We are delighted to welcome Don Shunkwiler, executive director of Sugar Creek Bible Camp to all our worship services this weekend.  In the midst of January’s cold, it’s a good time to think about summer, and about opportunities to experience faith in a new and special way at Bible Camp!  Don will bring a message at worship, and be available during the  Sunday School hour to meet with those wanting to hear more about camp!

Worship 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

Devotions for this week:

Jesus heals Jairus’ daughter                                        January 23-24, 2016

He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement.                                                  Mark 5:41-42

Jesus was always being interrupted. No sooner had he returned from the far side of the sea, he encountered a leader of the synagogue asking for help for his gravely ill daughter. Midway on the journey to her bedside, as the crowd pressed in on him, a woman touched his clothes, and he paused to address her also-deep need. Continuing on his way, he came to the girl’s bedside and performed yet another miracle. But he did not yet want it revealed to the world.

Read: Sunday, Mark 5:21-43, Jairus’ Daughter Healed

Monday, Psalm 131

Tuesday, Mark 6:53-56, Healing the Sick in Gennesaret

Wednesday, Mark 7:1-23, The Tradition of the Elders

Thursday, Mark 7:24-30, The Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith

Friday, Mark 7:31-37, Jesus Cures a Deaf Man

Saturday, Mark 8:1-10, Feeding the Four Thousand

 How do the people healed in these stories respond to Jesus’ healing?

• What differences and similarities do you notice between the healing of the woman and the healing of the little girl? What do these difference sand similarities mean to you?
• The woman was considered unclean because of her hemorrhaging. Who is considered unclean in your community? How do people become acceptable? Or how do you change your idea of what is acceptable?

Do: Consider what ails you in body, mind, or spirit. Ask Jesus for healing. Ask again. And again.

Bless: May God heal you in body, mind, and spirit. Amen.

 

What a difference a small seed can make when it grows and produces.  Jesus teaches in parables, or comparisons, and says that the kingdom takes root by God’s providing and by God’s strength, but wherever it takes hold, it makes a huge difference.

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 and adult class

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

Jesus teaches in parables                                             January 16-17, 2016

 He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! A sower went out to sow.” Mark 4:2-3

 How can we say what God’s kingdom is like? Even Jesus used metaphor to talk about it, and around it. To crowds hungry for hope, he talked of scattered seed and dramatic crop yields, of the revealing of truth, of a tiny promise that grew into shelter for many. He gave them as much as they were able to hear.

 Read: Sunday, Mark 4:1-34, Parables in Mark

Monday, Psalm 126

Tuesday, Mark 3:31-35, The True Kindred of Jesus

Wednesday, Mark 4:35-41, Jesus Stills a Storm

Thursday, Mark 5:1-20, Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac

Friday, Mark 6:30-44, Feeding the Five Thousand

Saturday, Mark 6:45-52, Jesus Walks on Water

 How do Jesus’ healings and miracles support his teachings?

• Which of Jesus’ parables are the most difficult for you to understand? Why? What modern parables tell the stories of people today?
• What does the parable of the sower tell you about God’s word? How might you be a sower of the word? How might you be good soil to receive God’s word? How might you be the seed that spreads God’s word to the world?

 Do: Plant herb seeds in a pot. Take good care of your plant so you can use the herbs in your cooking this summer.

Bless: May God plant God’s word in you. Amen.

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.