#ComeSunday #WorshipBulletin: Read the scripture and download the bulletin to prepare for 10:00 am Sunday worship and Tuesday Bible studies!
UMW Sunday Preacher: Rev. Neema Cyrus-Franklin
Reverend Neema Cyrus-Franklin currently serves as the Stated Clerk of Pacific Presbytery of the Presbytrian Church (USA).
Rev. Neema is impassioned with empowering individuals to identify their own gifts for ministry in order to live into their God-given purpose. Neema is an experienced Christian educator, having led and trained leaders in Christian formation for youth and adults, camp and conference ministry and mission for local, regional and national levels of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for over 20 years.
Neema is a graduate of Agnes Scott College, the “World for Women”, in Decatur, GA with a B.A. in psychology and a concentration in early childhood education. She later attended Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center, earning a dual master’s degree in divinity and Christian education with a concentration in Hebrew Bible. After graduating from seminary, Neema began her eight-year tenure with the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, resourcing 109 congregations and 25 new worshipping communities in three areas of ministry: Director for Youth & Young Adult Ministries, Congregational Consultant, and Communications Director. Neema also has written Christian education publications and curriculum for Abingdon Press and Westminster John Knox Press.
For the past 15 years, Neema has shared her life with husband Rev. Victor Cyrus-Franklin, pastor of Inglewood First United Methodist Church. Together, they have an animé aficionado Victor (aged 13) and a eight-year-old ninja princess warrior Nhani (pronounced Nah-nee). Fun facts: Neema wishes everyday could be Taco Tuesday or Sushi Sunday and loves spending time with nature, talking to her avocado, lemon and orange trees.
Exodus 1:15-20 (Common English Bible)
15 The king of Egypt spoke to two Hebrew midwives named Shiphrah and Puah: 16 “When you are helping the Hebrew women give birth and you see the baby being born, if it’s a boy, kill him. But if it’s a girl, you can let her live.” 17 Now the two midwives respected God so they didn’t obey the Egyptian king’s order. Instead, they let the baby boys live.
18 So the king of Egypt called the two midwives and said to them, “Why are you doing this? Why are you letting the baby boys live?”19 The two midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because Hebrew women aren’t like Egyptian women. They’re much stronger and give birth before any midwives can get to them.” 20 So God treated the midwives well, and the people kept on multiplying and became very strong.
Summary:
In this scripture, it is the women, who live in purpose and on purpose. Shiphrah and Puah defy Egyptians king’s decree to kill the Hebrew boys in the kingdom. They respected God more than they feared man. In order for us to live in purpose and on purpose, we too are called and empowered to defy injustice and follow the will of God.
Reflection Questions:
- What is a word, phrase or image that comes to mind when you read or hear the text?
- What does this scripture teach you about purpose?
- What does God invite you to do, change or be through this passage?