The tangible experience of ashes, and the sharing of Holy Communion are multisensory faith experiences that involve the whole person in the story of faith.

Soup and Sandwich lunch served after early worship.

Potluck supper at 6:00 p.m. — Everyone welcome!!!  (We’ll have plenty of food)

March 5, 2014
John 10:1-18

Key Verses: “[Jesus said,] ‘I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.’” John 10:14-15

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: Many throughout the gospel of John heard Jesus’ voice and recognized him as master, teacher, lord, or savior. Like a parent who calls a child, Jesus’ voice is unmistakable to those who follow.

Jesus again used “I am” to point to his divinity, reminding hearers of God’s response to Moses at the time of the Exodus. Such a reference also called to mind the nature of God as deliverer. Where once God freed the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt, here God would free people from sin and death through the death and resurrection of his son.

Jesus said there were other sheep that did not belong to the fold, but would be brought along into one flock. He may have been referring to the Gentiles who, in John’s gospel, were marked for salvation as well as the Jews. This would have been quite a radical shift in thinking, as the Jews believed themselves to be God’s chosen people.

Jesus said he would lay down his life for his flock. Unlike a hired hand, who flees when danger approaches, the shepherd who claims ownership over the sheep will go to great lengths to protect them. On Ash Wednesday, this is a stark reminder of the sacrifice he is willing to make for us, his children.

Community: As Christians live into an increasingly diverse cultural and religious world, how can we engage in respectful conversations with people of differing faiths? What might we say about the good shepherd to people who believe differently?

At Home: Where do you hear the shepherd’s voice calling to you? What does the shepherd’s voice sound like? What does it say? How do you respond?

ELC member Don Glanzer will be graduating from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA this May.   In honor of this day a Bible study group at ELC created this banner, featuring the theme verse for this year’s graduating class:   I Corinthians 16:14 “Let all that you do be done in love.”  Each of the other symbols in the banner represent portions of Don’s life and faith journey.  We look forward to celebrating Don’s graduation and are anxious to hear where he is called into ministry.

The banner will be on display in the Wartburg Seminary Chapel this spring through graduation day.

Join us in fellowship hall this Sunday, March 2nd for a chance to share conversation, refreshments,and say thank you to Pastor Hans for his service to ELC

Blindness is not only a physical ailment. Sometimes we fail to see God’s presence even when our eyes are working properly. What gets in the way of our seeing, and acting, in love towards those around us?

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

                                                                           Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

                                                                                           9:30 a.m. Sunday School

                                                                                          10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

9:30 a.m. – Thank you reception for Pastor Hans and Connie Floan – join us in fellowship hall for refreshments and a time to say thank you to Pastor Hans for his service to ELC

 March 2, 2014
John 9:1-41

Key Verse: “Jesus said, ‘As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’” John 9:5

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: At the time of Jesus, people believed that physical or mental disabilities or challenges were caused by sin, either of the disabled or their parents. Jesus started the conversation in today’s reading by stating the man’s blindness was not caused by sin, but could be used to show the power of God’s goodness. Many of Jesus’ words and actions were to show how God’s people had misinterpreted God’s intentions for God’s people over the years. Jesus came to help people come to right relationship with God.

The Pharisees were confused by Jesus’ works because he healed on the Sabbath, which was contrary to God’s law. How could a man of God break God’s law? They didn’t understand that the Sabbath was to serve humanity, not the other way around.

Community: Are there people today who are still blamed for their misfortune (poverty, addiction, homelessness)? How might we become instruments of healing for those people?

At Home: What stands in your way of being able to see clearly God’s intention for you and your life? Ask God to remove all barriers so that you can see God’s light in your life and follow God.

Read This Week:
Monday, Mar 3, Jesus Heals on the Sabbath, John 5:1-18

Tuesday, Mar 4, The Authority of the Son, John 5:19-29

Wednesday, Mar 5, Good Shepherd, John 10:1-18

Thursday, Mar 6, Witnesses to Jesus, John 5:30-47

Friday, Mar 7, Feeding the Five Thousand, John 6:1-15

Saturday, Mar 8, Jesus Walks on Water, John 6:16-21

Next Week: Sunday, Mar 9, Raising Lazarus, John 11:1-44

Rozella White is the ELCA Director for Young Adult Ministry

Keynote:  The Millennial Reformation:  Learning From A New Generation of Leaders

Today’s young adults are a part of the Millennial Generation, those born between 1982 and 1995. In the most generous accounting of this generation, millennials are said to number about 80 million, which makes them the largest generation in American history. However, according to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and their 2010 report, “Millennials: A Portrait of a Generation,” approximately one-third of those who are unaffiliated with a community of faith are under age 30.The Lutheran church does not reflect the reality of the changing world in that the majority of people in our congregations are over the age of thirty and there is a shortage of next generation leaders. It’s time to broaden our conversation from why this population is not engaged to how we understand who they are and the culture shift that is happening. Using sociological inquiry and theological reflection, participants will gain new insight into the millennial landscape and how communities of faith might learn from this population as they reform traditional ways of understanding and being the church.

For more information on LEAD please click here:   http://www.cvent.com/events/lead-2014/custom-18-750426498a5741c99aa745708487cc0c.aspx