Come join us in the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection!

Worship with Holy Communion at 7:00 am., 9:00 a.m., and 10:30 a.m!

Easter Breakfast served from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m.

Devotions for this week:   Resurrection – April 21, 2019

SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

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

Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:9-10)
Two Marys. One Tomb. No body. All the ingredients for a resurrection miracle, and the beginning of the greatest evangelism mission ever.

 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?
• For the littles: What’s your favorite thing about Easter? Jesus was raised from the dead on Easter! Hallelujah!!

PRAY:  God of resurrection, you fill our grieving, doubting hearts with the light of your new life. Send us forth in joy to proclaim your good news to all whom we encounter, for the sake of Jesus our risen savior. Amen.

 BLESS:  May the God of the resurrection bring you to new life! Amen.

For this week’s worship we gather for a retelling of the story of Holy Week, using music, readings, and participation of everyone.

Worship this week:  Saturday at 5:00 p.m. – Sharing of the Palm Sunday/Passion Story

Sunday – 8:30 a.m.  “Cry of the Whole Congregation”

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

10:30 a.m. “Cry of the Whole Congregation”

Devotions for this week:  

Palm Sunday – Matthew 21:1-17

Pray: Light a candle. Open your devotion with prayer.

Holy Jesus, you came to Jerusalem seeking not empty worship but faithfulness to your commandments. Guide us now as we begin this week of contemplation and keep us close to your side as we retrace the steps of your final earthly journey. In your name, we pray. Amen.

Read: Read the key verses from Sunday’s reading.
Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:12-13)

Go Deeper: Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.

Monday, Psalm 118:26-29, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 26:31-75, Betrayal of Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 27:1-26, 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

Reflect: Reflect on the scripture summary.

Jesus’ final visit to Jerusalem is not to be missed. Arriving in spontaneous fanfare and then confronting the temple merchants over their exploitation of others. The week of reckoning has only begun.

Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household.

What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

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?

For the littles: Jesus had a grand parade in Jerusalem. Describe the parade you would host if Jesus rode into your town.

Do: By acting on what we learn, we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.

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.Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.

May God dance in your parade. Amen.

Jesus’ story challenges us to see his face in those around us, especially those in need, and then to act with mercy and compassion.

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

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

Devotions for this week:  Last Judgment, Matthew 25:31-46 — April 7, 2019

SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Monday, Psalm 98:7-9, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 24:29-51, Teachings of Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 25:14-30, Parables of Jesus

Thursday, Matthew 26:1-5, The Plot to Kill Jesus

Friday, Matthew 26:6-13, The Anointing at Bethany

Saturday, Matthew 26:14-16, Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

 “And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:40)

• How would Jesus be received if he walked on the earth today?
• In what ways have you betrayed Jesus? How could you make a change so that Jesus is first in your life?
• For the littles: Would you rather feed a hungry person or visit someone who’s sick? Why? Jesus loves when we do either one, or both!

PRAY:  O Lord, you long for your people to care for one another with the same compassion you show to them. Move our hearts in love wherever we encounter need and make us more like you with each day. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

BLESS:  May God bring out the best in you. Amen.

Jesus continues showing his illustrations of God’s kingdom. This time, it’s foolish vs. wise bridesmaids. Will you be prepared when the critical moment arrives, or will you let it slip away?

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

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  Parable of the Bridesmaids

SHARE: What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Monday, Psalm 43:3-4, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 22:15-33, Questions for Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 22:34-46, The Greatest Commandment

Thursday, Matthew 23:1-36, Woes

Friday, Matthew 23:37-39, Lament over Jerusalem

Saturday, Matthew 24:1-28, Teachings of Jesus

 (Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.)

 TALK:  “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.   ”                             (Matthew 25:13)

Jesus continues showing his illustrations of God’s kingdom. Will we be watchful to use the time allotted to us faithfully?

• Do people live as if Jesus might return any day? How might your community look different if people behaved as if Jesus was on his way?
• What is one thing you can change about your routine or behaviors so that you are behaving as if Jesus was going to return at any moment?
• For the littles: Is waiting easy or hard? Why? Jesus can give us patience as we wait.

PRAY: O Lord, you bid us stay alert and active in the work of your kingdom. Keep us focused on things which matter, awaiting your return with eagerness and longing. Through Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

 BLESS: May God grant you patience. Amen.