Jesus’ parables describe the depth of God’s love as the one who won’t stop searching for the lost, and rejoices greatly when one is found. We celebrate that love in worship this weekend.
Saturday — 5:00 p.m. Worship in Chapel with Holy Communion
Sunday — 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship with Holy Communion — Youth and Cherub Choirs sing
9:30 a.m. Sunday School, Adult Class and fellowship time
10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion
5:30 p.m. High School Youth meeting for summer “Faith Ventures” Trip
7:00 p.m. Youth and Adults – “Christ in the World Ahead” with guest speaker Rochelle Ripp, Alice in Dairyland, to speak on “Communication in the Spotlight”
Parables: A Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Prodigal Son
March 3, 2013
Luke 15:1-32
Key Verse: “We had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” Luke 15:32
Time: 27-30 C.E.
Since Last Week: Jesus continued to heal and teach in parables. He also started to indicate that following him would be costly, not only in terms of money and possessions, but also in terms of personal sacrifices. They would need to dramatically change their hearts and be prepared to give their lives for him.
Background: These parables told of the extravagant love God has for God’s people. In suggesting that a shepherd would leave the 99 to find the one, Jesus wasn’t saying he would sacrifice 99. In fact, a flock of that size would have had several shepherds. Jesus was saying that the shepherd wouldn’t be content losing even one. Likewise, God isn’t content losing even one of God’s beloved children.
Community: Who in your community has been outcast or has lost their way? How might you help them become found? What message of God’s love could you bring? How could you support them in their struggles?
At Home: How far from God have you strayed? What will you do this week to spend intentional time with God?
Read This Week:
Monday: The Law of the Firstborn’s Inheritance, Deuteronomy 21:15-17
Tuesday: Stoning a Rebellious Son, Deuteronomy 21:18-21
Wednesday: Penitent’s Psalm, Psalm 51
Thursday: A Righteous Heart, Proverbs 21:1-5
Friday: The Parable of the Dishonest Manager, Luke 16:1-13
Saturday: The Kingdom of God, Luke 16:14-18
Next Week: Parable: A Rich Man Ignores Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31
