April 6, 2012

Opening Hymn:
Beneath the Cross of Jesus (Red Hymnal 297)

Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Message: Jesus’ Last Words
We are in the Old Testament here… right? It fits so beautifully with Christ’s story that it is sometimes hard to imagine that it was written hundreds of years BEFORE Christ was even born. Christ would come into the world. He teaches us, heals the sick, feeds the hungry, and brings life to the dead. However, His most beautiful gift to the world was His sacrifice. On this Good Friday we recognize that sacrifice that He has made.

One of my favorite services that I can recall was on Good Friday. It was a 3 hour long service looking at the last words of Jesus. One of them preached on Jesus’ words on the cross “my God, my God why have you forsaken me?” The preacher looked at why Jesus said this. He suggested that at that moment God Himself took His presence from Jesus. Jesus was completely alone. At this moment Jesus was experiencing the separation that we should have had from God… But we will never need to feel that kind of separation. When I heard this message I was brought to tears. I was so touched that not only would Christ die for us on the cross, but He would also face separation from God for us. God’s love truly has no end!

As we go through this Good Friday, let us read the scripture of Jesus’ final words, and remember His love, and His beautiful sacrifice:

·         Father Forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)

·         Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43)

·         Women, behold your son: behold your mother (John 19:26-27)

·         I Thirst (John 19:28)

·         It is finished (John 19:30)

·         Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46)

Time of Prayer
Lord, thank You for giving us Your Son to die for us on the cross. Thank You for Your presence in our lives that we can always count on. Thank You for forgiveness and love. Thank You for calling us Your children. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?

Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross (Red Hymnal 301)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

April 4, 2012

Opening Hymn:
Bread of the World (Red Hymnal 624)

Scripture Reading:
John 13:1-17, 21-35

Message: Is it I?
Every year on Maundy Thursday my church that I went to as a child does the play “Is it I?” It is about this moment in scripture when Jesus says that one of His disciples will betray Him. Each of them questions themselves… while Judas knows that it is Him. He justifies why he is betraying Jesus. In this drama Judas states that he wants to see Jesus fight against Rome. He is not intending that Jesus will submit to death on the cross.

This play does a good job at covering a large part of the New Testament scripture. It lets us get to know each of Jesus’ disciples individually. It also helps us begin to look at ourselves differently. Instead of putting anger and blame on Judas we can look at ourselves during this Holy Week. We can look at our own shortcomings and praise God for His forgiveness of our sins. The play “Is it I” is a wonderful reminder not to judge and put blame on others. We are to focus on improving ourselves, and give love and support to our neighbors. Recognizing and growing from our own faults is one of the ways we can make this world a better place.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for forgiving us of all our sins. The sins that we have committed in the past, and the sins that we are yet to commit. Thank You for all the love that You have shown us. Thank You for patience and guidance. Help us to grow and learn from past mistakes so that we can better love and serve You and Your creation. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Red Hymnal 299)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

April 3, 2012

Opening Hymn:
Lead On, O King Eternal (Red Hymnal 580)

Scripture Reading:
John 12:20-36

Message: Temptation to stop
 ²⁷ “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify your name!” In this scripture Jesus, for a moment, recognizes that He can choose to save Himself from death. It is only for that moment. He decides to continue down the path to glorify God’s name, to die on the cross, to save us from sins. His life is almost over. But His story will always continue on.

Sometimes when it matters the most, it is the most difficult as well. Jesus knows how important it is that He faces the cross. However, He also recognizes His disciples will tempt Him not to go. He understands that one of His chosen 12 will betray Him, and that another of His twelve will deny Him. How hard it would be to face the hardest time in His life… and feel essentially alone. Knowing that He could choose to avoid it must have been harder still. Yet for our sake He continues on.

Through all of life’s challenges let us remember Christ who has suffered and struggled as we have. Let us never forget that He continued on for our sake. Let us all continue on in our lives to serve God. No matter what the future brings! Christ can overcome any challenge, and through Him so can we. Let us all keep loving and serving, then, until God calls us home to Him. Amen

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for all the sacrifices that You have made for us. Guide us through our challenges and doubts on this day, and every day. Help us remember Your unfailing love. Give us strength when we feel too weak. Give us courage when we are afraid. Show us Your path when we are lost. Help us show Your love and compassion to those who are in need. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Lord Speak to Me (Red Hymnal 463)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

April 2, 2012

Opening Hymns:
Open My Eyes that I May See (Red Hymnal 454)

Scripture Reading:
John 12:1-11

Message: Gifts of Love
Judas makes a good point in this scripture message. If he wasn’t saying it so he could have money, there are many people that could be helped with the money from the perfume. Many people who were hungry could be fed. As a child it was hard for me to understand why Mary did what she did. Jesus’ explanation makes sense… except, does Mary know that He was going to die soon? The disciples didn’t seem to understand that Jesus was going to die; even when Jesus told them right up front. How does Mary know? Why does she bathe His feet in perfume?

In John chapter 11 Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. Mary and Martha were in awe at the miracle, and grateful to have Lazarus back. Mary may not have even known that what she was doing was significant at all. It may be a gift given to Him to show her gratitude for saving her brother. Perhaps she is recognizing that He is the Son of God. Regardless of why she did it, it was something significant that falls into God’s plan

Some days we may feel the urge to do something nice for others. Maybe it is volunteering in our community, donating to the food pantry or simply paying for a person’s drive through meal. When we do such selfless acts, we may never know the full impact they will have on other people. Just as Mary may not have fully known.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord; let us all reach out to our neighbors in need through our prayers, our gifts, and our service. Forgive us when we fall short of Your plan. Help guide us to do Your will. Show us how to serve, and teach us how to love. Let those who we reach out to feel Your loving presence. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Breathe on me Breath of God (Red Hymnal 420)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

March 31, 2012

Opening Hymns:
Nothing But the Blood of Jesus (Red Hymnal 362)

Scripture Reading:
John 12:12-19

Message: Humble King
Today we hear a different rendition of Jesus’ enter into Jerusalem. This time we are told why it is significant that he came in ridding on a donkey. The scriptures had said that it would happen. The disciples don’t quite get it, the crowd and the Pharisees don’t understand it. But after everything has happened, the fog lifts and they are able to see why He said and did what He did.  

The crowd is in awe of Him. Some of them have seen firsthand the miracles that He has performed. Imagine seeing someone come back from the dead! The rumors continue to spread, and the crowd continues to praise. While at the same time the Pharisees continue to grumble and plot. If only they knew the whole story!

Jesus came and fulfilled the scriptures in the Old Testament. He came down and helped us become children of God through His sacrifice. He died so that we might live. He became the humble king that rides in on a donkey. A King that would be rejected by the people He came to save. His vision is high above our vision. He came not to rule for a lifetime, but to rule forever. Let us all continue to shout praise to Him. “Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, as we go about our day today, let us remember all that you have done for us. You love and vision is higher and greater than we can even imagine. Thank You for Your love and caring presence in our lives. Let us never forget Your sacrifice… and let us always to remember to praise You for You are great! Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Crown Him with Many Crowns (Red Hymnal 327)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God