It can be hard to admit that we need help.  But as Jesus begins the ministry of teaching and healing, he refuses to abide by everyone’s old expectations.   His grace, forgiveness, and love is shared with all who need it, and nothing is allowed to stand in the way.  The paralytic’s friends will not let anything stand in the way of bringing him to Jesus.  What stands in our way?

Worship this week:

Saturday — 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday — 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

9:30 a.m. — Growing in Faith Together — a time for all generations to share in learning a fellowship!

10:30 a.m. — Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:

Jesus heals and teaches                                              January 9-10, 2016

So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them.
Mark 2:2

Jesus’ ministry is still so new, he hasn’t had enough time to gain many enemies. The crowds are flocking to him. But forgiveness – that is a scandalous thing. When he dares forgive someone – that is when the sickness of this world becomes entirely visible, as it zeroes in on Jesus as its target.

Read: Sunday, Mark 2:1-22, Jesus Heals and Teaches

Monday, Psalm 103:6-14

Tuesday, Mark 2:23-28, Pronouncement about the Sabbath

Wednesday, Mark 3:1-6, The Man with a Withered Hand

Thursday, Mark 3:7-12, A Multitude at the Seaside

Friday, Mark 3:13-19a, Jesus Appoints the Twelve

Saturday, Mark, 3:19b-30, Jesus and Beelzebul

 What kinds of work did Jesus do in the early days of his ministry?

• What do you think is the relationship between forgiveness and healing? How has forgiveness and healing affected your life?
• Jesus defied his tradition’s laws and rituals to demonstrate a greater good. What traditions, laws or rituals might be standing in the way of a greater good today?

 Do: Consider someone that requires your forgiveness or your apology. Forgive that person or ask for forgiveness. Ask what you might do to further reconciliation.

 Bless: May God heal and teach you each and every day. Amen.

 

   The early days of Jesus’ ministry are filled with many demands as crowds gather at his teaching and healing, but at the same time Jesus finds time to rest and pray.  As we enter a new year, will we be faithful in finding balance between action and time for renewal?

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

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:

Jesus ministry begins                                                       January 2-3, 2016

     At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.                                                                     Mark 1:28

 As Mark tells it, Jesus launches into ministry from the very beginning. Immediately on the Sabbath, he enters the synagogue, starts teaching and casting out demons. Next they go to Simon’s home, and Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in law. On the same day, the whole town shows up seeking healing. The next day he heals a man with a skin disease. It seems there is not to be a moment’s rest. Yet in the midst of the rush, Jesus takes time to be still and pray.

 Read: Sunday, Mark 1:21-45, Jesus’ Ministry Begun

Monday, Psalm 103:1-5

Tuesday, Isaiah 42:10-20, A Hymn of Praise

Wednesday, Psalm 2

Thursday, Psalm 113

Friday, Psalm 146:5-10

Saturday, Psalm 108:1-4

 What do you read in these Psalms and Isaiah that might suggest that Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies?

• What was the mood of Jesus’ ministry when he first began? Pay attention to the shift in perspective over the three years of his ministry as we travel from his baptism to the cross to resurrection from now until Easter.
• Why do you think Jesus spent time and energy healing the sick and casting out demons? What work is there to be done in your community?

Do: Jesus took time from his busy mission to be still and to pray. Set aside time each day this week to be still and to pray. If stillness is a challenge for you, try praying while walking, doing yoga, or even dancing.

Bless: May God speak to you in the noise and in the quiet. Amen.

Worship this week – Note special schedule!!

One worship service this weekend – 10:00 a.m. Sunday

Devotions for this Week : 

Beginning of Good News                             December 27, 2015

I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. Mark 1:8

Mark’s gospel begins with a fiery preacher and a challenging message. No silent night here, no gift-bearing visitors. John the Baptist awaits his cousin, Jesus, by a stream in the wilderness. Temptations await Jesus on the other side. Soon, by the lakeshore, the divine call will be irresistible.

Read:Sunday, Mark 1:1-20, Beginning of Good News

Monday, Psalm 91:9-12

Tuesday, Malachi 3:1-7, The Coming Messenger

Wednesday, Isaiah 40:1-11, Comfort, Comfort

Thursday, Isaiah 44:1-8, God’s Blessing on Israel

Friday, Joel 2:28-29, God’s Spirit Poured Out

Saturday, Isaiah 42:1-9, The Servant, a Light to the Nations

• How do these Old Testament readings tie into the gospel reading for Sunday?

