We celebrate “Worship through Music” this Sunday, as our Senior Choir and Praise Team will share their gift of music in God’s praise at the 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services. Please join us for this wonderful celebration!
Saturday night Pastor Jack Way from Barneveld Lutheran will bring the message.
Pastor John will be attending graduation for his son, Andy, at Luther Seminary in St. Paul on Sunday. We ask God’s blessing both for Andy, as well as Don Glanzer who will graduate from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque this Sunday.
Worship this weekend: Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in Chapel (Pastor Way preaching)
Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Worship through Music led by ELC Senior Choir
10:30 a.m. Worship through Music led by ELC Praise Team
9:30 a.m. – Final day of Sunday School for this school year.
Paul encountered a world where many different religious ideas were in competition for people’s attention, but found the wisdom and courage to speak about what he had been shown by God. It doesn’t sound too different than what we encounter today as well.
May 17-18, 2014
Acts 17:16-31
Key Verses: “For as I went through the city… I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands.” Acts 17:23-25a
Time: 49-52 CE
Background: Athens was an important hub of culture, where art, architecture, religion, and philosophy could be celebrated and debated. Public debates were common, and crowds were often drawn toward lively debates where new ideas and thoughts were presented.
It was into this atmosphere that Paul spoke about God, the creator of the universe. Hearers would have been more familiar with the concept of smaller gods for more specific things (god of war, god of love). The idea of a singular God of all things would have been foreign. Paul took the opportunity to quote familiar poets and a familiar “unknown god” to grasp their attention and point them toward God, creator, and father of the risen Christ.
Community: Where do we hold our most important debates? Who does the talking? Who listens? What is debated? How can you become involved in the debates that are most important to you?
At Home: Do one thing this week to become more familiar with whatever is unknown to you about God. Read the Bible, talk to a friend, pray, meditate, or find some other way to explore your spirituality.
Read This Week:
Monday, May 19, Paul in Corinth, Acts 18:1-17
Tuesday, May 20, Paul in Ephesus, Acts 19:1-10
Wednesday, May 21, Paul Arrested in the Temple, Acts 21:27-36
Thursday, May 22, Paul Defends Himself, Acts 21:37-22:5
Friday, May 23, The Plot to Kill Paul, Acts 23:12-22
Saturday, May 24, Paul Preaches in Rome, Acts 28:23-30
Next Week: Sunday, May 25, Partnership in the Gospel, Philippians 1:1-18a
