Do we move through this world with the same urgency to complete God’s work as Jesus calls  us to do? Perhaps our priorities are not as aligned with Jesus’ as we would like to believe.

Worship this week:

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

Devotions for this week:

Lament over Jerusalem                                                           March 12, 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: Tower in Siloam, Luke 13:1-9, 31-35

Monday: Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman, Luke 13:10-17
Tuesday: Parables, Luke 13:18-30
Wednesday: Jesus Heals a Man with Dropsy, Luke 14:1-6
Thursday: Parable of a Wedding Banquet, Luke 14:7-14
Friday: Parable of a Great Dinner, Luke 14:15-24
Saturday: The Cost of Discipleship, Luke 14:25-35

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Luke 13:34

The question of suffering is an ancient one. But Jesus won’t allow victims of tragedy to be blamed for their own misfortune, even if that was (and still is) a tempting explanation. Instead he asks just what are we choosing to do with the precious time we have left?

• How do you and your community distinguish “good” people from “bad” people? Are your assessments accurate? Are there sins that are unforgivable? How might God respond to those sins and those sinners?
• How do you measure your own goodness? Are there sins you need to confess to God? Are there sins God has already forgiven that you need to let go?

PRAY: Loving Lord, You long to gather us under your wings. Let us not reject you, too caught up in in our own lives to recognize the opportunity for repentance and the gift of your grace. Amen.

BLESS:  May God forgive and cleanse you from carrying the burden of your sin. Amen.

We aren’t always lovable people, yet God loves us.  In turn we are asked to share that love with all who need it, regardless of any differences or even personal risk.  Love your neighbor means acting like a neighbor.

Worship this week

NO SATURDAY WORSHIP THIS WEEK (due to a funeral at church)

Sunday morning worship with Holy Communion

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions this week:

The Good Samaritan                                                    March  5, 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: Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-42

Monday: The Lord’s Prayer and Persistence in Prayer, Luke 11:1-26
Tuesday: Jesus Criticizes Pharisees and Lawyers, Luke 11:27-54
Wednesday: Parable of the Rich Fool, Luke 12:1-21
Thursday: Do Not Worry, Luke 12:22-34
Friday: Be Alert, Luke 12:35-48
Saturday: Jesus the Cause of Division, Luke 12:49-59

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

“Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37

It’s not always what we expect. Jesus proves this again and again as he encourages his followers to go beyond what they think they know to do, who they think they are called to serve, and strive for the intriguing “better part.”

• How does your community identify insiders and outsiders? How might your community look different if it judged on faith, service, and love, rather than wealth, culture, gender, or religious affiliation?
• How might you be a neighbor to someone this week? What will motivate you into action?
• Ask someone of a different religion about their faith. What do they believe? How does their faith shape their lives? Notice similarities and differences. Do more listening than talking.

PRAY: Holy God, Our time is limited on this journey. Give us wisdom to stop, listen, and learn, so that we might make the most of what you have given us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May God love and bless you and all people. Amen.

 

 

The disciples have witnessed Jesus transfigured with ancient prophets, and triumphing over a malicious demon, all in the space of two days. But what are they to make of it all?  More importantly, knowing who Jesus is, how does that change how we see the world?

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: 

Transfiguration                                              February 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: Transfiguration, Luke 9:28-45

Monday: Who Is Greatest, Luke 9:46-48
Tuesday: Whoever Is Not Against You Is For You, Luke 9:49-50
Wednesday: The Challenge of Following (Ash Wednesday), Luke 9:51-62

Thursday: Mission of the Seventy, Luke 10:1-12
Friday: Woes to Unrepentant Cities, Luke 10:13-16
Saturday: Seventy Return and Jesus Rejoices, Luke 10:17-24

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Luke 9:28-29

Life with Jesus may be confusing at times, but never boring. Peter and friends have witnessed Jesus transfigured with ancient prophets, and triumphing over a malicious demon, all in the space of two days.  Jesus can reveal himself to us in ways we can’t yet understand, but maybe one day we will.

• How does Jesus describe greatness?
• Who are your community’s greatest leaders, past or present? How have they shaped your community? How might you become a leader in your community today?
• How has God revealed truths about Jesus to you? (Scripture, people, worship, media?) How might you be intentional about giving time to those things that reveal Jesus to you this week?

PRAY: Transfigured Lord, You have transformed all things through the vision of an earth restored. Make us willing participants in your work to reconcile all things again to you, in Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

BLESS:  Notice and be warmed by the light of Christ. Amen.

 

Each of us probably has times we feel worthless and unforgivable, but Jesus’ speaks to each of us a powerful word of grace — “Your sins are forgiven”.  Having received so much, how do we extend that same mercy to the others we meet?

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

Devotions for this week:

Forgiven at Jesus’ feet                                                February 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: Forgiven at Jesus’ Feet, Luke 7:36-50

Monday: Jesus Feeds the 5,000, Luke 9:10-11

Tuesday: Jesus Feeds the 5,000, Luke 9:12-17

Wednesday: Peter’s Confession, Luke 9:18-22

Thursday: Jesus Talks of Death and Resurrection, Luke 9:23-27

Friday: God Provides Quail, Exodus 16:1-13

Saturday: God Provides Manna, Exodus 16:14-21

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:48-50

Well… this is awkward. Jesus has accepted a dinner invitation from a Pharisee named Simon, but before the meal even begins, a local woman comes to bathe the teacher’s feet with oil and tears. What’s a host to do? Jesus is about to tell him. A love nurtured by forgiveness can be extravagant and even a little uncomfortable.

• How does Jesus challenge the people around him?
• How are sexuality and sensuality viewed in your community? How does this view shape how women and men interact with each other?
• How far would you go to show repentance for a sin you committed? What might happen if you made amends for all the ways you have damaged your relationships? How might such reconciliation free you?

PRAY: Merciful Lord, Your forgiveness surpasses our wildest imaginations. Challenge us again and again to match your extravagant mercy, in the name of Christ, Amen.

BLESS:  God forgives you no matter what. Amen.

John’s disciples ask Jesus:  “Are you the one?”  That is still a question we must answer for ourselves.  Who do we look to for hope and a future?  At worship, and in life, we confess that Jesus is the one who restores life, brings hope, and can heal broken lives.

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:

More than a prophet                                       February 12, 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: More than a Prophet, Luke 7:18-35

Monday: Jairus’ Plea, Luke 8:40-42

Tuesday: A Woman Restored, Luke 43-44

Wednesday: A Woman Restored, Luke 45-48

Thursday: Jairus’ Daughter Healed, Luke 49-56

Friday: Jesus Sends Out Disciples, Luke 9:1-6

Saturday: Herod Hears of Jesus’ Healings, Luke 9:7-9

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

^”What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’” Luke 7:26-27

Jesus and John were two cousins with a common purpose: not only in proclaiming, but also in acting to bring about the kingdom of God. They may suffer insults and opposition from the authorities, but that’s not enough to stop these two persistent prophets.  John encouraged a lifestyle of humility, service, and repentance.

• Can we continue to work toward justice and peace as John did?
• If someone who didn’t know Jesus asked you about him, how would you describe him?
• Describe a favorite relationship you have with someone you love. Describe a relationship you have with someone that is challenging for you to love. What similarities and differences do you notice between the two?

PRAY: You have shown us your wisdom, O God, in your messengers. Make their proclamation our own: a world where all is restored and justice prevails. By the holy name of Christ, Amen.

BLESS:  God bless you as you live your best life. Amen.