Our readings for the day are actually last Sunday s appointed texts in the Christian calendar, the stories of Jesus Christ s ascension.
|
|
- Easter Potter
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 Luke 24:44-53 Baccalaureate, Spring 2008 Our readings for the day are actually last Sunday s appointed texts in the Christian calendar, the stories of Jesus Christ s ascension. In the Gospel account of Luke, Jesus is resurrected from the dead on Easter morning, and then spends forty more days with the disciples, teaching them, eating with them, like things are almost back to normal. But then one day, Jesus leads them out to Bethany, still teaching and talking along the way, telling them they will be clothed with power from on high, and that they should stay in the city, and other things they don t fully understand and hope won t be on the test. The story says he lifted up his hands and blessed them, and suddenly is taken up on a cloud into heaven. For good this time. When the early Christians paint the ascension, they make an unusual choice. Rather than painting Jesus, presumably the center of all the action, the one who is actually doing the ascending, they seem to focus the painting only on the disciples. Jesus is nowhere to be found. Until you scan the top of the picture, and sure enough, dangling down from the sky like a boom mic in a B movie, are Jesus feet. 1
2 Now, to be fair, since then there have been a number of impressive pieces of art that focus on the majesty of Jesus ascension, where he is the center of attention and the disciples are hardly an afterthought. But I am most fascinated by these earlier pictures. Those early Christian fathers and mothers wanted to teach the rest of us something about the ascension. And maybe one of the lessons here is that the Ascension is not just about Jesus, it is also about the disciples. One big part of this story is that the disciples are left alone, to fend for themselves. It is a sort of graduation for them. The disciples return to the city, without their leader, without their teacher and friend, to wait. They re not even sure what they re supposed to be waiting for. Now that two thousand years have past, we have gotten much more civilized about our life transitions. Now whenever human beings are faced with great uncertainty, with overwhelming change, whenever we come face to face with the frightening realization that we don t know what s coming, we get dressed up. We set out cookies and punch and assorted finger foods. We buy each other monogrammed towels. Today is one of those days. You graduates, who have spent sleepless nights blending Gilgamesh and Guitar Hero, Facebook and Fractal Dynamics, You graduates who now face an unknown future, an uncertain tomorrow, and no longer have a meal plan to ensure you re at least fed on some semi-regular basis, who now are set forth to try and fend for yourselves: We have gathered here for you this morning, and we are dressed up. You should be very concerned. I know some of you are excited. This all feels a bit like a coronation right now, like you re running through the finish line tape or planting your flag deep in the snow at the summit. You aunt and uncle from Topeka have suddenly become like paparazzi, and there is a part of you that enjoys having your every move this weekend documented. And frankly, we do our best to pull off all the pomp and circumstance we can for you today. 2
3 This sermon and all speeches like it given on commencement days are supposed to be filled with helpful, generically inspirational advice like Seize the day, never stop being a student, and call your parents. But I am guessing that there are at least a few among you who feel more like the disciples. Who are watching the familiar, the precious, the secure slip out of the frame, and you worry you will never see it again. Some of you are too well acquainted with what it feels like to wait. I am mindful that you who are graduating, at least for today, belong in two different places. You are carrying two passports. One says you are a college student, a grown child, you are prone to do things like live in a concrete cubicle and eat Hot Pockets at all hours of the night. Do you remember that feeling of sitting in your first college class, taking the syllabus from the professor and thinking boldly to yourself, I am going to read every page that is assigned. I am going to write this major research paper 2 months early. There is a flash, and suddenly it is 4am the morning said research paper is due, and you find yourself fascinated by the blinking cursor on a blank computer screen, having just watched a Gilmore Girls marathon for the past 14 hours. Do you remember the first time you really loved a class? A professor or a book or a subject or all three stirring something deep inside you that you didn t know was there. Picking a major, or having a major pick you, however it happened. Laughing with friends. Starting to figure out who you are, who you want to be. The passport photo in this first one looks like your college ID, which is to say it looks like a high school mug shot. But that passport is about to expire. The other passport you clutch in your hand, the one that is shiny and new and not yet bent at the corners, says that you belong now to a future. That there are apartments to be leased, student loans to somehow pay off, groceries to buy, jobs to pursue, relationships that might just turn out to be the relationship. The photo on that second passport looks much more like a blank canvas. The image is undefined and blurry, a story waiting to be told. For today, for this brief moment, you belong to both of these worlds, but you know as well as I do that we have come out to Bethany. For what it s worth, I am a senior, too, if by being in this place for four years makes you a senior. 3
4 Like many of you, I had never lived in Evansville, Indiana before. When you showed up on that hot August day with your mini-fridges and your stackable plastic storage and all your pictures from high school, I was just as clueless as you about the best way to get to Wal-Mart or where the cheap movie theater was. And as I told the Sunday worship crowd this week, there is a special place in my heart for all of you, because you are the first class for whom I have always been the Chaplain at UE. I appreciate the fact that you have nothing to compare me to, those are good odds. And I do want to talk over your heads a moment to your families, because I think all of you have done a particularly good job in raising human beings. If at all biologically possible, you should consider making some more. These are good people you have raised, you should know that. And I know there have been difficult times, like the Thanksgiving Dinner when they announced they had changed their major to Indonesian pottery with a minor in unemployment, and you couldn t stop thinking about