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Sunday, March 31, 2024

Worship into the Week- Blessed Easter

 

Easter SunRise 
Exodus 15:1-11
The Old Testament story becomes fulfilled when Christ 
conquered the grave. 
The Song of Moses in the Exodus with the people of Israel
 sang of the strength of the LORD.
v. 11"Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? 
Who is like you, majestic in holiness, 
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?"
All heavens resounded at this 
glorious event and all of our future days have changed.
Our God is Still Glorious-- doing wonderful deeds.


Easter Day
Isaiah 25:6-9
God has swallowed up death forever.
You have done wonderful things.
"and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces."
"let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation"
For Christ is alive.
He is Risen! 
He is Risen indeed!
Alleluia.




Friday, March 29, 2024

Worship into the Week- Good Friday

 

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when God raised him from the time?
A Man of Sorrows.
The Lamb- the Son of God.


The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him. 
Isaiah 53:5
Worship into the Week- 
It is Finished
Isaiah 52:13-53:13

Pierced.
Transgressions.
Crushed.
Iniquities.
Upon Him.
Chastisement.
Wounds.
PEACE.
WE ARE HEALED.

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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Worship into the Week- Maundy Thursday


Worship into the Week
The Covenant Confirmed

Exodus 24:3-11

The Exodus story and the personal relationship 

that Moses had with God is certainly amazing

 to think about in Lent.

The seeing of the God of Israel.

They beheld God.

They ate and drank with God.

Like a normal everyday thing to do.

There is the blood of the covenant 

and the call to obedience.

We, as wayward, wandering people do not obey.

But, our reconciliation has been won by Jesus 

and the New Covenant is fulfilled 

with the Blood of the Covenant.

We are redeemed by the Lamb of God.

 Supplies:
Visual Church Year Printable
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John 1:36 Sally Beck
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Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Worship into the Week- Hosanna!

 

Worship into the Week-

The Coming King of Zion

Zechariah 9:9-12

This reading is often used for Palm Sunday connections. 

This post Exile text is a prophecy of hope  for the return of a triumphant but humble king who returns to Jerusalem.When the Babylonians came and destroyed Jerusalem in 587 BCE, there was the destruction of the temple. Then, as the people returned 70 years later, they had high hopes for restoration of both Kingdom and power. Well, that didn't happen as next there was the Persians, then the Greeks and then the Romans who came to rule.  The people had been under the rule of enslavement for so long. They needed hope restored.

When we think of Jesus and Palm Sunday, we know that he chose the donkey to fulfill the Scriptures.  He could have chosen the war horse, but that wasn't the symbol of his kingship. He knew of the violence that awaited him, but his arrival displayed only peaceful entry.

As we begin this Holy Week, we too approach with a peaceful start that moves to a violent end.

 Lord, open my heart to all that you want me to see and listen to this Holy Week. Help me to pay attention. Amen.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

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Enduring Word Bible

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    Saturday, March 23, 2024

    Family Time Loving

    A recent event in Ann Arbor, Michigan 
    with the Visual Faith® Ministry Team allowed me
     to share some time 
    with both a sister and 2 daughters.
    I got to visit daughter Laura in her high school art room.
    What a fun place to hang out.

    Sister Teresa had fun seeing where her niece
     challenges High School Art Students in Saline, MI.

    Aunt Teresa and Laura

    So much fun to be together.

    We also stopped in to see daughter Jessica
     in her First Grade Classroom.

    The littles find their own entertainment pretty quickly.

    Or else they are up to "no good".

    Hard to grab the 4 together.

    So it is fun when we are slimey,
    or doing puzzles together.
    (or taking it apart)

    Getting ready for a car rumble,
    reading books together,
    or getting ready to catch leprechauns

    It is just too short when our time is together.
    What a fun age.
    Giving thanks for such a loving family.


     

    Thursday, March 21, 2024

    Worship into the Week- Remember No More

     

    Worship into the Week-

    Jeremiah 31:31-34

    In this New Covenant, God agreed to enable Israel

     and all sinners to become His people in this new reality.

     His promise is  the restoration of His people 

    after the exile in Babylon. 

    This covenant was sealed with the blood of Jesus, 

    the only mediator between God and Man.

    The stubborn heart of man to follow their own evil ways 

    has always been the human plight. 

    God's creative and transforming will written on their hearts

     was necessary for man's stubborn will.

