Worship into the Week- On Mission

 Worship into the Week-

Acts 6:1-9, 7:2a, 51-60

The rapid growth of the early church also 

brought with it tensions. There were issues with the care

 of the Greek speaking widows-(Hellenists)

being neglected in favor 

of the Aramaic-speaking widows.(Hebrews)

There was a need for organizing 

the care and administration of the ministry.

Stephen was in the middle of managing 

the internal disputes, but the ministry 

was blessed and growing.

That growth caught the attention of the Sanhedrin.

The charge of blasphemy was hurled at Stephan 

and he spoke in his defense.

Though he was the "accused,"  he did not mince words 

with the "stiff-necked" leaders. 

Stephen accuses the church leaders with murdering Jesus

 and resisting the Holy Spirit.

That led to his death by stoning and a "Christ-like" repeat

 of forgiving his accusers as they took his life.

Thus, Stephen becomes the first Martyr 

and his view of the heavens to come 

assures us all that death is not the end of the journey.

His death becomes the trigger that sends 

the apostles into the world on mission as they scatter.

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Thessaloniki- Greece- Part 1

 

This tour is a bit different as we were rescheduled on a early 

afternoon flight when the airlines canceled 

our normal supper time flight.

So the group that left from Dulles had three hours 

to walk around and explore downtown city life.

The majestic symbol of Thessaloniki is the White Tower.

The tower houses a museum tracing the history of the city.

The present tower probably replaces an older Byzantine tower

 described  byt the 12th century Archbishop- Eustathius of

 Thessalonica when the city was rampaged in 1185.

The current tower guarded the eastern side of the city sea wall.

The current tower was constructed after the army of

 Sultan Murad II defeated Thessaloniki in 1430.

Through the years it has been a famous prison 

and the scene of numerous executions.

When Greece regained control over the city in 1912,

 it was remodeled and became the iconic symbol

 of the city on the waterfront.

                Another famous city site is the Arch of Galarius.

The triumphal arch was built by the city between 

298 and 305 AD to celebrate the Roman Emperor Galerius

 and his victory over the Persians. It is a beautiful example of

 Byzantine art and architecture. The carvings are amazing to view.

        The nearby Rotunda was built about 306 AD as a mausoleum 

for Galerius, but then he died and was buried in Serbia.

It was later converted into a Christian church and used 

in this way for over 1,200 years till the city fell to the Ottomans.

It became a mosque in 1590.

       In our walk about the city we went into this beautiful church. 

Tried to find the name but it was all Greek to me.

Ornate, peaceful and many areas of golden light

 pouring in the windows.

A part of our lovely walking tour.

Calendar Journaling- April 2016

 Already to the end of the month of April.  

Charting the daily (or catch up days) of devotional take aways.

Looking for the words that are significant for me

 to "pay attention to" this month.

Those are posted in the Word Log.   

This experiment is now onto two years of triplet words

 in random pattern that offer a doorway to prayer.

Maybe this summer I can hang out with that

 a bit more as Grab Three.

For my Bible reading I read through the book of Acts 

as we prepare to head to Greece 

for a Footsteps of Paul tour again. 

 Always so good to see this story in Scripture

 as it comes alive on land and sea.

Devotional:

Streams in the Desert by L.B. Csowman

April 2026 Round Up

 

Catching up with some of the events 

and updates for April 2026.

Easter Sunday in Michigan with the

Meiers and Schumachers.

Easter Worship  at St Peter's - Hemlock, Michigan.

We arrived early and picked out "our" row.

John and I with the Michigan grands.

(but Lainey ain't having it.)

Easter Joy ! Jesus is Alive!

The Wilson family in Springfield.

Some of the fun included Easter egg dying,

a kid-made charcuterie board and 

lovely flowers from the neighbors.

We shared a  lovely Easter meal

 and all the Michigan troops were able to be there.

We cleaned out three art classrooms for Laura 

and reset them for the art sub coming in

 to finish the school year. I fell in love with these bunnies

 that were made by some of Laura's second grade students.

Other highlights this month:  

*Jonah had a piece of art selected for the Pyramid Art show.

*Hudson "signed" to attend first grade 

at St. Paul Lutheran in Ann Arbor, Michigan.'

*Sara celebrated her last birthday in the 30's.

*Visual Faith® Ministry was blessed to help put together a 

Sip and Paint and a Women's Connection event 

at Prince of Peace in Springfield, Virginia.

