Worship into the Week- No Doubt

Worship into the Week-

April 28, 2019

Jesus Appears to Thomas

John 20:29

 Then Jesus told him, 

“Because you have seen me, 

you have believed; 

blessed are those who have not seen

 and yet have believed."

I always think about how the few days 

after the death of Jesus was a big learning

 curve for the disciples in learning how

 to be prepared for the unexpected.

Jesus just appears, then disappears.

Lots of things didn't make sense even yet. 

How wonderful that we believe

 even though we have not seen.

That is the heart of the matter-

The Gospel is not about us. 

It's all about Jesus.

As we go about in the world 

we can share that same greeting-

Peace be with you!

The world is hungry for that!

Supplies:

Visual Church Year
childrens-bulletin-john-2029-42819

Magazine and junk mail cutouts

Bulletin cover

Colored pencils

Gelatos

Griffin is Five

Celebrating that Griffin is Five.

Oh excuse me- 

this is a party for Darth.

I was able to be with Griffin
 to open the special gift.

What fun to see the delight of
an appreciated gift.

There was a theme going on
 for the food too-
even Carbonate Jello.
 right top- Light saber run and play
right bottom- practicing a whole hand age visual

bottom left- getting the darth look without mask

top left- our Griffin smile 

 Wow - that is a great looking cake 

with five candles.

Always fun with family and friends.

We give thanks for the blessings

 to Mr. Griffin these past 5 years.

Yes - keep on celebrating.

This fun little family just announced- 

baby #3 is due in August.

Enduring Word Bible- Believe

Enduring Word Bible-#44

John 20: 24-31
Jesus and Thomas
You know, the doubting guy.
Who I would have matched in a heartbeat.
This is crazy... 
Thomas believes his friends have added
 hallucinations to their mixed bag of life conditions.
All doors locked...check.
Jesus suddenly appears
inside
the room with the disciples.
WHOA ...WHAT?
"Peace be with you."-well, 
that sounds like Jesus.
Directing Thomas to do the very thing
 he said he would need to do to believe.
Touch here, see here, put your hand here.
This is a game-changer.
This is my Jesus- my Lord and my God.
Things from here on out are 
gonna just have to be different.
No going back-
 Thomas believes.

Dear Lord,
Help me in all of the trust situations 
when I doubt who you are and
 the reality of your aliveness.
Lead me to see when things are blurry,
help me to put my hand in yours
 when I feel alone and scared.
Allow me the space to set aside my fears
 to shine the light in the darkness,
 that YOUR LIGHT casts away the shadows.
When I do not have the ability to trust
 and believe on my own accord, 
send me the power of the Holy Spirt
 to cling to you day and night.
Amen.

Easter-The New Life Season

Easter Season

Signs of New Life

What are YOU seeing around 

your life that signals this time of year

 in growth and newness?

Make sure you take the time to notice the details.

The vibrant colors, the textures,

and combinations of colors. 

 What are you reading right now?

I am enjoying this book 

about the Easter story- 

and possible historical sites

 for the Crucifixion and Resurrection story

 in Jerusalem.

Even when there is debate over 

the actual place of these events-

 I rest assured that He is Risen- indeed!

Worship into the Week- Easter

 Worship into  the Week-

April 21, 2019 

Easter Sunrise Service

With in Awe.

Wait in Anticipation.

What in Wonder for Easter.

O death, where is your victory? 

O death, where is your sting?

 "He is not HERE,

but has risen."

Luke 24:6a

 Something so amazing

 it couldn't have been a hoax, 

or fine-tuned master plan

 to steal the body, or a "mistaken tomb."

Something so transformed the lives 

of the disciples that they would

 risk their own death because they 

were so certain about what they KNEW.

He is Risen!

Indeed!

Alleluia!

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printables
job-1925a-42119-sunrise-service
luke-246-42119-celebration-service

Colored pencils

Junk mail

Bulletin covers

Magazine cut-outs

Fine-point Sharpie pen

Easter Blessings!

 Lent Calendar 2019

Calendar Design by Rachel Hinz

Devotional Reading-

The Saving Passion by Henri J. M. Nouwen

Lent Calendar 2019

Calendar Design by Pat Maier

Devotional Reading- 

A Wondrous Love by

  Henri J.M. Nouwen and C.S. Lewis

The Words and thoughts and journey of 

this Lenten season.

