Paul writes to remind the early church not to confuse their own customs with the faith we share.  God’s love is bigger than any one group, there is room for all in Jesus’ grace.

Please note change in worship schedule for summer:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. traditional worship

10:00 a.m.- contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:

One in Christ                                                                    May 28, 2017

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: One in Christ, Galatians 3:1-9, 23-29

Monday: Hagar and Sarah, Galatians 4:21-5:1
Tuesday: The Nature of Christian Freedom, Galatians 5:2-15
Wednesday: Works of the Flesh, Galatians 5:16-21
Thursday: The Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-26
Friday: Bear One Another’s Burdens, Galatians 6:1-10
Saturday: Final Words and Blessing, Galatians 6:11-18

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Paul wrote some of his most famous words to the church in Galatia, calling them out for improperly imposing Jewish customs on their Gentile members. If Paul had a time machine, what do you suppose he might say to us today?   We are one in Christ.

• How does Paul describe the community of faith?
• What stories does your community have that shape who you are as a community? What stories do you want to have shape you? What stories are ready to be laid to rest? How can you write new stories to shape who you are moving forward?
• Who do you want to get to know better? Why?
• Walk in someone’s shoes. Choose one person you love or even someone you want to know more about. Throughout the week, be aware of how the world treats that someone else based on their color, gender, size. How do you treat them?

PRAY:  God of unity and justice, you care less about our ancestry and more about the state of our hearts. Cover us with the garment of your salvation and prepare us for effective witness in your world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  We are one in Christ. Amen

This Sunday, May 21st, at our 10:30 a.m.  Worship, we will recognize this year’s high school graduates, and join in a service of blessing for them and their parents during which they are presented with a blanket.  Join us as we add our prayers and blessings for these young people.

Today we proclaim with our words that we are saved by grace through faith. But in reality, we often assume that others’ sins are worse than our own, and that somehow we are better people.  Paul challenges us to confront the awesome grace of God in Christ.

Worship this week –

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

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. – Worship through Music – Led by ELC Senior Choir

9:30 a.m. Final Day of Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion/Graduate Recognition

Devotions for this week:

Living by Faith                                                                 May 21, 2017

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: Living by Faith, Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21

Monday: Welcome to the Galatians, Galatians 1:1-12
Tuesday: Paul Defends His Apostleship, Galatians 1:18-24
Wednesday: Paul and the Other Apostles, Galatians 2:1-10
Thursday: God’s Promise to Abraham, Galatians 3:10-18
Friday: The Purpose of the Law, Galatians 3:19-22
Saturday: Paul Reprimands the Galatians, Galatians 4:8-20

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

With power and grace Paul calls out some of the leaders on their inconsistencies, and presents himself as the classic example of someone who could not have been justified but through the grace of Jesus.  There are no good guys and no bad guys. There are just people saved by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

• What is going on in Galatia?
• Too many churches have been notorious for assuming that we are saved by our good deeds and our refraining from sin. How might your story sound if you shared the good news that people are saved by the work of Jesus Christ apart from their good works? How might non-believers respond to such a message?
• How do you feel about the news that your salvation doesn’t depend upon what you do or fail to do? Does this sound like good news or bad to you? What might prevent you from claiming this gift of justification and salvation? How can you begin to let go of your reservations?

PRAY:  God of life,  We all stand condemned, but for your grace, O God. Foster in us such love for your word that we cannot help but proclaim it freely and openly to all, in the name of your son Jesus. Amen.

BLESS:  God says:  You are good, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Join our wonderful Senior Choir, under the direction of Diane Dangerfield, in a worship celebration  next Sunday.  Invite your friends and neighbors!!

Sugar Creek Bible Camp

“Where all generations encounter Christ through God’s people and creation”

We look forward to having Don Shunkwiler, executive director of Sugar Creek Bible Camp, with us for worship this week.

Worship this week:

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:

The Council at Jerusalem                                                           May 14, 2017

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: Council at Jerusalem, Acts 15:1-18

Monday: The Conversion of Lydia, Acts 16:11-15
Tuesday: Paul and Silas in Prison, Acts 16:16-40
Wednesday: Paul Sails for Rome, Acts 27:1-12
Thursday: The Storm at Sea, Acts 27:13-38
Friday: The Shipwreck, Acts 27:39-28:16
Saturday: Paul Preaches in Rome, Acts 28:23-31

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

The early leaders of the faithful had an ever-growing task on their hands: to keep adding to the numbers of converted while trying to reconcile the old customs with the new message. Opinions are strong, and the young church faces one among many threats of division. There are many things that can divide a church today, yet many more that can unite us.

• What issues have divided the church in the past? Are they still important?
• How does division affect our witness?
• Do you live as though you were saved by grace or by your good works? What difference does it make?
• How does your faith inform your behaviors?
• What is your favorite dramatic or exciting biblical story? Why?

PRAY: God of great mission, You have set before us a great task, O God: keeping sight of the things which matter. Steer us away from our preoccupation with issues that do not bear on our eternal salvation, focusing instead on all who still long to hear your word of grace. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

BLESS:  God unites us through Christ’s love for witness and service to the world. Amen.