This week is a great festival (no not the Summer Frolic) named Pentecost. As Acts describes the coming of the Holy Spirit, Peter proclaims that this Spirit will be for all people, so that we might have new dreams and visions for God’s ministry. That same Holy Spirit is at work as we gather this weekend.

Worship this weekend: Saturday, 5:00 p.m. in chapel

                                         Sunday, 8:30 a.m. traditional worship

                                                      10:00 a.m. Contemporary worship

You’re still welcome to join the ELC float in the Frolic parade, or be sure to stop by for a brat on main street to support our youth.

 June 8, 2014
Acts 2:1-21

Key Verses: “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” Acts 2:1-4

Time: 30 CE

Background: Pentecost means “fifty.” Originally, Jews would have gathered fifty days after Passover to celebrate the wheat harvest. Today, Christians celebrate Pentecost fifty days after Easter to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the early believers.

The variety of languages to which the Holy Spirit revealed itself, and Peter’s quoting of the prophecy, in which men and women, young and old, slaves and free, all received the word, indicated how widespread the message was about to become.

Community: How do messages become widespread in today’s world? How can you use social media to spread the good news of Jesus to others?

At Home: What does the Holy Spirit want to say to you and through you? What can you do this week to open yourself to the Holy Spirit’s word?

Read This Week:
Monday, Jun 9, Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico, Acts 3:11-16

Tuesday, Jun 10, Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico, Acts 3:17-26

Wednesday, Jun 11, Peter and John before the Council, Acts 4:1-12

Thursday, Jun 12, Peter and John before the Council, Acts 4:13-22

Friday, Jun 13, The Believers Pray for Boldness, Acts 4:23-31

Saturday, Jun 14, The Believers Share Their Possessions, Acts 4:32-37

Sponsored by the ELC Guild

Serving begins at 4:30 p.m.

Menu includes Barbecue and Egg Salad Sandwiches, Potato Salad, Angel Food Cake, Strawberry Sundaes, Pie and Ice Cream, Lemonade and Coffee.

Everyone is Welcome!

 

Rather that looking only at our own interests, following Jesus means always living in a way that looks to the needs of others. This is what Jesus did, and what Jesus calls us to do.

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

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

               10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Remember our graduates as they celebrate Commencement at Mt. Horeb High School this weekend. Follow this link to see the slide show from last Sunday: http://www.slideshare.net/JohnTwiton/2014-graduate-sunday

 

June 1, 2014
Philippians 2:1-13

Key Verses: “Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

Time: 54-61 CE

Background: This Philippians text includes what might be the oldest Christian hymn in existence. The hymn lifted up what it meant to be in the same mind with Christ. These qualities included surrender, humility, and obedience. Because of these things, God exalted Jesus so that all things in heaven and on earth would praise and honor him. By emulating Christ we too, can honor God and be honored by God.

Paul encouraged the Philippians to live into the kind of life described in the hymn so that God would be honored through their work and their lives.

Community: What are the top values our culture esteems for success? How do they work for or against surrender, humility, and obedience? How do culture’s top values fit into Jesus’ plan for our lives?

At Home: What hymn or Bible verse best describes your faith life? Has it been so for a while? Is it time for a change, or does this still ring true for you?

Read This Week:
Monday, Jun 2, The Promise of the Holy Spirit, Acts 1:1-5

Tuesday, Jun 3, The Ascension of Jesus, Acts 1:6-11

Wednesday, Jun 4, Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas, Acts 1:12-26

Thursday, Jun 5, The First Converts, Acts 2:37-42

Friday, Jun 6, Life Among the Believers, Acts 2:43-47

Saturday, Jun 7, Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar, Acts 3:1-10

 

Next Week: Sunday, Jun 8, Pentecost, Acts 2:1-21 (or Philippians 4:4-7)

The world of Paul’s day was hostile to the message, and the early church was beset by disagreements, but Paul finds reasons for thanksgiving and praise. Looking back we see that God works through all those people and circumstances to move God’s kingdom forward. We are still partners in this great adventure.

Worship with Holy Communion this weekend: Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in Chapel

   Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

                         10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship (with graduate recognition)

May 24-25, 2014
Philippians 1:1-18a

Key Verses: “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:3-4

Time: 54-61 CE

Background: Paul planted churches throughout his missionary journeys. One of the churches he planted was in Philippi. This letter to the Philippians celebrated their partnership in spreading the gospel through their work in the church.

Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter with Timothy. Contrary to what we might expect, Paul was in quite high spirits in prison, having converted a number of the imperial guard, who were elite Roman soldiers charged with protecting the Roman emperor and his family.

There were others preaching the gospel who did not agree with Paul’s understanding of the gospel. Those disagreements sometimes arose in Paul’s writings, as it did here. He addressed the issue, pointing out that it didn’t matter why people proclaimed Christ’s gospel as long as they proclaimed it.

Community: How does your community work out its differences? Can you have differences of opinion and still work together to further the work of the gospel?

At Home: Do your life’s challenges limit you? How could you use challenges in your life to further the work of the gospel?

Read This Week:
Monday, May 26, PartnRership in the Gospel, Philippians 1:18b-30

Tuesday, May 27, Timothy and Epaphroditus, Philippians 2:14-30

Wednesday, May 28, Breaking with the Past. Philippians 3:1-11

Thursday, May 29, Pressing toward the Goal, Philippians 3:12-4:1

Friday, May 30, Exhortations, Philippians 4:2-9

Saturday, May 31, Acknowledgment of the Philippians’ Gift, Philippians 4:10-23

Next Week: Sunday, Jun 1, Mind of Christ, Philippians 2:1-13