We celebrate “Worship through Music” this Sunday, as our Senior Choir and Praise Team will share their gift of music in God’s praise at the 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services. Please join us for this wonderful celebration!

 Saturday night Pastor Jack Way from Barneveld Lutheran will bring the message.

 Pastor John will be attending graduation for his son, Andy, at Luther Seminary in St. Paul on Sunday. We ask God’s blessing both for Andy, as well as Don Glanzer who will graduate from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque this Sunday.

 Worship this weekend: Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in Chapel (Pastor Way preaching)

                     Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Worship through Music led by ELC Senior Choir

                                        10:30 a.m. Worship through Music led by ELC Praise Team

 9:30 a.m. – Final day of Sunday School for this school year.

 Paul encountered a world where many different religious ideas were in competition for people’s attention, but found the wisdom and courage to speak about what he had been shown by God. It doesn’t sound too different than what we encounter today as well.

May 17-18, 2014
Acts 17:16-31

Key Verses: “For as I went through the city… I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands.” Acts 17:23-25a

Time: 49-52 CE

Background: Athens was an important hub of culture, where art, architecture, religion, and philosophy could be celebrated and debated. Public debates were common, and crowds were often drawn toward lively debates where new ideas and thoughts were presented.

It was into this atmosphere that Paul spoke about God, the creator of the universe. Hearers would have been more familiar with the concept of smaller gods for more specific things (god of war, god of love). The idea of a singular God of all things would have been foreign. Paul took the opportunity to quote familiar poets and a familiar “unknown god” to grasp their attention and point them toward God, creator, and father of the risen Christ.

Community: Where do we hold our most important debates? Who does the talking? Who listens? What is debated? How can you become involved in the debates that are most important to you?

At Home: Do one thing this week to become more familiar with whatever is unknown to you about God. Read the Bible, talk to a friend, pray, meditate, or find some other way to explore your spirituality.

Read This Week:
Monday, May 19, Paul in Corinth, Acts 18:1-17

Tuesday, May 20, Paul in Ephesus, Acts 19:1-10

Wednesday, May 21, Paul Arrested in the Temple, Acts 21:27-36

Thursday, May 22, Paul Defends Himself, Acts 21:37-22:5

Friday, May 23, The Plot to Kill Paul, Acts 23:12-22

Saturday, May 24, Paul Preaches in Rome, Acts 28:23-30

Next Week: Sunday, May 25, Partnership in the Gospel, Philippians 1:1-18a

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60JYGnx-Tiw&feature=youtu.be

Click on this link to watch the message:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60JYGnx-Tiw&feature=youtu.be

Bring a friend to Sunday School (adult – mother, father, grandparent, aunt/uncle, friend, neighbor) – make a craft and then join everyone for breakfast in fellowship hall –

Men of ELC will be cooking pancakes and youth will be serving.  Free will offering to support Youth Ministries (especially as we look forward to next year’s youth gathering)

From the worship, to the market, to the jail cell, wherever they were Paul and Silas witnessed to their faith. Their actions were not restrained by their situation, and God’s message of love could not be contained.   What do we allow to restrain us in our worship, service and showing our love for others?

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

                                                                           Sunday at 8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship

                                                                                             10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

 May 10-11, 2014
Acts 16:16-34

Key Verses: “The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.Then he brought them outside and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They answered, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” Acts 16:29-31

Time: 49-52 CE

Background: Paul and Silas traveled, bringing the word of God wherever God sent them. They had spent some time in Philippi, and had converted a business woman named Lydia, who would become one of their financial supporters there. Shortly after her conversion, they encountered the girl with a spirit of divination, which allowed her to see and tell fortunes, for the welfare of her owners.

When Paul cast the spirit out of her, he did so in Jesus’ name. Only Roman-approved religions were allowed. Judaism was allowed there, but Christianity was not. Paul and Silas were sentenced to prison. While they were in prison they had the opportunity to convert the jailer and his family, which helped them secure a faithful foundation in Philippi.

Community: How do the economics in your area help or hinder the mission of your faith community? How could it be positioned to help?

At Home: How do your faith and your vocation intersect? Where do they work together, and where do they work against each other? What might you do to allow your faith life to have a greater influence on your vocation, and your vocation a greater impact on your faith life?

Read This Week:
Monday, May 12, Paul and Silas, Acts 16:35-40

Tuesday, May 13, The Council at Jerusalem, Acts 15:1-11

Wednesday, May 14, The Council at Jerusalem, Acts 15:12-21

Thursday, May 15, Timothy Joins Paul and Silas, Acts 16:1-5

Friday, May 16, Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia, Acts 16:6-10

Saturday, May 17, The Conversion of Lydia, Acts 16:11-15

Next Week: Sunday, May 18, Sermon at Athens, Acts 17:16-31

Thomas has missed out on the seeing Jesus after Easter, and ever since has been known for his doubt.  But he is still a person of faith, and like him we can bring our questions without fear, knowing that Jesus will still love us.

Worship this week – Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship

                 10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Sunday School & Fellowship hour at 9:30 a.m.

April 27, 2014
John 20:19-31

Key Verses: “Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” John 20:27-28

Time: 30 CE

Background: The disciples were afraid. Jesus had been gone only 3 days. They were without their master, and the Jews were clearly ready to do away with Jesus and his followers. They didn’t know where to go or what to do. Fear and uncertainty would have been understandable under the circumstances.

Jesus’ appearance behind locked doors would have come as a shock. It’s not surprising that Thomas would be slow to believe the disciples’ account, given the high, intense emotions from the events of the weekend all the disciples had endured.

Despite Thomas’ doubt, it should be noted that Thomas did not need to touch Jesus, as he indicated he would. Seeing Jesus was all he needed to know his Lord had returned. His eyewitness account, along with the other disciples’ accounts, were that start of the spread of the good news that Jesus was alive!

Community: Are there people in your community who may feel as though they’ve been left out of something good? How might you invite them in?

At Home: What areas of faith cause you to doubt? Let yourself sit with that doubt for a while. Ask the hard questions. Consider the scary alternatives. Talk to God. See what happens when you open yourself to your doubts, fears, options, and opportunities.

Read This Week:
Monday, Apr 28, Seven Chosen to Serve, Acts 6:1-7

Tuesday, Apr 29, The Arrest of Stephen, Acts 6:8-15

Wednesday, Apr 30, Stephen’s Speech to the Council, Acts 7:1-22

Thursday, May 1, Stephen’s Speech to the Council, Acts 7:23-43

Friday, May 2, Stephen’s Speech to the Council, Acts 7:44-53

Saturday, May 3, The Stoning of Stephen, Acts 7:54-8:1