Worship into the Week- Life Together

 Worship into the Week 

Acts 2: 41-47

"That day about three thousand took him (Peter)

at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe- 

all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met. They followed a daily discipline

 of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Everyday their number grew as God added those who were saved." The Message

Oh Lord, this is a vision for life together that I dream of and maybe it will be your will for the strife to end within your earthly Kingdom. Bring healing Lord, that we might work together to serve You for the sake of those who do not know you. Make your church here on earth more than we can imagine. Amen

Worship this week included a favorite hymn

 that I hadn't heard in a long time.   Including that here:

Shepherd Me, O God by Marty Haugen

A Watercolor April

 

April flowers have been spectacular this year. 

Everything has bloomed early and May came in April.

I decided to capture the beauty 

with the Waterlogue App on my phone.

 Pinks, lavenders and new growth reds and greens.

Lilacs for Easter.

The bright colors of Spring.

 We had a watercolor event at our church 

and had fun experimenting with something new.

A great reminder of simple joy.

"Lord, fill me with joy in your presence."

Psalm 16:11

Worship into the Week- Abundant Life

 

Lectionary Reading- Acts 2:14 a, 36-41

Peter Preaches to the Crowd

"Make no mistake about this."

Jerusalem needed to listen carefully. 

It wasn't a time to make assumptions.

Things were not as they seemed on this Pentecost day.

Peter's words struck at the hearts of the people.

Repent and be baptized!!!

This Jesus they had crucified 

was the Lord and Messiah.

Hearts were broke open by the Holy Spirit

 and many were baptized.

They added 3,000 to the church that day.

Lord, bring your Spirit to move

 the hearts that need you today! 

May we share His Word 

to this current crooked generation.

There is the abundant life waiting 

for those that seek you, Lord.

Amen.

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Worship into the Week- We are Witnesses

 

Worship into the Week- We are Witnesses

Acts 5:29-42

The Apostles Meet Opposition

It is a tough time for the Apostles before the Sanhedrin.

They stood their ground with a statement 

of obeying God over human authority.

Peter holds to the fact of the resurrection of Jesus.  

As witnesses of these events,

this becomes the basis of all their teachings.

The wise counsel of Gamaliel was to leave them alone.

Their cause will either fizzle out,

 or really take off if it is from God.

The high council had them flogged and told them

 to never speak again of Jesus.

The apostles rejoiced in their suffering in the name of Jesus.

They went right on teaching about Jesus

  in the Temple and from house to house.

The apostles declared to all that "Jesus is the Messiah." 

Nothing was going to stop them, 

they would not back down.

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Acts 5:29-42 details the apostles' bold defense before the Sanhedrin, establisPeterhing the principle of obeying God over human authority. Peter affirms Jesus' resurrection and role as Savior, leading to Gamaliel’s wise counsel to let them be. Despite being flogged, the apostles rejoice in suffering for Jesus, continuing to teach daily. 

First Baptist Church | Thomson Georgia

Griffin is 12

 Griffin turned 12 this month.

We were able to be with him to celebrate.

The whole family was together 

in the midst of the upcoming move.

That was the best gift.

Everyone had fun watching the gift opening.

Some new shoes was a treat.

A fun day hanging out with a special friend.

Fun things with clay and the pottery wheel.

Another cake and celebration.

Way to go!!!

Time with the cousin gang is always a good thing.

Griffin - what fun to see you growing up!

May the Lord bless you, young man.

Pool of Siloam

 Most of our trips to Israel have included the Pool of Siloam.

The steps here have been where we sit.

This year was different as there

 is a huge excavation tent and active dig.

Our guide Yossi has told us that there would never be

 permission given to have the land to excavate. 

But things change in Israel.

The recent 2025-2026 excavations have now

 uncovered a massive 2,800 year old,

 40 foot dam from the First Temple period- (800 BC.)  

It reveals an advanced water management system 

during the reigns of Kings Joash or Amatya. 

This structure is older than the Herodian pool 

of the early excavation. 

They believe it is a massive reservoir 

that was built to manage 

the extreme climate changes in Israel.

This dig is located in Jerusalem's

City of David National Park.

The Second Temple site is where Jesus is believed

 to have healed a blind man.  

In 2004, the site was accidentally rediscovered

 while street crews were working on sewer and water lines.

The large stone-stepped pool was part

 of a ritual bath area for pilgrims. 

The earliest part dates back to King Hezekiah.

