Does forty days sound like a long time?  It probably depends on many things.  If you’re trying to complete a huge project, it may seem like a short timeline, but if you’re waiting for something exciting, it might seem like a long time.

The season of Lent is a little of both.  If we take seriously the call to turn from our sins, it may seem like too short a time to exact any real change, but if we’re awaiting the celebration at the end, it may seem a long way away.  Join us each week for Lenten worship as we look at both our shortcomings,  and God’s promise, and  see how we might grow and change through this journey.

Ash Wednesday worship – with the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion:

Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in fellowship hall  (followed by soup luncheon)

Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary (preceding by potluck supper at 6:00 p.m.)

 

Today we witness both the glory of Christ, and the cost of faithfulness to God’s kingdom. May we be filled with a vision of God’s glory, and follow even when it is costly for us.

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

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for the week

February 15, 2015                                                           Bearing the Cross/Transfiguration

 Jesus’ transfiguration is a bit of a mystery. Yet we can still learn from it. Jesus’ appearance changed right before the disciples’ eyes; light shined from his face and his clothing became dazzling white. God’s glory shined through him that day.

Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah. Moses represented the law, and Elijah represented the prophets. Their presence suggests that Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets. Jesus was the one they had been waiting for.

Follow the teachings of Jesus, which occur shortly before his transfiguration.

Sunday, Matthew 16:24-17:8, Bearing the Cross; Transfiguration

Monday, Psalm 41:7-10, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 12:1-14, Teachings of Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 18:1-9, Who Is the Greatest?

Thursday, Matthew 12:15-32, Teachings of Jesus

Friday, Matthew 12:33-50, Teachings of Jesus

Saturday, Matthew 13:1-23, Parables of Jesus

• What are some common themes in the teachings of Jesus? How do the teachings turn the world on its head?
• What actions or behaviors are taboo in your community? How would your community respond if Jesus came and performed those actions? Why would Jesus behave in a manner contrary to social norms?
• What truths do you hold dear, that could stand to be challenged? (In other words, have you ever considered that you might be wrong?) What would happen if you gave others the opportunity to be right?

Bless: God who transfigures, enlighten us in your word this day. Let us hear your voice in new ways. Amen.

 

 Jesus calls his disciples to be part of miraculous events, feeding the 5000 and walking on the water. What is Jesus calling us to do by his authority and strength today?

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

February 8, 2015                                                 Feeding the 5000

    Miracles and healings were not unusual in Jesus’ day. Many prophets and healers were able to perform them. The miracles and healings of Jesus drew attention to Jesus, and Jesus used those opportunities to tell people how much God loved them. What set Jesus apart from other miracle workers and healers was that he genuinely had been given the authority to perform them in God’s name. Jesus was also the only one ever to be raised from the dead.

The interactions between Jesus and his disciples is of interest in these accounts. First, Jesus’ initial command to them was to feed the crowds themselves. Perhaps he was trying to tell them that they had it within them to call upon God for help in performing such a miracle. Second, Jesus invited Peter to walk on the water with him. In both stories, Jesus tried to show that the disciples had been given God’s authority to perform miracles, to preach, teach, and heal, just as he himself was doing.

Follow these stories of Jesus and his followers.

Sunday, Matthew 14:13-33, Feeding 5,000

Monday, Psalm 95:1-5, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 9:18-38, Healings of Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 10:11-15, The Twelve Apostles

Thursday, Matthew 10:16-42, Coming Persecutions

Friday, Matthew 11:1-19, John the Baptist

Saturday, Matthew 11:20-30, Woes

• What kind of environment did Jesus and his followers step into when they agreed to preach, teach, and perform miracles? How did people respond to their words and actions?
• How much authority has God given you that you are reluctant to claim? What might you accomplish if you accept responsibility for the gifts God has given you?
• Do one thing this week that honors the gifts God has given you that you have been reluctant to claim or use. Share your plan with someone who can hold you accountable for following through with your actions.

 

Come to services this weekend to hear more about the kids we sponsor through Compassion International—Glendy, 12, from Honduras, and Dickson, 17, from Tanzania—and you get to take home one of these nifty, double-sided bookmarks.

How often do you really take notice of the very good things about this day? What is it that you really value — what is your heart’s desire?   Jesus challenges the crowd, and us, to consider where we focus the desires of our hearts. Are we consumed with the things as worries of this world, or do we trust God’s love in each day?

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

10:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

Devotions for this week:

February 1, 2015                                                   Treasure in Heaven

 In any culture and in any time, the accumulation of more is a temptation. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day professed to live rightly, praying publicly eloquent prayers and acquiring praise for their “righteousness.” Their desire for more was misplaced, as their desires could only be met with material goods or praise from others. Jesus didn’t want empty words or rituals. Jesus wanted action. He wanted people to treat each other with kindness and generosity, and to speak with God honestly. Jesus encouraged people to seek treasure that would last far beyond the years on this earth. He showed that investing in God would pay far more dividends than investing in anything we can receive in this world.

 Follow these stories of Jesus’ miracles, teachings, and healings.

Sunday, Matthew 6:7-21 (and/or Matthew 6:25-34), Treasure in Heaven

Monday, Psalm 20:7, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 7:1-29, Teachings of Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 8:1-17, Healings of Jesus

Thursday, Matthew 8:18-27, Miracles of Jesus

Friday, Matthew 8:28-9:8, Healings of Jesus

Saturday, Matthew 9:9-17, Call of Matthew

• How are Jesus’ miracles, teachings, and healings connected? What do they tell people about Jesus’ role in the world?
• How is the accumulation of more encouraged in your community? What media or messages could you stop listening to so that you could limit your exposure to those messages?
• Name three things you wish you had more of. Reflect on how the desire for more shapes your behaviors and attitudes.
• Limit your exposure to TV, internet, and other media this week. First, notice how you spend that recovered time. Second, notice how you feel after limited exposure to messages that encourage the accumulation of more.