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.

When questioned about his relationship to Jesus, Peter chose to hide his faith.   How willing are we to stand up for what the one we believe in?

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, Fellowship, Adult Bible study

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

Peter’s Denial, John 18:12-27    March 4, 2018

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

 READ: Sunday, John 18:12-27, Peter’s Denial

Monday, John 11:45-57, The Plot to Kill Jesus

Tuesday, John 12:1-8, Mary Anoints Jesus

Wednesday, John 12:9-11, The Plot to Kill Lazarus

Thursday, John 12:12-19, Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Friday, John 12:20-26, Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus

Saturday, John 12:27-35, Jesus Speaks about His Death

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

One of the slaves of the high priest, … asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. (John 18:26-27)

 It’s a dark night for Jesus—taken by force, and now required to defend himself to the authorities. If there’s one thing he could use, it’s the support of his closest followers. But at a time when all are about to be tested, even that might be too much to ask.

• What lies are being told that are so subtle that our culture accepts them as truth? How might you uncover some of those lies for yourself? How might you change your mind about what you believe?
• Wonder: How did Peter feel when he realized what he had done? How would you feel?

 PRAY: Holy Lord, your mercy is infinite and your forgiveness sure. Be patient with us when we fail you, and renew your promises within our sorrowful hearts, to the glory of your name, Amen

 BLESS:  May God walk with you, even in your darkest moments. Amen.

The most powerful man in the room, the one worthy of most honor, takes a bowl and towel, and does servant’s work.  How do we use our lives to serve as Jesus served us?

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, Adult Bible Study and Fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  Jesus Washes Feet, John 13:1-17
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 13:1-17, Jesus Washes Feet

Monday, John 7:53-8:11, The Woman Caught in Adultery

Tuesday, John 8:12-20, Jesus the Light of the World

Wednesday, John 8:21-30, Jesus Foretells His Death

Thursday, John 8:31-38, True Disciples

Friday, John 8:39-59, Jesus and Abraham

Saturday, John 10:19-42, Jesus Is Rejected by the Jews

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” (John 13:8)

 He’s been their teacher, their leader and Lord for years, and now they share one final evening together. How will he bid them farewell? If you were expecting one last miracle or show of power, think again. In baptism, we die to the old self to be born anew.

• How have you fallen into a role within your household or work environment?
• Was your role intentional or did you fall into it unintentionally?
• Wonder: What does it feel like to have someone wash your feet? Is it an intimate experience? Do you feel vulnerable?

 PRAY: Almighty God, you took on the role of a servant when you gave everything for our sake. Teach us to humble ourselves for the honorable work of serving others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God reverse your role. Amen.

 

Even when all seems hopeless, Jesus brings life to his friend Lazarus.  Jesus can bring new hope to our darkest days now 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 – Jesus Raises Lazarus, John 11:1-44
February 18, 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 11:1-44, Jesus Raises Lazarus

Monday, John 7:10-24, Festival of Booths

Tuesday, John 7:25-31, Is This the Christ?

Wednesday, John 7:32-36, Officers Are Sent to Arrest Jesus

Thursday, John 7:37-39, Rivers of Living Water

Friday, John 7:40-44, Division among the People

Saturday, John 7:45-52, The Unbelief of Those in Authority

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

43When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:43-44)

One of Jesus’ closest friends is dying, but he lets two days pass before taking any action. Is he too busy, or too famous to bother? Or is something greater at work?

• What inside of you needs to die and be resurrected?
• What needs Jesus’ attention in your life?
• Wonder: What did people think when they saw Lazarus alive? What would you have done?

PRAY: Giver of life, you are the resurrection and the life. Awaken us with the breath of your spirit, and call us forth in faith as your disciples. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God raise you to new life. Amen.