“When he (Jesus) had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”  –Luke 5:4

Since there are few places on earth that I would rather be than in a fishing boat, this Bible story we read for worship recently has always been a favorite.  Now as I write this the water is frozen and the air is cold, but had I the time (and a good ice drill) I would still be glad to head out on a lake.

But, of course, Jesus does not leave them there.  Jesus calls those fishermen to follow, but it begins with a simple act of faith.  Simon Peter is told to let down the nets, and at first he is reluctant – “Master, we have worked all night and caught nothing” is his reply.  “Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets”  (Luke 5:5).  Then despite his protests of unworthiness, Jesus sets him on a journey of faith that would be part of changing history.

It begins with a simple act of faith.   The simple act of letting down the nets, despite the apparent futility of one more try, opens the eyes of all those present.  Sometimes I get caught up in trying to figure out everything that is going on, and what God might have planned.  It is a good thing to think, and pray, and reflect.  But I also have times when I get so caught up in what I think I already know that I neglect to do the simple acts of faith that Jesus calls for in my life.

Simple acts of faith, like our presence together at worship.   Some days it might not be convenient, but our simple presence might be the blessing some other person needs that day.  Simple acts, like taking time to listen, extending a hand in friendship, providing a meal in a time of need, giving time to your family or community, sharing your resources to provide ministry for others.  Even when we can’t foresee the impact, God can begin with those things to change lives.  Maybe today is fishing time again.

 

 

Looking forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday.

We gather at 5:00 p.m. Saturday in the chapel

                      Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

                                       9:30 a.m.  Sunday School/Adult Bible Study/Coffee and Donuts

                                      10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Other upcoming events:  Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. Christ in the World Ahead  – a conversation for high school youth and adults with Judge Micheal Rosborough “The Law & You”

Thursday, February 7th – Rock and Worship Road Show at Alliant Energy Center – Bus leaves ELC at 5:00 p.m.  Cost is $15.

This Week’s story for worship:  Jesus’ Disciples Pluck Grain on the Sabbath
January 27, 2013
Luke 6:1-16

Key Verses: “Then [Jesus] said to them, ‘The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’” Luke 6:5

Time: 27-30 C.E.

Since Last Week: Jesus continued to heal and teach. Some of the leaders were becoming angry, believing Jesus was teaching contrary to their scriptures and traditions. Jesus had the audacity to forgive sins (which only God could or should do), and to consort with tax collectors and sinners.

Background: Jesus allowed his disciples to pluck grain, and then himself healed a man, on the Sabbath. Both actions were against the law. Jesus tried to show the people that the Sabbath was created to serve people, rather than people to serve the Sabbath. They did not understand, and continued to grow in their anger.

Community: What laws in your community have been created to serve people? What laws have been created for people to serve? Where are freedoms limited and where are they granted? What might you do to ensure freedom to all?

At Home: When and for what have you been forgiven? Was forgiveness offered unconditionally or with limitations? Have you let go of the burden of guilt or shame? How might you let go of shame and live in the unconditional forgiveness of Jesus?

Read This Week:
Monday: Jesus Teaches and Heals, Luke 6:17-26
Tuesday: Love for Enemies, Luke 6:27-42
Wednesday: A Tree and Its Fruit, Luke 6:43-49
Thursday: Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant, Luke 7:1-10
Friday: Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son, Luke 7:11-17
Saturday: Messengers from John the Baptist, Luke 7:18-35

Next Week: A Sinful Woman Weeps at Jesus’ Feet, Luke 7:36-50

We hope to see you this weekend as we gather for worship and Holy Communion at all services:

Saturday —  5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday — 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. – Sunday School, Adult Bible Study, Coffee and Fellowship

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Upcoming events:  Thursday, February 7th, Rock and Worship Roadshow at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. We will have a bus leaving the ELC parking lot at 5:00 p.m.  Cost for ticket and bus         $15.  Sign-up at church.

   Sunday, February 17th, 5:00 p.m. – Authentic Indian Meal, in support of Brighid Monahan’s Synod trip to India.  Sign-up at church.

 

Below is our theme verse and some reflections for this weekend.                                                                    

Peter Fishes for People
January 20, 2013
Luke 5:1-11

Key Verses: “Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:10b-11

Time: 27-30 C.E.

