Sunday May 4, 2014

Hello! I hope this finds you well on this rainy spring day. April showers bring May flowers, something to look forward to!

We are in a series following our small group book study.  On Sunday we will be concluding our conversation on Chasing Daylight. We are only given so much time, so we are called to make the most of every moment...every opportunity. Our lives are supposed to make a difference, are we taking hold of that call?

I am praying for each one of you!
Pastor Shannon

Holy Week: Easter Sunday

Holy Week Readings: Easter Sunday April 20

This week I am going to post every day readings so that you can walk with Jesus through his final week on earth. Consider the historical, personal and theological ramifications of these things. Allow yourself to be drawn into a more intimate relationship with God. Choose one of the readings for each bullet point or read them all to see how the different gospels deal with it:

* Resurrection witness (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18)

* Resurrection appearances (Matthew 28:9-20; Mark 16:9-18; Luke 24:13-53; John 20:19 - 21:25)

Prayer: Pray for understanding of seeing Christ risen from the grave. Give thanks to God for such an amazing act of power. Allow yourself to be amazed at what God has done.

Join us for Easter Sunday Service this morning at 10am. 

Holy Week: Saturday

Holy Week Readings: Saturday April 19

This week I am going to post every day readings so that you can walk with Jesus through his final week on earth. Consider the historical, personal and theological ramifications of these things. Allow yourself to be drawn into a more intimate relationship with God: 

This day is sometimes called Holy Saturday or Black Saturday.  Everything was still - the disciples mourned.  

Prayer: Spend time getting into the mindset of Christ's followers - Christ was crucified. What must they have been thinking, what must they have been feeling? Spend time in silence and allow God to speak to you. 

Join us tomorrow morning at 10am for our Easter Sunday celebration. 

Holy Week: Friday

Holy Week Readings: Friday April 18

This week I am going to post every day readings so that you can walk with Jesus through his final week on earth. Consider the historical, personal and theological ramifications of these things. Allow yourself to be drawn into a more intimate relationship with God. Choose one of the readings for each bullet point or read them all to see how the different gospels deal with it:

* Betrayal and arrest (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-50; John 18:1-12)

* Jewish Trial - Jesus appears in three phases in front of 1) Annas (John 18:13-24); 2) Caiaphas and partial Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-65); 3) Sanhedrin fully assembled (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1)

* Roman Trial - Jesus appeared in three phases before 1) Pilate (Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:2-5); 2) Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12); 3) Pilate (Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15)

Between 9am and 3pm

* Crucifixion, Death and Burial (Matthew 27:27-66; Mark 15:16-47; Luke 23:26-56; John 19:1-42)

Prayer: Spend time contemplating what was done this day - spend time considering that this was so that you might have life.  Spend time contemplating how the disciples and family must have mourned.  Allow the events of this Friday to overwhelm you and remind you of your faith journey.  Spend time praying and speaking to God about all of these things. 

Join us tonight for a Good Friday Tenebrae Service - a somber service of remembrance at 6pm. 

Holy Week: Thursday

Holy Week Readings: Thursday April 17

This week I am going to post every day readings so that you can walk with Jesus through his final week on earth. Consider the historical, personal and theological ramifications of these things. Allow yourself to be drawn into a more intimate relationship with God. Choose one of the readings for each bullet point or read them all to see how the different gospels deal with it:

* Preparations for Passover (Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16)

After sundown:

* Passover meal and Last Supper (Matthew 26:20-35; Mark 14:17-25)

* Upper Room Discourses (John 13-17)

* Prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42)

Prayer:  Spend time thinking about what it would have been like in that upper room, how would you have felt with all that Jesus said? How would you have felt when he washed your feet? Pray that God would guide you and lead to serve as Jesus served.  Pray for a humble heart. 

Join us tonight for communion and foot washing at the church at 6pm!

Holy Week: Wednesday

Holy Week Readings: Wednesday April 16

This week I am going to post every day readings so that you can walk with Jesus through his final week on earth. Consider the historical, personal and theological ramifications of these things. Allow yourself to be drawn into a more intimate relationship with God. Choose one of the readings for each bullet point or read them all to see how the different gospels deal with it:

Jesus and the disciples remain in Bethany for a last time of fellowship

* Judas returns alone to Jerusalem to make arrangements for the betrayal (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:1-2 and 10-11)

Prayer:  Pray for understanding of Judas' actions, why would he do this? Ask God to bring to your mind any times when you have betrayed God, ask for forgiveness and spend time thanking God for amazing grace.

Holy Week: Tuesday

Holy Week Readings: Tuesday April 15

This week I am going to post every day readings so that you can walk with Jesus through his final week on earth. Consider the historical, personal and theological ramifications of these things. Allow yourself to be drawn into a more intimate relationship with God. Choose one of the readings for each bullet point or read them all to see how the different gospels deal with it:

* Reaction to cursing the fig tree on the way back from Jerusalem (Mark 11:20-26)

* Debates with the religious leaders in Jerusalem and teaching in the temple (Matthew 21:23 - 23:39; Mark 11:27 - 12:44)

* Eschatological Discourse on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24:3-44; Mark 13:1-37)

Prayer: Spend time thinking about these conversations, what do they mean to you? Pray for understanding. 

Holy Week: Monday

Holy Week Readings: Monday April 14

This week I am going to post every day readings so that you can walk with Jesus through his final week on earth. Consider the historical, personal and theological ramifications of these things. Allow yourself to be drawn into a more intimate relationship with God. Choose one of the readings for each bullet point or read them all to see how the different gospels deal with it:

* Cursing the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14)

* Clearing the temple (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17)

* Miracles and challenges in the temple (Matthew 21:14-16; Mark 11:18)

* Return to Bethany (Mark 11:19)

Prayer: Pray that you might come to a greater understanding of what the disciples were feeling as they watched Jesus through this week. Pray for understanding of what Jesus might have been feeling/experiencing.  Pray for an open mind to hear this Holy Week message in a new and powerful way. 

Holy Week: Palm Sunday

Holy Week Readings: Palm Sunday April 13

Every year I encourage you to walk with Jesus through Holy Week. Take this time to remember why it is that we meet together, what it is that we have that gives us hope! 

During this week I am going to post readings daily so that you can walk with Jesus through his final week on earth.  Consider the historical, personal and theological ramifications of these things.  Allow yourself to be drawn into a more intimate relationship with God.  Choose one of the readings for each bullet point or read them all to see how the different gospels deal with it:

* Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; John 12:12-18)

* Return to Bethany (Matthew 21:17;  Mark 11:11)

Prayer: Pray that God will open your heart and mind up to a better understanding of what the disciples went through.  Pray that you will experience Jesus fully this week. 

Sunday April 13, 2014

Hello! Can you believe that we are already to Holy Week?

The next few weeks we are taking a break from our IOU series, Chasing Daylight, for Holy Week.  This week is Palm Sunday and I will preach about Jesus and his victorious entry into Jerusalem. This is a very special week, be sure to check back daily starting Sunday April 13 for readings through Holy Week! And join us for special services: Maundy Thursday April 17 at 6pm and Good Friday April 18 at 6pm.

Blessings,
Pastor Shannon