Faith & Life Connections

Transcription

1 Faith & Life Connections A Daily Devotion & Resource Guide for Your Spiritual Journey From the Sermon-Teaching Ministry of Fairhope UMC Reflections on this week s message: Welcome the King - Week of April 1, 2012 Mark 11:1-11, Palm Sunday Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. Zechariah 9:9-11 Palm Sunday! On this day we observe that day when Jesus made a grand entrance into Jerusalem. This was not the first time that Jesus had come to the city for the Passover, but it would be the final Passover that He would observe on earth. It is important for us to remember that this moment was a proclamation of Jesus Kingship and His victory. Hundreds of years before Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem the prophet Zechariah told of the event.... See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey... (Zech. 9:9) It is significant that Jesus rode on a donkey, had He come as a conquering King to muster an army and take His throne, He would have been riding a horse. The message was loud and clear that He came in peace, to bring peace. So, the people welcomed their King on that day, they greeted Him and cried out for His salvation. The word Hosanna literally means save (us) now. I have often wondered about the people in the crowd that day. Jesus came as a peaceful King, the people called out for salvation, but did the people that day really get it? Many of those folks were just going along with the crowd and later in the week they would again follow the crowd and demand His execution. All of this of course causes me to wonder about us. Do we understand who our King is? Are our cries for salvation genuine; or do we only shout them on Sunday morning along with the crowd, and then crucify Jesus with our sins? The day will come when all of creation will acknowledge Jesus reign. (Ref: Phil. 2:10-11) Until that day, we must choose to serve Him as our Lord and King. Do you welcome Jesus daily as your King? Love, Pastor Joe This Week s Challenge: Welcome, Worship, & Follow Your King! Listen to this week s sermon teaching by clicking the Online Sermons link at

2 Begin with Prayer: Faith & Life Connections Getting Started: Grab your bible & find a quiet, comfortable spot to begin your daily Bible reading. Light a candle & spend a few minutes relaxing, quieting your mind. Keep a notebook nearby to jot down distractions that interfere with your focus to put them out of your mind to deal with later. You may want to play your favorite hymns or praise music softly in the background. To quiet your mind & prepare to focus on God & His Word try one of the prayer exercises found under Spiritual Growth Resources. Then pray the suggested prayer starter personalizing it to your needs & desire for God s guidance. This Week's Prayer Starter: Jesus, I adore you. I crown you as my Lord and King. And yet, as I pray these words I know that I will most likely deny you with my selfish desires & indifference even before the day is done. Forgive me, Lord. As I journey into Holy Week, help me to encounter you in fresh, new ways. Help me to experience your love & mercy as never before. Change me, Lord. Help me to understand the power of your love on the cross. Help me to get it, Lord so that I might completely give my life in service to you, not just for today, but for always. In Jesus name I pray. AMEN. After reflecting & praying through this week s readings & sermon teaching, I feel God is nudging me to take these steps: day 1 week of April 1 Read Mark 11:1-11 What was unexpected about the way that Jesus entered Jerusalem? What kind of Messiah did the crowd think he was? Jesus came as a peaceful King, the people called out for salvation (Hosanna means save us now), but did the people that day really get it? Do you understand who your King is? What convinced you that Jesus is your King? What do you find most significant about Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem? What kind of reception would Jesus receive if he rode into your community today? Are your cries for salvation genuine; or do you only shout them on Sunday morning along with the crowd, and then crucify Jesus with your sins? Why do you think this is so? How would you describe the ways you welcome, worship, and follow your King? Are you giving Him the honor he is do? Picture yourself in the crowd during Jesus triumphal entry. Join the chorus, Hosanna! Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!

3 Faith & Life Connections day 2 week of April 1 Read Zechariah 9:9-11, Psalm 118:15-29, Philippians 2:9-11 According to the Zechariah passage, what qualities will Zion s King possess? Why a donkey instead of a war-horse? Are you ready to receive the peace He brings to you? What mighty things have you witnessed or heard that the Lord has done? What mighty things has the Lord done in your life? How do you give thanks to the Lord? From Psalm 118, who is the stone the builders have rejected? Why is this significant? The Lord is God and he has made his light shine upon us. (Ps. 118:27) Are you eager to join in the festal procession? In what ways do you welcome & worship the Lord? The day will come when all of creation will acknowledge Jesus reign. (Ref: Phil. 2:10-11) Until that day, we must choose to serve Him as our Lord and King. Do you welcome Jesus daily as your King? Write your own psalm naming God s steadfast love for you. Honor the Lord with your praise & worship today! Visit Fairhope s Holy Week Outdoor Prayer Experience & reflect on the last 7 words Jesus spoke from the cross. day 3 week of April 1 Read Isaiah 53:1-12 & Psalm 29:1-11 According to the Isaiah passage, what was the purpose of the Servant s suffering? What benefits come to others because of his suffering and death? How would you use the Isaiah passage to explain the meaning and significance of Jesus death and resurrection to someone else? How does this passage bring you reassurance of God s forgiveness and love? How does what you learn about Jesus suffering in the Isaiah passage inspire you to give glory to God like the people in Psalm 29? Do you worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness? How does recognizing the Lord help you to experience peace? In what ways has the Lord strengthened you? How does remembering and reflecting on the events of Jesus last week on earth, his crucifixion and resurrection, call you to welcome, worship, and follow your King? Reread the Isaiah passage slowly and prayerfully. Pay attention to any words or images that touch your heart. Rest in silence in the loving arms of Jesus, the only One who can heal you with his gracious redeeming love!

4 Faith & Life Connections day 4 week of April 1 Read Matthew 26:17-30 & John 13:3-9, What impresses you most about Jesus at the Last Supper? What is significant about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples? What does His example mean for you? Following the meal Jesus took His disciples to pray? Why was this important? Why would Jesus choose to love us, knowing we were going to break His heart? Are you ready to make the commitment to follow Jesus sacrificial example and experience Holy Week in a way that will change everything for you? How deeply do you know God s forgiveness of your sins? Will you recognize, welcome, and worship your King today? Invite someone to experience Jesus with you on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday! day 5 week of April 1 Read Matthew 26:47-56 & John 19:1-37 What kind of a people are we that a ministry of love would stir up such hatred? Do we really allow ourselves to consider & understand the cost of our sin & Jesus' amazing gift of love He gave to save us? Why is it easier to attend things like the Easter Egg Hunt & Easter Worship than Maundy Thursday & Good Friday? As you reflect on Jesus suffering through this significant week, are you willing to open your heart and embrace the cross, not just as something Jesus did for you, but as something he calls you to do for him and others? Imagine you are standing near the cross on the day of Jesus crucifixion. What would you think? What would you feel? What would you have done? Imagine being a follower of Jesus over the long weekend following Jesus death. What might you have experienced? Pray that Jesus might be made known to others because of this week s remembrance. Sign up to pray during Saturday s Easter Prayer Vigil. Take on a new spiritual practice this Holy Week to help you grow closer to the Lord. Make a plan for some Sabbath time this week! Take an hour or so today & spend some time with your Lord!

5 Dig Deeper: Faith & Life Connections For questions about Lent & some of the church words & experiences associated with this season, we encourage you to explore some of the resources & Lenten devotional books available at the table outside the sanctuary, in our library & educational ministry office (rm. 202 & 203), on our website, or through our Faith & Life Connections sermon-based daily devotions. Please contact Pastor Joe or Kathy Schmucker, Director of Educational Ministries, for more information. Let the mystery of God unfold during the season of Lent. Carve out a space in your life for Him and allow Him to reveal Himself more fully to you this Lent! THE SEASON OF LENT REPENT~RETURN~REFLECT~REMEMBER~REFOCUS~RENEW Get Real With Jesus! Let the mystery of God unfold through spiritual practices: Incorporate the following spiritual disciplines into your daily life during the season of Lent: Read the Bible daily. Memorize Scripture. Pray Participate in worship. Connect with other Christians & join a Small Group, Bible Study, or Sunday School class. Practice extravagant generosity by tithing and giving of your time, talents, & resources. Share what God has given you! Serve in missions and ministry! (Matt 4:4, Ps 119:11, John 4:24, Acts 2:42-47, 1Tim 6:17-19, Matt 23:11, James 1:22) Make time for Jesus and take up one new spiritual practice this Lent! Prayerfully review the above list. Check out the spiritual growth resources page or visit our website, to help you explore each spiritual practice. If you are already doing something in each area, find ways to experience each spiritual practice in a new way! Dig deeper! Do something more! Make Lent important! Psalm 29 1 Honor the LORD, you heavenly beings; honor the LORD for his glory and strength. 2 Honor the LORD for the glory of his name. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. 3 The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The LORD thunders over the mighty sea. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. 5 The voice of the LORD splits the mighty cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon s mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the LORD strikes with bolts of lightning. 8 The voice of the LORD makes the barren wilderness quake; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD twists mighty oaks [c] and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, Glory! 10 The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. 11 The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace. Prayerfully read this psalm, reflecting on your need for God to renew your heart during this season of Lent.

6 Journey through Holy Week Palm Sunday Read Mark 11. Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey where he was greeted joyously by the crowd. Holy Monday Read Matthew 21: This day is traditionally remembered as the day when Jesus chased the money changers out of the Temple. Holy Tuesday This day is remembered as the day that Jesus preached and taught in Jerusalem. Look through the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John reflecting on some of Jesus teachings. Read about the greatest commandments in Matthew 22: Show love to someone today. Holy Wednesday Read Matthew 26:14. Also known as Spy Wednesday, the day when Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus. Maundy Thursday Read John 13:3-9, Matthew 26:26-28, & John 13: This day is also called Holy Thursday or Great Thursday. The word Maundy comes from the Latin word for command, derived from Jesus mandate to love one another as He has loved us. This day celebrates the Last Supper Jesus had with the disciples. After washing the disciple s feet, Jesus celebrated the Feast of the Passover, instituting the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Afterwards, while praying in Gethsemane with his disciples, Jesus was arrested. Good Friday Read John 19: On this day we remember the crucifixion, when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Holy Saturday Read Luke 23: The day after Jesus died when his body lay buried in the tomb. Because this day was the Sabbath, the women couldn t go to the tomb to anoint Jesus body until the next day. Easter Sunday Read John 20. This is the third day from the day when Jesus died. The day that Mary Magdalene and Mary discovered that Jesus is alive! Filled with joy, they ran to tell others. We are commissioned to do the same. Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!

7 The Nail When you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and you were raised up with him through your faith in God's power that was shown when he raised Christ from the dead. When you were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self, God made you alive with Christ, and he forgave all our sins. He canceled the debt, which listed all the rules we failed to follow. He took away that record with its rules and nailed it to the cross. God stripped the spiritual rulers and powers of their authority. With the cross, he won the victory and showed the world that they were powerless. Colossians 2:12-15 Hold a nail in your hand. Press the tip against your fingers and consider for a moment the unimaginable pain Jesus endured for you on the cross. His love for you expressed in this ultimate sacrifice seems beyond anything that we can imagine. Close your eyes and picture that cross. The list of your sins has been nailed to that cross and the blood of Jesus has covered all those mistakes. Wiped clean. The Lord knows your sins and loves you anyways. Lay your burdens at the foot of His cross. Allow the love of Jesus to invade your soul and fill your heart with His healing love. Express your thanks to God for this indescribable gift.

8 Family Connections: Resurrection Cookies Ingredients: 1 c whole pecans, 1 tsp vinegar, 3 egg whites, pinch salt, 1 c sugar Bible, re-sealable baggie, wooden spoon, mixing bowl, electric mixer, cookie sheet, wax paper, tape Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. (This is important - don't wait until you are halfway done with the recipe!) Place pecans in a zipper bag and let children beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3 Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp of vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30 Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we could have life. Read John 10:10-11 Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27 So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16. Beat with a mixer on high speed for several minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah1:18 and John 3:1-3 Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60 Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66 GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22 On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. The tomb was empty because Christ had risen from the dead! Read Matthew 28:1-9 HE HAS RISEN!

9 Family Connections: Empty Tomb Biscuits *a can of Grand biscuits (or your favorite Refrigerator biscuits) *large marshmallows *sugar *cinnamon *butter 1) Flatten the biscuit out until it's about 5 inches across. 2) Spread melted butter, sugar and cinnamon on it. Explain that the spices represent the spices used to anoint Jesus' body before His burial. 3) The marshmallow represents Jesus. Explain that it is white because it stands for His purity and His sinless life. 4) Place the marshmallow in the center of the biscuit, then fold the sides around it forming a "tomb. 5) Pinch the sides of the tomb closed and place it crease side down on a baking sheet so they will not open while cooking. Put more butter, cinnamon and sugar on the outside. 6) Talk about the sweet taste of the spices and how Jesus gave us the sweetest gift we will ever receive. 7) At this point you can go ahead and bake the buns. They need to bake following the directions on the biscuit package. Then they need a little cooling time because the marshmallow will be very hot. 8) When the children bite into their buns they will be surprised to find the center empty. The marsh-mallow has melted. 9) As each child discovers the empty tomb, we repeat: He is not here for He is risen.

10 Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 In your hands you hold a cross, a finished, smooth, & polished piece of wood. We often see ourselves as finished and polished. And then, Jesus comes into our hearts and lives asking us to surrender ourselves to him and allow Him to shape and mold us to become the person God created us to be. Read Romans 3:23 We all sin & fall short of who and what God created us to be. SIN STAINS OUR LIVES. Sometimes the stains seem impossible to remove. But there is one for whom nothing is impossible (Matthew 19:26). As we surrender ourselves to Christ, Jesus strips back the finish, the protective layers of our hearts that we try to hide. He refines and purifies us (Malachi 3:3). He softens our hearts, removes the stain of sin, cleanses us, and makes us into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Hold the cross in your hands. Ask Jesus to reveal to you the areas of your heart and life in need of His refining love & grace (Psalm 139: 23-24). Ask Him to hold you in His healing arms and help you let go of yourself so you can surrender completely to him. Tell Him of your desire to follow Him! Take the piece of sandpaper & begin to sand the cross. Pray Psalm 51. As you sand, ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Ask Him to remove the stain of sin from your heart and life. The change you see happening to the wooden cross as you sand is symbolic of the change that Jesus is making in your heart and life as you seek to grow as His disciple. Keep this cross near you throughout the season of Lent. As you continue to sand the cross, notice how it is changed, the stain is removed and the hard corners are now softened and smooth. Jesus promises to do the same for you. Will you let Him? Read John 3:16. God sent Jesus to save you. Thank Jesus for his love, grace, & mercy. Be Jesus disciple! Take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus on this incredible journey of renewal, growth, & discovery!

11 Why Membership? What Does It Mean? You re ready to join, thinking of joining, or you have joined the church as a full-fledged participating member. But what exactly are you joining? And why is it so important to be a member? What does that mean? Isn t it enough just to worship on the weekends and go to a few occasional classes or workshops? Isn t membership just a way for pastors to keep their people from going to other churches so that all their money goes to them? It s important to know why participating in membership is important. The worst thing you could do is become a participating member because that s just what you do. Rather, we want to make sure you re clear about why you should be joining so you can be as clear as possible that this is the best place for you to start, or continue growing in your relationship with Jesus Christ. 1. Four Reasons why we commit to Church Membership a.) Biblical Reason: Christ is committed to the Church.... Christ loved the Church, and he gave his life for it. Ephesians 5:25 b.) Cultural Reason: It is an antidote to our society. We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything... a job... a marriage... our country. This attitude has even produced a generation of church shoppers and hoppers. Membership swims against the current of America s consumer religion. It is an unselfish decision. Commitment always builds character. c.) A Practical Reason: It defines who can be counted on. Every team must have a roster. Every school must have an enrollment. Every business has a payroll. Every army has an enlistment. Even our country takes a census and requires voter registration. Membership identifies our family. d.) A Personal Reason: It produces spiritual growth. The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. You cannot be accountable when you re not committed to any specific church family. Persons seeking to become profession members in the United Methodist Church are asked to make the following vows: As members of Christ's universal church, will you be loyal to Christ through The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries? As members of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness? Fairhope United Methodist Church Membership Covenant Having professed Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and being in agreement with the church s purpose and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the congregation in membership. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following: 1.) I will be loyal to Christ and the church by PRAYING. for all members and refusing to gossip for church leaders for pastor and staff 2.) I will be loyal to Christ and the church by my PRESENCE. as I attend faithfully at nurturing and equipping opportunities as I live a godly life 3.) I will be loyal to Christ and the church by my GIFTS. as I will share the gift of love with other members as I invite the unchurched and welcome visitors as I will faithfully share my resources and make tithing (10%) my goal 4.) I will be loyal to Christ and the church by my SERVICE. as I discover my gifts, talents, and graces for ministry by developing a servant s heart as I assume my area of ministry 5.) I will be loyal to Christ and the church by my faithful WITNESS....as I learn to share my faith story with confidence...as I prayerfully discern who God may be calling me to influence for Christ....by learning how to grow and mature as a faith-sharing disciple through training opportunities.