May Easter Joy and the 

hope of eternal life be your gift 

this Easter!

He is Risen!  

He is Risen indeed - Alleluia!

Good Friday

 Enduring Word Bible- #44

John 19:30
Good Friday.
It is finished.
The prelude before the
story continues. 

Enduring Word Bible- #45

Worship into the Week 
Good Friday
That we may not forget-
all that He accomplished perfectly.
That the path would be made clear.

Jesus completed a God-sized destiny.
Reflecting today on the Seven Words
 of Jesus on the cross.

Supplies:
childrens-bulletin-john-1930-41919
john-1930-bible-margin-by-pat-maier
john-1930-bible-margin-by-valerie-matyas
Washi tape
Colored pencils
Bulletin cover
 Junk mail clippings
Fine-point Sharpie marker

Maundy Thursday

 Enduring Word Bible- #43

Institution of the Lord's Supper

Mark 14:22-24

The actions-

eat, took, blessed, broke, gave,

thanks, gave, drank.

Poured out for many-

over the days, weeks, months and years until 

He comes again- by and for the faithful.

 Worship into the Week-

John 13:31-35

A New Commandment

To the glory of God,

 that He many be glorified.

I am with you yet a little while.

You will seek me.

You can't come where I am going -yet.

I give you a new commandment-

love one another as I have loved you.

All people will know that you are my disciples,

if you love one another.

John 13:1-20

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

Time to go for Jesus-

he loved them to the end.

Jesus came from God

 and was going back to God.

He prepared and set about

 to wash the feet of his disciples.

Peter balks, Jesus reprimands,

Peter relents.

Jesus knows who will betray him.

I am Teacher and Lord-

but did you SEE what I did?

I have given you an example.

A servant is not greater than the master.

If you know these things,

blessed are you if you do them.

But, the Scripture will be fulfilled.

I tell you this now, before hand,

so when it happens- you will believe me.
You will see ME in those I send.

A servant-leader to the very end.

Supplies:

Printables-
mark-1422-24-bible-margin-by-valerie-matyas
sermon-notes-john-1334-41819-maundy-thursday
Colored pencils
Washi tape
Bulletin cover
Junk mail
Sharpie- Finepoint pen

Enduring Word Bible- Servant

Enduring Word Bible- #43

Mark 10:35-45
The Request of James and John

Though this story isn't part of the readings
 for Holy Week, the servant hood topic
 sits front and center. 
Rulers, authority,
great and least.
Servant and served.
"For even the son of man 
came not to be served,
 but to serve and to give his life
 as ransom for many." v.45

This sentence is a foreshadowing 
of the events of Holy Week, 
for we now see the unfolding story
 of the ultimate sacrifice.
Jesus sent to live out a humble earthly life,
that I may be served with an eternal reward.

Supplies:
 Enduring Word Bible
Prismacolor colored pencils
Washi tape
Finepoint Sharpie pen

Worship into the Week- Hosanna

 Worship into the Week

Palm Sunday

John 12:
Luke19:28-40

Sometimes when it is a story we know so well-
 we tend to overlook small details.
Read this section as you have time.

Some notes for us as Jesus followers:
When Jesus asks something of us- simply obey.
It may not make sense or we can't understand it.
We must be willing to give up 
our hold on things and possessions-
if the Lord has need of it.
We can receive praise humbly.
In life and ministry we may move
 from rejoicing to pain.
Sometimes they walk side by side.
Jesus is King, the Messiah,
and we are made to worship him. 

Lord, may all the things I do in my life

 continue to point the way to you.

May my life and actions bring blessing

to you. Amen.

Supplies-

Worship into the Week
childrens-bulletin-4 14 19
Colored pencils
Bulletin cover
Junk mail and magazine Alphas 
Washi tape

Enduring Word Bible-Zacchaeus

Enduring Word Bible - #42

Luke 19:1-10

Jesus and Zaccheus

Jesus is on his way way up to Jerusalem.

He enters Jericho.

He was just passing through 

since Jericho is on the way

 to Jerusalem from the Galilee.

We all know the song.

We have sung it since childhood.

This is a very old sycamore tree
 that stands right in the center of Jericho.
Of course, we had to stop 
and take a photo on one of our trips to Israel.
And yes, it wasn't this tree,
 but it stands as a reminder for us all.

Zaccheus brings us hope.

