Rev. Michelle Manuel Ecclesiastes 8:1-9 1 Who is like the wise man?     And who knows the interpretation of a thing? Wisdom makes one’s face shine,     and the hardness of one’s countenance is changed. 2 Keep the king’s command because of your sacred oath. 3 Do not be terrified; go from his presence, do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is powerful, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” 5 Whoever obeys a command will meet no harm, and the wise mind will [...]

Lavonne Baker, Sister in Christ Ecclesiastes 7:15-29 NIV “In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these:  a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.  Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise-why destroy yourself?  Do not be a fool-why die before your time?  It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other.  The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.  Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city.  There is not a righteous man on earth who [...]

Mackenzie Rice Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better for a man [...]

Vicki Keiser, Church Council, Stephen’s Ministry  Ecclesiastes 6:1-2 (NIV) I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: 2 God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. Reflection: You know the person who seemingly has it all—success, wealth, health—but they are not happy? As a matter of fact, they even may seem to be disgruntled most of the time.  Nothing seems to be enough [...]

Nancy Walker Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 (The Message) Watch your step when you enter God’s house. Enter to learn. That’s far better than mindlessly offering a sacrifice, doing more harm than good. Don’t shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think. Don’t be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear. God’s in charge, not you—the less you speak, the better.  Overwork makes for restless sleep. Overtalk shows you up as a fool. When you tell God you’ll do something, do it—now. God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it. Far better [...]

David Swift Ecclesiastes 4:9-16 9    Two are better than one,       because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down,       one can help the other up.        But pity anyone who falls            and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.       But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered,            two can defend themselves.        A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Reflection: The Rembrandts [...]

Rachel Fisher Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, chasing after the wind. 5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. 6 Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. Reflection: Last year, I got invited to not one, but two destination weddings for women with whom I had recently become fast friends. I felt so fortunate to be included in their respective celebrations. However, because we only knew each other through one mutual friend, I [...]

Amy Kelley, Dir. of Outreach (Gethsemane) Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 9 What do workers gain from all their hard work? 10 I have observed the task that God has given human beings. 11 God has made everything fitting in its time, but has also placed eternity in their hearts, without enabling them to discover what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there’s nothing better for them but to enjoy themselves and do what’s good while they live. 13 Moreover, this is the gift of God: that all people should eat, drink, and enjoy the results of [...]