It might be a great time to think about warmer places.  Jerry Schwook of St. Luke’s in Middleton will be with us on Sunday, January 26th at 9:30 a.m. in fellowship hall to share about his experiences in traveling to our partner congregation in Puerto Rico.  Please join us!

Jesus tells of God’s great love, and of new birth by God’s Spirit.  Nicodemus is puzzled by Jesus’ words. He must let go of an old way of thinking in order to hear the good news about life in Christ. What do we need to let go of to make way to hear the promise of love for our world?

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

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

9:30 a.m.  Sunday School/Fellowship hour

Including ‘fireside chats’ for high school and young adults

Also special presentation by Jerry Schwook about our companion church in Puerto Rico

 January 26, 2014
John 3:1-21

Key Verse: “Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’” John 3:3

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: Nicodemus likely came by night so he wouldn’t be seen by others. Nighttime also symbolized unbelief, as the light symbolized belief. Nicodemus came with questions and doubts about Jesus, his authority, and his message.

Nicodemus’s lack of understanding about being “born from above” or “born again” might mirror our own. What does it mean to be born again? Our Christian heritage of baptism can place a layer of understanding, as we understand baptism as giving new life through water and Spirit. But perhaps it is okay to let the ambiguous language hold some mystery.

Community: What does it mean that “everyone who believes in him may not perish”? What of non-believers? How might you go about opening a respectful conversation with a non-believer about eternal life?

At Home: In baptismal imagery, we die to the old self in order to be born anew. What needs to die within you so that God can create new life there? How can you let go of that which keeps you from claiming God’s new life?

Read This Week:
Monday, Jan 27, The Inescapable God, Psalm 139:1-3

Tuesday, Jan 28, The Inescapable God, Psalm 139:4-6

Wednesday, Jan 29, The Inescapable God, Psalm 139:7-9

Thursday, Jan 30, The Inescapable God, Psalm 139:10-12

Friday, Jan 31, The Inescapable God, Psalm 139:13-18

Saturday, Feb 1, The Inescapable God, Psalm 139:19-24

 

Next Week: Sunday, Feb 2, Woman at the Well, John 4:1-42

 

John’s gospel has Jesus challenging the customs of the religious ‘establishment’ from the beginning of his ministry.  His passion causes a scene, and upsets the status quo.  How passionate are we about our faith, and how open are we to asking questions about the customary way we do things?
Worship this week with Holy Communion – Saturday 5:00 p.m. in chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

Education and fellowship hour at 9:30 a.m including ‘Fireside Chats’ for high school and older, Sunday School for ages 3 and up.

 January 19, 2014
John 2:13-25

Key Verses: “He told those who were selling the doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!’ His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’” John 2:16-17

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: In the Gospel of John, the cleansing of the temple was Jesus’ first act once his ministry began. (In the other three gospels, it happened just before his crucifixion.) In John’s gospel, Jesus used signs to point toward God, always redirecting people’s attention away from himself, and toward God in heaven.

When Jesus overturned the tables, the Jews asked him for a sign to show that he had authority to do what he had done. They didn’t realize that Jesus was already beginning to perform signs that God had sent Jesus to reveal God to the people.

Community: What questionable behaviors or customs does your community practice that are so embedded in your community, they have not been examined for a long time? What would need to happen to begin to make changes to those customs?

At Home: What signs have you sought or seen to indicate that God is present in your life? Where will you look for God this week?

Read This Week:
Monday, Jan 20, God’s Blessing in the Home, Psalm 127:1-2

Tuesday, Jan 21, God’s Blessing in the Home, Psalm 127:3-5

Wednesday, Jan 22, The Happy Home of the Faithful, Psalm 128:1-2

Thursday, Jan 23, The Happy Home of the Faithful, Psalm 128:3-4

Friday, Jan 24, The Happy Home of the Faithful, Psalm 128:5-6

Saturday, Jan 25, Prayer for the Downfall of Israel’s Enemies, Psalm 129:1-8

Next Week: Sunday, Jan 26, Nicodemus, John 3:1-21

 

 

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