Invite your friends and neighbors!  Every one is welcome!!

The ELC Guild invites everyone to the ice cream social today serving at 4:30 p.m..  There will be barbeque sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, pie, angel food cake, and ice cream.  Come out for a great treat and support the mission projects of the Guild.

In response to the disciple’s request Jesus gives them an example of how to pray in the words we know as the “Lord’s Prayer”.  Over the next four weeks we will be looking at those familiar words and how they still speak today.

It is also a new month for our ELC Benevolence Emphasis.  For June we will hear from two organizations that deal with the needs of those who struggle to find shelter in our area:

The Road Home provides emergency shelter for families with children and creates housing solutions (both transitional and permanent), including 30 low-income units through its Housing & Hope capital campaign. All programs come with intensive case management, which is the key to helping families reach goals and move forward.

Porchlight is the largest non-profit supplier of low-cost housing in Dane County, and operates an emergency shelter for men and housing and intensive services for men and women suffering from serious mental illness. Porchlight helps people build stable, independent lives by acquiring job skills and finding permanent employment.

Worship with Holy Communion at all services this weekend:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m.  Worship with traditional liturgy

10:00 am. Worship with contemporary music

Our Father/Your Kingdom Come
June 1-2, 2013
Matthew 6:9

Key Verse: “[Jesus said,] ‘Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.  Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ”’” Matthew 6:9-10

Time: 30-33 C.E.

Background: Jesus was talking to the crowds and the disciples when he taught them what we call The Lord’s Prayer. He proclaimed blessing on the marginalized, and warnings against leaders who were abusing power for their own gain. He warned against praying as the “hypocrites,” who prayed aloud for show, but whose lives didn’t reflect the piety of their prayers.

Jesus addressed God as a loving parent. This can be a troubling image for some, since human parents are less than perfect. But remember, the image is of a God who is capable of unconditional love. This was a very different image from the distant, if not vengeful God Jesus’ followers had come to believe in. Jesus’ image of God as a loving parent was consistent with his radical message of selflessness and love.

Community: What images of God has your community of faith claimed as its own?  What does your community’s image for God say to newcomers?  What is God calling your community of faith to do to follow God’s will for your lives together?

At Home: What image for God works best for you? How does God as a loving parent affect the way you live and the decisions you make? How do you recognize God’s will for your life? Listen for God’s voice this week. Follow God’s will for your life.

Read This Week:
Monday: Sing Praises to God, Psalm 105:1-6
Tuesday: God the Shepherd, John 10:1-18
Wednesday: God the Potter, Isaiah 64:8-12
Thursday: God the Rock, Psalm 42:9-10
Friday: God the Mother, Isaiah 66:12-14
Saturday: God the Fire, Psalm 83:13-18

Next Week: Our Daily Bread, Matthew 6:11

As our nation marks Memorial Day this weekend, and we remember the sacrifices made by so many, we also remember the price that was paid by Christ for our freedom from sin and death.  Now we must consider what we are each being called to do with this gift of freedom.

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

                                             Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Worship with traditional music

                                                              10:00 a.m. Worship with contemporary music

                                                               (please note new time for summer!!)

 The Proper use of Freedom

May 25-26

 Galatians  5:13-26

Key Verse:  “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters;– only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence.”     Galatians 5:13

Time:  50-55 C.E.

Since Last week:  Having come to faith by the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, Paul now reminds the church at Galatia that the Spirit’s presence creates freedom.

Background:  The freedom that Paul writes about is a gift not to be abused, but rather seen as an opportunity to share in the blessings of Christ’s love.  These spiritual gifts should blossom and grow in our life together:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness and self-control.

Community:  This weekend there will be much talk of the cost and the nature of freedom; do we celebrate only a freedom from tyranny?  Do we celebrate the Christian freedom to be a blessing to others?

At Home:   Which list better describes your life to others – the works of the flesh like jealousy, anger, and  quarrels?  Or do people know you by your kindness, generosity, and patience?  How can we rediscover the Sprit’s gifts in everyday life?

 Read this Week: 

Sunday, May 26                  Our Father, Matthew 6:9

Monday, May 27                Sing Praises to God, Psalm 105:1-6

Tuesday, May 28                God the Shepherd, John 10:1-18

Wednesday, May 29          God the Potter, Isaiah 64:8-12

Thursday, May 30              God the Rock, Psalm 42:9-10

On Sunday, May 19th, parents and graduates gathered for our annual blessing and blanket presentation.  Parents prayed for their children, and blessed them in this new step on their journey.  Graduates gave thanks for their parents and blessed them in Christ’s name, while the congregation promised to uphold them in prayer during these exciting and challenging days.  We sent them off with these words:

Wherever you wander, no matter how dark the night, may the warmth of this blanket,

the love of your parents, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the fellowship of this church,

the power of  God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and forever.

Go with God’s blessing.  Amen.