    Faith brings the Holy Spirit into the lives of believers.

    New life in hearts brings movement. Choices change 

    and this justification and regeneration produces 

    a new way of doing life.

    "Know the Lord." 

    This is not just an intellectual knowledge,

     but an intimate sacred relationship with God. 

    "For I will forgive their iniquity,

     and I will remember their sin no more." 

    What a great gift and invitation to begin again-

    each and every day.

    Supplies:

    Visual Faith Printable

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    Worship into the Week Printable

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    Monday, March 18, 2024

    Tidal Basin Cherry Blossoms

     

    Beautiful blue skies with a brisk breeze 
    capped our Tidal Basin walk today.

    We were sneaking in a visit today before
     some closer to home days coming up.

    Iconic vistas are a reminder of why
     so many people trek to this spot in the Spring.
    There is also the story of these views that are going away.

    The first cherry trees were planted here
     112 years ago as a gift from the city of Tokyo.

    But, there has been significant damage 
    to the seawall that keeps the twice a day tides at bay.
    We have been walking this basin for 36 years. 
    We can see the huge change to the trees with the 
    eroding soil that exposes the roots 
    and the damage of continual flooding. 
    Here is the mascot "Stumpy",
     who has been determined to bloom, 
    no matter what the circumstances.

        Portions of the seawalls have settled as much as 5 feet

     since the late 1800's to early 1900's.

    Nearly 1/2 of the cheery trees will be removed for this restoration project. It will take years for the trees to grow back for this sort of cherry blossom views. They plan to complete the project before the 250th anniversary of American Independence in 2026.


     
    It has been awhile since we visited down here.
     It was good to be back.

    Loved our stroll with Jonah and Sara.

    (though momma had her work out today).

    Still lots of giggles with this little guy.

    Our walk today was all about contrasts.
    The pink and white blossoms.
     The struggling old trees and the healthy, vibrant
     younger trees away from the water's edge.

    You just can't beat a walk on "peak day"
     in the sun with the undulating, frothy 
    blossom laden branches.
    A true treasure of Washington D.C.

    Thursday, March 14, 2024

    Levi is 8 and Isaiah is 6

     

    Some birthday celebrations around here lately.
    Levi is eight and our second grader is 
    growing up just too quickly.

    Always good for a meal together
     and ice cream time.
    Isaiah is 6 and rocking his glasses
     and Kindergarten.

    So for birthdays this year we are once again
     doing experiences with those that live near us.
     We took the Metro downtown to DC to the 
    Museum of the Bible for lunch 
    before our Matinee play.
    (Schools closed for voting helped that out)
    Prince Caspian is the live theater there right now.
    We took Levi to see The Boy and his Horse 
    last year and he loved it.
    So another C.S. Lewis book was just the right thing!
    We especially loved Aslan!
    This is one of the favorite movies at our house,
     so they knew the story.
    This theater company does an amazing job
     with the very large puppets.
    Memories made and we give thanks
     for all of these fine young men.
    Jonah and Mom got to be the special guests
     of the birthday boys.

    Wednesday, March 13, 2024

    Worship into the Week- Look and Live

     

    Worship into the Week-
    Numbers 21:4-9

    The Bronze Serpent

    The people cried out that they were going through
     a harsh and miserable time.
    Even the food the Lord provided was "worthless."
    Pretty much a "woe is me" tragedy drama scene.
    Well, it got worse.
    Poisonous fiery serpents rained down upon them
     or just appeared on the land.
    Oh, for crying out loud. 
    And they did.
    So they come to Moses and plead for his help.
    Moses intercedes on their behalf to God.
    God gives Moses a plan.
    Moses makes a bronze serpent and sets it on a pole.
    Notice- that God doesn't remove the snakes. 
    He gives them a way of deliverance and protection.
    They HAVE to look in the right direction to be saved.
     This generation will not see 
    the Promised Land- like Moses.
    Their lack of trust in the wilderness 
    has a harsh response from God.
    I am reminded of my own crying out
     in wilderness experiences.
    Feeling abandoned and questioning
     the wisdom of God.
    What happens when dreams and hopes 
    of my own fade into the horizon?
    Even in my worst failures and disappointments,
    God has provided for me.
    Yet, I too, have to look to HIM,
    to Jesus and to the cross.
    Keep my eyes on Jesus.


