Jesus promises life, but even in his day that promise was not always well-received. How do we continue to bring life to a skeptical world?  This Sunday we also mark “Bold Women’s Day”,  celebrating the witness of women in our church and in our lives.

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

Sunday–  8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

                 10:30 a.m.  Contemporary Worship

Education & Fellowship – 9;30 a.m.  Sunday School, Fireside Chats, Adult Bible Study

February 23, 2014
John 7:37-52

Key Verses: “On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me,and let the one who believes in me drink.’” John 7:37-38a

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: By this point in John’s gospel, Jesus’ teaching was beginning to intrigue, confuse, and anger people. Some were starting to believe he was the Messiah based on his teachings and signs. Others felt threatened by his words and sought to kill him.

The Festival of Booths was one of three major pilgrimages requiring Jews to travel to Jerusalem for the celebrations. The festival included ceremonies that celebrated light and water. Jesus indicated he was the source of living water and light, which amounted to blasphemy. Some debated his origin to gather proof of his blasphemy so that he could stopped.

Community: How often do those who argue or debate, do so with closed ears, seeking only to prove a point, rather than to learn? What debates have you heard recently that have been closed? Which have been open? What have been the outcomes of the debates? How could you listen with openness so that you can respond with kindness, justice, and peace?

At Home: How often is Jesus your source of living water, power, understanding, or decision-making? Be intentional this week about turning to Jesus as your source of all that you do and say.

Read This Week:
Monday, Feb 24, Praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem, Psalm 147:1-3

Tuesday, Feb 25, Praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem, Psalm 147:4-6

Wednesday, Feb 26, Praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem, Psalm 147:7-11

Thursday, Feb 27, Praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem, Psalm 147:12-16

Friday, Feb 28, Praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem, Psalm 147:17-20

Saturday, Mar 1, Jesus and John the Baptist, John 3:22-36

Next Week: Sunday, Mar 2, Light of the World, John 9:1-41

“Holding Your Family Together”  — 5 Simple Steps to bring your family closer to God and each other.

This Sunday, February 16th, at 5:00 p.m. there will be an introductory session for anyone who wishes to consider this course.  Join us for a light supper and discussion.  Child care will be made available if needed.  Please register by contacting the church office or send an email to Pastor Twiton – john.twiton@elcmthoreb.org

What is it that sustains you?  How often do we fill up on ‘junk food’ both physically and spiritually?  Jesus  proclaims “I am the bread of life”, that is what is necessary for life each day.

 Worship with Holy Communion this week:   Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

                                                                        Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

                                                                                        10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Faith Formation and Fellowship Hour – 9:30 a.m. with Sunday School, Teen/Young Adult ‘Fireside Chat’, and Adult Bible Study

February 16, 2014
John 6:35-59

Key Verse:  “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: Jesus’ “I am” statements in the Gospel of John were intended to recall the name of God, as it was revealed to Moses before the Exodus. This helped hearers to view Jesus’ divinity in the imagery he called upon to describe himself.

Jesus’ association with God (“I am”) and heaven (“bread that came down from heaven”) were blasphemous (offensive against God). Blasphemy was a serious crime, punishable by death. His words, although intended to bring life, instead brought punishment of death.

Community: Jesus’ words were intended to feed the souls of all who heard them. How do our words feed others? How do they starve others? How can we use our words and our actions to feed those who are hungry?

At Home: What are you hungry for? Is it a physical hunger? Spiritual? Relational? Vocational? Emotional? Financial? Other? Bring your hunger to God this week and ask for daily bread. Be specific. Be aware of the ways God satisfies your hunger in big and small ways.

Read This Week:
Monday, Feb 17, Praise for Deliverance from Trouble, Psalm 34:1-3

Tuesday, Feb 18, Praise for Deliverance from Trouble, Psalm 34:4-7

Wednesday, Feb 19, Praise for Deliverance from Trouble, Psalm 34:8-10

Thursday, Feb 20, Praise for Deliverance from Trouble, Psalm 34:11-14

Friday, Feb 21, Praise for Deliverance from Trouble, Psalm 34:15-18

Saturday, Feb 22, Praise for Deliverance from Trouble, Psalm 34:19-22

Next Week: Sunday, Feb 23, Living Water, John 7:37-52

The gospel story tells of Jesus’ ability to bring healing in what seems to be a hopeless situation. What in our lives may seem hopeless? Could Jesus’ love change things?

