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  nocc@nocckc.org

phone	| 816 . 734 . 8515
address	| 9900 North Oak Trafficway
city/zip	| Kansas City, MO 64155
	We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord's Table as God has welcomed us.

October Scripture Readings For Sunday Worship

October | NOCC
October 5th	Exodus 20:1-4,7-9, 12-20 Psalm 19 Philippians 3:4b-14 Matthew 21:33-46
October 12th	Exodus 32:1-14 Psalm 106:1-6,19-23 Philippians 4:1-9 Matthew 22:1-14
October 19th	Exodus 33:12-23 Psalm 99 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Matthew 22:15-22
October 26th	Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Matthew 22:34-46

Spiritual reading is reflective and prayerful. It is concerned not with speed or volume, but with depth and receptivity. That is because the purpose of spiritual reading is to open ourselves to how God may be speaking to us in and through any particular text.

The manner of spiritual reading is like drinking in the words of a love letter or pondering the meaning of a poem. It is not like skittering over the surface of a popular magazine or plowing through a computer manual. We are seeking not merely information, but formation.

Paul exhorts his Christian converts in Rome, "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds." (Romans 12:2) In Paul's view, it is having the "mind of Christ" in ourselves that effects this transformation. The term, formation, then, suggests being shaped ever more deeply according to the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5) who reveals and offers to us our full humanity. Spiritual reading has a formative intent. Through it we seek a living, transforming relationship with God in Christ.

Spiritual reading is a meditative approach to the written word. It requires unhurried time and an open heart. If the purpose of our reading is to be addressed by God, we will need to practice attentive listening and a willingness to respond to what we hear.

excerpt from
Marjorie J. Thompson Soul Feast: An Invitation To The Christian Spiritual Life . Westminster John Knox Press, 2005.