Great things can happen in the simple act of sharing a meal.  The walk to Emmaus begins in discouragement as the men proclaim:  “We had hoped that he was the one”.  But in the midst of their discouragement Jesus comes to break bread with them, and brings a new hope and life.

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

11:30 a.m. Community potluck

Devotions for this week:

The Road to Emmaus                                                                     April 23, 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: Emmaus Road, Luke 24:13-35

Monday: Peter and John before the Council, Acts 4:1-22
Tuesday: Believers Pray, Acts 4:23-31
Wednesday: Believers Share, Acts 4:32-37
Thursday: Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5:1-11
Friday: The Apostles Heal, Acts 5:12-16
Saturday: The Apostles Are Persecuted, Acts 5:17-42

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32

Two disciples walked on a long road with plenty of time to ponder the incredible events of their week. But, who on earth is this stranger who seems not to have heard what everyone else is talking about? The stage is set for one more surprise.  Even before Jesus revealed himself to the disciples, they revealed Jesus within them to him.

• How does Jesus reveal himself to people?
• Who in your community is hungry? How might feed them?
• What things are your eyes closed to, that you could be looking at in your own life? How might you face some of those things this week? Who can help you see and work through the difficult issues you face?

Invite to dinner someone you don’t know well – a coworker, your kids’ friends’ parents, someone homebound from your congregation, a lonely neighbor. Notice how Christ shows up simply by sharing a meal.

PRAY: Risen One, In all our grief and confusion, you walk alongside us, O Lord. Reveal yourself to us as the comforter of our souls and the savior of our lives, in whose name we pray, Amen.

BLESS:  Eat, share, and let Jesus be revealed to you. Amen.

The women approach the tomb to honor their dead friend, but are amazed by the new reality that Jesus’ love is stronger even than death!

Come celebrate at worship this Easter Sunday:

Sunrise Worship at 7:00 a.m.

Traditional Worship at 9:00 a.m.

Contemporary Worship at 10:30 a.m.

Easter breakfast served by youth from 7:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Devotions for this week: Use this resource at home to guide your household’s daily devotions. You can do this alone or with others; in the morning, during the day, or at night. Find a routine that works best for you.

Pray: Light a candle and open your devotion time with a prayer.

Risen Lord,
You have been true to your word, and you have shown that death could not defeat life. Pour the joy of your resurrection into our hearts, that our lips would also overflow with the joyous news. In the name of the risen Christ, Amen.

Reflect: Reflect on the key verse from Sunday’s reading.

The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.
Luke 24:5

Study: Study the reading and consider the background.

It’s been a grueling week for the followers of Jesus, but still they faithfully carry out the rituals due to the dead. How could these grieving women have known that their anointing oils would not be needed, for the best reason imaginable?

Consider: Consider this theme for the week’s text.

We live grounded in the mystery of the resurrection.

Read: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text. After the reading,
ask the follow-up questions.

Sunday: Empty Tomb (Easter), Luke 24:1-12

Monday: Jesus Appears to His Disciples, Luke 24:36-53
Tuesday: Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas, Acts 1:12-26
Wednesday: The Holy Spirit, Acts 2:1-13
Thursday: Early Christians, Acts 2:14-47
Friday: Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar, Acts 3:1-10
Saturday: Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico, Acts 3:11-26

How did Jesus’ resurrection change the world?

Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household. Discuss the following questions, or simply check in with “Highs” and “Lows.”

What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

Easter marks the most significant event in a Christian’s life. Who could you share this news with?

How will you honor Christ today?

Do: By acting on what we learn we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.

Sing your favorite Easter hymn every morning when you wake up. If you don’t have a favorite Easter hymn, sing whatever favorite song reminds you that Jesus is alive!

Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Amen.

 

Join us for worship as we remember Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples.  We will share the bread and the cup as we hear the promise that this is given for the forgiveness of our sins.

Maundy Thursday devotions:

Devotion: Use this resource at home to guide your household’s daily devotions. You can do this alone or with others; in the morning, during the day, or at night. Find a routine that works best for you.

Pray: Light a candle and open your devotion time with a prayer.

Lord of the feast, You gather us as you once gathered your followers. Incline our ears once more to your words of grace and promise of a new covenant, that we might rise from the table and be your witnesses. In the name of our Savior, Amen.

Reflect: Reflect on the key verses from Sunday’s reading.

Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:17-20

Study: Study the reading and consider the background.

