As John relates the story of Jesus changing water to wine at the wedding in Cana, he states:  “Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory”  (John 2:11a)  Here Jesus provides the best in abundance.  This is a great word for all of us who even now feel as if we never have enough, for in Jesus’ presence there is always more than enough, and better than we could ever expect.

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

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

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

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

January 12, 2014
John 2:1-11

Key Verses: “When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” John 2:3-5

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: In today’s reading, Jesus was at a wedding celebration with his mother shortly after beginning to gather his first disciples. He had not yet done any miracles or teachings.

When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother (unnamed in the Gospel of John) saw an opportunity for Jesus to perform a miracle, thereby beginning his public ministry. This event, and the event of Jesus’ death, are the only two places where the Gospel of John mentions Jesus’ mother, making her presence bookends to his public ministry. At the wedding, Jesus helped the hosting family honor the guests by serving good wine throughout the entire celebration.

Community: What public celebrations are held to honor members of your community? What rituals or traditions are the most meaningful?

At Home: Jesus’ mother encouraged him to perform a miracle, even though he believed his time had not yet come. When have you been challenged to act before you felt you were ready? How could you call upon God in those times to give you guidance and strength to act wisely and courageously?

Read This Week:
Monday, Jan 13, God the Creator and Provider, Psalm 104:1-4

Tuesday, Jan 14, God the Creator and Provider, Psalm 104:5-9

Wednesday, Jan 15, God the Creator and Provider, Psalm 104:10-23

Thursday, Jan 16, God the Creator and Provider, Psalm 104:24-26

Friday, Jan 17, God the Creator and Provider, Psalm 104:27-30

Saturday, Jan 18, God the Creator and Provider, Psalm 104:31-35

 

Next Week: Sunday, Jan 19, Cleansing the Temple, John 2:13-25

 

As Jesus begins his public ministry, he is approached by two disciples. He asks a deceptively simple question: “What are you looking for?” At one level, the question asks why they are walking after him. But fundamentally, this is the existential question asked of any potential disciple: What do you seek when you come to follow Jesus?

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

                                  Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

                                                      9:30 a.m. Sunday School/Adult fellowship

                                                    10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

January 4-5, 2014
John 1:35-51

Key Verses: “The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’” John 1:35-36

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: The book of John begins with John’s testimony about Jesus. John was preaching repentance and baptizing in the wilderness when Jesus began his ministry. Some of John’s followers began following Jesus.

A key point in today’s reading came when new followers asked Jesus, “Where are you staying?” or “abiding”? In the reading, Jesus invited a number of disciples to follow and abide with him. The more time people spend together, the more they begin to emulate one another. By abiding with Jesus, the disciples were being invited to learn to emulate Jesus in a most intimate way. We too, can emulate Jesus in intimate ways when we abide with him.

Community: What group or groups of people in your community influence the behaviors of your community? Are these influences positive or negative? What could you do to impact the group or groups in a positive way?

At Home: In what ways do you abide with Jesus? How do you emulate him? How much time do you spend with Jesus throughout your week? What could you do to set aside more time simply to abide with Jesus this week?

Read This Week:
Monday, Jan 6, Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel, Psalm 66:1-5

Tuesday, Jan 7, Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel, Psalm 66:6-7

Wednesday, Jan 8, Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel, Psalm 66:8-12

Thursday, Jan 9, Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel, Psalm 66:13-15

Friday, Jan 10, Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel, Psalm 66:16-19

Saturday, Jan 11, Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel, Psalm 66:20

Next Week: Sunday, Jan 12, Wedding at Cana, John 2:1-11

It is common to see paintings of John the Baptist with his hand outstretched pointing those who would listen to see Jesus.  On Christmas it was easy enough to point to the manger in Bethlehem, but do our lives show others the grace and love of Jesus throughout our days?

Special Worship schedule for this week:  10:00 a.m. Sunday (one service only)

No Saturday worship this week

December 29, 2013
John 1:19-34

Key Verses: “John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’”
John 1:26-27

Time: about 30 CE

Background: John the Baptist lived in the wilderness before Jesus’ ministry became public. He baptized and proclaimed the coming of one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.

His testimony unnerved many who were in power. When one comes to bring grace and peace, and to overthrow the bondage to the law, those in power become threatened. They sought out John to discover who he was and in whose name he spoke. John made it clear it was Jesus who came to save, and that he had been sent to proclaim Jesus’ arrival.

“Lamb of God” would have conjured images of a sacrificial lamb. Such a sacrifice was not historically for the forgiveness of sins, but to celebrate and recognize God’s deliverance at the celebration of the Passover. Early Christians were the first to recognize Jesus as the sacrificial lamb for the forgiveness of sins.

Community: Which voices in our world speak for God? What do they say? Who is listening? How can your community of faith be more intentional about seeking and listening for God’s voice?

At Home: In what ways has God delivered you from bondage to sin? How is that deliverance reflected in your daily life?

Read This Week:
Monday, Dec 30, The Joy of Forgiveness, Psalm 32:1-2

Tuesday, Dec 31, The Joy of Forgiveness, Psalm 32:3-4

Wednesday, Jan 1, The Joy of Forgiveness, Psalm 32:5

Thursday, Jan 2, The Joy of Forgiveness, Psalm 32:6-7

Friday, Jan 3, The Joy of Forgiveness, Psalm 32:8-9

Saturday, Jan 4, The Joy of Forgiveness, Psalm 32:10-11

Next Week: Sunday, Jan 5, John Baptizes, John 1:35-51

 

Join us in celebrating the birth of Jesus at our Christmas morning worship at ELC.

Join us for Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship at 5:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m.

We’ll share familiar Christmas Carols and hear the Christmas story as told in Luke.  There is no better way to begin your Christmas celebration than by joining in the singing of “Silent Night” in a candlelit sanctuary on Christmas eve!