Speaking up for what is right in the face of pressure has always been difficult. Peter had every reason to believe his life was at stake, and denied Jesus. Our lives are not threatened, so why do we remain silent too many times?

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

Sunday, 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

9:30 a.m.  Sunday School and Fellowship Hour

March 23, 2014
John 18:12-27

Key Verses: “One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.” John 18:26-27

Time: 30 CE

Background: In John’s gospel, Judas came to arrest Jesus at the garden with a detachment of soldiers and police from the chief priests and Pharisees. Jesus came forward willingly, knowing his time had come. Prepared for a fight, Peter and the other disciples drew their swords. Peter even cut off the ear of the slave of one of the high priests before Jesus calmed the crowd.

Jesus was not as silent in John’s gospel as in the others. Instead, he spoke plainly, challenging them to find untruth in his words. They could not, of course. But perhaps they were more afraid of the truth of his words than of lies.

Community: What lies are being told that are so subtle that our culture accepts them as truth? How might you uncover some of those lies for yourself? Once discovered, how might you learn to live differently?

At Home: How often do you let peer or cultural pressure shape your behaviors? When was the last time you stood up against pressure to conform or compete? How might you let go of the desire to engage in those comparisons or competitions?

Read This Week:
Monday, Mar 24, The Plot to Kill Jesus, John 11:45-57

Tuesday, Mar 25, Mary Anoints Jesus, John 12:1-8

Wednesday, Mar 26, The Plot to Kill Lazarus, John 12:9-11

Thursday, Mar 27, Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, John 12:12-19

Friday, Mar 28, Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus, John 12:20-26

Saturday, Mar 29, Jesus Speaks about His Death, John 12:27-36

Next Week: Sunday, Mar 30, Jesus and Pilate, John 18:28-40

It is always humbling to remember that Jesus, the one we call King and Lord, was willing to perform the lowliest service to those he loved. Serving others can be sacrifice, but can also be a joy. Where in your life have you found room to serve other people?

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

                                   Sunday 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

                                             10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

9:30 a.m. Education/Fellowship hour — Jeff Thompson, program director at Sugar Creek Bible Camp will bring a greeting at worship, and meet with the Sunday School during education hour.

March 16, 2014
John 13:1-17

Key Verses: “Jesus said, ‘So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.’” John 13:14-15

Time: 30 CE

Background: It was customary for a servant in a hosting household to wash the feet of traveling guests before a meal. It would have been highly unusual for Jesus to take the role of servant, washing the feet of his disciples. In John’s gospel, the foot washing became the central event at Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. The meal became much more a teaching event, where the disciples were invited to learn more about their role in the world after Jesus was to leave them.

Peter didn’t understand what Jesus was doing and didn’t want to take part in this reversal of roles. He did, however, want his share, and was willing to go to any length to get it. Thankfully, Jesus did not need for them to understand fully. He just asked that they participate, listen, and learn.

Community: How have you and others in your community fallen into your roles? When and how have you questioned those roles? Is it time for a change?

At Home: When was the last time you served another? When did you last allow someone to serve you? Since giving and receiving can bless both parties, find opportunities to do both this week.

Read This Week:
Monday, Mar 17, The Woman Caught in Adultery, John 7:53-8:11

Tuesday, Mar 18, Jesus the Light of the World, John 8:12-20

Wednesday, Mar 19, Jesus Foretells His Death, John 8:21-30

Thursday, Mar 20, True Disciples, John 8:31-38

Friday, Mar 21, Jesus and Abraham, John 8:39-59

Saturday, Mar 22, Jesus Is Rejected by the Jews, John 10:22-42

Next Week: Sunday, Mar 23, Peter’s Denial, John 18:12-27

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?