Join us for worship as we remember Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples.  We will share the bread and the cup as we hear the promise that this is given for the forgiveness of our sins.

Maundy Thursday devotions:

Devotion: Use this resource at home to guide your household’s daily devotions. You can do this alone or with others; in the morning, during the day, or at night. Find a routine that works best for you.

Pray: Light a candle and open your devotion time with a prayer.

Lord of the feast, You gather us as you once gathered your followers. Incline our ears once more to your words of grace and promise of a new covenant, that we might rise from the table and be your witnesses. In the name of our Savior, Amen.

Reflect: Reflect on the key verses from Sunday’s reading.

Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:17-20

Study: Study the reading and consider the background.

Dinner is served, and Jesus might be the only one present who truly understands that this is to be their final meal together. But as ancient tradition gives way to brand new words, it’s sure to be one they’ll remember forever.

Consider: Consider this theme for the week’s text.

Jesus created a new covenant between God and God’s people; one that cannot be broken because God is the only actor in this covenant.

Read: Read the following daily readings to deepen
your understanding of Sunday’s text. After the reading,
ask the follow-up questions.

Thursday: Last Supper (Holy Thursday), Luke 22:1-27

Friday: Crucifixion (Good Friday), Luke 23:32-47

Saturday: Burial of Jesus, Luke 23:48-56

How emotional is Jesus’ journey to the cross to you?

Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household. Discuss the following questions, or simply check in with “Highs” and “Lows.”

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

When has the movement of a crowd gotten swept away and out of hand? Why do you think mob mentality has so much power of people? What is happening in your congregation that is being swept away by such momentum? What needs to change to turn the momentum?

What are you willing to give or do to follow Christ? What can you do this week that pushes you beyond your comfort zone?

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

Use essential oils to mark the sign of the cross on your forehead or hands every morning this week. Let the scent and feel of the oil remind you of Jesus’ journey to the cross.

Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.

Jesus walks a difficult journey for you. You are worth it. Amen.

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, many crowds gathered. Some celebrated Jesus, others saw a troublemaker.  Even today there are as many differing accounts of who Jesus is as there are people on the planet. The question remains, who is Jesus to you?

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:

Palm Sunday                                                                                         April 9, 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: Triumphal Entry (Palm/Passion Sunday), Luke 19:29-44

Monday: Journey to the Cross, Luke 22:28-46
Tuesday: Journey to the Cross, Luke 22:47-71
Wednesday: Journey to the Cross, Luke 23:1-31
Thursday: Last Supper (Holy Thursday), Luke 22:1-27

Friday: Crucifixion (Good Friday), Luke 23:32-47

Saturday: Burial of Jesus, Luke 23:48-56

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”    Luke 19:39-40

Jesus’ long anticipated arrival in Jerusalem is met not by an angry mob, but rather a raucous parade singing his praises. However, the master’s eyes can see only certain demise – of himself, and finally, the city itself.

 How emotional is Jesus’ journey to the cross to you?

• Why do you think mob mentality has so much power of people? What is happening in your congregation that is being swept away by such momentum? What needs to change to turn the momentum?
• What are you willing to give or do to follow Christ? What can you do this week that pushes you beyond your comfort zone?

Use essential oils to mark the sign of the cross on your forehead or hands every morning this week. Let the scent and feel of the oil remind you of Jesus’ journey to the cross.

 PRAY: Holy Lord, We meet you with praise on our lips. Keep those refrains ringing in our ears when the cheers fade and you face the gravity which this somber week holds. In the name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.

BLESS:  Jesus walks a difficult journey for you. You are worth it. Amen.

We can feel isolated because of illness, attitudes, or circumstances.  Which is harder to heal – a broken body or a broken spirit? I think the reality is that the two are too closely tied to separate. There is no way for an illness or injury to occur without affecting the spirit.  In this week’s stories Jesus addresses both.  What is broken in your life that you can bring for healing?