The pool was fed by the Gihon Spring through

 the 1,750 foot long Hezekiah Tunnel.

This was the main water source

 for the city during the Assyrian siege.

Lord willing, we head back in Jan. 2027

 to take our next group there 

and we will see what has been added to the discovery.

Worship into the Week- Easter 2026

 

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service

Old Testament Reading

Exodus 14:10-15:1

The Egyptians Pursue Israel

and the Escape through the Red Sea.

This is a story of deliverance for the Jewish people

 and forms the foundational background

 for the Passover celebration.

It reminds us of God's preserving power and His

ability to restore and protect.

God's ultimate plan is revealed on Easter Sunday 

with the Resurrection of Jesus.

Easter Sunday 

Old Testament - Jeremiah 31:1-6

Hope for Restoration

"I will be the God of all the families of Israel, 

and they will be my people."

Rebuilding and tender care and forging a future.

The Lord says, " I have loved you, my people, 

with a an everlasting love. 

With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself."

How good it is when the Lord says:  

my people, my people.

The other first reading for Easter

 is Acts 10: 34-43.

The Gentiles Hear the Good News.

There is peace with God through Jesus Christ.

In Jesus there is the full story of redemption

 by His death on a cross.

 But, God raised him to life on the third day.

The apostles are witnesses and have seen the good things,

  and heard his teachings.

They saw him and ate and drank

 with him after he rose from the dead.

The apostles have been appointed to tell the story 

and let people know that Jesus 

is the one who  is over the living and the dead.

He is Lord over all.

He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!   Amen.

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Calendar Journaling- Lent 2026

 Lent- 2026

Calendar Journaling for this season with a resource from

Visual Faith® Ministry.

This year it is right in our Common Book.

 Right along with the rest of the practices 

was this calendar image.

I used the Lenten Word Project for reflection time 

for the 40 days of Lent.

That resource is right HERE:

lenten-words-project

This practice helps me to see the visual of how

 these words fit together for my Lenten walk.

A blessed part of Lent this year for me.

Calendar Journaling- March 2026

 

Calendar Journaling- March 2026

Working my way through Streams in the Desert

this year by L.B. Cowman.

Still fascinated with the Word Log for each month 

that may develop into a Grab 3 prayer practice 

for Visual Faith® Ministry.

Still thinking and praying for how we can be

 both creative and mindful in our prayer times.

This is all part of the journey.

Worship into the Week- Good Friday 2026

 

Good Friday- 

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

This passage is often read 

as part of the passion of Christ.

It is referred to as the "Fourth Servant Song"

or the Suffering Servant.

The servant of God brings atonement through suffering.

One person bears the sins of many and this substitute sacrifice 

brings about the payment for others which is accepted by God.

This suffering and death provides 

forgiveness and righteousness for others.

This servant suffers greatly and yet in this 

state of despair and humiliation, he saves.

He has not paid for his own sins, but the sins of others.

He is compared to a lamb led

 to slaughter with silent suffering.

But, there is ultimate victory 

when the sacrifice is accepted by God

 for the sake of others.

Complicated and yet simple,

 in that one man is received as perfect

 and able to pay for the sins of the whole world.

The greatest gift ever- for me.

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Worship into the Week- Maundy Thursday 2026

Worship into the Week

Psalm 116: 12-19

For Christians this Psalm is often said 

to represent Christ's Passion.

The "cup of slavation" refers to the Eucharist 

and the institution of the Lord's Supper which

 is connected to events for Thursday of Holy Week.

These are words that Jesus sang 

before his own journey in Holy Week.

The Psalm recounts where the writer 

was saved from death and distress. 

The question then becomes:

"What can I give back to God for all this salvation?"

The way forward includes a heart of gratitude, 

worship, keeping vows, taking up the "cup of slavation"

 and living as a faithful servant of God.

This life becomes a public witness in a community.

God sees the people here and brings comfort when 

one of the faithful dies.

"The LORD cares deeply." NLT

The writer offers a free offering of praise

 rather than a fulfilling a mandatory obligation.

A reminder to us that God desires our 

free and heart-felt praise 

and not the rote repetition of words and actions.

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Worship Bulletin

Garden of Gethsemane from our Jan. 2026 Tour

This sign has been "touched" so many times

 the writing is getting hard to read.

The Last Supper- 

A gift from a family friend in 1990.

A wonderful reminder for Maundy Thursday.

The Garden of Gethsemane-

a gift from a family friend in 1995.