Series: Minor Prophets

Minor Prophet? Joel: God’s Compassion and Faithful Love
The Book of Joel

This weekend has some fun and community engaging events planned.  Please take advantage of a couple of gatherings planned for Saturday (A hike and picnic with Jackie – 10:30am meet at Chautauqua parking lot off of 12th street and bring a food for an outdoor picnic to follow) and Sunday (a celebration of graduates with a post worship potluck – bring a main or side dish to share or both!).  See our announcements below for more details.    

We have begun our series on the minor prophets! Last week Hosea, next week Amos, this week Joel.  The book of Joel has a couple of more well-known passages that followers of God have held close to their heart.  The first is when the book of Joel turns from calamity (a swarm of locusts just devoured everything in the land) to response.  Joel 2:12, “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”  Rend your heart and not your garments.  Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.  Who knows?  He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing.”

Other verses people have gravitated toward in love is 2:25, “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.”  And 2:28, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people!”  Peter speaks these words from Joel on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit filled those gathered together that day.  

The Book of Joel will come to us once again in about 7 minutes, after some introduction and context, and will be followed with a pointed application that speaks to our time today.  God’s word is timeless and never useless.  Rather, it is relevant for God’s people and for God’s world for all time.  Looking forward to Sunday.  In prep, read the Book of Joel, only three chapters :0. The Call of God for us is in order to move ahead, we lament and repent!  

Pastor Mark