It must have seemed hopeless, Paul and Silas arrested, flogged, and in prison.  But instead of despair, the found the voice of song and prayer, and the power of God’s love transformed not just their personal circumstances, but brought hope to all around!

Worship with us 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:  Paul and Silas, Acts 16:16-34
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, Acts 16:16-34, Paul and Silas

Monday, Acts 16:35-40, Paul and Silas

Tuesday, Acts 15:1-11, The Council at Jerusalem

Wednesday, Acts 15:12-21, The Council at Jerusalem

Thursday, Acts 16:1-5, Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

Friday, Acts 16:6-10, Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia

Saturday, Acts 16:11-15, The Conversion of Lydia

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

²⁵About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.  (Acts 16:25-26)

When you are fully immersed in the revolutionary work of Gospel proclamation, you should be prepared to make some enemies. But Paul and Silas have God on their side—and an entire prison is about to get rocked.

• Tell of a time something you did had unexpected consequences.
• Wonder: What would you do if you were locked up for doing something good and right?

PRAY: Faithful Lord, you have seen your servants through every trial. Stir up even today the power of your Gospel to transform, renew and lead new believers to your community. By the power of Jesus, Amen.

BLESS:  May God work through you in unexpected ways. Amen.

 

We sometimes struggle to see how God’s love can be big enough to include some of those we know.  In the story of Saul, it was probably hard to imagine a person less likely to become a witness to Jesus’ love, certainly others were like to see him as the enemy.  But God’s grace transformed his life, and through him many other’s as well.

Worship with Holy Communion 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:  Paul’s Conversion, Acts 9:1-19
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, Acts 9:1-19a, Paul’s Conversion

Monday, Acts 9:19b-22, Saul Preaches in Damascus

Tuesday, Acts 9:23-31, Saul Escapes from the Jews

Wednesday, Acts 9:36-43, Peter in Lydda and Joppa

Thursday, Acts 10:1-16, Peter and Cornelius

Friday, Acts 10:17-23a, Peter and Cornelius

Saturday, Acts 10:23b-33, Peter and Cornelius

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. (Acts 9:4-5)

Saul is one of the best-known—and feared—persecutors of the fledgling Christian church. If there’s anyone who knows, without a doubt, what he stands for and what he’s about, it’s Saul. Surely such a man couldn’t be thwarted by one unsettling journey?

• Tell of a time you thought you were headed in one direction, and then life threw you a curveball, and you found yourself headed in an entirely different direction.
• Wonder: What would you have done if you had been Ananias, called to go straight to a man known to persecute and kill Christians?

PRAY: Mysterious Lord, you choose and use the most unlikely people for your work. Show us the path you have prepared for us, and give us all your strength and courage to follow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May God give you courage to face scary things. Amen

 

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.