Bring a friend to Sunday School (adult – mother, father, grandparent, aunt/uncle, friend, neighbor) – make a craft and then join everyone for breakfast in fellowship hall –

Men of ELC will be cooking pancakes and youth will be serving.  Free will offering to support Youth Ministries (especially as we look forward to next year’s youth gathering)

From the worship, to the market, to the jail cell, wherever they were Paul and Silas witnessed to their faith. Their actions were not restrained by their situation, and God’s message of love could not be contained.   What do we allow to restrain us in our worship, service and showing our love for others?

 Worship with Holy Communion this week: Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

                                                                           Sunday at 8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship

                                                                                             10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

 May 10-11, 2014
Acts 16:16-34

Key Verses: “The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.Then he brought them outside and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They answered, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” Acts 16:29-31

Time: 49-52 CE

Background: Paul and Silas traveled, bringing the word of God wherever God sent them. They had spent some time in Philippi, and had converted a business woman named Lydia, who would become one of their financial supporters there. Shortly after her conversion, they encountered the girl with a spirit of divination, which allowed her to see and tell fortunes, for the welfare of her owners.

When Paul cast the spirit out of her, he did so in Jesus’ name. Only Roman-approved religions were allowed. Judaism was allowed there, but Christianity was not. Paul and Silas were sentenced to prison. While they were in prison they had the opportunity to convert the jailer and his family, which helped them secure a faithful foundation in Philippi.

Community: How do the economics in your area help or hinder the mission of your faith community? How could it be positioned to help?

At Home: How do your faith and your vocation intersect? Where do they work together, and where do they work against each other? What might you do to allow your faith life to have a greater influence on your vocation, and your vocation a greater impact on your faith life?

Read This Week:
Monday, May 12, Paul and Silas, Acts 16:35-40

Tuesday, May 13, The Council at Jerusalem, Acts 15:1-11

Wednesday, May 14, The Council at Jerusalem, Acts 15:12-21

Thursday, May 15, Timothy Joins Paul and Silas, Acts 16:1-5

Friday, May 16, Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia, Acts 16:6-10

Saturday, May 17, The Conversion of Lydia, Acts 16:11-15

Next Week: Sunday, May 18, Sermon at Athens, Acts 17:16-31

Thomas has missed out on the seeing Jesus after Easter, and ever since has been known for his doubt.  But he is still a person of faith, and like him we can bring our questions without fear, knowing that Jesus will still love us.

Worship this week – Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship

                 10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Sunday School & Fellowship hour at 9:30 a.m.

April 27, 2014
John 20:19-31

Key Verses: “Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” John 20:27-28

Time: 30 CE

Background: The disciples were afraid. Jesus had been gone only 3 days. They were without their master, and the Jews were clearly ready to do away with Jesus and his followers. They didn’t know where to go or what to do. Fear and uncertainty would have been understandable under the circumstances.

Jesus’ appearance behind locked doors would have come as a shock. It’s not surprising that Thomas would be slow to believe the disciples’ account, given the high, intense emotions from the events of the weekend all the disciples had endured.

Despite Thomas’ doubt, it should be noted that Thomas did not need to touch Jesus, as he indicated he would. Seeing Jesus was all he needed to know his Lord had returned. His eyewitness account, along with the other disciples’ accounts, were that start of the spread of the good news that Jesus was alive!

Community: Are there people in your community who may feel as though they’ve been left out of something good? How might you invite them in?

At Home: What areas of faith cause you to doubt? Let yourself sit with that doubt for a while. Ask the hard questions. Consider the scary alternatives. Talk to God. See what happens when you open yourself to your doubts, fears, options, and opportunities.

Read This Week:
Monday, Apr 28, Seven Chosen to Serve, Acts 6:1-7

Tuesday, Apr 29, The Arrest of Stephen, Acts 6:8-15

Wednesday, Apr 30, Stephen’s Speech to the Council, Acts 7:1-22

Thursday, May 1, Stephen’s Speech to the Council, Acts 7:23-43

Friday, May 2, Stephen’s Speech to the Council, Acts 7:44-53

Saturday, May 3, The Stoning of Stephen, Acts 7:54-8:1

The resurrection of Jesus means that darkness and death will not have the last word, but that God’s love conquers all things!

Join us in celebrating the resurrection this Sunday at ELC.

7:00 a.m   — Sunrise worship in sanctuary

9:00 a.m. Traditional Festival worship with Holy Communion

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Festival worship with Holy Communion

Easter breakfast served in fellowship hall from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.

April 20, 2014
John 20:1-18

Key Verses: “Jesus said to [Mary], ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher).” John 20:15-16

Time: 30 CE

Background: Although Jesus had told them he would return, Mary Magdalene and the disciples had no context for believing that he would be raised from the dead. Such a thing had never happened before. (Even the raising of Lazarus earlier in John’s gospel was a miracle performed by the miracle-worker, Jesus. Who was left to perform the miracle for Jesus?) When the disciples “believed,” but didn’t yet “understand,” they may have believed only that the body had been removed.

What a shock it must have been for Mary to recognize Jesus! The story doesn’t tell us whether or not the disciples believed her story. Perhaps more important is whether or not we believe it, and if so, who will we tell?

Community: What traditions will you celebrate today? Who will you celebrate with? What new traditions might you begin that remind you that today is a celebration of new life—yours and others’?

At Home: How has Jesus shocked or surprised you? If you are in need of a surprise or miracle, ask God for one. Be open to God’s response.

Read This Week:
Monday, Apr 21, Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples, John 21:1-14

Tuesday, Apr 22, Jesus and Peter, John 21:15-19

Wednesday, Apr 23, Jesus and the Beloved Disciple, John 21:20-25

Thursday, Apr 24, Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5:1-11

Friday, Apr 25, The Apostles Heal Many, Acts 5:12-16

Saturday, Apr 26, The Apostles Are Persecuted, Acts 5:17-42

Next Week: Sunday, Apr 27, Thomas, John 20:19-31

1:00 p.m. – Community Worship of Seven Last Words at Immanuel Lutheran Church

7:30 p.m. – Tenebrae Worship at ELC

“Tenebrae” is a service of readings and increasing darkness, a powerful experience of Good Friday story

 April 17, 2014
John 19:23-30

Key Verses: “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:26-30

Time: 30 CE

Background: Jesus’ mother appeared twice in John’s gospel. First, when she encouraged Jesus to perform his first miracle turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. Second, here at the end of Jesus’ life on earth, where Jesus entrusted his mother to his beloved disciple and his disciple to his mother.

Many of the events of Jesus’ death occurred to fulfill scripture. Placing Jesus in the context of God’s word helped believers understand who Jesus was, in light of the history, tradition, and writings of the people of Israel. Even with the benefit of scripture and tradition, no one could or can fully grasp the mystery of Jesus.

Community: How does your community’s history, tradition, or writings shape the way your community believes, behaves, or speaks? How are your community’s actions shaping future traditions or behaviors?

At Home: What kind of legacy do you wish to leave your family and friends? What can you do now to begin to shape your legacy for future generations? How does Jesus’ role in your life affect how you live?