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Upson Downs: March Madness?

Shall I start with an apology or a cliche? Or shall I just start on the daunting task of updating you all on our latest goings-on? I choose the latter, so here goes: Already in the month of March (!!), we are shooting for full coronavirus vaccinations among our adults. I hope you get the point! As Covid-19 cases abate, we are opening up to more visitors. It was a  real joy to welcome a Peruvian family this past Thursday, who stopped by because our out front presence attracted their interest; we shared a meal and God’s word with our new acquaintances. As our Thursday zoom Bible study continued, we were relieved and thankful to see a brother from Myanmar. Things are getting worse there since the military coup, and danger seems to be escalating. Also, communications are being severed throughout the country, so contact with those in Myanmar is a real blessing.  


The Jesus Centered Bible has been our focal point for 2021. It’s a helpful way of synthesizing the Bible and helps to turn our eyes upon Jesus, which is only appropriate-as Colossians 2:17 states, “He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” Everything coheres in Him. Without Him, the world is truly incoherent, and the void is filled with a “striving after the wind.” We are also continuing our reading. Currently we are being edified by Os Guiness’ book The Call, and are reading a Bible companion guide.


We are busy and productive, seeking to equip ourselves and grow in the measure and stature of our Lord. We are looking forward to a leadership study through Hope International University, led by Jack McCorkel in partnership with our mentor, Gene Sonnenberg. We seek to be ever more thankful, prayerful, and accountable to one another. It’s also crucial to connect with our culture and challenge what we are facing with God’s eternal truths. It is our prayer that others might say of us, “See how they love one another,” validating the identity of Christ in our lives.


We are looking forward (finally!) to the wedding of Leslie and Jeremiah in April. They have been very patient in the disappointment and uncertainty. Leslie will be sorely missed, but we are full of thanks, anticipating much fruit in the Kingdom and we are even glad for the delay in some ways, as it seems to have had some unforeseen benefits.


Rich is still deeply missed here, but continues to be integral to life together in so many ways. His memories, his teachings, his leadership and love linger among us. His library enriches us and his scholarship resonates in myriad ways. We were uniquely gifted by his presence.


As for me, I am recuperating here in this lovely space known as the B & B. It was designed and constructed by loving hands. Here it stands as a beautiful reminder of what love in action looks like. It’s named the Bird and the Baby in honor of Rich, and in honor of that great saint, C.S. Lewis, and his favorite pub in England. It is the perfect spot to heal after hip replacement. It’s amazing how the human body heals, and how human creativity and gifted hands of doctors are used in the process. Thanks be to God, the ultimate healer and Creator in whose image we have been made.
My physical therapist is on her way, so I will close, knowing I have missed telling you about so much of the joyful and abundant life with which God has graciously blessed us.


Keep us in your prayers, and thank you so much for your interest in our lives here at Church of the Servant-King.
Grace and peace to you all,

Regan

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Gospel

A voice in the wilderness

Thursday Bible Study News

Recent Zoom Bible study
Scott teaching a recent study 8-6-2020

Recently we have updated our format for Thursday Bible Study a little. Since the Spring with COVID-19 we have had a Zoom option for people to come and join while we had social distancing at home.

We have seen that if everyone is logged in to the meeting with one or two people per screen, it is a lot easier to hear and see everyone. This also allows for us to include more people in the teaching on Matthew’s gospel that Scott Kjos is doing. In addition, parents with small children can attend and be a part of the meeting.

Recordings are being made with Zoom and shared on here on this YouTube playlist so that we can review the teaching and share with others. We would be glad to have others join, so for the most current information please check our Connect page.

See you for Thursday Bible Study. This week we will discuss Matthew chapter 4.

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Newsletter Unity Updates

Upson Downs 7-4-2020

Dear friends, I just realized it’s been a while since I updated this post. I find myself often experiencing different aspects of grief that seem to drain motivation for certain endeavors. Nevertheless, I proclaim that God is good.  