the second mortgage. It was a big deal to move them in that hot summer day, but this feels markedly different doesn t it? Like their feet are just dangling in your world? I would ask you graduates to be especially patient with your parents over the course of the next few days, because they have an even longer view of your life than even you do. A unique bond is formed when you change a creature s diaper 3,000 or so times. They are the ones that tended the soil, that watched and waited for you to bloom, and while they are so grateful for the man or woman who stands before them now, they can t help but remember the child they used to know. This is what Bethany feels like. The scripture tells us that Jesus blessing comes even as he is leaving. It is the mystery of change, that awkward space between the past and the future, when we don t know whether to weep or to laugh so we do both. One of the great ironies of human existence is that we seem to be in a great hurry most of the time to get into our next phase, our next challenge, our next horizon, even if the one we re currently living is quite good, thank you very much. That explains your excitement four years ago moving into a non air-conditioned commune with several hundred other hormonally imbalanced human beings. You were ready for the next challenge. You had conquered high school, or at least survived high school, and you were ready for the next big thing. But now that next big thing is slipping out of view, just barely dangling in the frame, and it is time to wonder and wait. But as I thought about those images of the Ascension this week, I realized something else, a lesson left for us across the centuries by those early Christians. 4
5 They painted and sculpted and carved those dangling feet in those images as a sign of hope. It was not simply to emphasize the heartbreak of Christ s leaving the disciples, it was to tell the world that Christ s body was now no longer in one place, but in all places. Christ doesn t disappear out of the frame never to be seen again, he flies out of the frame because there is no frame that can hold him. Not death, not life, nothing. The scriptures say that the disciples walked out of that graduation ceremony in Bethany, clutching those shiny new passports, with great joy. Isn t that astonishing not weeping or shocked or sad but with great joy. Because they had seen enough to believe that they would never be alone. In slipping out of the frame, Jesus made a promise to be in every frame, wherever they went, wherever the road took them. My senior year in college, one of my religion professors, Dr. Wingard, was diagnosed with late stage cancer. The doctors told them that they could try and make him comfortable, but that was about it. I m not sure what you would do if you were given a sentence like that, I wonder sometimes what I would do. Bob Wingard decided to go on about his life. He kept teaching, maybe out of duty, but if you had known him you would understand that that is where he was most at home. I suppose he could ve gone and sat on a beach and waited it out, or skydive or something like that, but Bob Wingard had long ago found his vocation, his heart s deep gladness, and I doubt he ever questioned what he would do with those last days. Even as his illness put him in a wheelchair, he came to class, ready to teach. And as you can imagine, we listened a little more closely than most seniors in their last semester. We prayed for him and we hoped for a miracle, but it became more obvious with every day that it was not to be. My last class with him came late in April, a beautiful day like this one. The class was on Paul s letters to the early churches. It is a moment I will never forget, not just because it was the last time I saw him alive, but because, for a moment, we were able as a class, in the presence of that great man whose feet were just barely dancing in the frame at that point, to read those letters in a way none of us ever had before. We came to the passage in Paul s second letter to the Corinthians where Paul speaks about a physical ailment that won t go away. 5
6 Dr. Wingard read the passage aloud to the class as he always did, Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away. But his answer was, My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak. Sitting there in his wheelchair, that proud old teacher s eyes welled up. We all sat silent for what seemed like hours, and he said simply, No more class today. That will be enough. Two days later, our teacher passed away, slipping out of the frame for good. A few days before our own graduation, in the middle of exam week, we all huddled into that little church to say goodbye. Being a good Methodist minister, Dr. Wingard had planned his funeral down to the last detail. He even designed the bulletin. I ll admit, I came to that church that spring day to pay my respects, heartbroken that I had heard the last lesson he would give. I should ve known better. Because as I took my seat, I looked down at that bulletin. On the cover, in bold letters, it said A Service of Worship in Praise of the Living God. In much smaller letters towards the bottom of the page, it said simply and remembering the life of Robert W. Wingard. If a piece of paper could sing, that one would ve sounded like an angel chorus. Even in his absence, flown out of the frame, he remained a teacher, reminding all of us there that spring afternoon that death did not have the final word. And that he was not done teaching, by a long shot. A final word for all of you graduates, because I know that many of you will be busy tonight and won t think to get up and go to church in the morning. I ll let you in on something. Tomorrow, in churches around the world, they will tell another story about the disciples. You see, the story doesn t end here. They walk home from Bethany to Jerusalem, trying to get back to the day-to-day work of being human. But one morning, as they are gather together in a locked room, all heaven breaks loose. The shutters shake, the windows fly open, and there is a holy hurricane. And all those foolish disciples, who used to be tax collectors and fishermen and Indonesian pottery majors, suddenly start acting like Jesus. My wish for you, as we prepare to go our separate ways, as the frame changes, is that you will trust that God will find you. No matter where you hide, God will find you. 6
7 Whether you re in Bethany or on Boeke, the story doesn t end here. Look again at the picture. His body isn t missing at all, it just looks an awful lot like the church. Like disciples, like you and me. Go and live as if it is so. 7
Remember His Miracles at the Cross: The Dead Were Raised to Life
June 2, 2013 Matthew 27:45-54 Pastor Larry Adams Remember His Miracles at the Cross: The Dead Were Raised to Life If you have your Bibles today, I'd like you to turn with me if you would to Matthew 27.
More informationB29. Ascension Day Luke 24:44-53; Mark 16:15-20; Acts 1:9-11
B29. Ascension Day Luke 24:44-53; Mark 16:15-20; Acts 1:9-11 Learning Objectives 1. The children will be able to retell the events surrounding Jesus Ascension. 2. The children will explore what it means
More informationLesson: Jesus Lives, No Doubt About It, Now Tell all About it!
1/4 Lesson: Jesus Lives, No Doubt About It, Now Tell all About it! ministry-to-children.com/lesson-jesus-alive Written by Kristin Schmidt Last updated April 19, 2016 1 Comment Filed Under: Easter Ideas,
More informationMessage Not a Fan 04/30/2017
1 Message Not a Fan 04/30/2017 Is Jesus enough! Good Morning Church! God is Good! and All The Time! So I didn t want to Miss the opportunity to bring you the Last sermon/message of the Not a Fan preaching
More informationJesus Ascended to Heaven
UNIT 27 Session 5 Use Week of: Jesus Ascended to Heaven BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 1:4-14 MAIN POINT: Jesus ascended to heaven in a cloud. KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is our mission
More informationavid and Peter were best friends. Today Peter got up
1 avid and Peter were best friends. Today Peter got up D early to help David finish his work at home. Now they had the whole morning to have some fun. I ll race you to the top of the hill! David said as
More informationAccess to God. Before Camp Devotion #1
Before Camp Devotion #1 Access to God Introduce the theme for CentriKid 2019 by discovering that God has given us all access to know Him through Jesus. John 14:6; Romans 8:32 Supplies Needed Bible, Images
More informationAnd this is where New Years Resolutions divide us into two camps you have the optimists and the pessimists, and this is how they see 2015.
A time for change making New Year s Resolutions Psalm 90 Well Friends, here we are once again. Every year we come back to the same spot, that familiar place where we pause and reflect as we begin a new
More informationUnit 3: Miracles of Jesus NT3.14 Jesus Raises the Widow's Son
1 Unit 3: Miracles of Jesus NT3.14 Jesus Raises the Widow's Son Scripture: Luke 7: 11-17 Lesson Goal: Jesus was a very powerful teacher. He proved to everyone that he was really God by his teaching and
More informationThanks- Living Luke 17:11-17; Psalm 100
Thanks- Living Luke 17:11-17; Psalm 100 Many of my friends, even my most liturgically- minded friends those who know that the season of Christmas actually begins on Christmas Day and lasts until Epiphany
More informationPsalm 139:1-6 1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and
God Is Here Always Near Page 1 of 8 God Is Here: Always Near Psalm 139 Today is the first Sunday in the season of Advent. The word advent simply mean arrival; this is the season that leads up to the arrival
More informationWhy do you Look for the Living among the Dead? Luke 24:1-12, 13-27
Why do you Look for the Living among the Dead? Luke 24:1-12, 13-27 Friends, I don t know if you ve noticed or not - but Zombies are in. For whatever reason, it seems that the undead have struck a chord
More informationJesus of Locked Doors John 20:19-31 April 12, 2015
Jesus of Locked Doors John 20:19-31 April 12, 2015 Those of you who have grown up in the church, you know the story. Doubting Thomas: the disciple who didn t believe that Jesus had risen from the dead,
More informationMORE THAN AN AFTERTHOUGHT (Acts 1:1-11)
INTRODUCTION MORE THAN AN AFTERTHOUGHT (Acts 1:1-11) The story is told about an Ascension Day celebration at a particular seminary. A special Ascension Day service was held and the whole seminary in robes
More informationFour Friends Helped K-2 nd Small Groups October 26, 2014
LEADER BIBLE STUDY Jesus was in Capernaum, a city on the Sea of Galilee. The Pharisees and scribes teachers of the law came to listen to Jesus teaching. They were curious about His message and wanted to
More informationFor those who see the cup as half full, its a whole new year, stretched out before us like fresh powder snow waiting to be skied on
It s Time for a Change Psalm 90:1-17 Well Friends, here we are once again. Every year we come back to the same spot, that familiar place where we pause and reflect as we begin a new year. Say goodbye to
More informationSermon Series The Gospel of John. Part 31 When The Spirit Of Truth Comes
Rev. William J. Shields St. Mark Lutheran Church, Lindenhurst, Illinois The Baptism of Our Lord (The First Sunday after Epiphany) January 11, 2015 Gospel Lesson John 16:5-24 1 Sermon Series The Gospel
More informationTusculum Hills Baptist Church Paul Gunn, Pastor
Tusculum Hills Baptist Church Paul Gunn, Pastor Sermon Title: Experiencing the Risen Lord, (Various Scriptures) Date preached: April 23, 2017 For public use: See non-copyright comments at the end of message
More informationEve: It s great to be here,. What a great Primary group! Just want to tell you all what a great job you did on your program today. It was awesome!
Week 4: My love for Jesus Christ grows when I study the scriptures. Characters: Reporter 1 (probably a teacher) Reporter 2 Eve Props: Serpent & Adam (no speaking parts) Serpent will hold a plastic snake
More informationAUDIENCE OF ONE. Praying With Fire Matthew 6:5-6 // Craig Smith August 5, 2018
AUDIENCE OF ONE Praying With Fire Matthew 6:5-6 // Craig Smith August 5, 2018 Craig // Welcome to all of our campuses including those of you who are joining us on church online. So glad you are here for
More informationSTAVE ONE: MARLEY S GHOST. Marley was dead, to begin with there s no doubt about that. He was as dead as a doornail.
STAVE ONE: MARLEY S GHOST Marley was dead, to begin with there s no doubt about that. He was as dead as a doornail. Marley and Scrooge were business partners once. But then Marley died and now their firm
More informationGive Thanks to God for Everything! November 23, 2014
Give Thanks to God for Everything! November 23, 2014 Ephesians 5:15-20 (New Living Translation) 15 So be careful how you live. Don t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every
More informationLuke 24: 1-11; I Corinthians 1:18-25; 4:10
The Foolishness of Easter Luke 24: 1-11; I Corinthians 1:18-25; 4:10 Tim and Joan are dedicated Christians. They have given their lives to the church and, more importantly, to Jesus Christ. That s why
More information3 s PRE-K OVERVIEWS August 31 October 6 UNIT 1 PRESTONWOOD
3 s PRE-K OVERVIEWS August 31 October 6 UNIT 1 PRESTONWOOD 4:45 p.m. and 9:15 a.m. 3 s Pre K Teacher Jesus August 31 & September 1, 2013 Unit 1, Session 1 Bible Story: Jesus talks about the Beatitudes
More informationMaster of Ceremonies Example. Nina s Garden. We gather to remember the little things that made a special place in our heart.
Master of Ceremonies Example Nina s Garden We gather to remember the little things that made a special place in our heart. To remember those happy times when we laughed and those times when our hearts
More informationJon Fosse. Too Late. Libretto. Translated by May-Brit Akerholt
1 Jon Fosse Too Late Libretto Translated by May-Brit Akerholt 2 CHARACTERS Older Woman, around sixty-seventy years of age Middle-Aged Woman, around forty years of age Man, around fifty years of age Shadow
More informationLiving In The Shadow Of The Almighty #10. Strength. Psalm 86
Prestonwood Connection Living In The Shadow Of The Almighty #10 Strength Psalm 86 Wednesday, October 29, 2003 Dr. David McKinley [Dr. McKinley, message Strength In The Shadow Of The Almighty] Lord,
More informationSchool, Friends and Faith in Jesus!
School, Friends and Faith in Jesus! Devotional for 8 10 year olds (but it s OK if you re 7, or 11, or 25!) Peter Walker, 2019 www.1peter1three.weebly.com Jesus said, Let the children come to me, and do
More informationI was reminded recently that Fredrick Buechner once said in an interview on National Public Radio:
Text: John 20: 19-31 Title: Easter for Grown-ups Date: 04.15.12 Roger Allen Nelson I was reminded recently that Fredrick Buechner once said in an interview on National Public Radio: I don t go to church
More informationSERMON 6 th Sunday of Easter May 9, 2010
SERMON 6 th Sunday of Easter May 9, 2010 Acts 16:9-15 Psalm 67 Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 John 14:23-29 Brothers and sisters in Christ, grace to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord and
More informationGo Tell It On The Mountain Luke ,16-18 December 1, 2013 Rev. D2
Go Tell It On The Mountain Luke 2.8-11,16-18 December 1, 2013 Rev. D2 I love this time of the year. When I was young, it was fun when my parents would take us shopping and there d be those mechanical toys
More informationPastor John Schwehn Acts 1:6-14 Sermon, Easter 7A, 2017 John 17:1-11
1 Pastor John Schwehn Acts 1:6-14 Sermon, Easter 7A, 2017 John 17:1-11 Growing up as a kid and especially when I reached my teenage years there were certain moments that I dreaded. They were the moments
More informationBroken Beginnings and Kingdom Conclusions: Disciples Matthew 4:18-22, 28:16-20, Luke 24:36-48, John 20:24-29
Broken Beginnings and Kingdom Conclusions: Disciples Matthew 4:18-22, 28:16-20, Luke 24:36-48, John 20:24-29 For all of us, there comes a time in our lives where we question everything we know about ourselves,
More informationLESSON 2 DANIEL INTERPRETS A DREAM
LESSON 2 DANIEL INTERPRETS A DREAM Bible Reference: Daniel 2:1-49 Key Verse: Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his actions, whether his activity is pure and whether it is right (NET). OVERVIEW -
More informationTEACHER BIBLE STUDY Four Friends Helped Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26
Sunday, Nov 16, 2014 Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group TEACHER BIBLE STUDY Four Friends Helped Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26 Jesus was in Capernaum, a city on the Sea of Galilee. The Pharisees
More informationHey, Mrs. Tibbetts, how come they get to go and we don t?
I Go Along by Richard Peck Anyway, Mrs. Tibbetts comes into the room for second period, so we all see she s still in school even if she s pregnant. After the baby we ll have a sub not that we care in this
More informationALONE, ALIVE, FULFILLED
ALONE, ALIVE, FULFILLED 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. St. Louis, Missouri 63141-8557 1-800-876-9880 www.lhm.org 6BE01 INTRODUCTION This booklet is written and dedicated to everyone that is alone or feels
More informationHarmony of Resurrection of Jesus Christ
HOME SERMONS & BIBLE STUDIES FEEDBACK ABIDE IN CHRIST SEARCH PERSONAL GROWTH LINKS CHRIST IN O.T. ARCHIVE Harmony of Resurrection of Jesus Christ Event Time MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN Activities Visit of the
More informationSample Packet Level 1
Sample Packet Level 1 Contents Leader s Lesson Guide...2 Children s Home Paper...7 Parent s Home Paper... 10 Children s Craft... 12 Optional Craft for Two Year Olds... 17 Aim Page... 19 Memory Verse...
More informationKarla Feather. She doesn t even remember who I am, I said to Mom on. by David Gifaldi
Karla Feather by David Gifaldi RANDMA, I SAID, as we were about to leave the nursing home, who am I? Grandma rubbed the tray of her wheelchair. Her tired eyes looked up at me, searching. Her voice was
More informationThe Parable of the Sower
Sunday, January 17, 2016 The Parable of the Sower Mark 4:1-34 Mark 4:27b Jesus tells the parable of the sower to a crowd beside the sea. Jesus followers sometimes struggled to understand the parables.
More informationSilent Affirmations Instructions: Print one copy and use as instructed in the leader guide.
ROUND 1 1. you respect 2. you would go to for advice 3. inspired you to learn more about Jesus ROUND 2 1. you saw help someone 2. made you smile 3. you have prayed for ROUND 3 1. you are glad you met 2.
More informationWho Are the People of God?
September 30, 2018 The Wondering Church Who Are the People of God? Primary (Grade 2 & 3) Focus Scripture Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22 PURPOSE To explore the cost of belonging to God s community. Lesson
More informationGreater Works May 18, 2014 Rev. Frank Allen First Presbyterian Church, Kissimmee, FL. John 14:1-14
1 Greater Works May 18, 2014 Rev. Frank Allen First Presbyterian Church, Kissimmee, FL John 14:1-14 14 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father s house there
More informationlesson two: son of man Main Point: Jesus, the Son of Man, identifies with those He came to save because He became a
lesson two: son of man Main Point: Jesus, the Son of Man, identifies with those He came to save because He became a man. Bible Verse: For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 Bible
More informationAitkin, Minnesota April 14, 2013
1 SERMON John 21:1-19 First Lutheran Church Rev. Darrell J. Pedersen Aitkin, Minnesota April 14, 2013 CHILDREN S MESSAGE Kids, today our second graders are going to come up behind the altar and lead our
More informationSome of you have come because a relative laid down the law and said, It s Easter. You are going to church! You can t fool me. I know who you are!
1 First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida Dr. Frank Allen, Pastor 4/12/09 The Stone is Rolled Away Mark 16:1-8 (NRSV) [16:1] When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James,
More informationTips for three-year-olds Say thank you is an instruction with which most three-year-olds will be familiar.
Say thank you is an instruction with which most three-year-olds will be familiar. March 10, 2019 They are concrete thinkers and will understand thanks in terms of objects and people. A Place of Justice
More informationA Study of First Corinthians Week Twelve 1 Corinthians 14:9-40
A Study of First Corinthians Week Twelve 1 Corinthians 14:9-40 Day One 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just
More informationLesson Plans that Work Year B Second Sunday of Easter Lesson Plans for Younger Children
Lesson Plans that Work Year B Second Sunday of Easter Lesson Plans for Younger Children Scripture: John 20:19-31 Background: Easter - the unearned gift of grace. The reflective season of going in that
More informationJesus Gives Us the Gift of Himself
NEW EVANGELIZATION EDITION AT-HOME EDITION Grade 2 UNIT 4 Jesus Gives Us the Gift of Himself Before beginning Unit 4, read A Letter Home, found on page 112 of your child s book. Then begin the next paragraph
More informationBEDTIME STORIES WELCOME
BEDTIME STORIES WELCOME Hebrews 11 Is Faith s Hall of Fame. But read it slowly, And look at each name. These were not superheroes, Who could soar through the sky. They were ordinary people, Just like you
More informationin ter cede: Marriage
January 29, 2017 Pastor Mark Toone Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church Sermon Notes 1 in ter cede: Marriage Genesis 2:18-25 This was a big weekend for two of our Chapel Hill family. Ryan Palmer, our Director
More informationThe Good Goodbye. Rev. Patrick Willson. Luke 24: June 26, 2011 The National Presbyterian Church
June 26, 2011 The National Presbyterian Church The Good Goodbye Luke 24:44-53 Rev. Patrick Willson M H any people have been concerned about me recently so I feel compelled to make it clear that I will
More informationRosendo "Ro" Parra Commencement Speech May 22, 2002
Rosendo "Ro" Parra Commencement Speech May 22, 2002 Thank you, Dean Frank. Proud parents, friends, guests, faculty thanks to all of you for inviting me to share this day with you. To the graduates, congratulations.
More informationWHAT the BIBLE TEACHES about GOD and JESUS CHRIST. Lesson 8 - Part 1 THE ASCENSION AND EXALTATION OF JESUS CHRIST. How Jesus Christ ascended to heaven
WHAT the BIBLE TEACHES about GOD and JESUS CHRIST Lesson 8 - Part 1 THE ASCENSION AND EXALTATION OF JESUS CHRIST How Jesus Christ ascended to heaven 1. What are the results of the resurrection of Jesus
More information1st Sunday of Advent, Cycle B Page 1 of 5
1st Sunday of Advent, Cycle B Page 1 of 5 Focus: Be Ready Materials: Prayer Altar: Cross, Candle, Chasuble on stand (priest s vestment) and Altar Cloth Advent Wreath-and flames CD: Advent CD Cycle B Bible:
More informationLIFE POINT: Jesus promised that God would send the Holy Spirit. LEADER BIBLE STUDY
THE ASCENSION LIFE POINT: Jesus promised that God would send the Holy Spirit. LEADER BIBLE STUDY HOLY SPIRIT LEVEL OF BIBLICAL LEARNING The Holy Spirit is a special helper. BIBLE PASSAGE Acts 1:4-11 WEEKLY
More informationAGE 3. Who s in the Ocean? September 4, Tips for three-year-olds They learn primarily by exploring their world using all their senses.
They learn primarily by exploring their world using all their senses. September 4, 2016 They may not have any tangible experiences with oceans. Ocean Sunday Job 38:1 18 Let s pretend we are swimmers in
More informationMagnify Lesson 4 Aug 27/28 1
1 Series at a Glance for Elevate ABOUT THIS SERIES Parents love to give their kids gifts, but did you know that our Heavenly Father loves to give us gifts even more? God made each of us unique and gives
More informationTHE STORY FOR KIDS: Later Elementary LESSON GUIDE: Lesson
THE STORY FOR KIDS: Later Elementary LESSON GUIDE: Lesson 27 115 The Resurrection Bible Basis: Matthew 28:2 8, 16 20; Luke 24:36 49; John 20:1 6 Key Verse: He is not here! He is risen, just as he said
More informationO UR S UNDAY VISITOR. Be Sealed CONFIRMATION. Called to WITNESS
P A R E N T G U I D E O UR S UNDAY VISITOR Be Sealed CONFIRMATION Called to WITNESS S E S S I O N 1 2017 by Our Sunday Visitor. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
More informationBEGINNING A NEW ADVENTURE. A Story About Following God In Our Eighties
BEGINNING A NEW ADVENTURE A Story About Following God In Our Eighties Copyright 2012 Marvin J. Martin If you find the information beneficial, and you want to pass it on to others, permission is given to
More informationLIFE Meeting Miracles December 2, 2014
LIFE Meeting Miracles December 2, 2014 1. Icebreaker: Snowball fight Vince 2. Opening Prayer Charlie/Sarah 3. Large Group: Story/Reflection Sarah 4. Witness Talk Mrs. McCoy 5. Large Group: Video/Questions/Reflection
More informationSermon Series The Acts Of The Apostles. Part 5 The Boldness Of Peter And John
1 Rev. William J. Shields St. Mark Lutheran Church, Lindenhurst, Illinois The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost Father s Day June 16, 2013 Gospel Lesson Acts 4:1-22 Sermon Series The Acts Of The Apostles Part
More informationHOW TO STAY IN THE WILL OF GOD 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
HOW TO STAY IN THE WILL OF GOD 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 The first time I visited JOHN MACARTHUR S church in Los Angeles, I went to a guest reception after the service. They gave me a booklet written by
More informationSession One: 1. Greet kids with Christmas greetings and Christmas music playing
Christmas Objective: To develop an understanding of Christmas tradition To develop an understanding of the true meaning of Christmas To practice dialogue and perform it Sing Christmas songs Express good
More informationShruti parasher - poems -
Poetry Series - poems - Publication Date: 2012 Publisher: Poemhunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive (18-may-1996) 1 Before The Storm I know this isn't what I wanted, Never thought it'd come this far,
More informationGod Created People. Leader BIBLE STUDY. and female. world and everything in it for His glory.
UNIT 1 Session 2 Use Week of: God Created People BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 1:26 2:25 MAIN POINT: God created people in His own image; God created them male and female. UNIT KEY PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6
More informationYOU ARE NOT ALONE. Catalog No John 14: th Message Paul Taylor March 16, 2014
YOU ARE NOT ALONE DISCOVERY PAPERS Catalog No. 20140316 John 14:15-31 29th Message Paul Taylor March 16, 2014 It s the season of celebrating movies. The Academy Awards were a few weekends ago, where the
More informationKey Words: Single Mother, Recession, Welfare, Unemployment, Student, Education, The Obstacles I Faced As A Single Mother
Topic: Abstract: The Obstacles Faced as a Single Mother I never thought that I would be in a situation like this. I was pregnant. In less than nine months, I had to quit my job, drop out of school, move
More informationFollowing directions. Let s have some fun! Read the story. Help Alan by following the directions
Following directions Let s have some fun! Read the story. Help Alan by following the directions For three months Alan had waited impatiently for his birthday. He would be nine. Finally he would be old
More informationLESSON TITLE: The Birth of John the Baptist
Devotion NT206 CHILDREN S DEVOTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF: LESSON TITLE: The Birth of John the Baptist THEME: God is worthy of our praise. SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:39-80 Dear Parents Welcome to Bible Time for Kids!
More informationFUTURE FORMS SIMPLE FUTURE
FUTURE FORMS Introduction There are a number of different ways of referring to the future in English. It is important to remember that we are expressing more than simply the time of the action or event.
More informationJesus and Zacchaeus. Leader BIBLE STUDY. Messiah.
UNIT 21 Session 5 Use Week of: Jesus and Zacchaeus BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 19:1-10 MAIN POINT: Meeting Jesus changed Zacchaeus forever. KEY PASSAGE: John 14:6 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Who did Jesus say He is?
More informationPoems and Readings dedicated to Husbands, Fathers, Sons and Grandfathers
Five Minutes If I only had five minutes the day you passed away, I would have had time to tell you all the things I needed to say. I never got to tell you how much you mean to me, Or that you were the
More informationEaster Eyes. Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned and said to him, Rabbouni! which means teacher.
Easter Eyes John 20:1-18: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon
More informationIn Galatians 3:28, one of the verses I preached on earlier in the day, Paul writes these words:
SERMON TITLE: And a Voice Came From Heaven TEXT: Mark 1:4-11 PREACHED AT: Neighbourhood Church BY: Ryan Dueck DATE: January 11, 2008/First Sunday of Epiphany Epiphany: A Story As a new pastor, I ve experienced
More informationAll Saints Day (Year A)
All Saints Day (Year A) All Saints Day Year A What is it like to live as God s saint? This week s readings affirm that all who claim and trust in the promises of God are blessed. God s saints today including
More informationYou ll Know Him When He Calls Your Name John 20:10-18 John Breon
You ll Know Him When He Calls Your Name John 20:10-18 John Breon In a Time magazine article, Peggy Noonan wrote about how quickly we absorb the astounding. Noonan tells about an elderly woman she knew
More informationSECOND SUNDAY OF LENT. Upper and Middle Elementary. Learning Goals
Journey through Lent SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Upper and Middle Elementary Materials ӹӹ ӹӹ ӹӹ Handout A: Gospel Reading for February 25, 2018 Handout B: Jesus Divinity and Humanity Handout C: God and Man Learning
More informationThe church supports missionaries.
Give to Missionaries Give to Missionaries Lesson 12 Bible Point The church supports missionaries. Bible Verse Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass
More informationCircles of Caring. Purpose: To remind us that compassion shapes us as much as it influences the other.
March 11, 2012 Colossians 3:12-17 Creekside COB Pastor Rosanna McFadden Circles of Caring Purpose: To remind us that compassion shapes us as much as it influences the other. Good morning! As you may remember,
More informationThe Incredible Word of God LOVING MY FAMILY PRESCHOOL. Worship
GOD CREATED Jesus Is Powerful THE WORLD WORSHIP God s Awesome GOD AT Promises CHURCH The Incredible Word of God LOVING MY FAMILY PRESCHOOL Worship PRESCHOOL How-to USE Bible Studies For Life: Preschool
More informationALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT Karen F. Bunnell Elkton United Methodist Church December 24, Christmas Eve. Luke 2:1-20
ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT Karen F. Bunnell Elkton United Methodist Church December 24, 2013 Christmas Eve Luke 2:1-20 Many of you here know that about six months ago a new resident came to live at the
More informationGod, Our Creator and Father
A Ages 4 6 Unit 1 Before You Begin Download and print: Art Print BLMs Sessions 1 5 God, Our Creator and Father Begin Say: The title of this book is Finding God. We will use this book to help us learn about
More informationJesus Sends out the Disciples
Sunday, January 31, 2016 Jesus Sends out the Disciples Mark 6:1-29 Mark 6:12 Jesus went to his hometown of Nazareth and was rejected by the people there. Even when he was turned away, Jesus showed love
More informationThe Centurion s Servant
The Centurion s Servant Lesson At-A-Glance Scripture Reference Matthew 8:5-13 Lesson Focus Ask Jesus for help! Gather (10 minutes) Arrival Time Kids list the different times when people need help and do
More informationLife of Christ. Lessons About Life and Death. NT111 LESSON 05 of 07. A Glimpse of Glory on a Mountaintop
Life of Christ NT111 LESSON 05 of 07 Christian University This course was developed by Christian University & Our Daily Bread Ministries. A Glimpse of Glory on a Mountaintop As he was praying, the appearance
More informationSERMON 10 SEPTEMBER 2017
SERMON 10 SEPTEMBER 2017 Tomorrow I am going to an Ethical Ministry training. There are two of these compulsory trainings each year, focussing on different topics. Tomorrow we are looking at Social Media,
More informationLeading Children Towards a Life with God
Leading Children Towards a Life with God I m a worrier by nature. You can ask my wife. I m sure she can make a whole list of silly things I worry about. I haven t always been like this, at least I don
More information252 Groups February 12, 2017, Week 2 Small Group, 2-3
Storm Tamer Bible Story: Storm Tamer (Jesus calms the storm) Mark 4:35-41 (Supporting: Matthew 8:23-27) Bottom Line: Comfort others who are hurting. Memory Verse: Here is what love is. It is not that we
More informationCalvary United Methodist Church May 17, DO SOMETHING Rev. Dr. S. Ronald Parks. Children s Sermon: Psalm 91:14-16
Calvary United Methodist Church May 17, 2015 DO SOMETHING Rev. Dr. S. Ronald Parks Children s Sermon: Psalm 91:14-16 The family of Grace comes together to celebrate what God has given to us. Everyone has
More informationJesus Jesus. sword. love. scared. cross. sad. friends. feet. crown of thorns. women. hands. tomb
sword love scared cross sad friends feet crown of thorns tomb women hands Picture Chart p1 clouds fish stone angel Joy bread Thomas nails food up Picture Chart p2 A True Story about Last Days on the earth,
More informationDEVOTIONAL 1: PRAYING FOR A HAPPY FAMILY
DEVOTIONAL 1: PRAYING FOR A HAPPY FAMILY Family Minute Dear God, We praise You, and we seek You. We come before You as a family to ask for Your incredible answers nothing less because You are a God of
More informationThe Holy Spirit Acts: CAN I GET A WITNESS?
The Holy Spirit Acts: CAN I GET A WITNESS? Acts 4:29-31 The Spirit empowers us to speak with boldness. A sermon preached by Dr. William O. (Bud) Reeves First United Methodist Church Hot Springs, Arkansas
More informationActs 4:32-5:16 MIRACLES OF BIRTH 10/20/13 Introduction: A. Wouldn t it be wonderful if our church could be instrumental in seeing more and more
Acts 4:32-5:16 MIRACLES OF BIRTH 10/20/13 Introduction: A. Wouldn t it be wonderful if our church could be instrumental in seeing more and more people come to know and love Jesus? Wouldn t it be wonderful
More informationWhat Happens When We follow The Light West Valley Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Kim Englelmann
What Happens When We follow The Light West Valley Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Kim Englelmann Date: 2013-12-22 Advent/Magi How many ways can you arrange 10 books on a bookshelf? Believe it or not, the
More informationA Life of Joyful Thanks and Praise. Meditation on Luke 17: Oct. 9, Merritt Island Presbyterian Church
A Life of Joyful Thanks and Praise Meditation on Luke 17:11-19 Oct. 9, 2016 Merritt Island Presbyterian Church On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As
More informationAs far back as I can remember, every time I left the house where I grew up, my
Proverbs 1: 20-26, 32-33 Be Wise As far back as I can remember, every time I left the house where I grew up, my mother would say to me, Be good. I remember hearing that into my forties and fifties. So,
More information