Since Last Week: Jesus had started to cast our demons, heal, and teach throughout the land. People were amazed at what they saw and heard.

Background: Jesus started to gather his first disciples. It was customary for rabbis to select men who would travel with them and learn from them. Jesus found his first disciples on the sea.

Community: How does your community pass on faith? How and when do you spend time learning and growing deeper in faith? What might you do differently this week to teach or learn more about God?

At Home: What does it mean for you to be Jesus’ follower? What behaviors, actions, and attitudes are shaped by your commitment to follow Jesus?

Read This Week:
Monday: Jesus Cleanses a Leper, Luke 5:12-16
Tuesday: Jesus Heals a Paralytic, Luke 5:17-26
Wednesday: Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew), Luke 5:27-32
Thursday: The Question about Fasting, Luke 5:33-39
Friday: God Does a New Thing, Isaiah 43:14-21
Saturday: God Forgives Sins, Isaiah 43:25-44:5

Next Week: Jesus’ Disciples Pluck Grain on the Sabbath, Luke 6:1-16

Arise, shine, your light has come! The Christmas season is over as we celebrate Epiphany,  the revealing of Christ to the world. Originally this was one of the most important feast-days of the Christian year along with Easter, when baptisms would take place, and the Baptism of Jesus was remembered on this Sunday.  We hear that story from Luke 3:16 – “John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’” Luke 3:16

Worship this weekend:  Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel with Holy Communion
                                   Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship with Holy Communion
                                                 9:30 a.m. – Sunday School, Coffee  & fellowship, Adult Bible Study
                                                10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion

Be sure to watch for the introduction of the 2013 ELC Benevolence Program at all worship services.

Our preaching text for the week is:  Luke 3:1-22

Time: 27 C.E.

Since Last Week: Luke includes the only story of Jesus as a boy of age 12. According to tradition, boys of Jesus’ age were encouraged to learn Torah and God’s teachings, and to ask challenging questions. When Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem and found him in the temple, he demonstrated a deep awareness of himself and his role in God’s kingdom.

Background: John began teaching and baptizing in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. John’s teaching had a sharp edge, convicting those whose manner of living capitalized on the oppression of others. When John spoke against the ruler, Herod, John was imprisoned, signaling the end of John’s prophetic voice, and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.

Community: How has your lifestyle contributed to the institutionalization of oppression? Take the survey at http://slaveryfootprint.org to discover how many slaves your lifestyle employs.

At Home: Does your baptism inform your actions and behaviors? If so, then how? If not, why not?

Read This Week:
Monday: Genealogy of Jesus, Luke 3:23-38
Tuesday: Jesus is Tempted in the Wilderness, Luke 4:1-13
Wednesday: Comfort, O Comfort My People, Isaiah 40:1-11
Thursday: God Will Restore Jerusalem, Isaiah 52:1-12
Friday: Elijah’s Flight, 1 Kings 19:1-9
Saturday: Hear, O Israel, Deuteronomy 6:4-15

Next Week: Jesus Preached in Nazareth, Luke 4:14-30

With all due respect to the ancient Mayans it seems the world did not end.  (I never really thought they had knowledge greater than the one who said:  “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, — but only the Father.”  Matt.24:36)   We have celebrated another Christmas, and now the New Year awaits – so now what?

This past year was a remarkable one in the life of ELC.  We celebrated 125 years in ministry; we completed a long-awaited building expansion, the world around us continues to change and bring new challenges.  The question for all of us is:  How will we move into this New Year?

After the great events of the ascension and the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, those first disciples faced a world that was also in an uproar.  They were a minority movement, opposed by the dominant powers of their day.  They lived in a world being shaped by forces from faraway lands and non-believing philosophies.  So how did they respond?  The book of Acts reports:  “Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home- and ate their food with glad and generous- hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.” (Acts 2:46-47)

Rather than sit back and worry, they went about being the people of God in basic and concrete ways every day.  That doesn’t seem like too bad a plan.  In this New Year I believe it is time to commit ourselves to being the people of God in this place.  We have  tremendous opportunities, we have wonderful facilities, and most of all we have the presence of power of God in our midst.

God’s Peace,

Pastor John Twiton