When directed by the Spirit to ‘get up and go’, Phillip discovered that God prepares unexpected opportunities to share faith and hope. Let’s be ready to move into God’s world with purpose, and may our eyes be open to those God places in our path this day. There are still unexpected opportunities, and sometimes unlikely people, to encounter with the compassion of Christ. In those encounters we may bless, and discover blessing.
Worship this week with Holy Communion –
Saturday 5:00 p.m. Modified traditional worship in the chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School
10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship
Devotions for this week:
An Ethiopian comes to believe May 7, 2017
SHARE: What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding
Sunday: Ethiopian Comes to Believe, Acts 8:26-39
Monday: The Death of Herod, Acts 12:20-25
Tuesday: Barnabas and Paul Commissioned, Acts 13:1-3
Wednesday: The Apostles Preach in Cyprus, Acts 13:4-12
Thursday: Paul and Barnabas in Iconium, Acts 14:1-7
Friday: Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe, Acts 14:8-20
Saturday: Return to Antioch in Syria, Acts 14:21-28
TALK: Consider some of these ideas:
The disciples’ mission is now springing up everywhere, this time in the middle of the desert, with a high-ranking foreign official. What will this Ethiopian say when Philip reveals to him the astounding truth of the scriptures?
- How is the apostles’ preaching beginning to spread throughout the world?
- How does your community of faith engage in the exchange of ideas concerning the things of faith? How are you personally engaged in a community to help you grow in faith? What might your community of faith do to engage more of the community inside and outside your church?
- If you have had a conversion experience, who have you told? If you have been a person of faith your whole life, who have you told? Who might be hungry for the Word and the story of how you experience God?
PRAY: God of encounters, Your good news stops us in our tracks with amazement, O God. Renew our wonder at the word and all the promises contained within it, gifts especially for us, your children. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
BLESS: God delights in the joy you experience hearing God’s word. Amen.
