, and they are also included in the weekly Congregation at Prayer Guide sent to you.
Starting in September I will be leading a couple different Bible Studies. In the one I will finish up with where we left off in the Spring in 1 Corinthians. Then we will move on to 2 Corinthians. This offering will guide our Friday Morning Men’s Breakfast Bible Study. It will also guide our Bible Study time after the Coffee Fellowship on Sunday mornings. This is open to all of you.
In the other study I will work with important topics covering the major teachings (doctrines) that all believers should become acquainted with. This will take place on Wednesday evenings for an hour starting at 6:30pm.
In both studies I will be working up optional materials a week ahead of time that you can use to study, explore, and prepare for the upcoming study. The advantage of a Pastor led Group Bible Study is in being able to interact with others studying the text, and to glean from the Pastor’s study of the text as he has interacted with other Pastors and Teachers in the Church.
Since You Asked
Why is incense used in some churches?
The use of incense is not unique to Christianity or Judaism and is used in many of the world’s religions to enhance special times and places by sight and smell. In Christian worship incense is effectively used at the beginning of the Service of the Word and in preparing for receiving Holy Communion. The burning of incense is associated with the prayers of worship rising before God (cf. Psa 141:2; Rev 8:4). Good worship should engage all the human senses. In this connection it should be pointed out that the olfactory sense is perhaps the most sensitive of the five senses; it continues to function even during sleep. (Indebted to Aidan Kavanah in his “Elements of Rite”.)