• Why do you think Jesus’ ministry began with his baptism? What does your baptism mean to you?

• How do you make it known that Jesus is your savior? What could you do to make Christ known through the way you live your life?

Do: By acting on what we learn, we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week. — Make a list of 5 ways your life could be a proclamation of Jesus’ presence in your life. Focus on doing more of one of those throughout the week.

Bless: May God fill your life with the good news of eternal life. Amen.

 

Come celebrate the birth of Jesus at worship!

Christmas Eve Candlelight worship  – 5:00 p.m. Family Worship

8:00 p.m. – Traditional worship with Holy Communion

Christmas Day worship with Holy Communion – 10:00 a.m.

 

Devotions: Use this resource at home to guide your household’s daily devotions. You can do this alone, as a couple, as a family; in the morning, during the day, or at night. Find a routine that works best for you.

Pray: Light a candle and open your devotion time with a prayer.

Emmanuel, God-With-Us, Heaven Born on Earth, let us wonder and dream with you. Place peace and hope, love and joy within us. Let us hear the sacred story of the nativity as a fresh gift on this night. Amen.

Reflect: Reflect on the key verse from today’s reading.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)

Study: Study the reading and consider the background.

This passage has been told in Christmas specials and children’s books. It has been sketched, painted, and versified. Even those not familiar with the scripture may find themselves familiar with the words. “In those days, a decree went out…” putting the holy family on the move. Mary gave birth to her child in an unlikely place. Angels bore witness to “good news of great joy,” and called the shepherds to their own witness and worship. Make haste to the manger. Treasure all these things. Ponder them in your heart.

Read: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text. After the reading, ask the follow-up questions.

Sunday, Luke 1:5-13 (57-80), Zechariah’s Song

Monday, Luke 1:1-4, Dedication to Theophilus

Tuesday, Luke 1:14-25, Zechariah’s Encounter

Wednesday, Luke 1:26-38, The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Thursday, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), The Birth of Jesus

Friday, Luke 2:8-20, Shepherds Visit

Saturday, Matthew 2:1-12, The Magi

How are John’s birth announcement and Jesus’ birth announcement similar? How are they different?

Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household. Discuss the following questions, or simply check in with “Highs” and “Lows.”

What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

Who in your community is in need of extra care and attention this season? What could you do to bring joy into their lives?

Have you ever experienced a message from God in an unusual way? What happened? How did you know it was God speaking?

Do: By acting on what we learn, we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.

Make a special gift to your church in honor of the day.  During your household’s Christmas meal, share what you are grateful for.

Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.

May God bless you with all the joy and fullness of Christ’s birth. Amen.

As the day draws near God’s promise is about to be fulfilled for all!  We hear the praise of Zechariah at the birth of John, who we will come to know as the Baptist.  The way is being prepared for the coming of Jesus! 

Worship this week:

Saturday at 5:00 p.m.  — Worship with Holy Communion in the chapel

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. — Traditional Worship with Holy Communion

9:30 a.m. — Sunday School and Adult study.

10:30 a.m. — Sunday School Christmas Program

Devotions for this week:

Zechariah’s Song                                                    December 20, 2015

Zechariah and Elizabeth fit the profile of a Biblical couple unexpectedly expecting: older, unable to conceive, an angelic messenger, and an incredulous response. Zechariah, a priest of the Lord, received an angelic visitor while he was serving in the temple. Startled, overcome with fear, he did not at first believe what he had been told concerning the boy that would be born, seeking additional assurances. Because he didn’t believe, the angel told him he would be unable to speak until this good word was fulfilled. Zechariah remained silent from the day he was told this news, until the day the child was named.

Read: Sunday, Luke 1:5-13 (57-80), Zechariah’s Song

Monday, Luke 1:1-4, Dedication to Theophilus

Tuesday, Luke 1:14-25, Zechariah’s Encounter

Wednesday, Luke 1:26-38, The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Thursday, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), The Birth of Jesus

Friday, Luke 2:8-20, Shepherds Visit

Saturday, Matthew 2:1-12, The Magi

• How are John’s birth announcement and Jesus’ birth announcement similar? How are they different?
• Who in your community is in need of extra care and attention this season? What could you do to bring joy into their lives?
• Have you ever experienced a message from God in an unusual way? What happened? How did you know it was God speaking?

Do: Spend time serving others this Christmas season. During your household’s Christmas meal, share what you are grateful for.

Bless: May God bless you with all the joy and fullness of Christ’s birth. Amen.