Jesus says he is with us in unexpected places and people. Do we see the face of Jesus in the hungry, the lonely, and the hurting?

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

March 22, 2015                                                                “Sheep and goats”

   Jesus told this parable to help people see God in the faces of those we typically would not acknowledge; the hungry, thirsty, poor, naked, sick, and imprisoned. Jesus was intentional about indicating that we are expected to act. Our world has needs, and our actions are crucial to creating in this world an environment that more closely resembles the kingdom God intended for this world.

Read: Follow the parables and teachings of Jesus, as Jesus moved ever closer to the cross.

Sunday, Matthew 25:31-46, Last Judgment

Monday, Psalm 98:7-9, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 24:29-51, Teachings of Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 25:14-30, Parables of Jesus

Thursday, Matthew 26:1-5, The Plot to Kill Jesus

Friday, Matthew 26:6-13, The Anointing at Bethany

Saturday, Matthew 26:14-16, Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

• How did the actions of Jesus and his disciples lead him toward the cross?
• What are some signs you observe in today’s culture that indicate we are in need of Jesus’ presence now more than ever? How would Jesus be received if he walked on the earth today?
• In what ways have you betrayed Jesus? How could you make a change so that Jesus is first in your life?

Do:    Do one of the following this week: feed the hungry or thirsty, welcome a stranger, give clothing to those in need, visit someone who is sick or in prison. Notice how serving others affects you.

Bless: God who is found in the least of these, by your word, shape our hearts and vision to look for you in humble circumstance. Amen.

As we await the day of the Lord’s return, how are we using our days for the benefit of our Lord?

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. traditional worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

March 15, 2015                                                       “The Parable of the Talents”

Study: In following the theme of abundant invitation and grace of the past few weeks, this story moves now to the expected response to such an invitation.  In the parable, the master was gone for a time, and then returned at an unexpected time. But those waiting were expected to be prepared for the return. The servants were expected to invest what they had been given, so that at the master’s return they would have even more to return. The parable shows that action is expected on the part of those waiting.

Read:  Follow the parables and teachings of Jesus, as Jesus challenged followers to do more for God’s kingdom.

Sunday, Matthew 25:1-13, (25:14-30), Bridesmaids (or Talents)

Monday, Psalm 43:3-4, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 22:15-33, Questions for Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 22:34-46, The Greatest Commandment

Thursday, Matthew 23:1-36, Woes

Friday, Matthew 23:37-39, Lament over Jerusalem

Saturday, Matthew 24:1-28, Teachings of Jesus

• How is the tone of these later chapters different from earlier chapters? What was Jesus trying to tell people?
• Do people live as if Jesus might return any day? How might your community look different if people behaved as if Jesus was on his way?
• What is one thing you can change about your routine or behaviors so that you are behaving as if Jesus was going to return at any moment?

Do: Make a bucket list of 5-10 things you would like to do before Jesus’ return.

 

God keeps inviting people into the feast of the kingdom. How do respond to this invitation?

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

Sunday — 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. – Sunday School  and presentation by LUAD (Lutherans United, Assisting after Disaster) in the fellowship hall

10:30 a.m. — Contemporary Worship

Devotions for the week:

March 8, 2015                                   “The Parable of the Wedding banquet”

Study: The king in the parable of the wedding banquet was a generous king, but also one who refused to be taken advantage of. Initially he invited family and friends to the banquet, but they would not come. This may have been a parallel to the Jewish leaders who refused to walk in God’s ways, even as they were claiming to do just that. The king then invited everyone to come, perhaps an open invitation from God to come into God’s kingdom. A twist near the end shows one man, improperly dressed for the banquet, thrown out of the party. This may have been to indicate that God’s people were expected to behave in a manner fitting of guests of the king; to treat one another with kindness and respect.

Read: Follow the teachings and actions of Jesus. See how his actions angered and frightened those in power.

Sunday, Matthew 22:1-14, Wedding Banquet

Monday, Psalm 45:6-7, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 20:17-34, Works of Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 21:12-22, Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Thursday, Matthew 21:23-27, The Authority of Jesus Questioned

Friday, Matthew 21:28-32, Parables of Jesus

Saturday, Matthew 21:33-46, Parables of Jesus

• Who are the insiders and who are the outsiders in your community? What happens when the lines get blurred? Who benefits when insiders and outsiders begin to work together? Who is hurt?
• How is Jesus’ parable of the wedding banquet good news for you? How is it bad news? Which do you prefer to see: the good or the bad?

Do: Invite someone to coffee that you normally would not invite (a co-worker, a neighbor, a parishioner). Come with no expectations. Enjoy the company of someone new.

 

This week’s song is a modern recounting of the events of Christ’s life, told to a familiar tune.   This season of Lent is a good time to focus anew on the story of God’s great love for us that begins at creation, and goes on to eternity.  Join us for worship this Wednesday!

Lenten worship at 11:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall (followed by a soup/sandwich lunch)

or at 7:30  p.m. in the chapel.

All are invited to Wednesday evening potluck at 6:00 p.m.

This week we begin a series of Jesus’ parables with the ‘parable of the vineyard. 

This parable reminds us of God’s generous love, which is given out of grace, not because of hard work or merit.

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

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for the week:

March 1, 2015                                                     “Laborers in the Vineyard”

“[The landowner said,] ‘Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:15-16

Study: Our sense of fairness is challenged in this parable. Many of us have been raised to believe we get what we earn. To imagine someone else might receive what we receive for having earned far less challenges our sensibilities. But what if we are not the laborer who has earned a day’s wage? What if we are the laborer who cannot possibly work hard enough or long enough to earn a day’s wage? Perhaps Jesus was teaching here that God offers love more abundantly than anyone can possibly earn.

Read: Follow the parables and teachings of Jesus, as Jesus challenged followers to do more for God’s kingdom.

Sunday, Matthew 20:1-16, Laborers in the Vineyard

Monday, Psalm 16:5-8, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 16:1-12, Teachings of Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 16:13-23, Jesus Foretells His Death

Thursday, Matthew 17:9-27, Teachings of Jesus

Friday, Matthew 18:10-14, Parables of Jesus

Saturday, Matthew 19:1-30, Teachings of Jesus

• What is God’s role in the parables Jesus told?
• What would happen if Jesus’ idea of abundant generosity was played out in your community?
• What difference does it make to your life that you have been given abundant, unearned, generous love from God?

Do: Notice how practicing abundant generosity changes you. Perhaps be an extravagant tipper this week

Bless: Generous God, our hearts are sometimes stingy. Speak love to us in the reading of your word. Amen.