The ELC Youth Choir presents their musical at worship this weekend – “It Happened at Camp Willomocky”  –Join Camp Leader Miss Rigby who whips the “troops” into shape for fun and learning about the Bible and Big Chief Willomocky. It’s all here: a campfire, sleeping under the stars, hiking, a thunderstorm, rainbows, butterflies and a contest to determine the best camper. Meg has her own plan on how to win…but she and all the campers learn some very important truths along the way.

Worship this weekend:

Saturday at 5:00 pm in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

 

After the great events of Holy Week and Easter, the message of Jesus’ victory is entrusted to his followers, and us, to carry into the world.  We may feel unready, but Jesus promises to be with us each step of the way.

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

The Great Commission                                       April 12, 2015

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus spent much of the book of Matthew teaching the disciples to look at the world in a new way; to see the lowly as worthy, and to challenge the authority of those who had let power corrupt them. After his death and resurrection, it became time for the disciples to continue the work Jesus came here to do. Yet they did not work apart from his presence. They were not challenged to succeed in converting people. They were commissioned to go, baptize, and teach others to look at the world in a new way; the work of transformation still remains with Jesus.

Follow the stories of early believers and missionaries.

Sunday, Matthew 28:16-20, Great Commission

Monday, Psalm 40:9-10, Psalm

Tuesday, Acts 7:54-8:1, Stoning of Stephen

Wednesday, Acts 8:4-25, Philip Preaches in Samaria

Thursday, Acts 8:26-40, Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Friday, Acts 9:1-19, The Conversion of Saul

Saturday, Acts 9:36-43, Peter in Lydda and Joppa

• How did Jesus prepare the disciples for the work they were commissioned to do?
• Who are the people within your community that are viewed as less-than? How can you work to welcome them into God’s kingdom?
• If God changed your name as a sign that you have been set apart to serve God, what name would you want God to choose? Why?

Bless: God of grace, thank you for loving us even when we doubt. Expand our faith as your word is shared today. Amen.

 

Join us for the celebration of the Resurrection on Easter Morning!
Sunrise worship at 7:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship at 9:00 a.m.
Contemporary Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Easter breakfast served by youth from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Devotions for the week:

He has been raised…”                                   Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:5-6

This highly dramatic event would have made for a great end to a blockbuster film. One can almost hear the roar of the earthquake, see the painful glare of the lightening-white clothing of the angel, and feel the fear of the guards as their world shook around them. It is as if the scene was intentionally shocking. Because it was so shockingly impossible, it leaves hearers two options: to reject it outright, or to believe wholeheartedly. Hearers are given the invitation to be all in, and then to go out, spreading the news of the miraculous events, and extending the invitation to anyone who will hear.

Follow the stories of early believers and missionaries.

Sunday, Matthew 28:1-10, Easter: Matthew

Monday, Psalm 118:19-24, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 28:11-15, The Report of the Guard

Wednesday, Acts 1:12-26, Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Thursday, Acts 2:37-42, The First Converts

Friday, Acts 5:12-16, The Apostles Heal Many

Saturday, Acts 5:17-42, The Apostles are Persecuted

• What challenges did early believers face as they worked to spread the good news of Jesus’ resurrection?
• What loud or bright things in our culture compete for your attention? Is Jesus’ resurrection drowned out? Where do you see his resurrection and love for humanity loud and clear?
• What challenges do you face that make faith hard to come by? What can you do this week to strengthen your faith?

God of resurrection, stir new life in our spirits with your word this day. Bring our alleluias to fullness. Amen.

Good Friday, April 3rd

1:00 p.m.  — Service of the Seven Last Words – a community worship service hosted this year by ELC, featuring area pastors and musicians.

7:30 p.m. — Tenebrae – a service of increasing darkness.  A multi-sensory experience of the Passion  Story

Maundy Thursday Worship

11:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall

7:30 p.m. in Sanctuary

Join us as we recall the story of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, and join in celebration of Holy Communion.

“Maundy” is a word that comes to us from the Latin “mandatum” which means command.   It comes from the verse spoken by Jesus:
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  John 13:34

“For the forgiveness of sin”                             Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2015

Study: Jesus participated in the Passover celebration, which was one of the oldest, most sacred traditions in their culture. But in celebrating it with his disciples on the night before his death, Jesus changed the meaning of the Passover forever. No longer would a lamb be required for sacrifice. Jesus himself would become the sacrifice to redeem all humanity from sin and death. Jesus transformed the meaning of the bread and wine so that we now recognize Jesus’ body and blood in those elements.

Read: Follow the stories of Jesus’ final days on the earth.

Sunday, Matthew 21:1-13, Triumphal Entry

Monday, Psalm 118:26-29, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 27:1-14, Passion

Wednesday, Matthew 27:15-26, Passion

Thursday, Matthew 26:17-30, Words of Institution

Friday, Matthew 27:27-61, Crucifixion

Saturday, Matthew 27:62-66, The Guard at the Tomb

• What unique details stand out in Matthew’s account of Jesus’ passion? Which are familiar? Which are not?
• Where do you see the presence of a dying Jesus in the world today? Where do you see the presence of a resurrected Jesus?
• What are you most afraid of? How can Jesus’ presence in your life help you overcome your fear?

Attend Holy Week worship services this week. Write down one thing you get from each service. Carry it with you and reflect on it throughout the weekend.