How do we respond when confronted with the hurts and needs of those around us.  Do we turn away, walk quickly by, or share whatever we can, even if it does not seem like what the situation asks for?  In this week’s story we hear of Peter’s response, and how in sharing Jesus’ love, a life is transformed.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

9:30 a.m. – Sunday School/New Member Orientation

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

“Peter heals in Jerusalem”                                                   April 9-10, 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 3:1-10, Peter Heals in Jerusalem

Monday, Acts 4:1-22, Peter and John before the Council

Tuesday, Acts 4:23-31, The Believers Prayer for Boldness

Wednesday, Acts 4:32-37, The Believers Share Their Possessions

Thursday, Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira

Friday, Acts 5:12-16, The Apostles Heal Many

Saturday, Acts 5:17-42, The Apostles Are Persecuted

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” Acts 3:6

Peter and John offered healing in Jesus’ name as their witness to Jesus’ love for humanity. The people who were used to seeing the man asking for alms were filled with wonder and amazement at the sight of the lame man walking. There are many things about Jesus and about God’s world that can fill us with wonder and amazement. Are we open to seeing?

How did early believers back up their words with their actions?

Who in your community has a need that you could fill? Ask your pastor to connect you with people who could use the gifts you have to offer.

What fills you with wonder and amazement? 

PRAY:  Holy Lord, your followers gave to your children something more powerful and more valuable than riches. They gave healing and hope. Bring healing and hope into our world and show us evidence of your presence in our lives. Amen

 BLESS: May God bless others through the gifts you share. Amen.

After Jesus ascends, two men in white robes ask the disciples:   “…why do you stand looking up toward heaven?”  They weren’t called to stand and watch, but rather to move on and show others Jesus’ love.   We also have seen and heard the great news about Jesus’ love and the promise of forgiveness and grace, but we are not called to stand and watch, but to share with the world!

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m.  Sunday School/New Member orientation

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

“You shall be my witnesses”                                             April 2-3, 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 1:1-14, You Shall Be My Witnesses

Monday, Acts 1:15-26, Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Tuesday, Acts 2:1-13, The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Wednesday, Acts 2:14-36, Peter Addresses the Crowd

Thursday, Acts 2:37-42, The First Converts

Friday, Acts 2:43-47, Life among the Believers

Saturday, Acts 3:11-26, Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

“But 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

Jesus left his followers with the promise of the Holy Spirit, which would be God’s presence with them at all times and in all places. Jesus also left them (and us) with hope that one day Jesus would return, and this world would be restored to the world God intended. In the meantime, we have been given the charge to witness to God’s intended world with our thoughts, words, and actions.

How can your witness be helpful to those who do not know Christ? What would you say to someone who asks you about Jesus?

What do you hope for? What keeps you hoping? 

PRAY:  Lord Jesus, after your death and resurrection you sent your followers into the world to proclaim your resurrection to the entire world. Send us into the world to bear witness to all you have done in our lives. Amen

 BLESS:  May God fill you with the hope and anticipation of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Even in the excitement of Jesus’ resurrection, the work is not yet done. The messenger gave this message: go to Galilee. The mission continues, and we are sent.

Worship for this week:

Sunrise worship – 7:00 a.m.

Traditional worship – 9:00 a.m.

Contemporary worship – 10:30 a.m.

Easter Breakfast served by the youth –  7:30 – 10:20 a.m.

Devotions for this week:

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, Mark 16:1-8, Resurrection

Monday, Psalm 118:21-27

Tuesday, Mark 16:8, The Shorter Ending of Mark

Wednesday, Mark 16:9-11, Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

Thursday, Mark 16:12-13, Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

Friday, Mark 16:14-18, Jesus Commissions the Disciples

Saturday, Mark 16:19-20, The Ascension of Jesus

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Some of Jesus’ followers went to the tomb to anoint him, very early in the day, as soon as it was permitted. When they arrived, they found an empty tomb and a messenger who sent them out from that place with good news to share.

Mark has several endings. It is speculated the last two may have been added throughout the centuries. How does Jesus’ story read differently when ended at verse 8?

How does Jesus’ resurrection shape your life? How would your life be different if you didn’t have Jesus in it?

What makes you different from people who do not believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus? What makes you the same? How does Jesus see those that are different from you?

PRAY:  Resurrected one, grant us courage to go out on the road, seeking you. Remind us that your mission is just beginning. Amen.

BLESS: May God raise you up to new life each and every day. Amen.

Although the celebration would come to an abrupt end, in this moment, there is joy, hope, and love. Today let us live in this moment.

Worship this week:

Saturday — 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday — 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. — Generations in Faith Together – a time for all ages to gather for learning and fellowship

10:30 a.m. — Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

The Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday)                            March 19-20, 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, Mark 11:1-11, Triumphal Entry

Monday, Mark 14:3-9, Woman Anoints Jesus

Tuesday, Mark 14:43-65, The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

Wednesday, Mark 14:66-72, Peter Denies Jesus

Thursday, Mark 14:12-42, The Lord’s Supper

Friday, Mark 15:16-39, Crucifixion

Saturday, Mark 15:40-47, The Death and Burial of Jesus

TALK: Consider some of these ideas:

The road, at last, has taken Jesus and the disciples to Jerusalem. The dance with the powers of the world has been going on for a while. But now matters begin to come to a head. They enter the city to great acclaim amid a public spectacle. Although things would change quickly, in this moment there is hope, and joy, and love.

• Notice and discuss the high points and low points of this emotional and eventful week.
• How does your life reflect shifting views or emotions toward Jesus? When in your life have you felt close to Jesus? When have you felt a distance?
• How might you explain the events of Holy Week to someone who has never learned of Jesus before? What do these events mean to you?

 PRAY: God of great and small, use every occasion to teach us. In all the places we journey, the public square and own dwelling places, grant us sacred encounters with you. Amen.

 BLESS: May God walk with you on your Holy Week journey. Amen.