March 30, 2012

Opening Hymns:
Take Time to be Holy (Red Hymnal 395)

Scripture Reading:
Mark 11:1-11

Message: God, The Story Writer
Jesus is riding in with power and glory in this scripture passage. But He is riding in on a humble donkey. As a child I wished that this was the end of the story. People are recognizing Jesus’ authority as the Son of God. The crowd is showing Him the some of the honor and respect that is due to him. I’m sure many of His disciples would have hoped that this was how it would end as well. They didn’t want to think that their teacher was going to be killed.

But this is not the end of the story. His death is not the end of the story either. While Jesus does die, He dies for our sake. Death seems to conquer Him… until three days have passed. The disciples look in the tomb and it is empty. This is indeed a better ending to the story. Sin and death are no match for the love of God. Jesus conquers them both!

Sometimes our lives are not going as we would choose them to go. However, we might not be seeing the bigger picture. God is in control, and He is a far better story teller than we are. We may not see the impact we are making, but we can trust in God who sees the entire picture. He who saved us from death will also be here to guide us in our lives. And His version of the story is always my favorite.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for the love and grace that You have shown to all of us. Guide us in this day that we might grow closer and closer to You. Thank You for the stories that You have given to us. Let us never forget that You can turn death into life, and a sinner can become pure. Lead us in Your paths this day our Father… because You are the best story teller. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Ye Servants of God (Red Hymnal 181)

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 29, 2012

Opening Hymn:

Oh Master Let Me Walk with Thee (Red Hymnal 430)

Scripture Reading:
Mark 11:11, 15-18

Message: Don’t Sin In God’s Temple
How many things have been done in God’s name that God would be upset about? In this scripture one such thing is being done. In the temple of the Lord they are robbing people by making them exchange money to buy things in the temple. The temple is supposed to be a place of worship and showing obedience to God; however, the religious leaders have turned it into another way to make money.

We live in a sinful world. Wars are fought in God’s name. People with religious power may abuse their power with sin. This is what Jesus is standing against. He is instead standing for peace and love for all mankind. His angry outburst at the temple didn’t make much sense to me while I was growing up. I was surprised to see Jesus get upset at all, when He normally is speaking calmly with parables. However, if one recognizes that they were sinning in His Father’s name… it makes so much more sense why He would be so upset. It also helps us recognize that their behavior needs to be corrected.

People need to be shown what to do and what not to do. Jesus was our living example for how we should live. During this passage Jesus knows that His time is drawing short and many people still don’t understand His teaching.  The religious leaders must have had a sense that what they were doing was wrong, but went along with it because of the money or the pressure from the other religious leaders. At this point Jesus is probably wishing He had more time to teach and to discipline. There are so many things that are wrong with the world, and will continue to go wrong… but He was only granted so much time to spend here with us.

He taught us as much as He could before He was taken back to His Father’s home. Now it is our turn to remember His teachings, and to follow his ways. We should share His love with others, and teach so that cruel deeds are not done in His name. He is our God, and Jesus is our savior… things that reflect God’s nature are love, compassion, and selflessness. Let us strive to give back in these ways to the world.  

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for Your example of love. Help us to remember how to live and how not to live. Give us the courage to teach others how You would have us live. Let us never forget Your love, sacrifice, and lessons. Continue to guide us with Your Word and Your presence. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Oh Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go (Red Hymnal 480)

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 28, 2012

Opening Hymns:
When I Look into Your Holiness (B/B 240)

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 118:19-25

Message: The Redeemer
Jesus is our corner stone. He is what our hope can be built on. He is also the gate through which we can enter into the house of the Lord. He is our salvation. How fitting this scripture is for Palm Sunday. Not only is this Psalm describing the Son of God, but the plea to “save us” is a second definition of the word “hosanna.” The Israelites shouted “hosanna” both as a praise to glorify Jesus, and as a plea to be redeemed. We all need a redeemer, and Jesus is The Redeemer.

He was rejected by us, and sent to die on a cross. Those who had been yelling “hosanna” have turned on Him and in later scriptures will yell “crucify him.” However, that is not the end of the story. God, who is full of love and grace, sent Him to save us. So, though we had condemned Him to die a death on the cross, He will call us to live a life with Him. We are forgiven, we are loved as we go through this day let us remember that, and let us each show forgiveness and love to everyone we meet.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for your sacrificial love. Let us never forget Your endless love, and let us always remember to love and serve others in Your name… Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
You Are My All in All (B/B 243)

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 27, 2012

Opening Hymns:

You are My Hiding Place (B/B 244)
Cares Chorus (B/B 30)

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 118:1-2 “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: ‘His love endures forever.’”

Message: Loss

Many have been hurt by grief and loss… during times like that it becomes harder and harder to praise. Parents see their children pass, people suffer through cancer… sometimes we can question God’s presence and God’s love.

As a nurse I have seen my share of death. Cancer is the worst. Hearing a mother say it was a “blessing” when her daughter passed, brought it into perspective for me. The cancer was so painful and bad that her passing was a blessing to her own mom. Through these hard times in life we can choose to turn from God in bitter anger, or to cling to God for support.

