Join us for worship and the celebration of Holy Communion this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. Worship in the Chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Vibrant Lutheran Worship

   9:30 a.m. – Sunday School, Adult study and fellowship

                10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

People are Justified by Grace Through Faith
May 5, 2013
Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21

Key Verses: “Yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ… I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” Galatians 2:16, 19b-20

Time: 50-55 C.E.

Since Last Week: Paul had traveled his corner of the world spreading the news about the risen Christ Jesus. Galatia was a community of Jewish and Gentile (non-Jewish) believers. The community there had been misled to believe they had to conform to Jewish practices (including food restrictions and circumcision) in order to be a follower of Jesus.

Background: Paul was quite direct in his disdain for the community’s wrong teachings. He argued that people are justified (made right with God) not by works (like circumcision), but by faith (what Christ has done for us).

Community: Christians historically have been notorious for expecting believers and non-believers to live by the law (as though saved by our good deeds and our refraining from sin). How might your story sound if you shared the good news that people are saved by the work of Jesus Christ apart from their good works? How might non-believers respond to such a message?

At Home: How do you feel about the news that your salvation doesn’t depend upon what you do or fail to do? Does this sound like good news or bad to you? What might prevent you from claiming this gift of justification and salvation? How can you begin to let go of your reservations?

Read This Week:
Monday: Welcome to the Galatians, Galatians 1:1-12
Tuesday: Paul Defends His Apostleship, Galatians 1:18-24
Wednesday: Paul and the Other Apostles, Galatians 2:1-10
Thursday: God’s Promise to Abraham, Galatians 3:10-18
Friday: The Purpose of the Law, Galatians 3:19-22
Saturday: Paul Reprimands the Galatians, Galatians 4:8-20

Next Week: No Longer Jew or Greek, Male and Female, Galatians 3:1-9, 23-29

Jesus told those disciples to expect God’s power to soon be at work in them, and that great days were ahead for their witness to his love.  But a couple verses later those same disciples stand staring dumbly at the sky, not sure what they were looking for.  (Two men in white robes) said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven?  Acts 1:10a

A few days later that promised Holy Spirit would come upon the people at Pentecost, and they would discover new gifts for speech and wisdom, and though it took a while, the church would find that the same Spirit was with them to fill them with Jesus’ compassion, joy, and faith.  With that faith, they found the courage and strength to act, and the mission to bring Jesus’ love to the world began to be a part of all they did.  From those few bewildered disciples in Acts 1, the church has become a force that has changed lives and changed our world.

The celebration of Pentecost is always for me a time to ask, “What are we looking for?”.  After all, it is the same Spirit that empowered Peter, Paul, Tabitha & Lydia who empowers our ministry today.  Are we looking for someone else to step up?  Are we looking for some excuse to step aside?  Or are we looking for where Jesus is already at work in our church, our neighborhood, and our world?  The Holy Spirit is in our midst whenever we call upon the name of Lord, and brings gifts for ministry every day.  Maybe a better question is:  “What are we waiting for?”

God’s Peace,

Pastor John Twiton

The early church had to decide what really mattered in this new faith.  Was it tradition, heritage, or some work?  No they said, we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus.

Join us in sharing that good news this weekend:

Saturday worship – 5:00 p.m. in chapel

Sunday – Traditional Worship – 8:30 a.m

                Sunday School and Fellowship – 9:30 a.m.

                Contemporary Worship – 10:30 a.m.

                 Agape Preschool Programs at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

                 Young adult music time at 6:00 p.m.

                 Youth Group at 7:00 p.m.

Faith Gives Identity
April 28, 2013
Acts 15:1-18

Key Verse: “[Peter said] ‘On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.’” Acts 15:11

Time of Events: 30-50 C.E.
Written: 80-85 C.E.

Since Last Week: Jesus’ followers continued to travel and proclaim the good news of the risen Christ. Persecutors continued to arrest, torture, and kill Christians throughout the lands.

Background: An argument arose among the early Christians when some of the Jewish believers wanted the Gentile (non-Jewish) believers to become circumcised and follow the laws of Moses, the primary guiding laws of the Jews. Paul and Barnabas were elected to travel to Jerusalem to consult with the apostles. Ultimately, it was decided that believers would be saved, not by following the laws of Moses, but by the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

Community: In what ways does your community of faith practice grace? In what ways does your community of faith practice law?

At Home: Do you live as though you were saved by grace or by your good works? What difference does it make? How does your faith inform your behaviors?

Read This Week:
Monday: The Conversion of Lydia, Acts 16:11-15
Tuesday: Paul and Silas in Prison, Acts 16:16-40
Wednesday: Paul Sails for Rome, Acts 27:1-12
Thursday: The Storm at Sea, Acts 27:13-38
Friday: The Shipwreck, Acts 27:39-28:16
Saturday: Paul Preaches in Rome, Acts 28:23-31

Next Week: People are Justified by Grace Through Faith, Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21

 

ELC Youth Choir Presents:

Old Testament Fast Forward

Words by Tom S. Long / Music by Allen Pote

ELC’s Youth Choir, under the direction of Barb Underwood, will be presenting the musical “Old Testament Fast Forward” at all three services this weekend.

Saturday – 5:00 p.m (in sanctuar)

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Worship

The life of the early church was full of joy and growth, but also discord and sacrifice.  In this week’s stories we see the promise and the challenge of being the church both then and now.

This weekend’s schedule: 

Saturday – 10:00 a.m.  – “Breaking bread & Prayers” in St. Olaf Room

                     5:00 p.m.  Worship in Chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

                 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, Adult Class, Fellowship

               10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

                 7:00 p.m. Youth Group – Video & Discussion on bullying

 

Notes for this weekend’s worship:

Stephen is Martyred
April 14, 2013
Acts 6:1-14, 7:47-60

Key Verses: “While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.” Acts 7:59-60

Time of Events: 30-40 C.E.
Written: 80-85 C.E.

Since Last Week: As word of Jesus’ resurrection spread, communities of believers started to form throughout the lands. These early converts were baptized and given the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Background: Some of the followers were appointed to stay put and care for those in their community. Others were appointed to travel and proclaim the good news. Stephen was among those chosen to care for widows and others in his community. Non-believers who were threatened by the new teachings stoned him to death. Many other martyrs also died proclaiming the risen Christ.

Community: How have the duties in your faith community been distributed? How might you do things differently to best honor the gifts of those in your community?

At Home: What role do you play at home, at work, or at church? How are you best using your gifts to do God’s work in the world?

Read This Week:
Monday: Saul Persecutes the Church, Acts 8:1-25
Tuesday: The Conversion of Saul, Acts 9:1-19a
Wednesday: Saul Preaches in Damascus, Acts 9:19b-31
Thursday: Peter and Cornelius, Acts 10:1-33
Friday: Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit, Acts 10:34-48
Saturday: Peter in Prison, Acts 12:1-19

Next Week: Philip Baptizes an Ethiopian, Acts 8:26-39