The cast out man who was despised

 by his own neighbors.

This is the the one Jesus

 wanted to spend time with that day.

Each of us in our dishonest, less-than lives

can find an open-arm welcome by Jesus.

Always, everyday.

"For the Son of Man came to seek

 and to see the lost."
How fitting that this story of Zaccheus
 opens the Holy Week journey.

Supplies:
Enduring Word Bible
Colored pencils
Washi tape

Spring Strolling

So on a beautiful April morning

 we went strolling. 

Isaiah and Gigi.

Little guy is teething and sometimes

 it just helps to chop down on bunny's ear. 

And take a nap. 

We walked for about an hour and a half.

Talking to birdies...

barking back at the doggies.

 We had a snack.

We walked some more.

Looked for pink and yellow

 and we smelled a few along the way.

We looked at the blue sky through pink.

We picked some lilacs

 in the yard and smelled them.

Oh there is nothing like

 the smell of those lilacs.

And we set a date 

for another spring stroll.

Enduring Word Bible- Cornerstone

Enduring Word Bible- #41

Luke 20: 9-18

The Parable of the Wicked Tenant

We know this type of farming arrangement 
was common in Galilee.
The first listeners of Jesus would remember 
the connection of the vineyard 
and Old Testament readings in Isaiah. 
Here the vinedressers were the religious leaders
 among the Jewish people.
We also see God's incredible patience
 in dealing with the rebels, 
but a warning there will be a day of reckoning. 
The leaders see the connection to beloved Son 
and heir in Jesus.
The religious leaders saw the themselves
 implicated immediately and were indignant.
Then Jesus uses a Psalm 118 connection
 with the coming Messiah to Jerusalem.
Jesus goes from hosanna greetings 
to the Messianic stone rejection.
The cornerstone was the essential stone
 to any structure and 
Jesus is referred to as 
the rock or stone in the Bible.
The power of the stone shows 
both the ability to break- 
to crush our pride and self-will,
 and to destroy and crush in judgment
those who refuse to come to the rock.
It is easy to sit back and point 
to the Jewish leaders 
with their hardened hearts-
 and feel this isn't about me.
But, each and every day there are pieces
 of my hardened heart 
that must see the light of Gospel 
repentance and hope.
Pieces that need the force of rock
 to break in order for the healing to truly happen.
Pieces that need light to cast out the shadows.

Lord, Help me to remember that you

 are the cornerstone of my days and weeks.

Let me not move to wicked finger pointing

 and indignant belief that it is- not me.

May the Spirit keep my broken and contrite heart,

 that it may always seek

 to be mended by the Rock. Amen.

Supplies:

Visual Church year margin
visual-church-year-luke-2017-4719

Scrapbook paper

Colored pencils

Fine-point Sharpie pen

You are Loved with a bit of Pink

 I flung the dogwood vintage tablecloth 

on the table and moved aside

 the booster seat and the dinosaurs.

Lovely reminders of a hectic

 and fun couple of weeks with the grands.

Thinking I just needed a bit of pink.

 I had set aside this time for gathering

 with two heart-friends. 

One walked through the door 

with a hand-picked bouquet 

from her garden.

Daffodils brimming over the edges 

spilling onto pink rhododendrons.

 We flitted across happenings and life 

and children and grands and hopes and dreams.

And Challenges.

Wondering how we figure out 

the next right thing in life.

Cleaning out and downsizing 

and abundance and blessing. 

 Sharing stories over a gathered lunch 

spread out on old dishes from the stack.

 The melding of years of friendship 

and life directions and love and loss.

 United in the richness of the stories

 of our visual faith explorations.

how we have been changed

 Wondering what the Lord is up to next...

How do we see others?

How do we live as the bridges

 between those with and those in need?

Those who know Jesus and those who don't...

 Because we are loved..

because He first loved us.

  Yellow doesn't become brilliant

 until you add in the pink.

 That might be outside

 my comfort zone.

 When we walk singly-

life roads are a bit daunting.

When jumbled up together in the mess-

it becomes something beautiful.

Trusting as we 

do the next right thing.

                                                                     (Valerie Weiner art cards)

So a deep breath time today-

to rest- because I am loved.

The undeserved, unearned, 

grace-filled love of Jesus- 

and friends to share it with...

Who might YOU gift

 with that blessing?

                            

                                 We love because he first loved us.

                                                  1John 4:19