Dinner is served, and Jesus might be the only one present who truly understands that this is to be their final meal together. But as ancient tradition gives way to brand new words, it’s sure to be one they’ll remember forever.

Consider: Consider this theme for the week’s text.

Jesus created a new covenant between God and God’s people; one that cannot be broken because God is the only actor in this covenant.

Read: Read the following daily readings to deepen
your understanding of Sunday’s text. After the reading,
ask the follow-up questions.

Thursday: Last Supper (Holy Thursday), Luke 22:1-27

Friday: Crucifixion (Good Friday), Luke 23:32-47

Saturday: Burial of Jesus, Luke 23:48-56

How emotional is Jesus’ journey to the cross to you?

Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household. Discuss the following questions, or simply check in with “Highs” and “Lows.”

What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

When has the movement of a crowd gotten swept away and out of hand? Why do you think mob mentality has so much power of people? What is happening in your congregation that is being swept away by such momentum? What needs to change to turn the momentum?

What are you willing to give or do to follow Christ? What can you do this week that pushes you beyond your comfort zone?

Do: By acting on what we learn we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.

Use essential oils to mark the sign of the cross on your forehead or hands every morning this week. Let the scent and feel of the oil remind you of Jesus’ journey to the cross.

Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.

Jesus walks a difficult journey for you. You are worth it. Amen.

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, many crowds gathered. Some celebrated Jesus, others saw a troublemaker.  Even today there are as many differing accounts of who Jesus is as there are people on the planet. The question remains, who is Jesus to you?

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:

Palm Sunday                                                                                         April 9, 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: Triumphal Entry (Palm/Passion Sunday), Luke 19:29-44

Monday: Journey to the Cross, Luke 22:28-46
Tuesday: Journey to the Cross, Luke 22:47-71
Wednesday: Journey to the Cross, Luke 23:1-31
Thursday: Last Supper (Holy Thursday), Luke 22:1-27

Friday: Crucifixion (Good Friday), Luke 23:32-47

Saturday: Burial of Jesus, Luke 23:48-56

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”    Luke 19:39-40

Jesus’ long anticipated arrival in Jerusalem is met not by an angry mob, but rather a raucous parade singing his praises. However, the master’s eyes can see only certain demise – of himself, and finally, the city itself.

 How emotional is Jesus’ journey to the cross to you?

• Why do you think mob mentality has so much power of people? What is happening in your congregation that is being swept away by such momentum? What needs to change to turn the momentum?
• What are you willing to give or do to follow Christ? What can you do this week that pushes you beyond your comfort zone?

Use essential oils to mark the sign of the cross on your forehead or hands every morning this week. Let the scent and feel of the oil remind you of Jesus’ journey to the cross.

 PRAY: Holy Lord, We meet you with praise on our lips. Keep those refrains ringing in our ears when the cheers fade and you face the gravity which this somber week holds. In the name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.

BLESS:  Jesus walks a difficult journey for you. You are worth it. Amen.

We can feel isolated because of illness, attitudes, or circumstances.  Which is harder to heal – a broken body or a broken spirit? I think the reality is that the two are too closely tied to separate. There is no way for an illness or injury to occur without affecting the spirit.  In this week’s stories Jesus addresses both.  What is broken in your life that you can bring for healing?

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

Zacchaeus                                                                                              April 2, 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: Zacchaeus, Luke 18:31 – 19:10

Monday: Parable of the Ten Pounds, Luke 19:11-28
Tuesday: Jesus Cleanses the Temple, Luke 19:45- 20:8
Wednesday: Parable of Wicked Tenants, Luke 20:9-19
Thursday:  Jesus is Questioned, Luke 20:20-47
Friday: The Widow’s Offering, Luke 21:1-19
Saturday: Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold, Luke 21:20-38

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”             Luke 19:10

No sight? No height? No problem. Jesus has a way of finding those who truly seek his attention. And as we should have learned by now, even a brief encounter with the Son of God has the power to transform a life forever.  Jesus can heal bodies and spirits, and often does both at the same time.

• Why do you think Jesus is drawn to the underdogs?
• Who in your community has fallen from grace? How might they be restored? What part can you play in lifting up those who have fallen?
• How focused are you on fairness? Could you give more than is fair? How might such generosity change you? How might it change the ones to whom you give?

PRAY: God of mercy and compassion, you never neglect your children in need. So bless us with your healing presence that we might remain by your side on this road of sorrows. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

BLESS:  Jesus heals bodies and spirits. May Jesus heal yours. Amen.