Saturday Evening – 5:00 p.m. Worship in the Chapel

Sunday morning – 8:30 a.m – Traditional Worship with Holy Communion

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion

Parable: The Good Samaritan
February 17, 2013
Luke 10:25-42

Key Verse: “[Jesus asked,] ‘Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ [The lawyer] said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” Luke 10:36-37

Time: 27-30 C.E.

Since Last Week: As word of Jesus spread, arguments arose about who was in with Jesus and who was out. Jesus did not judge based on wealth, status, religious standing, education, or public disgrace, all of which would have been acceptable at the time. Instead, he showed kindness and favor to everyone except those who rejected him and his word outright.

Background: Again in Luke, Jesus indicated that insiders and outsiders were not determined by Jewish status. Rather, God’s kingdom was open to all who followed Jesus. The parable of the Good Samaritan helped a young lawyer discover for himself that in God’s eyes, one’s actions spoke more loudly than one’s status.

Community: How does your community identify insiders and outsiders? How might your community look different if it judged on faith, service, and love, rather than wealth, culture, gender, or religious affiliation?

At Home: How might you be a neighbor to someone this week? What will motivate you into action?

Read This Week:
Monday: The Lord’s Prayer and Persistence in Prayer, Luke 11:1-26
Tuesday: Jesus Criticizes Pharisees and Lawyers, Luke 11:27-53
Wednesday: Parable of the Rich Fool, Luke 12:1-21
Thursday: Do Not Worry, Luke 12:22-34
Friday: Be Alert, Luke 12:35-48
Saturday: Jesus the Cause of Division, Luke 12:49-59

Ash Wednesday Worship – 11:00 a.m. in fellowship hall — followed by soup and sandwich lunch

7:30 p.m. in sanctuary — preceded by potluck meal at 6:00 p.m.

 

Our Theme for the Day:

Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem
February 13, 2013
Luke 9:51-62

Key Verse: “As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’” Luke 9:57-58

Time: 30 C.E.

Since Last Week: Jesus knew his time on earth was coming to an end. After three years of ministry, he finally turned his face toward Jerusalem, toward death on a cross.

Background: Jesus told his followers that the Son of Man would have to die, but none of them understood what he meant until after his resurrection. He indicated that following him would be dangerous. It might even cost them their lives. Even today, following Jesus can come at a high cost.

Community: In what ways might Jesus be speaking to your community of faith? Are Jesus’ words clear or difficult to understand? How might you listen and follow more intently?

At Home: What are you willing to give, do, or sacrifice in order to follow Jesus? What could you give up or do this Lent to remind yourself to listen to Jesus?

Read This Week:
Monday: Who Is Greatest, Luke 9:46-48
Tuesday: Whoever Is Not Against You Is For You, Luke 9:49-50
Ash Wednesday: Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem, Luke 9:51-62
Thursday: Mission of the Seventy, Luke 10:1-12
Friday: Woes to Unrepentant Cities, Luke 10:13-16
Saturday: Seventy Return and Jesus Rejoices, Luke 10:17-24

Next Week: Parable: The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-42

New Adult Study beginning Sunday, Feb. 10th, 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

(Click the link to get a preview.)

A weekday session of this class will begin Thursday, Feb. 21st at 6:30 p.m.

http://store.augsburgfortress.org/store/productfamily/126/Making-Sense-of-the-Christian-Faith

The final Sunday before Lent begins is called Transfiguration Sunday, as we remember the story of Jesus appearing with Elijah and Moses on the mountaintop.

Join us for worship:  Saturday – 5:00 p.m. Worship in the Chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. Sunday School and fellowship
Also beginning this week:  “Making Sense of the Christian Faith”  a new adult study in fellowship hall
10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

Sunday evening: 6:30 p.m. — Men’s fellowship group at Doug Lund’s – 414 Perimeter St.  We’ll be watching the movie “Fireproof”

7:00 p.m. — High School Youth and Adult Forum with Ryan Kleppe(UW Whitewater, Football National Champs,Prayer and Athletics) in St. Olaf Room

This week’s gospel story is:  Transfiguration   from Luke 9:28-45

Key Verse: “And while [Jesus] was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly [the disciples] saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.” Luke 9:29-30

Time: 27-30 C.E.

