Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/12/19)

Scripture for Sunday
Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV) 

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Questions for Reflection
1.    What sometimes threatens your peace of mind or sense of security?
2.    What do people usually take for granted?
3.    When do you most want peace and quiet?
4.    How did David describe the Lord? (23:1)
5.    What is God like? (23:1)
6.    What mental picture did David use to describe his role in relationship with the Lord? (23:1-3)
7.    How far does the guidance and protection of the Lord extend for His people? (23:4-5)
8.    How does God provide for His children, even in the face of death? (23:4-5)
9.    How does God honor those He loves? (23:5-6)
10. What are some of your fears?
11. How can you follow David’s example in dealing with your fears?
12. How has God provided for your needs in the past?
13. How have you experienced God’s comfort?
14. In what way has God made your "cup overflow"?
15. How does this passage encourage you to face the future?

Announcements, Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/5/19)

Announcements:

• Men's Breakfast Saturday morning 8 AM. Coffee will be on at 6:30 so come early to visit and bring a friend.
• Margaret Jane Allen was born May 2nd weighing 8 lbs 10 oz. Proud parents are Bill and Meredith Allen.
• Graham Allen McLeod was born May 3rd weighing 9 lbs. Proud parents are Dustin and KK McLeod. 
• Bob and Laurrie Allen are the proud grandparents of baby Margaret and baby Graham. Congratulations to the whole family!!
• We will have a pot luck luncheon on Sunday following worship to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of Olivia Knesse and Seth Shanklin. 

Scripture for Sunday

John 21:1-19 (ESV) 

1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Questions for Reflection
1.    When did you ever have to restore a broken relationship?
2.    When have you taken care of another person?
3.    What concern did Peter raise? (21:20-21)
4.    With what did Jesus want Peter to concern himself? (21:22)
5.    How did Jesus want Peter to serve Him? (21:22)
6.    Who are Jesus’ sheep?
7.    How are we to serve and care for other Christians?
8.    How do we each serve God in a unique way?

May 2019 Newsletter

Click on the link below to view the May 2019 Newsletter.

May 2019 Newsletter

Have a great day!
~ Carmen

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/28/19)

Scripture for Sunday
John 20:19-31 (ESV) 

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” 24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions for Reflection
1.    When have you doubted a story from a reliable source?
2.    What did Thomas say he needed in order to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead? (20:25)
3.    How did Jesus restore Thomas’s faith? (20:26)
4.    What did Jesus say to Thomas? (20:27)
5.    What did Thomas say in response to Jesus’ words? (20:28)
6.    What did Jesus say about seeing and believing? (20:29)
7.    When have you had doubts about your faith in Christ?
8.    How should we deal with our doubts about Christianity?
9.    Why is it difficult to believe in Christ?
10. In what ways do we need to trust Christ?
11. On what evidence do you rely for your belief that Jesus rose from the dead?
12. What sort of evidence for the truth of Christianity has John given us?

HOLY WEEK

Maundy Thursday Communion Service, 6 PM, Thursday, April 18, 2019

Maundy Thursday, also known as “Holy Thursday,” is the Thursday of Passion Week, one day before Good Friday (the Friday before Easter). Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper. The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in “Maundy Thursday” refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love one another.

Good Friday Tenebrae Service, 6 PM, Friday April 19, 2019

The service of Tenebrae, meaning “darkness” or “shadows,” has been practiced by the church since medieval times. Once a service for the monastic community, Tenebrae later became an important part of the worship of the common folk during Holy Week. 

Easter Egg Hunt, 10 AM, Sunday April 21, 2019

We will have our annual Easter egg hunt for the children of the church Sunday. Please bring some cookies to share for fellowship time. We need youth and adults to come early about 9:45 to hide eggs.

Service Celebrating Our Risen Lord, 11 AM, Sunday April 21, 2019
We serve a risen savior who is in the world today!

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/14/19)

More volunteers are needed for the Easter Pageant.

Practice is tonight at 6:30 PM. 

Holy Week Schedule: 
  Thursday April 18– Maundy Thursday Communion Service at 6 PM
  Friday April 19– Good Friday Tenebrae Service at 6 PM
  Sunday April 21– Easter Egg Hunt at 10 AM, Service Celebrating the Resurrection at 11 AM

Psalm 31:1-24 (ESV) 

1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! 2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! 3 For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; 4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. 6 I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD. 7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, 8 and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place. 9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. 10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away. 11 Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. 12 I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. 13 For I hear the whispering of many— terror on every side!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life. 14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! 16 Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! 17 O LORD, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol. 18 Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt. 19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! 20 In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. 22 I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help. 23 Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. 24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!

Questions for Reflection
1.    To you, what’s the best example of strength?
2.    Why did David appeal to the Lord for help? (31:1-5)
3.    How did David describe the Lord in this passage? (31:2-5, 16, 19-24)
4.    What was at stake in David’s safety? (31:3)
5.    *What did David commit to the Lord? (31:5, 15)
6.    How are the wicked described in this passage? (31:6, 17-18)
7.    How did David feel about his predicament? (31:9-13)
8.    What defense did David have against the schemes of his enemies? (31:14-18)
9.    Why did David expect God to treat him favorably? (31:17-18)
10. What did David anticipate in the future? (31:19-20)
11. How is the Christian view of strength different from the world’s?
12. When have you felt the same emotions that David describes in this psalm?
13. When is it most difficult for you to trust in the Lord?
14. What do people often do when they feel overstressed or overwhelmed?
15. What does David teach us about dealing with stress through his example in this psalm?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/7/19)

Men's Breakfast this Saturday morning at 8 AM. 

Coffee will be on at 6:30 so come early to visit. Bring a friend!

Scripture for Sunday
Luke 7:36 – 50

36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." 40 And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher." 

41"A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48 And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" 50 And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Questions for Reflection
1.    What limits do most people place on hospitality?
2.    What did the Pharisee say about what the woman did? (7:39)
3.    How did Jesus respond to Simon the Pharisee’s harsh thoughts? (7:40-43)
4.    What did Jesus know about the woman’s motivation? (7:41-42)
5.    What did Jesus think of Simon’s hospitality? (7:44-46)
6.    What contrasting treatment did Jesus mention? (7:44-46)
7.    What was the result of the woman’s kindness? (7:47-48)
8.    How did the other guests react to Jesus’ forgiveness of the woman? (7:49)
9.    What did Jesus say to the disapproving guests? (7:50)
10. With what character in the story do you most identify?
11. Which of the woman’s actions do you find most compelling?
12. What did Jesus receive from people who had sinned?
13. What were the limits of Jesus’ compassion in this story?
14. What are the limits of Jesus’ compassion toward us?