As Paul and others begin to spread the news about Jesus, their witness is met with resistance, even violence.   They are accused of ‘turning the world upside down’ by proclaiming a new way of looking at what is most important.   As we look at our world, perhaps we need to again proclaim a fresh perspective on what is truly important and valuable.

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m.  Traditional Worship   (note this is the only Sunday worship this week!)

9:30 a.m. – Gather in sanctuary for send off for service day, concluding with potluck at noon.

Devotions for this week: 

“The Church at Thessalonica”                                          April 16-17, 2016

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, Acts 17:1-9, Church at Thessalonica

Monday, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Thanks to Thessalonica

Tuesday, Acts 6:1-7, Seven Chosen to Serve

Wednesday, Acts 6:8-15, The Arrest of Stephen

Thursday, Acts 7:1-53, Stephen’s Speech to the Council

Friday, Acts 7:54-8:1a, The Stoning of Stephen

Saturday, Acts 8:1b-3, Saul Persecutes the Church

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.” Acts 17:2-3

Paul and Silas took on the religious authorities directly, arguing on the Sabbath and proclaiming Christ the Messiah. Religious authorities tried to quell the rebellion by imprisoning those who aided the Christians. But Jesus’ message of love endured, despite the culture of fear.

Why do you think Stephen’s message so threatening?

What words are spoken or heard in your community that are threatening to you? To others? How might you hear or speak those words differently so that they can be received with acceptance and hope?

What does it mean to you that Jesus is the Messiah? 

PRAY:  Messiah, Jesus, your followers established churches in communities near and far. Take us outside of ourselves and teach us to give away what you have given to us. Show us how to witness to your presence in places near and far. Amen

BLESS: May God fill you with words of love, acceptance, and hope. Amen.

How do we respond when confronted with the hurts and needs of those around us.  Do we turn away, walk quickly by, or share whatever we can, even if it does not seem like what the situation asks for?  In this week’s story we hear of Peter’s response, and how in sharing Jesus’ love, a life is transformed.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

9:30 a.m. – Sunday School/New Member Orientation

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

“Peter heals in Jerusalem”                                                   April 9-10, 2016

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, Acts 3:1-10, Peter Heals in Jerusalem

Monday, Acts 4:1-22, Peter and John before the Council

Tuesday, Acts 4:23-31, The Believers Prayer for Boldness

Wednesday, Acts 4:32-37, The Believers Share Their Possessions

Thursday, Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira

Friday, Acts 5:12-16, The Apostles Heal Many

Saturday, Acts 5:17-42, The Apostles Are Persecuted

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” Acts 3:6

Peter and John offered healing in Jesus’ name as their witness to Jesus’ love for humanity. The people who were used to seeing the man asking for alms were filled with wonder and amazement at the sight of the lame man walking. There are many things about Jesus and about God’s world that can fill us with wonder and amazement. Are we open to seeing?

How did early believers back up their words with their actions?

Who in your community has a need that you could fill? Ask your pastor to connect you with people who could use the gifts you have to offer.

What fills you with wonder and amazement? 

PRAY:  Holy Lord, your followers gave to your children something more powerful and more valuable than riches. They gave healing and hope. Bring healing and hope into our world and show us evidence of your presence in our lives. Amen

 BLESS: May God bless others through the gifts you share. Amen.

After Jesus ascends, two men in white robes ask the disciples:   “…why do you stand looking up toward heaven?”  They weren’t called to stand and watch, but rather to move on and show others Jesus’ love.   We also have seen and heard the great news about Jesus’ love and the promise of forgiveness and grace, but we are not called to stand and watch, but to share with the world!

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m.  Sunday School/New Member orientation

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

“You shall be my witnesses”                                             April 2-3, 2016

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, Acts 1:1-14, You Shall Be My Witnesses

Monday, Acts 1:15-26, Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Tuesday, Acts 2:1-13, The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Wednesday, Acts 2:14-36, Peter Addresses the Crowd

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

Friday, Acts 2:43-47, Life among the Believers

Saturday, Acts 3:11-26, Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Jesus left his followers with the promise of the Holy Spirit, which would be God’s presence with them at all times and in all places. Jesus also left them (and us) with hope that one day Jesus would return, and this world would be restored to the world God intended. In the meantime, we have been given the charge to witness to God’s intended world with our thoughts, words, and actions.

How can your witness be helpful to those who do not know Christ? What would you say to someone who asks you about Jesus?

What do you hope for? What keeps you hoping? 

PRAY:  Lord Jesus, after your death and resurrection you sent your followers into the world to proclaim your resurrection to the entire world. Send us into the world to bear witness to all you have done in our lives. Amen

 BLESS:  May God fill you with the hope and anticipation of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Even in the excitement of Jesus’ resurrection, the work is not yet done. The messenger gave this message: go to Galilee. The mission continues, and we are sent.

Worship for this week:

Sunrise worship – 7:00 a.m.

Traditional worship – 9:00 a.m.

Contemporary worship – 10:30 a.m.

Easter Breakfast served by the youth –  7:30 – 10:20 a.m.

Devotions for this week:

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, Mark 16:1-8, Resurrection

Monday, Psalm 118:21-27

Tuesday, Mark 16:8, The Shorter Ending of Mark

Wednesday, Mark 16:9-11, Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

Thursday, Mark 16:12-13, Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

Friday, Mark 16:14-18, Jesus Commissions the Disciples

Saturday, Mark 16:19-20, The Ascension of Jesus

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Some of Jesus’ followers went to the tomb to anoint him, very early in the day, as soon as it was permitted. When they arrived, they found an empty tomb and a messenger who sent them out from that place with good news to share.

Mark has several endings. It is speculated the last two may have been added throughout the centuries. How does Jesus’ story read differently when ended at verse 8?

How does Jesus’ resurrection shape your life? How would your life be different if you didn’t have Jesus in it?

What makes you different from people who do not believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus? What makes you the same? How does Jesus see those that are different from you?

PRAY:  Resurrected one, grant us courage to go out on the road, seeking you. Remind us that your mission is just beginning. Amen.

BLESS: May God raise you up to new life each and every day. Amen.