Like Thomas and the first disciples, our lives are filled with questions and doubts, but Jesus appears with repeated word:  “Peace be with you…”.  Jesus welcomes them, and us, in the midst of doubts, fears, and questions, and then gives  the strength to face the challenges to come.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School, Adult Bible Study and fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:  Thomas, John 20:19-31
SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, John 20:19-31, Thomas

Monday, Acts 6:1-7, Seven Chosen to Serve

Tuesday, Acts 6:8-15, The Arrest of Stephen

Wednesday, Acts 7:1-22, Stephen’s Speech to the Council

Thursday, Acts 7:23-43, Stephen’s Speech to the Council

Friday, Acts 7:44-53, Stephen’s Speech to the Council

Saturday, Acts 7:54–8:1, The Stoning of Stephen

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

                                                                      (John 20:27-28)

Jesus is risen, yet most of the disciples have not yet seen him. Is Thomas really the only one who needs the proof his eyes give him?

• Tell of a time you doubted something about your faith. Give yourself permission to doubt – doubt leads to wondering, which leads to an even deeper faith.
• Wonder: What would you have done in Thomas’ position?
• Consider a doubt or a challenge that has been haunting you. Work it over as you walk or meditate. Look at it from every angle. Consider all your options. Look at it from God’s perspective. Ask God for guidance

PRAY: Resurrected Lord, you visit us again with the blessing of your peace. Endow us with your spirit and fortify us to go out in good cheer as your faithful witnesses, Amen.

BLESS:  May God grant you doubt and faith. Amen.

 

Join us for Easter worship at 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.!!!

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

Devotions for this week:

Easter Sunday, April 1st

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

 READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, John 20:1-18, Resurrection

Monday, John 21:1-14, Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

Tuesday, John 21:15-19, Jesus and Peter

Wednesday, John 21:20-25, Jesus and the Beloved Disciple,

Thursday, Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira

Friday, Acts 5:12-16, The Apostles Heal Many

Saturday, Acts 5:17-42, The Apostles Are Persecuted

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher).

                                                           (John 20:15-16)

Disbelief at finding Jesus’ body missing from his tomb soon becomes unbelievable joy at his having been raised. They should’ve known their teacher wouldn’t stay put for long.

• What traditions will you celebrate today?
• What do they mean for you and your family and friends?
• Wonder: How has Jesus shocked or surprised you? If you need a surprise or miracle, ask God for one. Be open to God’s response.

PRAY: Risen Lord, Good Friday grief has given way to Easter joy! Cheer our hearts with the good news of your resurrection, O Lord, and drive us forth to proclaim it to the world. In your name we pray, Amen.

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

Sunday’s worship begins with a palm procession, commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Quickly the tone of the service changes as we hear of Jesus march to the cross.  His story, like ours, seems destined to end in pain, but we await the real conclusion on Easter morning.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School, Adult  Bible Study and Fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  Palm Sunday March 25, 2018

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

 READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, John 19:16b-22, The Crucified Messiah

Monday, John 17:1-19, Jesus Prays for His Disciples

Tuesday, John 17:20-26, Jesus Prays for His Disciples

Wednesday, John 18:1-11, The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

Thursday, John 19:23-30, Jesus’ Last Words

Friday, John 19:31-37, Jesus the Passover Lamb

Saturday, John 19:38-42, Passover Lamb

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” (John 19:21-22)

Pilate thinks he is mocking Jesus when he writes, “King of the Jews” at the top of Jesus’ cross. Little does he know the man he is crucifying is, in fact, king of all! How have you fallen into a role within your household or work environment?

• Who are treated as royalty in our world? What have they done to earn the title?
• What does it take for them to fall from grace?
• How can we shift our loyalties so we praise and emulate Jesus more than our celebrities?

 PRAY: King eternal, you are the ruler of our hearts. Show us through your humble example what it truly means to lead, by giving all of yourself for the sake of your beloved. In your name, we pray, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God guide you to walk in the ways of the king. Amen.

As Jesus stands before Pilate, those around are forced to declare their loyalty.   When it comes to the moment of truth, who do we turn to for hope?

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, Adult Bible study and fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:  Jesus Condemned, John 19:1-16a

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

 READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, John 19:1-16a, Jesus Condemned

Monday, John 14:15-31, The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Tuesday, John 15:1-17, Jesus the True Vine

Wednesday, John 15:18-–6:4a, The World’s Hatred

Thursday, John 16:4b-15, The Work of the Spirit

Friday, John 16:16-24, Sorrow Will Turn into Joy

Saturday, John 16:25-33, Peace for the Disciples

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor. Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. (John 19:15-16)

 Pilate has the unenviable task of deciding the fate of an accused Jewish blasphemer. The religious issues are of no consequence to this Roman official, but sending an innocent man to death might agitate his conscience for a while.

 Tell of a time you were in a crowd when tensions rose

• What is it that makes certain behaviors unacceptable when alone or in small groups, but more acceptable in large crowds?
• Did you keep your head when the crowd started to turn, or did you follow the crowd?

 PRAY: O Lord, you stand unmoved by the clamor of the angry crowd. Show us what it means to truly surrender, trusting in your ultimate power over all the forces of darkness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God guide your thoughts and actions. Amen.

When questioned about truth, Pilate and Jesus cannot seem to agree.   Who do you listen to when determining what is truth?  Which kingdom holds the future?

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School, Adult Bible study and fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  Jesus and Pilate — March 11, 2018

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

 READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, John 18:28-40, Jesus and Pilate

Monday, John 12:36-43, The Unbelief of the People

Tuesday, John 12:44-50, Summary of Jesus’ Teaching

Wednesday, John 13:18-30, Jesus Foretells His Betrayal

Thursday, John 13:31-35, The New Commandment

Friday, John 13:36-38, Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

Saturday, John 14:1-14, Jesus the Way to the Father

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” (John 18:38)

 Every encounter with Jesus is unforgettable, and Pilate’s is no exception. However, his questions are not those of an inquiring disciple, but of one who holds authority over Jesus’ very life.

 Tell of a time you weren’t sure what you were hearing was the truth or lies. How did you discern the truth?

• Wonder: Did Pilate believe Jesus was a king? Do you?
• Make a list of your top 5 values. Think of someone whose values differ from yours. How do your values shape what you perceive as truth?

 PRAY: God of all truth, your thoughts are well beyond our own. Challenge us to look beyond our narrow assumptions, into a wider vision of how the world could be. For the sake of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God speak truth to you. Amen.