There will be worship at ELC this morning.  Use your best judgement if you wish to brave the snow.

“The light shines in the darkness”.  As we draw near to Christmas, John’s gospel focuses not the particulars of the baby in Bethlehem, but on who Jesus is and what his coming means for the whole world.

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

Sunday – 8:30 Traditional Worship

9:30 Adult Bible Study and Fellowship (No Sunday School this week)

10:30 Contemporary Worship

December 22, 2013
John 1:1-18

Key Verse: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

Time: about 30 CE

Background: The gospel of John differs from Matthew, Mark, and Luke in many ways. The three share similar stories. They have similar approaches to interpreting Jesus’ presence on the earth. John focuses more on God’s word and teachings than on the events of Jesus’ life. It looks more at who Jesus was, than on what Jesus did, specifically on Jesus’ relationship with God.

This first passage provides a lens through which we can view the rest of the book. It sets up images of light vs. darkness, belief, truth, and testimony. Jesus is the one who points toward God, emphasizing that God is the origin of all things and above all things.

Community: What imagery informs how your community of faith views Jesus? What images are limiting? What images are life-giving? What new images might your community of faith adopt to enhance your view of Jesus? How could these new images inform your community’s behavior?

At Home: Think about your life’s story. Which is easier to tell: who you are, or what you’ve done? How do both inform how you choose to live from here on out? What will you keep? What could you change?

Read This Week:
Monday, Dec 23, Birth of Jesus Foretold, Luke 1:26-38

Tuesday, Dec 24, Birth of Jesus, Luke 2:1-20

Wednesday, Dec 25, Shepherds, Matthew 2:1-12

Thursday, Dec 26, Jesus Is Presented in the Temple, Luke 2:21-32

Friday, Dec 27, Jesus Is Presented in the Temple, Luke 2:33-40

Saturday, Dec 28, The Boy Jesus in the Temple, Luke 2:41-52

Next Week: Sunday, Dec 29, A Voice in the Wilderness, John 1:19-34

 

This week we hear the prophet’s promise that God will restore the people, setting a feast of celebration before them.  We still need to hear that promise that our Lord can restore us to life again and deliver us from our own times of isolation.

This week our Saturday worship will be moved to the sanctuary for our “Christmas at ELC” concert at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday– 8:30 a.m.  traditional worship with Holy Communion

               9:30 a.m. Sunday School (Christmas program rehearsal)

             10:30 a.m. Sunday School Christmas program

December 15, 2013
Isaiah 55:1-11

Key Verse: “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1

Time: mid 500’s BCE

Background: The book of Isaiah was written at a time when God people, Israel, were in exile. It includes words of judgment and words of promise. Much of the New Testament quotes from Isaiah, since the people had once again been conquered, this time by Rome. They clung to Isaiah’s words of deliverance as they heard the new words of promise delivered by Jesus.

This passage begins with an invitation to a free and decadent banquet, given by the Lord. God’s freedom cannot be bought with money, but is given freely as a gift.

It goes on to promise deliverance to a people in exile. Deliverance comes with an upheaval of the system: the lowly will be brought up, and the lofty brought down. Finally, God’s word will spread throughout the land. It will not go out and return empty, but will become richer as it is spread.

Community: For what does your community thirst? How can your community of faith quench the thirst of those in need?

At Home: Make a list of your top 10 values. Where does money, or financial security, fall on your list, if at all? What are some gifts God has given you that do not involve money? What could you part with that involves money? Give up one material thing this week in favor of a spiritual gift.

Read This Week:
Monday, Dec 16, God’s People Are Comforted, Isaiah 40:1-11

Tuesday, Dec 17, The Suffering Servant, Isaiah 53:2-12

Wednesday, Dec 18, A Promise of Help and Healing, Isaiah 57:14-21

Thursday, Dec 19, Injustice and Oppression to Be Punished, Isaiah 59:1-8

Friday, Dec 20, The Good News of Deliverance, Isaiah 61:1-11

Saturday, Dec 21, The Glorious New Creation, Isaiah 65:17-25

 

Next Week: Sunday, Dec 22, Word Made Flesh, John 1:1-18

 

The people of Israel complain:  “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost” as they lament the sad situation in which they find themselves.  But God is not done with them, or us.  We may go through those days when we feel discouraged or defeated, but God stands ready to breathe new life into us.

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

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. – traditional worship

9:30 a.m. –  Sunday School and adult Bible study

10:30 a.m. –  contemporary worship

 December 8, 2013
Ezekiel 37:1-14

Key Verses: “Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: ‘I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people.’” Ezekiel 37:12-13

Time: late 500’s BCE

Background: The book of Ezekiel was written at a time when God’s people were in exile. The first chapters are proclamations of judgment for Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. Later chapters, like the ones read today, include promises of restoration.

Ezekiel’s vision is a dramatic way for God to promise restoration. He tells Ezekiel to prophesy to a valley of dead bones, first renewing them with sinews and flesh, and finally bringing them to life with breath. This was an example of how God intended to bring Israel back to life, despite the despair they experienced at their exile.

Community: In what ways is your community dead or dying? What does it need to bring it back to life?

At Home: Think of a time when you needed to trust God, and God came through for you. Tell the story to one person this week. Thank God for God’s faithfulness.

Read This Week:
Monday, Dec 9, The Vision of the Chariot, Ezekiel 1:1-14

Tuesday, Dec 10, The Vision of the Chariot, Ezekiel 1:15-28

Wednesday, Dec 11, The Vision of the Scroll, Ezekiel 2:1-3:11

Thursday, Dec 12, The Vision of the New Temple, Ezekiel 40:1-19

Friday, Dec 13, The Vision of the New Temple, Ezekiel 40:20-37

Saturday, Dec 14, The Vision of the New Temple, Ezekiel 40:38-47

Next Week: Sunday, Dec 15, Return from Exile, Isaiah 55:1-11