Worship this week with Holy Communion –

Saturday 5:00 p.m.  Modified traditional worship in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

9:30 a.m. – Sunday School

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Zacchaeus                                                                                              April 2, 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: Zacchaeus, Luke 18:31 – 19:10

Monday: Parable of the Ten Pounds, Luke 19:11-28
Tuesday: Jesus Cleanses the Temple, Luke 19:45- 20:8
Wednesday: Parable of Wicked Tenants, Luke 20:9-19
Thursday:  Jesus is Questioned, Luke 20:20-47
Friday: The Widow’s Offering, Luke 21:1-19
Saturday: Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold, Luke 21:20-38

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”             Luke 19:10

No sight? No height? No problem. Jesus has a way of finding those who truly seek his attention. And as we should have learned by now, even a brief encounter with the Son of God has the power to transform a life forever.  Jesus can heal bodies and spirits, and often does both at the same time.

• Why do you think Jesus is drawn to the underdogs?
• Who in your community has fallen from grace? How might they be restored? What part can you play in lifting up those who have fallen?
• How focused are you on fairness? Could you give more than is fair? How might such generosity change you? How might it change the ones to whom you give?

PRAY: God of mercy and compassion, you never neglect your children in need. So bless us with your healing presence that we might remain by your side on this road of sorrows. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

BLESS:  Jesus heals bodies and spirits. May Jesus heal yours. Amen.

Maybe the human plight isn’t about earning a spot in heaven. Maybe the human plight is about bringing about God’s kingdom here on earth. Every word, thought, and action can bring about or crush God’s kingdom.   As we read Jesus’ story about the Rich Man and Lazarus, we are led to ask:  “How will we show up in the world?”

Worship this week:

Saturday 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

No Sunday School this week  (spring break)

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

The Rich Man and Lazarus                                                    March 26, 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: Rich Man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31

Monday: Sayings of Jesus, Luke 17:1-10
Tuesday: Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers, Luke 17:11-19
Wednesday: The Coming of the Kingdom, Luke 17:20-37
Thursday: The Widow and the Unjust Judge, Luke 18:1-8
Friday: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Luke 18:9-17
Saturday: The Rich Ruler, Luke 18:18-30

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

“He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:30-31

Rich man, poor man. Heaven and Hell. Was Jesus telling a simple morality tale, or was Jesus making a deeper statement about what is possible for each of us right now – in this present moment? 

• Whose voices are you listening to? Whose voices are draining? Whose voices are life-giving? Whose voices could you listen to this week?
• How often are you tempted to believe that your sins are keeping you from heaven or that your good deeds are securing a place for you there? If good works are not the way to salvation, then what is? What, if anything, is required of you?

PRAY: Lord of the here and now, We have Moses and the prophets, and all your faithful witnesses. Open our ears to their message of repentance and reconciliation, that we might waste no time in bringing about your kingdom on earth. Amen.

BLESS:  You are rich in spirit and God’s love. Amen.

We are all lost at times in our lives.  As Jesus describes the kingdom, every single lost son, coin, and sheep is valuable to the one who lost it.  These parables underscore the importance of every single one of God’s children being welcomed into God’s community, no matter how far they’ve roamed, nor what has happened to them. 

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m.  Modified traditional worship in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worsip

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

Lost Sheep, Coin, Son                                                         March 19, 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: Sheep, Coin, Prodigal Son, Luke 15:1-32

Monday: The Law of the Firstborn’s Inheritance, Deuteronomy 21:15-17
Tuesday: Stoning a Rebellious Son, Deuteronomy 21:18-21
Wednesday: Penitent’s Psalm, Psalm 51
Thursday: A Righteous Heart, Proverbs 21:1-5
Friday: The Parable of the Dishonest Manager, Luke 16:1-13
Saturday: The Kingdom of God, Luke 16:14-18

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

Finding something you thought you’d lost feels like a second chance, a new beginning. From keepers of sheep and seekers of coins to fathers of wayward children, Jesus brings home the unfettered joy of a creator reunited with those who are most beloved.  God welcomes every single one of God’s children into God’s kingdom; none is more valuable than another.

• Who in your community has been outcast or has lost their way? How might you help them become found? What message of God’s love could you bring? How could you support them in their struggles?
• How far from God have you strayed? What will you do this week to spend intentional time with God?

PRAY: Lord God, You clearly show no partiality among those whom you have created. May our joy be even a fraction of yours at the restoration of those who have wandered away from your promises and the joy of your abundant life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  God finds you wherever you are. Amen.