Since Last Week: Jesus continued to teach, preach, heal, and cast out demons. He also empowered the disciples to cast out demons and cure diseases, which they did while they spread the good news of Jesus throughout the lands. When Peter confessed that he believed Jesus to be the Messiah, Jesus started to speak of his death and resurrection.

Background: Jesus had just started to reveal a little about his divinity and role on earth to a few of his disciples. His Transfiguration revealed even more about who he was, placing him alongside the nation’s most revered prophets in their history: Moses and Elijah.

Community: Who are your community’s greatest leaders, past or present? How have they shaped your community? How might you become a leader in your community today?

At Home: How has God revealed truths about Jesus to you? (Scripture, people, worship, media?) How might you be intentional about giving time to those things that reveal Jesus to you this week?

Read This Week:
Monday: Who Is Greatest, Luke 9:46-48
Tuesday: Whoever Is Not Against You Is For You, Luke 9:49-50
Ash Wednesday: Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem, Luke 9:51-62
Thursday: Mission of the Seventy, Luke 10:1-12
Friday: Woes to Unrepentant Cities, Luke 10:13-16
Saturday: Seventy Return and Jesus Rejoices, Luke 10:17-24

Next Week: Parable: The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-42

 

As we look to Jesus’ ministry, and his compassion and healing for many different people, we also must ask ourselves:  “Does our compassion truly extend to all?  Do all feel welcome in our midst?”  Join us for worship this weekend.

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. Worship with Holy Communion in the Chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship with Holy Communion

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

High School and Adult Forum with  Troy Stoenner “Fun in the outdoors” in Fellowship Hall

10:30 a.m.  Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion

We will also be sharing our ELC Benevolence emphasis for the new month at all worship services!!!

Also upcoming this week:  Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Potluck in fellowship hall

          Wednesday 7:00 p.m. 7 & 8th grade youth group bowling at Norsk Golf Bowl

Thursday – 5:00 p.m. – Bus leaves ELC parking for “Rock & Worship Roadshow” in Madison

This week’s worship focus:
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant and Raises a Widow’s Son at Nain
February 3, 2013
Luke 7:1-17

Key Verse: “But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed.” Luke 7:7

Time: 27-30 C.E.

Since Last Week: Jesus started to teach in parables. Often he used parables to describe the kingdom of God, which is not a location, but is wherever God’s will is being done. When we follow God, we participate in bringing about the kingdom of God on earth.

Background: Jesus was surprised to find such strong faith in a Centurion, a Roman military leader. Luke often lifted up that Jesus came not only to save the Jews, but to save all creation. When Jesus saw the grief of the widow at Nain, he was moved to action. Jesus is not immune to the pain of human suffering. He is moved by compassion to heal and to comfort.

Community: Jesus came for the insiders (Jews) and the outsiders (Gentiles). How are insiders and outsiders treated in your faith community? What could your faith community do to blur those lines and be a welcoming place for all?

At Home: How much faith is enough? How would you know if you had faith like the Centurion? Pay attention this week to how your faith and compassion motivate you into action.

Read This Week:
Monday: Jesus Speaks in Parables, Luke 8:1-18
Tuesday: Jesus Calms a Storm, Luke 8:19-25
Wednesday: Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac, Luke 8:26-39
Thursday: A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed, Luke 8:40-56
Friday: Jesus Sends Out Disciples and Feeds 5000, Luke 9:1-17
Saturday: Peter’s Confession; Jesus Talks of Death and Resurrection, Luke 9:18-27

Next Week: Transfiguration, Luke 9:28-45