ACTS Bible Study Together with Christ & Mt. Olive Lutheran Churches
7 PM ... Wednesday, November 18, 2020
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SHARE PRAYER for the PERSECUTED CHURCH
HON. CARRIE P. MEEK
House of Representatives
Monday, June 19, 2000
Mr. Speaker, this traditional prayer is similar to prayers recited across the south as many African Americans and others celebrate the 19th of June. The deep south spiritual faith of the enslaved is reflected in this traditional prayer and continues to speak for us of the unquenchable hope that American slaves possessed for freedom:
PRAY: Father, I stretch my hand to thee, no other help I know. Oh my rose of Sharon, my shelter in the time of storm. My prince of peace, my hope in this harsh land. We bow before you this morning to thank you for watching over us and taking care of us. This morning you touched us and brought us out of the land of slumber, gave us another day … thank you Jesus. We realize that many that talked as we now talked … this morning when their names were called … failed to answer. Their voices were hushed up in death. Their souls had taken flight and gone back to the God that gave it, but not so with us.
Now Lord, when I've come to the end of my journey; when my praying days are done and time for me shall be no more; when these knees have bowed for the last time; when I too, like all others must come in off the battlefield of life; when I'm through being bucked and scorned, I pray for a home in glory.
When I come down the river to the river of Jordan, hold the river still and let your servant cross over during the calm. Father, I'll be looking for that land where Job said the wicked would cease from troubling us and our weary souls would be at rest; over there where a thousand years is but a day in eternity, where I'll meet with loved ones and where I can sing praises to thee; and we can say with the saints of old, Free at Last, Free at Last, thank God almighty, I am free at last. Your servants prayer for Christ sake. AMEN!
ACTS 6:9-10 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the FREEDMEN (as it was called) — Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia — who began to ARGUE with STEPHEN. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
Dallas Genealogical Society, Genealogical & Family History Records, Resources & Activities for Dallas, Dallas County and North Texas
The Freedmen’s Bureau Project
HISTORICAL NOTE: On June 19 (“Juneteenth”), 1865, Union general Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and issued General Order Number 3, which read in part, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.” Source: Texas State Historical Society, The Handbook of Texas.
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What does it mean to be FREE?
Is everybody FREE in America? Why? Or Why Not?
Is everybody FREE as a Christian? Why? Or Why Not?
Freedom is an inalienable right.
* A person is free when they are able to exist in full liberation,
empowered to prosper and pursue their divinely-inspired purpose
with self-determination to the extent that it brings no harm or detriment to a neighbor.
* Freedom is obstructed by unjust laws and systems,
especially racism and classism.
We believe it is our responsibility as leaders to work within and through our faith traditions and communities to teach, preach, and collectively seek freedom and justice for all people. FAITH IN TEXAS, https://faithintx.org/about-us/
CONVERSATION, QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION:
Led by Wes Helm, Faith in Texas
ACTS 6
The Choosing of the Seven
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Stephen Seized
8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”
12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
PRAY: When I come down the river to the river of Jordan, hold the river still and let your servant cross over during the calm. Father, I'll be looking for that land where Job said the wicked would cease from troubling us and our weary souls would be at rest; over there where a thousand years is but a day in eternity, where I'll meet with loved ones and where I can sing praises to thee; and we can say with the saints of old, Free at Last, Free at Last, thank God almighty, I am free at last. Your servants prayer for Christ sake. AMEN!
BLESS: Pick somebody and share some brief words of blessing.