Since May 25th, my last submission, I observed what would have been my 47th wedding anniversary with brothers and sisters, recalling too many wonderful memories to count, sharing joy and sorrow with my church family. Later,we also celebrated Father’s Day, remembering our last Father’s Day in the hospital with Rich, enjoying (?) takeout pizza in less than perfect circumstances. This year, as we celebrated Rich in absentia, we received many words of love and care from far off places from those who had experienced Rich as a father and friend. And we honored the dads (and expectant dads) who take seriously the responsibility of being Godly fathers. We are graciously blessed. 

The teachers here gratefully finished the weirdest school year in memory, adapting to remote teaching and missing daily face-to-face encounters with our students. Some of us adjusted considerably better than others (like me!) Although we don’t know what the future holds, we confidently affirm who holds our future. For that we should be abundantly thankful.

June has brought nationwide, even worldwide turmoil. Knowing that His Church must engage the world boldly and graciously, we have struggled with how best to respond. We know that God is a God of unity and reconciliation, always proclaiming that Jesus tore down the dividing walls; we must not rebuild them. This is a tough sea to navigate, knowing the way is strewn with many obstacles. At times those obstacles seem insurmountable, but we serve a mighty God. 

We participated in one peaceful protest, a walk for peace, with New Mount Calvary MBC which took place in downtown Los Angeles, coordinated with the mayor and LAPD. Even then we were trying to balance the need for safety in the midst of Coronavirus, protecting our most vulnerable, yet also striving to be peacemakers in the Kingdom. 

We also know that we are engaged daily in spiritual warfare. That may seem confusing to some reading this, but we believe that only with the weapons of the Spirit will the battle be won; we cannot rely on politics to save us. 

We had a new experience attending New Mount Calvary’s first drive-in gathered worship. We were thankful that Jack was asked to speak words of peace at that occasion. It was a poignant reminder of our first attempts at reconciliation in 1992, and our gracious welcome from Pastor Lonnie Dawson. We thank God for the many ways we are able to continue our partnership to the present. That’s the Spirit!

May you all have a great long holiday weekend, praying for the God of peace to triumph in these days of challenge.

Best Regards,
Regan Read

Categories
Gospel Teaching

Little children…

Please see our post “Bible Study Summaries” for information on the format of this post.

Matthew 18:1-14

Discussion 4/30/2020

I’ve not been like a child. Anything I’ve learned, I’ve become an “expert,” using anything I’ve learned to separate and not unite. I’ve been the opposite of humility, and called to repent.

I read the story of Moses & Jesus as a child. My mother asked me to choose between them as to who was the greatest and I chose Jesus. In my life I asked who is the greatest as they jockeyed for position. 

Participant

I feel this story in Matthew 18 says, “Look, see this child, be like him: unimportant, etc. Jesus becomes impatient with the disiciples’ questions. How do you view yourself? How do you position yourself?”

“Jesus is teaching what followers should be like. See children in a new light. Be humble. Don’t miss the warning of a millstone being hung around your neck and be thrown into the sea.”

“What does it mean to become like a child?”

Participant question

Correction and direction.

“I resent people that correct me. Take correction and direction like a child. The disciples were all the time.”

On the word “child,” it was (in Greek) the most diminutive meaning little child or newborn. He could be referring to infant.”

“They, the disciples, will have a great responsibility caring for the little ones.”

“Be careful if you look down on “despise” others, how you treat your brothers and sisters.”

There is a warning to the Pharisees setting up others to fail.

Children image courtesy
https://images.app.goo.gl/BgFezvNhvD8Ur1Cc7
Woe to those who are teachers…

Teaching

Now this section is from our teacher, Jose. His thoughts and impressions.

Referring to Romans 8:12-17: There is only one king by righteousness. Then come the sons. And they cry “Abba, Father,” in the spirit of sonship. We are all heirs of God, provided we suffer with him. 

In this kingdom there are two tiers. There are kings and heirs. They are those who respond adequately to the call of Christ. 

Trust is the essential quality. 

Jose Mejia

The one “led astray” is the one the shepherd goes after.