Hope received a grant to implement the Scientists in Congregations program that, according to the John Templeton Foundation, is designed to allow "a sustained, creative collaboration between practitioners in the fields of science (scientists or science educators) and theology/faith practice (pastors) who are already engaged with one another through shared participation in the life of a congregation." Hope was one of only 37 congregations chosen from all over North America.
We have dedicated an adult Sunday School class to this topic, and this class examines texts in the Revised Common Lectionary to identify upcoming texts that call for some discussion concerning faith and science. The results are posted below for other pastors and congregations to use.
The Scientists in Congregations program also calls for a major regional symposium on faith and science to be held at Hope, to which the wider community will be invited. The symposium is scheduled for April 22-23, 2012.
The readings for each Sunday and commentaries appear below:
February 26, 2012
Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-9; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15
February 19, 2012
Isaiah 43:18-25; Psalm 41; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Mark 2:1-12
Commentary (PDF)
February 12, 2012
2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45
Commentary (PDF)
February 5, 2012
Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-12, 21c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39
Commentary (PDF)
January 29, 2012
Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28
Commentary (PDF)
January 22, 2012
Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:6-14;1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20
Commentary (PDF)
January 15, 2012
1 Samuel 3:1-10; Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John1:43-51
Commentary (PDF)
January 8, 2012
Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11
Commentary (PDF)
January 1, 2012
Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:15-21
December 25, 2011
Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1-4 [5-12], John 1:1-14
Commentary (PDF)
December 18, 2011
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:46b-55; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38
Commentary (PDF)
December 11, 2011
Isaiah 61:1-4; 8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16- 24; John 1:6-8; 19-28
Commentary (PDF)
December 4, 2011
Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8
Commentary (PDF)
November 27, 2011
Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
Commentary (PDF)
