Come enjoy our Youth Choir as they tell the story of “Heroes of the Faith” through song and story this week at all worship services!

Worship with Holy Communion – Saturday, 5:00 p.m. in Sanctuary this week

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

9:30 a.m.  Sunday School and Fellowship

We will continue with the story of Jesus’ Passion in John’s Gospel as we read of Jesus’ condemnation by Pontius Pilate.

April 6, 2014
John 19:1-16a

Key Verses: “And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and striking him on the face.” John 19:2-3

Time: 30 CE

Background: Pilate was still trying to find a reason not to condemn Jesus, but the Jews were adamant about finding him guilty. Their cruel mocking of him showed the depth of their hatred for Jesus. Jesus’ words of truth may have touched some deep shame to make them react so violently against him.

Even when it appeared Pilate held all power over Jesus, Jesus knew who held true power. He knew that Pilate could only harm him if God gave him ability to do so. Such faith may have given him strength to continue down this terrifying path so he could complete his mission.

Community: What makes a crowd move or turn? Have you ever been in a crowded stadium, concert hall, or mall when tension is building? What is it about being in a group that makes certain unacceptable behaviors seem more acceptable? How can you keep your head, when you’re in a crowd that is behaving questionably?

At Home: What shame do you carry that keeps you from being free? How might you turn that over to Jesus this week? Does it make a difference that Jesus has died to free you from shame and guilt?

Read This Week:
Monday, Apr 7, The Promise of the Holy Spirit, John 14:15-31

Tuesday, Apr 8, Jesus the True Vine, John 15:1-17

Wednesday, Apr 9, The World’s Hatred, John 15:18-16:4

Thursday, Apr 10, The Work of the Spirit, John 16:4-15

Friday, Apr 11, Sorrow Will Turn into Joy, John 16:16-24

Saturday, Apr 12, Peace for the Disciples, John 16:25-33

Next Week: Sunday, Apr 13, King, Crucified, John 12:12-17, 19:16b-22

April 2^nd

Worship at 11:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall

7:30 p.m. in chapel

The Parable of the Rich Fool

“So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

 –Luke 12:21

Read the Parable from Luke 12:13-21

Some questions to consider:

• Do you like to collect things?  If so, what?  What do you have a lot of in your house?
• What would your ideal life be like 20 years from now?

What do you think Jesus is trying to say in this story?

• It’s okay to be successful, but remember your highest priority.
• To prepare for the future to have look beyond finances.
• You can’t take it with you
• Having material things can test your devotion to God
• Other ideas?  ____________________

What is your reaction to:  “a person’s life does not consist in the abundance of their possessions?”

• It sounds good, but clashes with the reality of life
• Instead it should say “the one with the most toys wins”
• Yes, the important things in life aren’t things
• I need this reminder to be more faithful and generous toward God and others
• Other ideas?   _____________________________________

Sunday, March 30^th

One Worship – Fellowship – Learning event

9:30 a.m. Sunday morning (Saturday worship remains at 5:00 p.m.)

How do we evaluate what is true? Jesus stands before Pilate and claims that his words are  truth. Do we trust Jesus’ words to be true about our lives today?

March 30, 2014
John 18:28-40

Key Verses: “Pilate asked [Jesus], ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?’” John 18:37-38a

Time: 30 CE

Background: The Jewish leaders wanted to kill Jesus, but didn’t want to get their hands dirty. Instead, they brought him to Pilate, who ruled under Rome, in the hopes that Rome would have some law by which to kill him. Pilate’s conversations with Jesus were intended to uncover something that he could use against him.

Although Jesus had plenty of truth to speak to defend himself against the accusations, he knew it was his time to die. He said little, while his accusers continued to speak lies.

Community: Whose voices do people listen to today? What gives those voices credibility? Who holds those voices accountable for what they say? How might you listen with different ears so that you can better discern fact from fiction?

At Home: How closely do you follow Jesus’ words in your day to day life? Choose one favorite Bible verse to carry with you this week, and spend time with those words several times throughout each day.

Read This Week:
Monday, Mar 31, The Unbelief of the People, John 12:36-43

Tuesday, Apr 1, Summary of Jesus’ Teaching, John 12:44-50

Wednesday, Apr 2, Jesus Foretells His Betrayal, John 13:21-30

Thursday, Apr 3, The New Commandment, John 13:31-35

Friday, Apr 4, Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial, John 13:36-38

Saturday, Apr 5, Jesus the Way to the Father, John 14:1-14

Next Week: Sunday, Apr 6, Jesus Condemned, John 19:1-16a

 

 

 

 

A group of ELC young people were part of a group that packed over 23,000 meals for the group “Feed My Starving Children” on March 26th in Dodgeville.  The volunteers packed meals of rice, soy, vegetables and vitamins to be shipped to relief agencies all over the world.

Speaking up for what is right in the face of pressure has always been difficult. Peter had every reason to believe his life was at stake, and denied Jesus. Our lives are not threatened, so why do we remain silent too many times?

Worship this week:  Saturday, 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel

Sunday, 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

9:30 a.m.  Sunday School and Fellowship Hour

March 23, 2014
John 18:12-27

Key Verses: “One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.” John 18:26-27

Time: 30 CE

Background: In John’s gospel, Judas came to arrest Jesus at the garden with a detachment of soldiers and police from the chief priests and Pharisees. Jesus came forward willingly, knowing his time had come. Prepared for a fight, Peter and the other disciples drew their swords. Peter even cut off the ear of the slave of one of the high priests before Jesus calmed the crowd.

Jesus was not as silent in John’s gospel as in the others. Instead, he spoke plainly, challenging them to find untruth in his words. They could not, of course. But perhaps they were more afraid of the truth of his words than of lies.

Community: What lies are being told that are so subtle that our culture accepts them as truth? How might you uncover some of those lies for yourself? Once discovered, how might you learn to live differently?

At Home: How often do you let peer or cultural pressure shape your behaviors? When was the last time you stood up against pressure to conform or compete? How might you let go of the desire to engage in those comparisons or competitions?

Read This Week:
Monday, Mar 24, The Plot to Kill Jesus, John 11:45-57

Tuesday, Mar 25, Mary Anoints Jesus, John 12:1-8

Wednesday, Mar 26, The Plot to Kill Lazarus, John 12:9-11

Thursday, Mar 27, Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, John 12:12-19

Friday, Mar 28, Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus, John 12:20-26

Saturday, Mar 29, Jesus Speaks about His Death, John 12:27-36

Next Week: Sunday, Mar 30, Jesus and Pilate, John 18:28-40