Recounting How God Brought the World Into Being

This series, led by our Rector, the Rev. Dane E. Boston, focuses on the story of Creation — an awe-inspiring story of light from darkness, order from chaos and life in all its fullness that traces the drama of sin, judgment, mercy and promise at the foundation of Scripture.

Sept.14: “In the beginning” — Chapters 1-2

God calls the cosmos into being. In six days of creation, the Lord’s word brings light, order, beauty, meaning and life from the formless void of primordial darkness. God speaks a word of blessing over all that He makes and crowns His creation with sabbath rest.

Sept. 21: “Ye shall not surely die.” — Chapters 3-5

The serpent seduces and deceives Eve; Adam offers only defensive excuses for his sin. God responds with judgment and shows mercy — ushering in fruitless toil, pain in childbirth and lasting enmity from the Fall.

Sept. 28: “Only evil continually.” — Chapters 6-11

A human wickedness grows upon the Earth and creation unravels, the Lord grieves over His world and sends a flood. Yet, preserves the gift of life He has implanted in His creation by calling Noah to build an ark.

Oct. 5: “And thou shalt be a blessing”— Chapters 12-17

God calls Abram/Abraham from Ur into the land of Canaan.  He promises that from the childless Abram/Abraham and Sarai/Sarah, He will make a mighty nation and a blessing to all the families on Earth.

Oct. 12: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” — Chapters 18-23

The Lord reaffirms His promise to Abraham and Sarah and spares only Lot from the destruction when judgment falls on Sodom and Gomorrah.

Oct. 19: “Give me children, or else I die.”— Chapters 24-28

At Abraham’s insistence, a wife is found for Isaac from among his kinsmen back in Mesopotamia. Rebeccah comforts Isaac after the death of Sarah and Abraham and bears him twin sons: Esau and Jacob.

Oct. 26: “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel.” — Chapters 29-36

Jacob prospers in the house of his uncle and father-in-law Laban and becomes the father of 12 sons by his wives Leah and Rachel and his concubines Zilpah and Bilhah. On returning to the Promised Land, Jacob wrestles with a mysterious figure who blesses him and gives him a new name: Israel, or “he who strives with God.”

Nov. 2: “And we shall see what will become of his dreams.” Genesis 37-50

Though he is blessed with 12 sons, Jacob’s favorite by far is Joseph, the firstborn of his beloved Rachel. This causes enmity between Joseph and his 11 brothers, who sell him off to slavery in the land of Egypt. God blesses Joseph in his captivity and causes him to prosper so that he becomes second-in-command to Pharoah himself and saves the entire region from a famine. When Joseph’s brothers come seeking food he forgives them for their treachery — after first toying with them — and brings them and his aged father down into Egypt with him. When Joseph dies, he makes all the children of Israel promise to carry up his bones when they leave Egypt … someday.