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

                                   Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

                                                   10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Education and Fellowship – 9:30 a.m.  Sunday School

                                           Fireside Chat for Youth and Adults

                                           “How has God shaped you?”  Discussions in Fellowship Hall

February 9, 2014
John 4:46-5:18

Key Verse: “Jesus said to [the man], ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way.” John 4:50

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: Jesus’ healings were the second sign of seven that Jesus performed in the Gospel of John. After each sign, there was a dialog, and then Jesus explained his sign.

The question that arose with Jesus’ healings was about his authority to do so. Jesus explained that his authority came from “the Father,” which was itself a blasphemous (offensive against God) statement. Jesus was putting himself on the same plane with God, which was an unthinkable sin.

Community: What words are spoken in public that are blasphemous, or offensive against God today? Who speaks them and who speaks against them? What is an appropriate response? What might you say, and to whom would you speak? What blasphemous words have you spoken? How might you make amends for the harms caused by those words?

At Home: What has Jesus promised you that you believe without doubt? What has Jesus promised that you are having trouble believing? How does your doubt and your faith shape how you speak and act throughout each day?

Read This Week:
Monday, Feb 10, Thanksgiving for Deliverance, Psalm 40:1-5

Tuesday, Feb 11, Thanksgiving for Deliverance, Psalm 40:6-8

Wednesday, Feb 12, Thanksgiving for Deliverance, Psalm 40:9-10

Thursday, Feb 13, Thanksgiving for Deliverance, Psalm 40:11-12

Friday, Feb 14, Thanksgiving for Deliverance, Psalm 40:13-15

Saturday, Feb 15, Thanksgiving for Deliverance, Psalm 40:16-17

Next Week: Sunday, Feb 16, Bread of Life, John 6:35-59

 

Jesus’ ministry of life and healing extends beyond all the expected norms of society.  He notices and takes time for those it would have been easy to pass by.  While we thank God that Jesus loves us, do we freely share that love without question?

Worship with Holy Communion this weekend:  Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in Chapel

                                                                    Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

                                                                    Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

Sunday at 9:30 a.m.  Sunday School/Fellowship/Discussion

                       Sunday School for pre-school – 8^th grades

                       Fireside chats for high school and young adults

                      “How is God shaping us?” Discussions in fellowship hall                     

 

February 2, 2014
John 4:1-42

Key Verses: “Jesus said to [the woman], ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’” John 4:13-14

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: Jews and Samaritans were at odds at the time of Jesus. They were both descendants of Israel, but they had long-standing disagreements that kept them separated. The cultural and religious differences, further exacerbated by the gender differences, made Jesus’ encounter with the woman highly unusual. It was even more unlikely that she would become a witness to his prophetic words. This story highlights Jesus’ message that God came not only for the Jews, but for all people.

Like in Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus, Jesus’ words were misunderstood. The woman believed she could drink Jesus’ living water and then would no longer need to come to the well for daily water. She didn’t understand Jesus was speaking of living water that would nourish the soul and lead to eternal life.

Community: What cultural differences prevent you from engaging with others from differing backgrounds? Where could you go to begin conversations with people of other cultures or faiths? What might you learn?

At Home: Where do you draw living water? What nourishes your soul? Spend time with God this week drinking deeply of God’s word.

Read This Week:
Monday, Feb 3, Longing for God and His Help in Distress, Psalm 42:1-3

Tuesday, Feb 4, Longing for God and His Help in Distress, Psalm 42:4-5

Wednesday, Feb 5, Longing for God and His Help in Distress, Psalm 42:6-7

Thursday, Feb 6, Longing for God and His Help in Distress, Psalm 42:8

Friday, Feb 7, Longing for God and His Help in Distress, Psalm 42:9-10

Saturday, Feb 8, Longing for God and His Help in Distress, Psalm 42:11

 

Next Week: Sunday, Feb 9, Healing Stories, John 4:46-5:18