Genesis 21:8-21 Matthew 10:24-39. Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac. Who was Hagar? Last week, JC told us a little about her origins, an Egyptian woman who was probably part of Abraham’s household when Pharoah expelled him, his wife (Sarah), and all his household and

Genesis 12:1-9 Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you…” What must Abram’s mindset have been as the Lord issues this command? Abram is old, his wife, Sarai, is old, and they are settled in comfortable circumstances. They are living in what we would call their golden years, and it is certainly not a time to start packing up a household, packing up one’s life, not a

Act 2:1-11; John 20: 19-23 In the words of the hymn – “Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Your rest; Come with Your grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which You have made.” We like this image of the Holy Spirit. This is the way we picture it at Baptisms, the way we picture it when we call out for God’s help. We see this Spirit which strengthens, guides, and supports us in good times and bad, Jesus’ gift to us, as powerful yet benign. And, ind