Jesus’ ministry of life and healing extends beyond all the expected norms of society.  He notices and takes time for those it would have been easy to pass by.  While we thank God that Jesus loves us, do we freely share that love without question?

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

                                                                    Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

                                                                    Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

Sunday at 9:30 a.m.  Sunday School/Fellowship/Discussion

                       Sunday School for pre-school – 8^th grades

                       Fireside chats for high school and young adults

                      “How is God shaping us?” Discussions in fellowship hall                     

 

February 2, 2014
John 4:1-42

Key Verses: “Jesus said to [the woman], ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’” John 4:13-14

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: Jews and Samaritans were at odds at the time of Jesus. They were both descendants of Israel, but they had long-standing disagreements that kept them separated. The cultural and religious differences, further exacerbated by the gender differences, made Jesus’ encounter with the woman highly unusual. It was even more unlikely that she would become a witness to his prophetic words. This story highlights Jesus’ message that God came not only for the Jews, but for all people.

Like in Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus, Jesus’ words were misunderstood. The woman believed she could drink Jesus’ living water and then would no longer need to come to the well for daily water. She didn’t understand Jesus was speaking of living water that would nourish the soul and lead to eternal life.

Community: What cultural differences prevent you from engaging with others from differing backgrounds? Where could you go to begin conversations with people of other cultures or faiths? What might you learn?

At Home: Where do you draw living water? What nourishes your soul? Spend time with God this week drinking deeply of God’s word.

Read This Week:
Monday, Feb 3, Longing for God and His Help in Distress, Psalm 42:1-3

Tuesday, Feb 4, Longing for God and His Help in Distress, Psalm 42:4-5

Wednesday, Feb 5, Longing for God and His Help in Distress, Psalm 42:6-7

Thursday, Feb 6, Longing for God and His Help in Distress, Psalm 42:8

Friday, Feb 7, Longing for God and His Help in Distress, Psalm 42:9-10

Saturday, Feb 8, Longing for God and His Help in Distress, Psalm 42:11

 

Next Week: Sunday, Feb 9, Healing Stories, John 4:46-5:18

 

It might be a great time to think about warmer places.  Jerry Schwook of St. Luke’s in Middleton will be with us on Sunday, January 26th at 9:30 a.m. in fellowship hall to share about his experiences in traveling to our partner congregation in Puerto Rico.  Please join us!

Jesus tells of God’s great love, and of new birth by God’s Spirit.  Nicodemus is puzzled by Jesus’ words. He must let go of an old way of thinking in order to hear the good news about life in Christ. What do we need to let go of to make way to hear the promise of love for our world?

Worship this weekend:   Saturday, 5:00 p.m. in Chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

9:30 a.m.  Sunday School/Fellowship hour

Including ‘fireside chats’ for high school and young adults

Also special presentation by Jerry Schwook about our companion church in Puerto Rico

 January 26, 2014
John 3:1-21

Key Verse: “Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’” John 3:3

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: Nicodemus likely came by night so he wouldn’t be seen by others. Nighttime also symbolized unbelief, as the light symbolized belief. Nicodemus came with questions and doubts about Jesus, his authority, and his message.

Nicodemus’s lack of understanding about being “born from above” or “born again” might mirror our own. What does it mean to be born again? Our Christian heritage of baptism can place a layer of understanding, as we understand baptism as giving new life through water and Spirit. But perhaps it is okay to let the ambiguous language hold some mystery.

Community: What does it mean that “everyone who believes in him may not perish”? What of non-believers? How might you go about opening a respectful conversation with a non-believer about eternal life?

At Home: In baptismal imagery, we die to the old self in order to be born anew. What needs to die within you so that God can create new life there? How can you let go of that which keeps you from claiming God’s new life?

Read This Week:
Monday, Jan 27, The Inescapable God, Psalm 139:1-3

Tuesday, Jan 28, The Inescapable God, Psalm 139:4-6

Wednesday, Jan 29, The Inescapable God, Psalm 139:7-9

Thursday, Jan 30, The Inescapable God, Psalm 139:10-12

Friday, Jan 31, The Inescapable God, Psalm 139:13-18

Saturday, Feb 1, The Inescapable God, Psalm 139:19-24

 

Next Week: Sunday, Feb 2, Woman at the Well, John 4:1-42

 

John’s gospel has Jesus challenging the customs of the religious ‘establishment’ from the beginning of his ministry.  His passion causes a scene, and upsets the status quo.  How passionate are we about our faith, and how open are we to asking questions about the customary way we do things?
Worship this week with Holy Communion – Saturday 5:00 p.m. in chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

Education and fellowship hour at 9:30 a.m including ‘Fireside Chats’ for high school and older, Sunday School for ages 3 and up.

 January 19, 2014
John 2:13-25

Key Verses: “He told those who were selling the doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!’ His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’” John 2:16-17

Time: 27-30 CE

Background: In the Gospel of John, the cleansing of the temple was Jesus’ first act once his ministry began. (In the other three gospels, it happened just before his crucifixion.) In John’s gospel, Jesus used signs to point toward God, always redirecting people’s attention away from himself, and toward God in heaven.

When Jesus overturned the tables, the Jews asked him for a sign to show that he had authority to do what he had done. They didn’t realize that Jesus was already beginning to perform signs that God had sent Jesus to reveal God to the people.

Community: What questionable behaviors or customs does your community practice that are so embedded in your community, they have not been examined for a long time? What would need to happen to begin to make changes to those customs?

At Home: What signs have you sought or seen to indicate that God is present in your life? Where will you look for God this week?

Read This Week:
Monday, Jan 20, God’s Blessing in the Home, Psalm 127:1-2

Tuesday, Jan 21, God’s Blessing in the Home, Psalm 127:3-5

Wednesday, Jan 22, The Happy Home of the Faithful, Psalm 128:1-2

Thursday, Jan 23, The Happy Home of the Faithful, Psalm 128:3-4

Friday, Jan 24, The Happy Home of the Faithful, Psalm 128:5-6

Saturday, Jan 25, Prayer for the Downfall of Israel’s Enemies, Psalm 129:1-8

Next Week: Sunday, Jan 26, Nicodemus, John 3:1-21