“Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ.”  — II Corinthians 2:10

Paul has seen the pain caused by his own words and actions, and the damage done to the community by the pain, guilt, and grudges of unforgiven sin.  He encourages them, and us, to live in the grace and forgiveness that is ours in Christ, so that our lives and our communities may know renewed life!

Worship this weekend:

5:00 p.m. Saturday in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship   (Note new time for summer!)

Devotions for this week:

Forgiveness, 2 Corinthians 2:1-10                             May 29, 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, 2 Corinthians 2:1-10, Forgiveness

Monday, 2 Corinthians 2:11-17, Paul’s Anxiety in Troas

Tuesday, 2 Corinthians 3:1-18, Ministers of the New Covenant

Wednesday, Galatians 6:1-10, Bear One Another’s Burdens

Thursday, Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2, Rules for the New Life

Friday, Philippians 2:19-30, Timothy and Epaphroditus

Saturday, Matthew 18:21-22, Forgiveness

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:10

Paul urges the Corinthians to forgive one who has wronged them, that they might also know freedom and live as Christ’s true followers.

• What can you learn about forgiveness from these texts?
• What kinds of things are hard for you to forgive? How can God help?
• Tell of a story of a time you did something for which you needed forgiveness. How did it turn out?

Do:  Consider someone with whom you currently have a broken relationship. Make a point to pray for the well-being of that person a few times each day this week. At the end of the week take note of how your relationship or your attitude toward that relationship has changed over the course of the week.

Bless: May God mend your broken relationships. Amen.

The Christian life is always a mixture of joy with time of hardship.   Paul writes of a time when “we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. ”  (2 Corinthians 1:8)  It is in those times we need to trust God’s presence, and also be present for one another to share God’s strength.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m.  Worship through music led by the Senior Choir

9:30 a.m. last day of Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

A note of Consolation, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11           May 22, 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, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Consolation

Monday, 2 Corinthians 1:12-24, The Postponement of Paul’s Visit

Tuesday, Colossians 1:24 – 2:5, Paul’s Interest in the Colossians

Wednesday, Romans 8:12-17, Life in the Spirit

Thursday, 2 Timothy 2:1-13, A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

Friday, Acts 19:21-41, A Riot Breaks Out in Ephesus

Saturday, Romans 15:22-33, Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

The opening of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is a powerful word of comfort from one who knows and understands the afflictions of his beloved community. Paul’s letter models remorse and repentance, but also a recognition that God can console us in any situation, and in God we are reconciled.

• What themes of Paul’s can you identify from these letters and acts of Paul?
• How does God console those who are suffering? Where do you see suffering that seems inconsolable?
• Tell a story of a time you needed to be consoled. Who helped you?

Do: Consider someone in your life that need consoling. Reach out to that person this week. Offer to bring a meal or share a conversation and coffee with them. When you visit, do more listening than talking. You don’t need to have all the answers; a listening ear can be incredibly healing.

Bless: May God console you in your pain and rejoice with you in your joy. Amen.

Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the musical gifts of the ELC Senior Choir as they lead ‘Worship Through Music’ this Sunday, May 22nd,  8:30 a.m. at ELC.   The choir, under the direction of Diane Dangerfield, will provide a variety of choral numbers, along with congregational singing as we praise God in this very special worship event.

 Join us as we celebrate our 2016 High School graduates with the gift of a blanket and blessing.  Join as we send them off with these words: 

Wherever you wander, no matter how dark the night, may the warmth of this blanket, the love of your parents, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the fellowship of this church, the power of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and forever. Go with God’s blessing. Amen

Jesus final words before ascension were:  ” ⁸But 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)  This Sunday marks the coming of that Spirit and power which remains among God’s people to this day.

Join us for Worship, with Holy Communion this weekend:

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 with Senior Recognition and Blessing

Devotions for this week: 

Gifts of the Spirit (Pentecost)            May 15, 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 2:1-4, Gifts of the Spirit (Pentecost)

Monday, 1 Corinthians 12:1-13, Gifts of the Spirit

Tuesday, Acts 10:1-33, Peter and Cornelius

Wednesday, Acts 10:34-43, Gentiles Hear the Good News

Thursday, Acts 10:44-48, Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

Friday, Acts 16:6-10, Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia

Saturday, Acts 16:11-15, The Conversion of Lydia

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Acts 2:4

On the day of Pentecost (50 days after Christ’s resurrection), many were gathered together when God sent God’s Holy Spirit to enter the world and motivate people to serve God and others. It was a community event that sparked the spread of Christianity worldwide.

• How does the Holy Spirit move and act within these stories?
• Who are the people in your community that help spread the word of God? How can you support them in their work?
• Tell about a time you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Pray: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.

Bless: May God fill you with God’s Holy Spirit. Amen.