    The Bronze Serpent on Mount Nebo
    from one of our trips to Jordan.

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    Saturday, March 9, 2024

    Worship into the Week- The Authority of Jesus

     

    Worship into the Week-
    John 2: 13-25
    Jesus Cleanses the Temple

    The solemnity of the festivals and sacrifices 
    at the Temple had been hijacked by the sale of animals
     and the money changers.
    In this section of the story in the Gospel of John,
     there is the clear pointing to the authority of Jesus.
    Jesus went up to Jerusalem like many 
    of the faithful Jewish for the Passover.
    His action to overturn the tables and disrupt the selling
    set out his authority to dictate temple practice.


    A piece to help us understand this clear announcement
     of his authority is identifying 
    the temple as "my Father's house."
    His disruption of the economic practices of the temple 
    was a public display that he was not just an average pilgrim
     in town for the Passover.
    He is the Son of God.
    His zeal for God's future plan of salvation 
    gives us a hint that he is willing to endure any suffering
     for this plan of His Father.
    This raised questions by the religious leaders 
    as they wondered how he could give these announcements.
    Maybe a "sign or wonder" would be proof. 
    Then, there is the misunderstanding
     about "raising the temple." The leaders think about 
    how long it took to build the Temple 
    and Jesus is talking about being raised from the dead.
    Jesus is using Resurrection terms that wouldn't be clear
     until the 3 days after his death.
    Jesus is using this teaching here to point the people
     to himself as the new temple.
    Take aways might be:
    Does my heart need "cleansing" to keep the focus
     on the important things?
    How can a church best use their economic resources
     to point others to Jesus?

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    Wednesday, March 6, 2024

    When the Story Blesses the Kingdom- Number 17 #becauseofconcordia

    David Smalls- CUAA Student Government President

    with Rev. John and Connie Denninger.

     I was encouraged to write a number of blog posts
     in the past 3 weeks telling the story of
     amazing Concordia Connections.
    What I wasn't prepared for was the personal blessing
     that would come out of that endeavor.
    I had told David that on my next trip to Ann Arbor,
     I wanted to come to campus 
    and meet him and personally shake his hand.
    That is a great "hope it happens" kind of thing.
    So a week ago, I get a text from David announcing
     that he would be in DC for Spring Break visiting his brother.
    Was there any night we could meet up for dinner?
    Where his brother works.
    Sure- that sounds great.

    We arrive at Surveyor at The Thompson near Nationals Park, 
    Navy Yard, Washington DC.
    Brother Dervin is the Executive Chef at this restaurant.
    David is the youngest of eight children 
    and you can tell his older brother likes
     to take care of "the younger brother."
    The surprise was a very special 3 hour meal
     prepared by Dervin.
    Fancy food, carefully prepared and delicious.
    The joy of the evening was the conversation,
     as we were able to hear the heart 
    of this young servant leader.
    Prepared to do "what it takes" in his leadership role.
    Willing to be mentored and learn from others.
    A humble heart that sees he is in a place to give, 
    serve and pull others up.
    It only takes a short conversation with David to hear words
     like prayer, listening and HOPE.
    He is ready to come back from Spring Break 
    and roll up his sleeves to be the voice of encouragement.
    He understands the hard work ahead.
     He doesn't step aside from the challenge
     facing CUAA right now and into the future. 
    The students at CUAA have a man named Smalls
     ready to lead like a Giant for the future of CUAA.

    We couldn't have seen the blessing of meeting
     this young man a month ago.
    But now, we testify that even in the hard, 
    the bad and the hurtful,
    God is still making connections of heart 
    that bring GOOD things to His Kingdom people.


     

    Saturday, March 2, 2024

    Worship into the Week- Blessed to be a Blessing

     

    Worship into the Week-
    Genesis 17: 1-10, 15-16
    Blessed to be a Blessing

    God comes to Abraham and establishes
     his everlasting covenant with him.
    Covenant- a contract between God and his people. 
    God makes promises to his people and usually 
    requires certain conduct from them.
    I love looking at this section of Scripture
     and seeing all of the "I will."
    God is the heavy lifter here.
    God is also the faithful one.
    Everlasting- lasting or enduring through all time.
    Forever- without an end, to exist forever.
    Created for immortality- from Abraham's offspring to 
    throughout all generations.
    God is still working out his forever plan.
    Praise him for that great blessing.

    Supplies:
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