In my experience there is so much more peace to be had by clinging to God. He can support us in our darkest hours. Terrible things do happen in this world. Whether they are happening to us or others we must seek God’s love. He will ‘turn our morning into dancing’ (Psalm 30:11) and He will give us peace. Even though tough times in life may have some people question it… His love does indeed endure forever.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for Your unfailing love during our biggest struggles and deepest pain. Let us always remember to seek you during both our joys and our losses. Be with those who are suffering right now with the loss of a loved one. Be with those who are sick and dying, and be with their families, especially the families of sick children. Bless them and keep them in Your loving hands. Grant healing of the heart, spirit and body. Show Your unfailing love to all those in need and help them to praise You in the storm. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Your Everlasting Love (B/B 251)

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 26, 2012

Opening Hymns:
Hosanna Loud Hosanna (Red Hymnal 278)
Scripture Reading:
Mark 11:8-11

Message: Fear, Pride, and Greed
People are finally getting it right in this scripture! What a beautiful scene that has been painted here. People are recognizing God’s Son. However, it is not too long away when the people will turn from Jesus because of greed, pride or fear. They will go from praising Jesus, to watching Him die on the cross.

The people who are in power are greedy. They have heard people call Jesus King. They don’t want him to take any power away from them. Some of the people in power are the Pharisees, high priests, and all religious leaders. They are also the ones that have too much pride to let another rule over them, even the Son of God. They don’t care to be told that they are doing things wrong. After all they are supposed to be the religious leaders. I’m sure there were also people who were very religious and were too prideful to accept a change in their way of life. They may have preferred their own traditional ways to Jesus’ teachings.

Many of Jesus’ followers became afraid because they saw the threat of the leaders in their day. They were afraid that they would be killed or punished for following Jesus. The prime example was when Peter, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, denied Jesus three times. Fear also played a role in Judas’ betrayal. He may have been afraid for Jesus, thinking that He was raising too much attention, ant that the Romans may have found Him as a threat.  

If you were back in Jesus’ time, would any of those categories fit you? Does pride fear or greed prevent you from having a close relationship with Jesus? Would you be afraid to stand there with Him, and morn for Him on the cross with Mary and the few disciples that stayed and witnessed it?

For me, if anything would keep me from Him I think it would either be fear or pride. God is my all, and Christianity is my belief. If I was raised to be Jewish back before Jesus’ ministry it would take a lot for me to change my faith. I have a lot of pride in what I believe and in who I am. I can also see fear playing a role. Fear has had an impact in my life already… even without the threat of death. I can imagine that my soul could grow weak and fear would enter in.

Regardless of what keeps us from a close relationship with Christ, we need to remind ourselves that Jesus can break down any wall that we put up. Pride, Fear, and greed may seem like powerful forces, but they are nothing compared to the love of Christ. He forgave the people who killed Him, he forgave Peter who denied Him. He will forgive us as well.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for Your forgiving love. We are blessed to be loved even when fear, greed, or pride is in our hearts. Help us break down these barriers so that we can have a closer relationship with You. Help us forgive others when we see them act out of fear, pride or greed… remembering that You call us to forgive as You forgive. As we approach Easter, and Good Friday, let us remember Your sacrifice. Thank You for Your gift of everlasting love. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Let the Walls Fall Down (Red 262)

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 25, 2012

Opening Hymn:
Oh For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Red Hymnal 57)

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 31:31-34

Message: To Know God
Can you think of anyone who has been shaped like verses 33-34? If you can they are probably a really awesome person. To have God’s 

“…law in their minds, and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.³⁴ No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

 That is the person I wish and hope to be like. Though I often fall short… these verses describe the child that God is seeking. In the Old Testament the Israelites would often turn away. It was as if they had forgotten God who had saved them. With these verses God shows us the relationship He wishes to have.

My favorite part of the verse, as I read it this morning, is that everyone will know God. Can you imagine? There are so many people, some who are close friends who claim to be atheists. They disagree with the bible, and they don’t care too much for the idea of God. They don’t know God. If they did the prospects that make them upset would instead fill them with joy. It is a blessing to think that someday everyone will know the great joy. Until that day, I will continue to pray to have God’s law in my mind and heart. Until then I will pray to know the Lord deeper than I do now. Until that day I will strive to share God’s peace to others.

Time of Prayer
Father, thank you for calling us Your children. Guide us in love, and grace. Let us have Your law written in our minds and in our hearts. Guide us to show others Your perfect peace. Thank you so much for Your unfailing love. I pray that those who misunderstand who You will come to know You with their whole heart. Guide them in their lives that they might feel the comfort that You share with all Your children. Thank you for love. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Come Thou Almighty King (Red Hymnal 61)

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 24, 2012

Opening Hymn:

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus (Red Hymnal 277)

Scripture Reading:
John 12:27-33

Message: Seeing it Through
We have all experienced moments where we wish we could turn back. Perhaps we are writing a final paper for school and have lost all our energy. Perhaps we agreed to go skydiving and thought it looked like fun until we are up in the plane. None of us, however, will be holding the responsibility that Jesus held during this scripture passage. He, like us, has free will. He could have decided not to go through the suffering. There were many times that He was tempted to do just that; both by Satan and His own disciples. Even though He could have avoided the cross, He saw it through to the end for our sake.

When we are met with challenges that we want to give up on, let us remember the greatest challenge and the greatest gift of all. We needn’t give up. If we keep trying and giving it our all we will be able to see it through. God will be with us every step of the way. Guiding us, and cheering us on. If we take time to listen and pray, we will hear how much He loves us… and how much He supports us. Let us never forget that!

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for Your love and support. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for our sins… Jesus, thank you for seeing it through till the end. Grant that each of us will strive to do the same. Thank you for Your love, grace, peace and mercy. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Oh Love How Deep (Red Hymnal 267)

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