An example was given in the sermon about a daughter of the CEO of a large company.  Her behavior was contrasted between her selfish demands of the workers that benefitted only her; and acts of love that benefitted the employees and the company as a whole.  Her selfish behavior reflected badly on the company and her father.  Just as we are sometimes selfish, loveless, to others, that is not reflecting Jesus.  Our acts of friendliness, kindness, and caring show others a view of how Jesus is and how He wants us to be.

Prayer for the week:

Dear Jesus, please help us to be strong branches that produce good fruit. Help us to be more like you, reflecting your ways, by being loving and kind to others, by sharing our wealth with the poor.  Amen

Composed by Jane Hazelton

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It boggles the mind to think of the “what ifs” – what if there were no empty tomb, a death on the cross, a life devoted to forgiving others and making them whole, and Mary’s Magnificat praising God for allowing her to be the mother of God’s Son who would live on this earth.  What would our lives be like without the promise of life eternal?  Very empty, very empty indeed; but this is what many people living in our communities and half way around the world experience every day.  We have a story to share – a joy and love to live.  It’s not meant to be a secret but a way of living that invites others to be a part of a family – God’s family.  We are not here to create barriers to people who are seeking God but we are challenged to find ways that speak of love, God’s love in what we do and say.  Come to worship at Christ Lutheran next Sunday to be inspired by the ways to be active in service in our community meeting needs and allowing God’s love to reach people through our actions and words.

The prayer for the week:

Risen Lord Jesus, you have given us new life.  Help us to share the good news with others.  Amen.

A Blessing for you:

May the Good news of Jesus’ resurrection fill you with love, joy, and hope.  Amen.

Composed by:  Betty Wilkens

How wonderful it is that we have eyes to see the riot of color this spring and ears to hear bird songs.  Touch, smell, and taste give us pleasure or a heightened sense of awareness. Palm Sunday worship yesterday at Christ Lutheran began outdoors with waving palm branches and singing a hymn of praise reminding us of Christ’s triumphal reception into Jerusalem before his death.  Entering the sanctuary, the pews were covered with colorful quilts.  Touching them during the blessing of the quilts brought to mind places and people near and far who will find comfort in them.  During the service one can become passive to what is being said or sung if not attentive or not feeling the need of God’s healing grace. The Journey to the Cross between both worship services made one confront the Passion of Jesus by seeing the sandals and robe he wore and the crown of thorns placed on his head; smelling the perfume used to anoint him; tasting bread dipped in oil; holding the coins like Judas used to betray Jesus; touching the rope used to beat him and the rock that sealed the tomb in which he was buried.  Seeing the cross and given the opportunity to write at each station what our response to each action presented made it a personal journey of what Jesus’ ultimate act of love means to us individually. If you missed doing the Journey to the Cross this year, take time this week to read the passion story in Mark 14 and 15 – engage your senses to hear and see the action.

Jesus, your obedience to Your Father is something you did for me.  This loves offers me forgiveness and new life.  May I confront what it is that is keeping me from being obedient to you and free to love in the way you love.  I surrender it all over to you and ask for forgiveness.    In Jesus’ Name.  Amen

Composed by: Betty Wilkens

The purple insert in the bulletin every week is meant to help us throughout the week to live the Gospel message we hear every Sunday.  The reading this Sunday was from John 3:14 – 21.  We know John 3:16 well but, as Pastor Cheryl pointed out, not all people know that verse – and sometimes it is used to create insiders.  The following verse states God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. When we question why the suffering in this world and pray to God to “do something” Pastor Cheryl reminded us that God already has and God is waiting for us to act.  How do we love others and work for justice in this world?  For many of us it is to join with others in the mission and ministries of Christ Lutheran and volunteer agencies in our community that work to alleviate suffering.  We are invited and challenged daily to live God’s call to love all as God loves.  To do this, it would be helpful to mediate first on the readings for the week suggested on the Purple Sheet.  They are:

Monday:          1 John 4: 7 – 17     God is love

Tuesday:          Romans 8: 1 – 11  No Condemnation

Wednesday:     1 John 5: 5 -  15     Eternal life through the Son

Thursday:         Ephesians 2: 4 – 10  Saved through faith in Christ

Friday:               1 Corinthians 15: 1 – 11  By this gospel you are saved

Saturday:          Isaiah 12: 1 – 6      Thanks to God, our Savior

God, in Jesus Christ you came to the world to save all people.  Help me to remember that everyone, everywhere is precious to you.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

                                    Composed by:  Betty Wilkens

We don’t create insiders and outsiders.

In the Temple Talk yesterday, George Ohlendorf stated we would be hearing and involved in this focus in 2012.  During the sermon we saw and heard someone with a story to tell and gifts to share. Jeff Bergeron began by introducing himself as a son of Christ Lutheran before he gave the sermon. He expressed gratitude for the nurturing he has received since his baptism when he became a child of God and while growing up in this faith community.  We have been a part of his seminary experience at Wartburg Seminary in Iowa through his letters in the Christ Lutheran newsletter and his visits home when he has shared stories of his life, his commitment to serve, and always his thankfulness for the support he receives from his home congregation.  With joy and excitement in his voice, Jeff announced he has been accepted to serve as an ordained pastor in the ELCA.  There was spontaneous applause (even at the 8 am worship service).  Jeff has connected his story with ours. We all are children of God– we each have different stories and gifts to share. Hearing faith stories and receiving gifts from one another builds up the community of faith in Jesus Christ and brings inspiration in our faith walk and how we might serve God in our community and the world.

Lord, through stories in the Bible and people of today we see more clearly your forgiveness, mercy, and love.  Help us to find ways to relate these stories in meaningful ways in our daily life.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Composed by:  Betty Wilkens

See the CLC Youth Ministry job description for additional details.

Pastor commented that there is a special relationship between a child and a beloved father, and that Paul used the Aramaic “Abba” to denote our yearning for a personal connection to God.

Our own name is “Child of God,” and we are boldly called to live the name we have been given.

Oh, Lord our God, we are amazed at the mystery of this wonder: that you our God have become Man and that in so doing, you have remained God. We have heard your Word. Help us to live it and to tell it, until every person in every place bows the knee to you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen