Maybe the human plight isn’t about earning a spot in heaven. Maybe the human plight is about bringing about God’s kingdom here on earth. Every word, thought, and action can bring about or crush God’s kingdom.   As we read Jesus’ story about the Rich Man and Lazarus, we are led to ask:  “How will we show up in the world?”

Worship this week:

Saturday 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

No Sunday School this week  (spring break)

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

The Rich Man and Lazarus                                                    March 26, 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: Rich Man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31

Monday: Sayings of Jesus, Luke 17:1-10
Tuesday: Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers, Luke 17:11-19
Wednesday: The Coming of the Kingdom, Luke 17:20-37
Thursday: The Widow and the Unjust Judge, Luke 18:1-8
Friday: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Luke 18:9-17
Saturday: The Rich Ruler, Luke 18:18-30

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

“He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:30-31

Rich man, poor man. Heaven and Hell. Was Jesus telling a simple morality tale, or was Jesus making a deeper statement about what is possible for each of us right now – in this present moment? 

• Whose voices are you listening to? Whose voices are draining? Whose voices are life-giving? Whose voices could you listen to this week?
• How often are you tempted to believe that your sins are keeping you from heaven or that your good deeds are securing a place for you there? If good works are not the way to salvation, then what is? What, if anything, is required of you?

PRAY: Lord of the here and now, We have Moses and the prophets, and all your faithful witnesses. Open our ears to their message of repentance and reconciliation, that we might waste no time in bringing about your kingdom on earth. Amen.

BLESS:  You are rich in spirit and God’s love. Amen.

We are all lost at times in our lives.  As Jesus describes the kingdom, every single lost son, coin, and sheep is valuable to the one who lost it.  These parables underscore the importance of every single one of God’s children being welcomed into God’s community, no matter how far they’ve roamed, nor what has happened to them. 

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m.  Modified traditional worship in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worsip

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

Lost Sheep, Coin, Son                                                         March 19, 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: Sheep, Coin, Prodigal Son, Luke 15:1-32

Monday: The Law of the Firstborn’s Inheritance, Deuteronomy 21:15-17
Tuesday: Stoning a Rebellious Son, Deuteronomy 21:18-21
Wednesday: Penitent’s Psalm, Psalm 51
Thursday: A Righteous Heart, Proverbs 21:1-5
Friday: The Parable of the Dishonest Manager, Luke 16:1-13
Saturday: The Kingdom of God, Luke 16:14-18

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

Finding something you thought you’d lost feels like a second chance, a new beginning. From keepers of sheep and seekers of coins to fathers of wayward children, Jesus brings home the unfettered joy of a creator reunited with those who are most beloved.  God welcomes every single one of God’s children into God’s kingdom; none is more valuable than another.

• Who in your community has been outcast or has lost their way? How might you help them become found? What message of God’s love could you bring? How could you support them in their struggles?
• How far from God have you strayed? What will you do this week to spend intentional time with God?

PRAY: Lord God, You clearly show no partiality among those whom you have created. May our joy be even a fraction of yours at the restoration of those who have wandered away from your promises and the joy of your abundant life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  God finds you wherever you are. Amen.

Do we move through this world with the same urgency to complete God’s work as Jesus calls  us to do? Perhaps our priorities are not as aligned with Jesus’ as we would like to believe.

Worship this week:

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

Devotions for this week:

Lament over Jerusalem                                                           March 12, 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: Tower in Siloam, Luke 13:1-9, 31-35

Monday: Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman, Luke 13:10-17
Tuesday: Parables, Luke 13:18-30
Wednesday: Jesus Heals a Man with Dropsy, Luke 14:1-6
Thursday: Parable of a Wedding Banquet, Luke 14:7-14
Friday: Parable of a Great Dinner, Luke 14:15-24
Saturday: The Cost of Discipleship, Luke 14:25-35

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Luke 13:34

The question of suffering is an ancient one. But Jesus won’t allow victims of tragedy to be blamed for their own misfortune, even if that was (and still is) a tempting explanation. Instead he asks just what are we choosing to do with the precious time we have left?

• How do you and your community distinguish “good” people from “bad” people? Are your assessments accurate? Are there sins that are unforgivable? How might God respond to those sins and those sinners?
• How do you measure your own goodness? Are there sins you need to confess to God? Are there sins God has already forgiven that you need to let go?

PRAY: Loving Lord, You long to gather us under your wings. Let us not reject you, too caught up in in our own lives to recognize the opportunity for repentance and the gift of your grace. Amen.

BLESS:  May God forgive and cleanse you from carrying the burden of your sin. Amen.

We aren’t always lovable people, yet God loves us.  In turn we are asked to share that love with all who need it, regardless of any differences or even personal risk.  Love your neighbor means acting like a neighbor.

Worship this week

NO SATURDAY WORSHIP THIS WEEK (due to a funeral at church)

Sunday morning worship with Holy Communion

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions this week:

The Good Samaritan                                                    March  5, 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: Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-42

Monday: The Lord’s Prayer and Persistence in Prayer, Luke 11:1-26
Tuesday: Jesus Criticizes Pharisees and Lawyers, Luke 11:27-54
Wednesday: Parable of the Rich Fool, Luke 12:1-21
Thursday: Do Not Worry, Luke 12:22-34
Friday: Be Alert, Luke 12:35-48
Saturday: Jesus the Cause of Division, Luke 12:49-59

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

“Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37

It’s not always what we expect. Jesus proves this again and again as he encourages his followers to go beyond what they think they know to do, who they think they are called to serve, and strive for the intriguing “better part.”

• How does your community identify insiders and outsiders? How might your community look different if it judged on faith, service, and love, rather than wealth, culture, gender, or religious affiliation?
• How might you be a neighbor to someone this week? What will motivate you into action?
• Ask someone of a different religion about their faith. What do they believe? How does their faith shape their lives? Notice similarities and differences. Do more listening than talking.

PRAY: Holy God, Our time is limited on this journey. Give us wisdom to stop, listen, and learn, so that we might make the most of what you have given us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May God love and bless you and all people. Amen.

 

 

The disciples have witnessed Jesus transfigured with ancient prophets, and triumphing over a malicious demon, all in the space of two days. But what are they to make of it all?  More importantly, knowing who Jesus is, how does that change how we see the world?

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: 

Transfiguration                                              February 26, 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: Transfiguration, Luke 9:28-45

Monday: Who Is Greatest, Luke 9:46-48
Tuesday: Whoever Is Not Against You Is For You, Luke 9:49-50
Wednesday: The Challenge of Following (Ash Wednesday), Luke 9:51-62

Thursday: Mission of the Seventy, Luke 10:1-12
Friday: Woes to Unrepentant Cities, Luke 10:13-16
Saturday: Seventy Return and Jesus Rejoices, Luke 10:17-24

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Luke 9:28-29

Life with Jesus may be confusing at times, but never boring. Peter and friends have witnessed Jesus transfigured with ancient prophets, and triumphing over a malicious demon, all in the space of two days.  Jesus can reveal himself to us in ways we can’t yet understand, but maybe one day we will.

• How does Jesus describe greatness?
• Who are your community’s greatest leaders, past or present? How have they shaped your community? How might you become a leader in your community today?
• How has God revealed truths about Jesus to you? (Scripture, people, worship, media?) How might you be intentional about giving time to those things that reveal Jesus to you this week?

PRAY: Transfigured Lord, You have transformed all things through the vision of an earth restored. Make us willing participants in your work to reconcile all things again to you, in Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

BLESS:  Notice and be warmed by the light of Christ. Amen.