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May 3 Worship

4/27/2015

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The book of Acts presents us with the story of how the good news would spread out after the event of Pentecost.  Jesus did command his disciples to reach out to nations extending to the ends of the earth.  As Luke was writing Acts, we discover how this outreach becomes a reality.

It is a tall order.  Maybe you have had some anxiety or even wonder who might cross your path to whom you could share the Gospel.  You never know whom God will place before you as a divine assignment.

This brings me to the story this Sunday (Acts 8:26-40) about Philip being directed by both an angel and the Holy Spirit to minister to an Ethiopian traveler making his way from Jerusalem to Gaza.  Philip is magically transported to meet up with this Ethiopian as he is riding in his chariot and is reading from the prophet Isaiah.   We then have this exchange: "He (Philip) asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?'  He (the Ethiopian) replied, "How can I unless someone guides me?  And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him."  (Acts 8:30-31) Philip then began to explain the text from Isaiah that this foreigner was reading.

There are people today searching the Scriptures and will undoubtedly need some guidance.  This is where you and I come in.  We never know when in casual conversation someone might quote a passage from Scripture and need spiritual help in understanding the text as it might relate to a situation in their life. This is where we can be like Philip and be God's agents.  God desires to reach out to all kinds of people - even beyond whatever prejudices we might have.

I would invite you to be attentive to the people around you - people whom God might place in your path.  Will you be willing to lead them further in their understanding of the faith?
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April 26 Worship

4/20/2015

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This Sunday is known as Good Shepherd Sunday.  The readings do reflect the shepherd-imagery one finds in Scripture.  Foremost among them is Psalm 23.  My focus will be on the words of the one verse:

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

There are times when we do have to navigate through the valleys of life.  I realize that we wish we could avoid them; however, it seems that they just come with the territory - that is, our humanness. We might be going through the valley of financial problems or dealing with a sickness.  Some of them might seem to be life-threatening. We just can't wait to get over these situations. 

Because of such conditions, you and I are drawn into this psalm.  We also can receive the comfort of which David speaks as he writes this psalm as one of the sheep.  We are promised the presence of the Shepherd to be with us and guide us during such times.  If you feel you are currently in a valley, I would invite you to reflect on this verse and consider reading the entire psalm.  May God's blessing be upon your contemplation and worship this coming week.



Pastor Marty
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April 19 Worship

4/13/2015

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In our society today, we can see ourselves perhaps as having multiple identities.  We might reflect on being a graduate of a certain school, or be working for a certain company. We could also reflect on being a strong fan of a certain team in sports.   We can also look to the identity we have with our nationality, even breaking it down to our family.

This Sunday I will reflect on our identity that comes through our faith.  The writer John tells us,  "See what love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are."  1 John 3:1  Yes, we have the privilege of being in God's family.  Think of what it all means to be a child in our world today and be so dependent on your parents for your needs.  Translate that into your relationship with God and how God provides for you.

We would read further in our lesson that a future is planned for us as God's children.  We read, "Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed.  What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is."  1 John 3:2  Again, we have the privilege of being transformed into the likeness of Christ.

For this Sunday, I would invite you to reflect on these verses from 1 John and think of what it means to be a child of God.  May God's blessing be upon your contemplation of Scripture and your worship this Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor Marty
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April 12 Worship

4/6/2015

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I hope you had a great Easter celebration.  What a triumph of God to bring Jesus back from the dead. We would learn for the focus of my message that Jesus came back from the dead as a person.  Yes, I say that in that he had the semblance of a human, yet glorified body.  It was a body which someone could touch - not a ghost!

We have the words that John wrote to believers years after the resurrection to affirm this belief:  "We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life....."  1 John 1:1

John is affirming this belief in order to convince others who had strayed from the truth.  The purpose was so that they would be included in the fellowship with John and his followers.  This outreach was so that "our joy may be complete."    Have we thought about connecting joy with outreach?  If we can reach others with the truth of Christ, joy ought to follow.

Also, what I see in this passage from our First Reading (1 John 1:1 - 2:2) is the importance of fellowship.  Especially after the resurrection, this fellowship would be strategic.

Blessings to you as you gather for worship on Sunday.

Pastor Marty
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    I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

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    Pastor Marty Pauschke

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