Wednesday, March 12

Worship at 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’  vs. 29

Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ vs.36

How Do We Read A Parable?

Jesus told many stories about what either heaven or the spiritual life was “like,” using examples from everyday life. He often began, “The kingdom of Heaven is like . . .” We call these stories, which explain the extraordinary in terms of the ordinary, the Parables of Jesus.

We know the disciples often didn’t understand the parables the first time they heard them, and we don’t always get the point of the story the first time, either.  Jesus had an interesting sense of humor, and the disciples seemed to never understand the jokes – just like us, they often responded in confusion.

So, like the disciples, we should talk and pray about the stories, discussing what Jesus might have meant by the story.  Jesus also gave us an opportunity to fill in the blanks. Whenever he tells a story about a nameless person – “a man” or “a woman” or a “Pharisee” or a “tax collector”- we are welcome to fill in our own names. How does the story sound then?

Some background for the story:

• The Samaritans were descended from the people whom Nebuchadnezzar did not take into exile.  They remained in the mountains north of Jerusalem, and set up their own worship sites there.  Because the Samaritans readily intermarried, and because they sacrificed to God in their own homeland, the Jews of Jerusalem decided that the Samaritans were not dedicated to the purity that God required and made the Samaritans outcasts. Judeans would not travel on Samaritan roads or drink from Samaritan wells; they thought they would become unclean in the eyes of God if they touched a Samaritan or shared a meal with him.
• In Jewish law, people who touched dead bodies (even with their shadows) became ritually unclean and therefore unable to pray.  Jesus tells this story to show us that caring for the well-being of our neighbor brings us closer to God, rather than separating us from him.
• The lawyer’s answer comes from well-known verses in the Old Testament :  Deuteronomy 6:5 Leviticus 19:18b

Questions for Reflection this week:

• What was the lawyer’s first question to Jesus (vs. 25)?  What was his second (vs. 29)?  Why do you think he asked the second?
• Why do you think the priest and the Levite refused to help the victim on the road?
• Why is it ironic that a Samaritan is the one who helped?
• Who are those people we might look on today with suspicion or mistrust?
• In telling this parable, Jesus removed all limits as to who our neighbor is, and all limits to how far we should go in helping:
  • How does the parable make these points?
  • How and why to people rationalize the limits we place on helping others?

Even Jesus weeps at the grave. Grief is too close to many of us each day, but the community of faith is here to support us, and we too await the sound of our name as Jesus calls us to life.

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

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School/Fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

March 9, 2014
John 11:1-44

Key Verses: “[Jesus] cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’” John 11:43-44

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: Mary and Martha were friends and followers of Jesus. Jesus’ decision to delay his journey two more days, knowing Lazarus was dying, was to show God’s glory. (They believed a person’s spirit remained for three days after death, so Lazarus’ four days meant he was really, truly dead.) Still, even knowing he was going to raise Lazarus, Jesus was moved to tears. His emotion showed that he (and God, perhaps) is not unmoved by our plight.

Martha and Mary were both upset with Jesus for delaying his return. Both had faith that he could have prevented Lazarus’ death, even though neither could have foreseen the miracle of his resurrection. This was the last of seven signs in John’s gospel that Jesus performed for God’s glory.

Community: Where do you see your community gather to support one another in times of grief or suffering? How does community support contribute to the healing process? How does the community witness to miracles or celebrations when they occur, and what difference do their stories make to the community at large?

At Home: If you are in need of a miracle, ask boldly for one. Be open to God’s response.

Read This Week:
Monday, Mar 10, The Bread from Heaven, John 6:22-34

Tuesday, Mar 11, The Words of Eternal Life, John 6:60-71

Wednesday, Mar 12, The Unbelief of Jesus’ Brothers, John 7:1-9

Thursday, Mar 13, Jesus at the Festival of Booths, John 7:10-24

Friday, Mar 14, Is This the Christ? John 7:25-31

Saturday, Mar 15, Officers Are Sent to Arrest Jesus, John 7:32-36

Next Week: Sunday, Mar 16, Foot Washing, John 13:1-17

The tangible experience of ashes, and the sharing of Holy Communion are multisensory faith experiences that involve the whole person in the story of faith.

Soup and Sandwich lunch served after early worship.

Potluck supper at 6:00 p.m. — Everyone welcome!!!  (We’ll have plenty of food)

March 5, 2014
John 10:1-18

Key Verses: “[Jesus said,] ‘I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.’” John 10:14-15

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: Many throughout the gospel of John heard Jesus’ voice and recognized him as master, teacher, lord, or savior. Like a parent who calls a child, Jesus’ voice is unmistakable to those who follow.

Jesus again used “I am” to point to his divinity, reminding hearers of God’s response to Moses at the time of the Exodus. Such a reference also called to mind the nature of God as deliverer. Where once God freed the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt, here God would free people from sin and death through the death and resurrection of his son.

Jesus said there were other sheep that did not belong to the fold, but would be brought along into one flock. He may have been referring to the Gentiles who, in John’s gospel, were marked for salvation as well as the Jews. This would have been quite a radical shift in thinking, as the Jews believed themselves to be God’s chosen people.

Jesus said he would lay down his life for his flock. Unlike a hired hand, who flees when danger approaches, the shepherd who claims ownership over the sheep will go to great lengths to protect them. On Ash Wednesday, this is a stark reminder of the sacrifice he is willing to make for us, his children.

Community: As Christians live into an increasingly diverse cultural and religious world, how can we engage in respectful conversations with people of differing faiths? What might we say about the good shepherd to people who believe differently?

At Home: Where do you hear the shepherd’s voice calling to you? What does the shepherd’s voice sound like? What does it say? How do you respond?

ELC member Don Glanzer will be graduating from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA this May.   In honor of this day a Bible study group at ELC created this banner, featuring the theme verse for this year’s graduating class:   I Corinthians 16:14 “Let all that you do be done in love.”  Each of the other symbols in the banner represent portions of Don’s life and faith journey.  We look forward to celebrating Don’s graduation and are anxious to hear where he is called into ministry.

The banner will be on display in the Wartburg Seminary Chapel this spring through graduation day.

Join us in fellowship hall this Sunday, March 2nd for a chance to share conversation, refreshments,and say thank you to Pastor Hans for his service to ELC